FINCHforum

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This took me exactly 2 weeks plus a dozen or so trips to Lowe's to complete but I finally finished it! It's not perfect since I never built anything before but the imperfections aren't that noticeable.
It's a little over 5 ft long, 2.5 ft wide and 4 ft high. Plexiglas front, pvc coated plastic mesh on the sides, ceiling, and extra ventilation panels. There are 2 doors, one on each side, and a 4" panel below for easy cleaning. There's a large mural on the back w/c is easy to wipe in case it gets dirty w/ poo and I also installed some branches from our Japanese maple tree as well as some manzanita perches, and some silk plants mostly on the top to make the birds more comfortable (they like to sleep on those). There's also a full spectrum light connected to a timer on one side. I put casters for easy transport.

For anyone who's interested, there's a lot more photos here:
http://brenice.multiply.com/photos/album/63

I'm thinking of using those pet beddings (pine or cedar shavings) but I read that they might be harmful to birds if they get wet. Any suggestions? Maybe some of the grasses used for rabbits? I think it'll look nicer with that type of stuff instead of newspaper plus cleaning won't be that often.

Also, what are good house plants to put in an indoor aviary? Since there is a full spectrum light, does this mean that regular outdoor plants like a juniper could thrive in there? I want some bushy greens for the bottom. Also, I'm going for that Japanese style greenery to go with the background.

Are you sure you have never built anything before?Or have you been hiding away that inner cabinet maker?Looks bloody good to me.I have not much experience with indoor aviaries but how would sand go on the bottom?others who have indoor cages maybe able to comment on this.As far as plants go, I would put in potted grasses, tall or tussock type and miniature bamboo, would also look good in it rotated with others resting outside.

As Gomer says...use potted plants and rotate and rest with others outside.The birds mess and habit of picking at plants will soon leave it looking a wreck. Ok when new but won't last long...grasses and bamboo will certainly last longer than any broad leaf plants.
Personally I prefer cut fir branches which will last a couple of months...then replace with fresh.
I've never heard of anyone having a problem with wood shavings or hemp bedding.

Supersibo:

How thick is the plexiglass that you used? I'm considering the .125 inch thick pieces for my indoor aviary. The .25 inch seems too thick and wouldn't give as much if a bird happens to fly into it.

I broke my leg last October and haven't been able to get around too easily, so I have more time to plan.

Your aviary is beautiful. Hope mine turns out as nice when I finally can get to building it.

OMG...that is one beautiful aviary....wowzers!

When can you come to my house and make me one?

Looking at your pictures I can't tell....is the unit on rollers?

Beautiful job! I would love to know where you got that background....

Your aviary looks beautiful! Must be very gratifying.

I am so jealous! Good job!

very very nice, job well done.

Thanks for the comments, everyone!
To BillD: THe plexiglas I used is the very thinest ones they have at Lowe's. It costs $43 for a 6'x3' sheet and I had it cut a little to fit the front of my project. The birds flew into it a couple of times but it has a soft bounce to it so I don't think they hurt themselves. They learned quickly not to fly into it anymore.
To Featherharp: Yes, the unit is on casters. I was thinking real hard on how to elevate it at least 2 ft off the ground but I've spent enough on it and don't know how to construct a table strong enough to support it's weight. Most of the weight comes from the backboard I think.
To DFCauley: I got the mural from ebay. There's so many other nicer ones but the sizes are too big. It would be nice to put one in the bigger aviaries I've seen such as the 6 ft tall ones. There are some really gorgeous forest murals but they cost too much. Bet it'll look good in your bird room, they have ones that are 12 ft long! The one I got is just $21 plus shipping.

subersibo wrote:I was thinking real hard on how to elevate it at least 2 ft off the ground but I've spent enough on it and don't know how to construct a table strong enough to support it's weight. Most of the weight comes from the backboard I think.

Hi subersibo,

My cage is slightly smaller (3ftL X 3ftH X 2ftD) and is probably not that much lighter because I used hardware cloth all around (heavier than your plastic mesh), and a plywood bottom, as well as a plywood slide out tray. To elevate mine I wasn't sure I could make something, so I ordered shelving from Ikea, called Ivar - it has those strong metal braces on the ends of each shelf, and you rest the shelves on metal pins inserted in the legs. Very strong. And because I didn't trust the metal cross brace on the back to be absolutely straight, I also put heavish 3 inch corner brackets under each shelf. Relatively inexpensive, and more square than anything I could have done on my own.

Note that I also hang a very heavy roll of #40 kraft paper that is 2 feet wide by 1100 feet long on the lower shelf. Not sure what that weighs, maybe the #40 on it means it weights 40 pounds? It holds this weight no problem, and I'm still able to roll the cage around to clean under it, though have to go slowly. Since your cage has more weight on the back, I would hang the paper roll a little bit forward of center to counter balance the cage or perhaps have a hook to anchor down the front of the cage, if you intend to also be able to roll the table it's on, just to make sure the cage doesn't wobble backwards due to the extra weight at the back. Mine is very stable because the plywood weight is only on the bottom of the cage.

Love the mural on the back! I had to settle for a backdrop of dark green drapes, but it turns out to show off the birds pretty well. (I hung clear vinyl on the cage back to keep the drapes clean.)

Thanks Subersibo..

I have a little more time to design my aviary since I broke my ankle. I do like how Franny is setting up the kraft paper for the bottom..

Did either of you put an access to filling water and seed from the outside of your aviary? I'm looking for a way to do that with an enclosed aviary.

forgive me if I don't make much sense on that question. My pain killers are kicking in.

BillD wrote:Did either of you put an access to filling water and seed from the outside of your aviary? I'm looking for a way to do that with an enclosed aviary.

BillD I didn't use the roll of paper at the end of the cage as planned (it would have worked better for a walk in type I think, where the roll would be out of the way at one end). I ended up just hanging it from the lower shelf of the birdcage stand. More out of the way, and balanced the weight better. I tear off a sheet of paper (made a paper cutter out of hacksaw blades to lay against the roll of paper) and then just pull out the tray, lay the paper down and put the tray back in.

I use ordinary fountain type feeders that hang on the outside of the cage, for both water and seed. Also have a water buddy type waterer that hangs on the outside, that never leaks, but the finches haven't figured it out yet. They will eventually, but am leaving the old type there until I'm sure they have figured it out. I put the bath water in by pulling out the tray and setting the saucer in then sliding back in. That way I only have to open a door once a day, when I put their treat cup in. The less I have to go in there, the happier they are.

Super job on that cage! Did you use 1x2 wood? Pine?

I am planning a cage somewhat similar, in that I need to make a similar frame but am using wire cage parts for fronts and sides.
Seeing your pics has given me the confidence to move forward with the plans.

Is there a tray that you slide out the hinged door in front? Is it wood, or what is it made from?

You did an excellent job to produce a fine produce of furniture and not just a "cage". I have opted for keeping two species -- gouldians and stars -- in separate smaller cages, but I love the idea of an aviary where all of them could fly more. That said, I don't want them hassling one another, because right now they are so content and the stars are so active and might run into trouble with the much larger gouldians. I welcome any thoughts.