Has anyone heard of this??????

[Kathleen]

Recently I have read two different articles in the newspaper about hawks coming through a persons screened in pool/lani area and snatch their pet bird off it's perch, one was an African Grey that survived but now has disabilities. In both cases the person said that there was a whole in the screen that was used for entry and exit. I wonder........could it be possible that the intruding bird broke through the screening? A little bird wouldn't have a chance.....

[Sally]

I imagine a hawk would easily be able to go thru screen. But your birds are in a cage, right? The birds that were attacked were probably out of cages, so all the hawk had to do was get thru the screen. I have a lot of hawks in my area, and they go after field mice, rats, and rabbits in the pasture. I worry sometimes about them going after one of my cats--I know owls will sometimes get cats.

[Kathleen]

Yes they are in a cage, but are in a screened in area next to the screened in pool/lani. So the entire top of the area is screened, but there is a section over these two doors that is open into the pool/lani where the zebras could fly through and end up in the pool or eated by one of our two cats. So I thought if I had that small section separated with additional screening it would keep the zebras confined to this walled/screened 12x14 foot area. They would just love it !!!! Maybe I could let them out only if I stayed out there with them....this is something I need to really give some more thought to.....I may need to go back to my original plans to build an aviary that has a solid roof....thanks Sally....and by the way, thanks for asking how the birds managed the cold wheather, that was very thoughtful.....Although the 6 original Z's are from Georgia, the other 3 Z's are native Floridians, and just like me they don't like cold wheather, so there ya go....

[Sally]

Omigosh, a 12x14 garden area--what an aviary you could have!! Don't know how difficult or expensive it would be, but if you could replace the roof screening with a roof that is partly solid and partly wire mesh, and replace the screen walls with wire mesh, you would have an awesome aviary. If you wanted the screen to keep out bugs (I know, Florida is like Houston, lots of bugs), could you leave the screen on the outside of the posts, and put wire mesh on the inside, sort of like a double wall? Your birds would definitely be in heaven. You could even carry a chair in there and sit and let your birds fly around you.

[Kathleen]

Sally.....That would be sooo awesome, and keep in mind the walls are not screened they are solid concrete 7 foot high walls on all four sides except for the doors. I really should figure this out....it would be so cool to sit in there while they are flying around....in fact I do have a small table and chairs in there now...maybe I could get them to be a bit friendlier with me....I so miss having a bird to hold and cuddle....I just love them. I must tell you that when our baby Z was about two wks old I brought it into the house and got under a sheet and played with it for about 10 minutes, I know that sounds crazy....just had to do it...when I told my daughter about what I did she said lets do it again....and we did several times and the little guy liked it...I think...

[Sally]

So really, you would only have to do the roof and the doors. You'd want some part of the roof to be solid, to provide protection from rain, and with four solid walls, I guess you might need some sort of ventilation or a way to move the air around a bit. Does the area get much sun?

Finches aren't cuddly-with-human type birds, but I have read about people who have hand-tamed their finches. Nipper06 on this forum has hand-tamed javas.

[Kathleen]

Sally....Between the common area with the tall pines, the location of our home and the tall pines/trees in the yard/neighbors yards, it only gets partial direct sun on about 3/4 of the birds area. I think you have a great idea in adding some type of wire mesh, in that way nothing wild could crash in through the roofs screening. And over the doors I could just put the mesh. As far as the roof goes, I could secure one by laying it on top of a portion of the walls from end to end because there is about a 5 inch ledge to work with. Do Java's need a mate even if they are hand tamed? Do you think they make a good hand tamed bird as far as the small birds go? What's best male or female? Thanks for all your help and positive input

[Sally]

Can't help you with the Javas--I've never had them, but there are members on here who do have them. As far as the wire mesh, yes, on any outdoor aviary, you have to have wire mesh to protect your birds. Even plastic mesh will not work, because it can be chewed thru. And the wire mesh would need to be on the inside of the screen.

[S. W. Houston]

Kathleen,
I don’t know how far along you are with your project, but I have a couple comments on the Construction.
The failure of most Screening of any kind is generally caused by two reasons.

First, is usually deterioration.
Metal, either Steel or Aluminum, deteriorates with age, and can look rather shabby as the oxidation or rust forms on it. When this happens, there’s hardly anything you can do, but replace it.

The second reason, is a penetration, causing an opening, which defeats the intent. With heavier Screen, many times the Screen endures, but the connection to the structure separates, letting the object through, and Birds out, in your case.

Most of this type damage, can be attributed to inadequate installation. Under normal circumstances, if you staple a standard screen about every foot or two, to keep it in place, while you’re putting on the trim piece, that’ll do fine. But, since we’re not just trying to keep the Mosquitoes out, you’ll want a sturdier attachment.

Frequently, the Moldings and structure we attach Screen to, is not all that sound. I have ran a thin line of Adhesive under and near the edge of the Screen, then used Staples at a regular interval, before installing the Trim piece over it. This greatly enhances the stability of the Screen, by distributing the pressure of the contact, over a larger area, rather than trusting the staples by themselves.

Another thought, given your “sunny” location, very little different than mine, you might consider using a Solar Screen for your primary barrier. This comes in several types, from a very light Gray, to dark Charcoal, and under the right circumstances, keeps prying eyes from checking things out, they shouldn't be seeing. A combination of Fiberglass exterior, and Metal interior, or the reverse of that, should satisfy the security issue of being chewed through, and give you more control over how much heat you’ll have to deal with.

Hope this helps.

Have a good Day !

[Kathleen]

Hey Houston.....thanks for all the good tips, but for the most part I will be hiring a professional to do the major parts of the project. The main reason is that the structure that is now in place is the typical pool/lani enclosure, which means the height of the screens are about 15 feet. I consider myself pretty handy on ground level, and so therefore, this will be done by professionals that know what their doing and have the necessary equipment. Forgive me if I repeat myself....I must give this project lots of thought before it is started. I live in a gated community with a pretty strict HOA and so I must be careful not to make any too obvious changes, in this way I won't need to seek the approval of the Architectural Committee. Anyway, it really would be nice for the birds to have a lot more freedom.....I hope I can make it happen for them.
Thanks again

[S. W. Houston]

Kathleen,

UOO YUK!, HOA*/ACC*, know them well !

I know Pro well too, one needs Personnel, Parts, Tools, Time and Information, to do a job. For every five minutes you spend at the Drawing Board, will save you a Hour out in the Field, that’s from personal experience. So your determination to “Plan” your project, is time well spent.

One of the first objectives of a Pro, is fix what the Customer wants FIRST, so needless to say, be sure you inform them completely, as to what all your objectives are. Notes, Photos or sketches to formal CAD Printouts, anything you can hand them, to get the idea across, is worth the time.
In any case, a picture, even a bad one, IS worth a thousand words.

The HOA of which I am a member, requires that any Construction Plans, Materials description or samples and time frame, be submitted for approval, and permission granted in writing, prior to any work started.
Your HOA may have the same requirements. Non-compliance with a HOA’s dedicatory instrument (Deed Restrictions) could cause you to have to modify, or possibly completely remove all changes/additions you have made.

Please excuse me, I do not presume that you do not already know this, but given how many read these Posts, I thought that a modicum of clarity was warranted.

Have a good Day !
PS: Sally, you don’t know how lucky you are, living out in the country !
* - Home Owners Association, Architectural Control Committee.

[Sally]

Hey, Houston, I know all about those HOAs. My brother is on 5 acres, but it is one of those developments that has HOA. So even though he is way out in the country, he has all those restrictions. He doesn't especially like it, but I remind him that out in the country, you have no control over what happens around you. If someone decides to put in a landfill or a feedlot, nothing you can do about it. I am on 26 acres, but I am actually in the city limits, as this area was annexed by this small town several years before I moved here.

[Kathleen]

I agree with you Sally....with an HOA one has less worries of a junk yard moving in next door. But 26 acres....I would love that....

[Sally]

But 26 acres....I would love that....

I do, it is work, but I now understand why small farmers keep going despite the hardships--you learn to love the land!

[S. W. Houston]

Acreage!, let’s see, the Privacy, Room, a Garden, Animals, Aviaries, STOP!, I’m dieing here all cooped up in the City !

Have a good Day !