US source for 1/2 hexagonal wire bird mesh

[debbyloo]

Does anyone know of a U.S. source to buy 1/2 hexagonal galvanized wire bird mesh (i.e. "micro" chicken wire)? I have looked and only see sources in China. I am thinking about using this to build an aviary. Years ago Martha Stewart's Living magazine had an article about her antique canary flight cage, and a new one she had had built based on it, and used this wiring. It seems almost invisible, so I think you could see the birds really well through it. Just wish I could find some! Does anyone know anything about this material as far as how well it holds up to water splashing and rust issues?

Thanks!

[B CAMP]

I think the best type wire is what they call hardware cloth 1/2, I think it would be a lot stronger to keep any predators from your birds, it can be painted with roller black seems to be what makes the birds stand out more.
But if you want the type they call chicken wire I think home depot & Lowe's sell it ,just make sure there heads can't get stuck in the wire I think they could? Good luck

Lowe's and home depot sell the hardware cloth and it is ok to fasten the perches to it I have used on two outside aviary's

[franny]

I think the best type wire is what they call hardware cloth 1/2, I think it would be a lot stronger to keep any predators from your birds, it can be painted with roller black seems to be what makes the birds stand out more.
But if you want the type they call chicken wire I think home depot & Lowe's sell it ,just make sure there heads can't get stuck in the wire I think they could? Good luck

Yes, I think 1/2 inch hexagon would be too big an opening as well. I used 3/8" hardware cloth and it's quite fine gage so lets me see the birds pretty well, and it's safe enough for the smallest of finches. Some hardware cloth is galvanized "after" welding and it seems to be of a finer gage than the regular kind. Got mine at Rona (Canada only, but maybe you can get it at Home Depot down there.)

[atarasi]

A quick Google search:

1/2" Sparrow mesh

The only issue I would be concerned about is how stable your perches are going to be and the feeders.

[debbyloo]

Thanks so much for the link for the tiny hex. mesh! I also turned up another source out of California. I have ordered a swatch sample of 2 types - one a stainless steel 1/2" hexagonal mesh (no rust, & so fine it almost disappears from view, but maybe too flimsy to attach perches & stuff to), and the other a black polyster powder coated metal hardware cloth which supposedly replaces the PVC coated kind. I will see which looks like it would work best. Also want to see how big the hex holes are for myself, as I have 2 orange-breasted waxbills that might be able to slip through them.

I plan to get my son, who is an expert carpenter, to build a copy of the Martha Stewart Canary Cage - see it at this link below, or goggle Martha Stewart Canary Cage

http://www.themarthablog.com/2007/10/ha ... omment-497

I would modify it as follows: solid wood board 6-8" high around bottom perimeter to retain seed mess; no little front doors just the 2 big ones and maybe 2 small access doors up high on the sides; decoratively heavily punched tin roof with sharp edges turned out to let in more light.

Years ago you could buy the plans for this cage through her magazine, but I guess they aren't available any more. Don't guess anyone knows how to get them?

Any input or suggestions would be welcome.

[debbyloo]

Hey, the link for that hex wire you shared also has plans for the Martha Stewart Canary Cage. Yahoo! Thanks again!

[franny]

Hey, the link for that hex wire you shared also has plans for the Martha Stewart Canary Cage. Yahoo! Thanks again!

Where? I couldn't find it!

[debbyloo]

Oh, sorry, I was not clear about that. I emailed the company that was linked in a post above as a source for the 1/2" hexagonal wire mesh and asked them about plans for the canary cage. I suspected they might know something about it because on the description for the 1/2" hex mesh, they said something like "this is the wire used for the canary cage" - and there was nothing else about a canary cage on their site. Sure enough, a day or so later they emailed me back and said yes, they had the plans for the Martha Stewart canary cage - will send them to you for five bucks. They were very nice. I can't wait to get mine and get started!

[franny]

Oh, sorry, I was not clear about that. I emailed the company that was linked in a post above as a source for the 1/2" hexagonal wire mesh and asked them about plans for the canary cage. I suspected they might know something about it because on the description for the 1/2" hex mesh, they said something like "this is the wire used for the canary cage" - and there was nothing else about a canary cage on their site. Sure enough, a day or so later they emailed me back and said yes, they had the plans for the Martha Stewart canary cage - will send them to you for five bucks. They were very nice. I can't wait to get mine and get started!

Thanks loads. I think I'll be contacting them, too. It's a nice looking cage - if I decide to go back to society finches. I'm thinking if I wanted it for the GB I'd go with their 3/8" plastic wire though with square openings, not the hexagon. Will have to think about perches though.... hmmmm. Oh, oh. Better not let my sister see this! I was lucky to get ONE cage in this apartment...