My NEW Aviary

[JEANNIE]

it is just great...and 5 days wow.I Love it love it

[FinchezRule]

it is just great...and 5 days wow.I Love it love it

Why thank you!

[helga]

I just love what you did,it looks so great. I keep my Birds in my Dinning room as well and guess what,I am going to built one just like yours. I have one question,how did you connect the plexi glass to the wood? Did you drill holes or did you glue them together? Also is the back open with just the wire? Does it keep the seeds inside the cage?
I hope you don't mind all my questions,but I need all the help I can get.
Thanks
Helga

[FinchezRule]

I just love what you did,it looks so great. I keep my Birds in my Dinning room as well and guess what,I am going to built one just like yours. I have one question,how did you connect the plexi glass to the wood? Did you drill holes or did you glue them together? Also is the back open with just the wire? Does it keep the seeds inside the cage?
I hope you don't mind all my questions,but I need all the help I can get.
Thanks
Helga

Hi Helga, I don't mind questions at all!

I didn't glue the plexi I screwed it in. You have to carefully drill a pilot hole with a drill bit...then you slowly screw it onto the wood and it should be perfect. Just don't do it too close to the edge of the glass, and don't do it with too much force or you'll get a crack.

Along the bottom you just have to put a wood border or tape to keep the seed in. This aviary is awesome because there is absolutely no seed or bedding scattered. I don't know if you noticed but the middle pannel opens on the top and bottom. This allows me to get in there to sweep out the bedding along the bottom without freaking out all the birds.

I'm glad you like my design, let me know if I can help you with anything else.

[helga]

Thank you for your fast reply,just one more thing,did you put plexi glass all around and just leave the top open?
I see some wires in the back.
Thanks again
Helga

[FinchezRule]

Hi Helga- I only put plexi on the front where it's visible from a direct frontal view. I figured this would be best for ventilation...I didn't want it to become like a greenhouse and I also wanted places where I can hang perches and nests. How big do you plan on making your aviary?

[helga]

I have exactly the same size space as yours,that's why I got so excited when I saw it. I just wondered if the seeds and feathers will come out of the sides and back. How do you keep them in there?

[BillD]

FinchezRule: asking if you have felines since you have what looks to me as a Himilayan as your Avatar. I have 4 polydactyl older felines and wonder how they interact with your Finches and how your Finches adapt to them?

I plan to have my small flight cage (compared to all of yours) suspended from the ceiling so my Felines can look, but can't get close. I'm also interested in why everyone seems to put plexiglass around their cages. I'm trying to learn. I don't have any Finches yet, but wish to have the best environment for them before I invite them into my home.

I appreciate anyones reply.

[FinchezRule]

I have exactly the same size space as yours,that's why I got so excited when I saw it. I just wondered if the seeds and feathers will come out of the sides and back. How do you keep them in there?

Hey Helga-

If you have a "lip" of some sort on the bottom and you feed the birds on the bottom not much comes out of the aviary. It's been two weeks since i've set everything up and I don't see a single feather out of the aviary ....you just have to put some barrier, you could probably even put a strip of cloth up if you sew it onto the thread. I didn't do that but it's an idea.

[FinchezRule]

FinchezRule: asking if you have felines since you have what looks to me as a Himilayan as your Avatar. I have 4 polydactyl older felines and wonder how they interact with your Finches and how your Finches adapt to them?

I plan to have my small flight cage (compared to all of yours) suspended from the ceiling so my Felines can look, but can't get close. I'm also interested in why everyone seems to put plexiglass around their cages. I'm trying to learn. I don't have any Finches yet, but wish to have the best environment for them before I invite them into my home.

I appreciate anyones reply.

BillD-

The whole reason I bought finches was to provide my cat entertainment for the long hours that i'm gone. He's a Ragdoll with an amazing disposition. He's always been very gentle so I was never worried about having him around the birds. He sits and watches them ALL DAY LONG. of course his curiousity gets the best of him every now and then and he tries to "pounce" onto the glass but the birds are used to this now and they dont flinch and he barely does it. If you suspend the cage from the ceiling then you should be ok...I think it really depends on the cat.

I think people are using plexi for portions of their enclosures for the look and to keep contents into the cage. It also helps with drifts of wind. It's completely optional and it's very possible to make a beautiful enclosure without plexiglass.

If I can help with anything else please let me know.

[BillD]

Just a tip for all those considering Plexi-glass. Drill the holes just slightly larger than the screws you intend to use. Use a very sharp or new drill bit made for Plexi-glass and work slowly when drilling the hole. It's not like drilling into wood. Get the right drill bit and take your time.

I might also suggest putting a small washer between the screws and the Plexi-glass. It will 'spread' the force evenly on the glass when you secure it. Be careful to tighten the screws just snug enough to keep the glass in place. If you tighten the screws in too much, it may not crack immediately, but with changes in temperature you could get some.

Hope that helps anyone considering it. Yall may already know this, but just wanted to post it.

[FinchezRule]

It seems that everyone in the aviary has adjusted very nicely. The Cordons have built a nest, as have the Gouldians, Stars, and Gold Breasts...basically all residents except the Blue Faced Parrots and the Green Backed Twinspots want to start families .

The Twinspot male has been taking a piece of grass and dancing around with it....not sure if they'll breed...I sure hope so.

[BillD]

Thanks FinchezRule.

I'm finding my 'design' of suspending the cage from the ceiling is very awkward for me, but not for the birds. Thought it was a good idea at the time to keep my birds safe from my felines so I'm making new plans. My felines are still restricted from that room for now, although they have visited with supervision.

I'm inspired by Lloyd and FinchezRule on their amazing indoor aviarys and working on some plans to build my own. I'm learning from all of you. It will be feline proofed before I have any new additions and be assured my Chocolates will be well guarded until then.

I would appreciate any suggestions on design.

[subersibo]

I just love looking at these aviary pics! You did a very good job! How much did you get the plexiglas for and what size is it per panel?

[FinchezRule]

I just love looking at these aviary pics! You did a very good job! How much did you get the plexiglas for and what size is it per panel?

Thank you, i'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Each panel is 2'x6' and the total cost was about $160...it was pretty pricey but well worth it.