Aviary extension......new pics added (9 March)

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:02 am

After mentioning previously that I am going to be extending my aviary it is finally going to start happening. will even be tidying up some of my yard (happy now Paul?

).
I measured the yard today and am able to fit a 9m x 6m shed over near the fence, the extension to the aviary will be from the existing aviary to within a metre of the shed wall.
this means that the extension is going to measure 11m long x 6m deep.
am going to break that into about 4 different sections. the first will be an area to grow green food for the birds, a holding cage for young birds and a couple of sections that will be like a cage in a cage for birds that dont mix well with others.
this coming weekend I plan to dig the trenches for the foundations, so long as the weather stays below 35C.
cost of materials for this will be approx $1200 Aust. metal frame, 10mm wire and the tin for the roof & walls.
am hoping to take pics as I progress and will try to update this post along the way. it's going to be a long slow process though, unless I can win the lottery.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:53 am

have fun Mick.if you are like me it will take twelve months.noticed you painted the wire black on your other bank.Makes a difference!!The price of steal is shocking.I to am extending.building a bird room and quarantine area,the Rio was $180.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:01 am

Best wishes on the aviary renovations. Can't wait for the pics to start being posted (on your coffee breaks)!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:57 am

finally made a start today. put stakes in the ground to mark out the aviary foundations. then started to dig the trenches into which I will pour cement which will hopefully help to make the aviary rodent proof.
in 4 hours today all I managed to achieve was 3meters of trench dug to a depth of 600mm (2 feet). turns out that there is only 3 inches of topsoil then it is like digging through rock. had to use a crowbar to break it up before I could shovel any dirt out. at this rate it will take me a month just to dig the foundation.
will try & add a pic of my pathetic effort tomorrow

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:42 am

About time you cleared that yard ...scruffy git.You wanna do something round your computer next....

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:01 am

Paul I have to thank you, thats the first time in months that I have seen part of the desk and even a glimpse of the monitor

and quit taking pics in my house & posting them on here damn it. if I had any feelings you may have hurt them

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:14 am

Only joking Mick...Please post some pictures of your HUGE new aviary you are building in that MASSIVE yard of yours...under the blue skies and in that very warm climate of yours...I won't be the slightest bit jealous.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:25 pm

Hey MickP...enough time has passed now....start posting some pics of your Aviary eh?

You will have more time if you just stop sparring with PoohBear.

Ummm....you two aren't really brothers or anything are you....I mean the way you fight with each other?

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:31 pm

Hey Mick if you moved that milk crate from your window.Paul wouldn't be able to take any photos.If you find it at the bedroom window then I would be worried.No photos needed thanks Paul.Got any photos of your blistered hands Mick?Not a good time to be digging trenches.I know how you feel One bank I built was 60 plus metres of trenching during summer.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:23 am

gomer wrote:Hey Mick if you moved that milk crate from your window.Paul wouldn't be able to take any photos.If you find it at the bedroom window then I would be worried.No photos needed thanks Paul.

Aww shame....I got some cracking shots...really mind boggling...You gotta feel sorry for the kangaroo though

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:25 am

well I finally took a couple of pics. with work and me being lazy it took almost a month to complete digging the foundation trench's, 600mm deep by 300mm wide ( or 2 foot x 1 foot lol) . after ( when) I get around to pouring the cement, will be able to level out the ground.
all up it measures 9m x 6m.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:24 am

That's some serious footings.enough for house footings.Don'T forget lagging on your pvc.You filling it with concrete?or broken glass?

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:36 am

have had winds up to 80 - 90 kmh on occasion this year, am just trying to make certain it is secure and to keep the rodents out. a neighbour has chickens and mice, be ok if he would keep the mice at his place

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:14 am

finally got back to work on the aviary this afternoon. managed to get the footings 2/3 complete and will finish them tomorrow morning. then I can start the fun part of cutting the steel to length and welding it together.
will take some pics as I go and try to post them each evening. this will be my first complete week end away from work since just before x-mas, sometimes I wish I wasnt such a workaholic

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:01 am

here are a couple of new pics showing what I have managed to get done in the last couple of days. the third pic includes the mutt, for once she wasnt digging a hole.
finished the foundations this morning and then made the front wall of the aviary, still a couple of beams to be put across the front. but it gives you a general idea of the size.