Aviary Advice

[apachetear]

Hi everyone, with my ever expanding finch flock (and the ever increasing amount of seed and mess all over my small bedroom!) i've come to the conclusion perhaps an aviary would be the way to go and after months of persuading my mum has decided to let me have one! hooray! She knows a builder, so she wants me to have some designs ready next time she sees him, problem is i'm not entirely sure what it should be like.
I definitely want something with like a double door system as i dont want any accidents with them flying out, problem is everything else im not sure about

I'm assuming i'll need an area of cover, hhow big should this be?
Should i have boarding at the bottom?
(to prevent rats or mice and we have aLOT of frogs in the area)
Will i need heating for night times or will an area of cover do this effectively?
Should it be roofed or will an area of shelter do the trick to defend against the elements?
Do your aviaries have lights for at night?

Could anyone direct me to any websites or pictures of their own avaries for inspiration.

We have a German Sheperd cross Golden retriever which is also a reason for the boarding, though i'm sure he wouldnt bother them, he's as blind as a bat and probably wouldnt even see thm!
I'd have three of my four pairs out there (my hand tames would be kept indoors) and would probably add a few more zebbies and a few societies if i could.

Any general advice on aviaries much appreciated

[debbie276]

Here's a link to the one we built:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzex2qkm/thomndebs/id13.html
I needed a building for the finch to stay in during the cold winter months.
Can't wait to hear your ideas.

[poohbear]

If I were you and knowing the English weather I'd copy what I've done...but I would say that wouldn't I?..
My last couple of aviaries have been based on an open fronted shed.
Much more sensible in our climate for year round use.



Little ground work like concreting for an ordinary aviary.With a solid roof you have no contamination from wild birds and no problem with cats sitting on top frightening the birds.A solid floor is better to keep rodents out.
I have extended my shed now and provided a small area with a wire roof for the birds to sunbathe in...but it's only small and won't be missed when it's not used in winter.




In the winter you can sheet off the front in the really bad months and put a simple heater in to take the chill off the air.

If you build a half shed/half flight aviary in the UK it's fine in spring and summer...but thats only for a few months of the year.In bad months your birds would have to be kept in the shed part.

The thought of a completely open aviary with shrubs growing in it is great...but the problems with our weather and rodents getting in makes it a headache.

There's a huge range of sheds available in the UK and any manufacturer will alter one to suit.All you have to do is wire the front.

PS. I have access to my flight from inside the shed section so have no need for a safety door outside.The shed section is fully lit in winter.


By the way Debbie...Nice job that.

[poohbear]

I saved this from a while back..Not sure but I think it's another member on here from the UK.He obviously had the same thoughts as me when it comes to a common sense aviary for the UK weather.

Note the plastic sheeting to keep the cold winds and snow out.

[apachetear]

Thanks for replies, both of you have awesome aviaries
Poohbear, i was actually looking at avaries very similar to yours and will probably end up with one like that, it protects aginast the elements and i'm sure against cats as well. we've got so many neighbours with cats and as the old dog ages he isnt noticing as much when they wander in and swipe a few sparrows eating in the garden!
Now ive just got to get the money together for one, and then get it sorted before winter arrives.
I'll update when we start building it

[Flight of Fancy]

This is not my aviary, it belongs to another member (Rayray) I believe but he has the link to his photobucket in his signature. It is gorgeous. I have always wanted something similar.

http://s711.photobucket.com/albums/ww11 ... ?start=all