Outdoor Aviary in CT

tiffanyh · Post by **tiffanyh** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:44 pm

So, I just head here from the Introduction Thread. I just finished my outdoor aviary and but my button quail (which I have had for years) and my new finch from the dog pound (yes-the dog pound) in it. Two spice and two silver bill...I would like to add two society down the road.

My question is, here is CT, how feasible is it to have a year round outside aviary. I know others have done it as I have come across it on the internet, but what do you think I would need to do to supplement heat. I am set up to bring them in, but want to start working on something now if it is feasible...

Thanks in advance....

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:34 am

Hiya Tiffanyh and welcome.

Can't comment on your wish to keep birds outside all year as I don't know what the climate is like where you come from.

Two questions...where is CT?? Us Brits have no idea what the abbreviations mean.
And how do you catch up,or attend to your birds with no safety porch?...it's a miracle they don't fly straight past you.

Wish more of you guys would put on your post profile where you come from...it could be Canada...Oz...or anywhere.

Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:18 pm

That is a really nice aviary! And Welcome to the forum. I think that you will most definately have to bring them in or provide some heat if it gets really cold. And again that will depend on the type of birds you have. Some adjust to cold weather, but I think where you live it will be much to cold without any heat in the winter.
About the safety porch, it is really taking a big chance entering without one. I would hate for you to loose a finch from escape.
I have an indoor aviary (a sunroom) but if they escape they will come straigh into my house and I can catch them up. Be very careful!

tiffanyh · Post by **tiffanyh** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:50 pm

I have a "set up" for entering...

...in your opinions...do you think I would be better off with cold hardier birds, like doves?? It gets and stays below freezing Dec to March easily here. I dont want torture my birds!

Post by **Sally** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:36 pm

Hopefully, someone who has an outside aviary in colder climates will add their experiences. I don't have an outside aviary, but many of our finches come from very warm climates, so they need to be inside in winter, others adapt with heat. You can put a heat lamp up in the middle of that roof, since it is peaked it would provide protection from wind. I've read where many people put plexiglass panels on the outside of their aviaries, or even just heavy plastic film.

Paul, CT is Connecticut, a state north of New York City. You are right, we all need to put in our profile where we are from, as this is definitely an international forum, and in the USA, the climate varies so much, from the heat and humidity of Florida to the long dark winters of Alaska (don't remember seeing anyone on here from Alaska, maybe it is too hard to keep finches up there!).

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:51 pm

If you plan on getting more finches you will def have to bring them in the cold months. I use to live in Groton, CT and it is too cold for them, i now live in virginia but when i was in florida i still had to put heat lamps on the cage outside wrapped with a tarp and it was still kinda cold in the cage when i opened it in the morning.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:44 am

Sally wrote:
Paul, CT is Connecticut, a state north of New York City. You are right, we all need to put in our profile where we are from, as this is definitely an international forum, and in the USA, the climate varies so much, from the heat and humidity of Florida to the long dark winters of Alaska (don't remember seeing anyone on here from Alaska, maybe it is too hard to keep finches up there!).

That's true...