New aviary! In Texas...

[EGByrd]

Thank you Sally!

[finchmix22]

Emily,
Two summers ago was when a fellow finch breeder lost most of her flock the day we had 110 degrees, as her air unit went out while she was at work! It was so tragic and I've been afraid to keep them outside since that time. Also, our neighbor killed a copperhead in his back yard, right next to our yard! The other side of our house, the neighbor's dog killed the biggest rat I've ever seen! These were both this summer. Right now, the aviary is partially completed and I often find wild birds inside when it's hot because we built the aviary around a pear tree by our kitchen window. I may go back and work on it this fall or next spring if all goes well this next year. I sure would love to finish the aviary and enjoy the finches while eating breakfast or dinner!

[carlamay]

We have wondered how you were progressing! It is great to hear from you again and to know you are continuing on your project!!! I know someone who has outdoor aviaries here in the metroplex and would be a great source of info - PM me. As to the water, I would be tempted to do a small water feature...when I was a kid, my Grandma had a couple of watering stations for the peacocks and chickens that were refilled when the "ball" got low - think of a toilet tank. You would not necessarily have to have water piped - maybe a 5 gal. water bottle. I am also freaky about water and have 2 bottles as well as a bath in each cage!!

[flying colors]

Has anybody had problem with ants going into the nest and kill the baby bird on the nest. I have lady gouldian and have lost several nest do to ants attacking the nest. It's heart breaking to see the bird full of ants. Does anybody know what to do to avoid this from happening is there a spray that is safe for the birds but kill the ants. Thanks in advance.

[Sally]

Sorry you are having trouble with ants, they can be buggers. I've found the best insect killer that is still safe for the birds is Avian Insect Liquidator by Vetafarm. You will have to order it online.

[flying colors]

Thank you Sally for your great advice, I do happen to have Avian Insect Liquidator, it just never acquired to me to use it. I'll don't think I will ever get use to losing birds.

[EGByrd]

I had ants in one nest this summer, but it was during a particularly hot few days and we lost a couple zebra babies. I don't think the ants killed the babies, I think the heat did, but the ants were quick to show up. The only thing we have right now for insects is diatomaceous earth, but we haven't even used it. We've been lucky I think, but I suspect the birds have been eating the ants!

We had our first freeze, the nights went from in the 50's to the 20's with a cold front, and everybody has survived! We wrapped the aviary in a mix of plastic drop cloth and clear vinyl sheets. We have one large electric heater out there and will probably run a second at night. During the day it is very comfortable out there, but still gets pretty cold at night. I was just sitting out there watching the birds and realized I was hearing babies. We have our first baby gold breasted waxbills! In November! Hopefully they will do just fine. We have 3 fledgling zebras out there right now too. Our aviary currently has 2 red-cheeked cordon bleus, 4 gold breasts, 4 owls, one in-color male orange weaver who has been in color for well over a year I think, 3 female weavers, 2 orange cheeked waxbills, 2 adult female zebras and 3 fledgling zebras, and one female pin-tailed whydah (does anyone have a male for sale?), and 2 male societies. That makes 24 birds plus nestlings. So far everyone has gotten along nicely. We added the female weavers late in the summer hoping the male wouldn't go crazy. He has been good and we are keeping a close eye on them. I can't believe we have baby gold breasts right now, how exciting! They would be the first not-zebra babies for the aviary. We weren't expecting babies until spring, especially since we pulled the male zebra! We are thrilled at how the aviary has been coming along. Through the winter we will likely replace the drop cloth with something we can reuse and looks nicer.