Make an aviary?

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
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LuxandLolita
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Make an aviary?

Post by LuxandLolita » Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:53 pm

I need ideas for a cheap, easy to make but SAFE aviary!
So i need your guys's help! i want help with building an aviary!
i don't plan on it being very large as it is an indoor aviary but i want to build it myself!
So i am thinking i will make my budget a good 50$ with an ease if it becomes more then 50$. But i know it will be more then 50 so i don't have to finish it soon i just need a starting amount at least for the frame of the aviary.
So first i need some ideas on how to make it and then i need to find places with cheap but good quality supplies.
Where do you get the chicken wire kind of stuff to keep the birds in? what is the recommended spacing for it?
I want the aviary to be 4 feet high, 5 feet long and 2 1/2 feet back.
how much wood would i need, and what kind of wood? How would i get the wire of it to stay on the wood? i don't have a heavy duty stapler..

if you get what i am saying, can anyone help? i really want this aviary for my birds!
Kaite
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Mother to Two Zebra Finches, Lux Interior and Sheena Is. Fly Free Ivy, Lolita, and Tahny Bird. 2 Cockatiels, Ian Curtis and Singerboy("Beo"), 2 Cats, Betty and Buddy, and 5 Ferrets, Lydia Lunch, Leia("Kitten"), Coda, Tubesock and Stiv Bators
Lux Interior is six years old!

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william
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by william » Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:57 pm

you can make it out of just wires and clips! not that pretty but they work , that's how my friend keeps his pigeons. i took this pics from google just for you to get an idea. the wire i think is 4' by 25 ' at lowes for $45 and the clips they usually sell them at your mom and pops pet supply stores or hardware stores around $5 a bag
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finchmix22
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by finchmix22 » Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:18 pm

That wire will be too large for finches, but the idea is a good one. I used plastic zip ties to hold together the black, pvc, 1/4 inch mess (Home Depot). It comes in rolls of 36 inches by 60 inches, I think. I forget the cost, but it was around $10 a roll. So, if you use a few rolls, the plastic zip ties and maybe something for the door/floor, you might be able to get away with around $50-100 for that size indoor aviary.
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by managermania » Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:08 pm

Could it be bigger?
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LuxandLolita
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by LuxandLolita » Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:19 pm

Why do you ask?
It has to fit in my room with enough room left for me. :)
Kaite
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Mother to Two Zebra Finches, Lux Interior and Sheena Is. Fly Free Ivy, Lolita, and Tahny Bird. 2 Cockatiels, Ian Curtis and Singerboy("Beo"), 2 Cats, Betty and Buddy, and 5 Ferrets, Lydia Lunch, Leia("Kitten"), Coda, Tubesock and Stiv Bators
Lux Interior is six years old!

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managermania
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by managermania » Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:58 pm

Making one with screen doors is pretty easy and cost effective for what you get out of it. Make take a little time but would be worth it.

Or just make it out of 1x2x6's using nice "trim" pine.
Chase

Normal & Fawn Owls, RT Parrots, Cherries, RF & YF Stars, BC Cordon Bleus, Cuban Melodious, Orange Cheeks, Gouldians, Shaftails, Senegal Fires, Normal & Fawn Diamond Fire Tails, White-headed Nuns , Goldbreasts, Societies, and Diamond Doves.

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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by PrettyBird » Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:33 pm

LuxandLolita wrote:I need ideas for a cheap, easy to make but SAFE aviary!
So i need your guys's help! i want help with building an aviary!
i don't plan on it being very large as it is an indoor aviary but i want to build it myself!
So i am thinking i will make my budget a good 50$ with an ease if it becomes more then 50$. But i know it will be more then 50 so i don't have to finish it soon i just need a starting amount at least for the frame of the aviary.
So first i need some ideas on how to make it and then i need to find places with cheap but good quality supplies.
Where do you get the chicken wire kind of stuff to keep the birds in? what is the recommended spacing for it?
I want the aviary to be 4 feet high, 5 feet long and 2 1/2 feet back.
how much wood would i need, and what kind of wood? How would i get the wire of it to stay on the wood? i don't have a heavy duty stapler..

if you get what i am saying, can anyone help? i really want this aviary for my birds!
I made mine for about $60.
I used black plastic heavy duty mesh square size about 1/4" or less I believe. You can get a big roll of it at the hardware store. I also got the wood, and screw from the hardware store (Home Depot)
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LuxandLolita
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by LuxandLolita » Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:16 pm

No way! 60$? That is amazing! As well as screen doors,but how much would screen doors cost?
Besides pine,what is a good safe type of wood that is cheap?
Prettybird,how big is yours?
Kaite
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Mother to Two Zebra Finches, Lux Interior and Sheena Is. Fly Free Ivy, Lolita, and Tahny Bird. 2 Cockatiels, Ian Curtis and Singerboy("Beo"), 2 Cats, Betty and Buddy, and 5 Ferrets, Lydia Lunch, Leia("Kitten"), Coda, Tubesock and Stiv Bators
Lux Interior is six years old!

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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by monotwine » Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:12 am

I don't know the costing, but often the cubelock system is used for outdoor aviaries. The metal does have a longer life span with little to no maintenance and its quick to assemble, take down, re-assemble, add to etc.
You just buy the hollow metal lengths you needs, clip together with the little spacer blocks and use screws to hold the wire in place.

It may be pricey, but long term worth it if you can afford it.

Alt look for second hand things. I bought an old garden shed, fixed it up with lick of preservative and varnish and just added a flight to it.

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Ursula
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by Ursula » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:01 am

Some people turn old armoires into aviaries. Maybe you can get one cheap at a garage sale or flea market. I would look in Craigslist or local classifieds.
Walk-in aviary with Waxbills (6 Cordon Bleu, 3 Orange Cheek, 3 Black-rumped, 1 Lavender, ), 1 European Goldfinch, 4 Gouldians, 2 Spice Finches, 6 Owl Finches, 4 Budgies and 2 male Button Quail.
I also have 2 parrotlets, 3 dogs, 1 snake and 3 freshwater fishtanks.

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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by Danielle4849 » Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:14 am

I love my armoire aviary. And it looks like a beautiful piece of furniture. If you are going to keep this in your room, I suggest an armoire. Like they said, you can find one cheap at a garage sale or craigslist. Just make SURE you get one that is SOLID WOOD. No particle board. That stuff will fall apart with any moisture. Check out my DIY Armoire my husband made me : http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18268
The lengths of wood that he bought to make the doors were fairly cheap (I think we paid around $20 for the extra wood). We used sand paper to sand everything down then stain it all one color. Then you would need to buy misc latches and hardware to hang the doors. The wire mesh probably cost the most, but you can price around for the best deal. Check the forum to see what others have used that is cheap. My husband used washers and screws to attach it. That holds it better than trying to staple it IMO. And then lights for the top – price depends on what you decide to use. We found a nice branch out in the field by my house to use instead of buying them. Hope this helps! Good luck.

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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by Martie » Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:31 am

I love your armoire, too!

Some of them can do with even less work - some have doors with panels that can be knocked out and replaced with wire or plexiglass. China cabinets can also be good. Either would look amazing in your room, I would think.
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by G8love4finches » Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:16 pm

I've seen someone make the closet into a large aviary....Then you just need material for the front.....You just need to have a plan for your clothes!.... Lol
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LuxandLolita
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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by LuxandLolita » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:03 pm

i would not be able to do this, I WISH!! but they would not get the lighting they need. any other ideas?
Kaite
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Mother to Two Zebra Finches, Lux Interior and Sheena Is. Fly Free Ivy, Lolita, and Tahny Bird. 2 Cockatiels, Ian Curtis and Singerboy("Beo"), 2 Cats, Betty and Buddy, and 5 Ferrets, Lydia Lunch, Leia("Kitten"), Coda, Tubesock and Stiv Bators
Lux Interior is six years old!

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Re: Make an aviary?

Post by DanteD716 » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:28 pm

Any old shelf, or anythinvg, small table on wheeks?? Thaaat wuat I did, made one the old stereo holder things into a cage, just nailed on mesh
Dante

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