Photos! My outdoor aviary construction!

[Derk]

Jen
Super green with envy. But you have put in the hard work so you deserve it. I have also lost a few birds from inexperience and completely understand your feelings of a broken heart. It seems no matter how much you read, there is always an experience that was not covered and you are therefore not prepared for. I think the only thing you can do is learn from your mistakes, and share your experience and hope to help someone not make the same mistake. Can you grow Ponytail palms outside? I think they have such an interesting look.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/3990622/Pon ... ian-plants

or the Sago palm. I also have one of these. The plants in these pictures just happen to be bonsai. Mine grow in regular pots. I also use grape vine.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/3990625/Sag ... ian-plants

[Jen]

Derk

Mary,
If you look at one of the last photos of the aviary I have a couple of large sego palms on the outside. They were given to me and I didn't know what to do with them. They are too large and heavy to put inside the aviary, so I used them to hid the tree stump along with a few "pink flamingos" for a "tropical" look. I have a couple of large ponytail plants in pots also. They have to stay in pots because they would freeze in winter. I bring all my potted plants inside in winter. (and I have a lot of pots....I'm a plant freak also) LOL I also grow orchids as well.

[andiok]

beautiful. amazing job
the dream of everyone of us i guess.
how's winter in tx?

[Derk]

Jen

And so you do. I guess I am just not used to seeing them in ginormous size. Next to yours, my houseplants look like bonsai. I am also a plant nut. Love my hostas, sedums, fir, yew, maples etc outside. Cacti and orchids etc inside. I am just an all around nature nut.

[Jen]

andiok
We have a saying in Texas.. "If you don't like the weather today, wait until tomorrow"...meaning it could be sunshine and 80 degrees today and tomorrow and the next two days RAIN, 98% humidity and 56 degrees in the evening. (which has happened recently). So having an outdoor aviary means lots of planning and lots of reactive ideas for what you could be faced with. It is a challenge but when I see my birds flying around and around, nonstop in a 20 ft. flight area I know they are healthy and happy. It's worth all the "work"!

[andiok]

Jen
wow thats a really big fluctuation.
hopefully the birds will get used to that.
but other than that it is a beautiful work.

[dunker817]

That is just amazing and wonderful. What a fantastic home for your finches! I am neither creative nor skilled with tools so I really admire people who are.

[Leo519]

I envy your set-up
Love your HUGE flight, the attached aviary, all the natural plants..
Oh and your birds are beautiful too!!

[Jen]

Leo519
Thank you Laura! It has been a "work in progress" from day one. Now I'm adding on another section for my Guineas! Yep...I guess if they have feathers, they can come live at my house!!! I have eight babies (they are called "Keets") and I'm hoping to have them in their new home by the end of next weekend. They grow FAST!!! OMG...I'll post photos as I go forward with this latest project.

[kyle]

Beautiful! I can't emigine having all that space and the options of keeping whatever birds you'd like. So jealous! ! Congrats I'm sure you're birds will love it.

[Leo519]

Jen

That is so cool!!
All your feathered friends living in a 5-star birdie resort and being so well cared for!

[Colt]

Wow Jen. I think some of my birds need to go live at your house. lol They'd love all that room.

Have fun with the Guineas. lol Which species did you get; Helmeted, Crested, or Vulterine? Helmeted come in a variety of colors which is fun.

For those of you not familiar with Guinea Fowl you can check out:

Helmeted Guinea Fowl (where some of my old birds are pictured): http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guin ... ineas.html

As well as...

Crested:

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guin ... ttera.html

and Vulterine:

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guin ... llium.html

[Colt]

How are the guineas doing Jen ?

[lovezebs]

Jen

Hi Jenny.

This is the first I've come across your post.
Your set-up is absolutely lovely. It looks amazing, with all the plants in there. Your birds must feel like they've gone to heaven.

I wish this was possible over here (Alberta , Canada). I would love to put up something like that, but with our Winter temperatures at times heading down to -30 and colder, it just wouldn't be practical, but oh how I wish......

You did a wonderful job.

Elana

[Jen]

Colt
Hey Colt, those sites you posted were WILD !!! LOL I didn't know about the crested and vulterine!?!? Those are so cool looking! My guineas are doing great. They are suffering through the Texas heat, as is all my birds outside. I've lost a couple of finches to the heat. I have fans and one has a mister on it, but it's still very H O T !!! I think my guineas are what I would call "standard helmeted". I purchased them "up the country" from a couple in Warren TX who breed them. I LOVE guineas! Most folks here want to know "why"??? They remind me of growing up in the country with my grandparents. Lots of great memories.

I have not let them out of their caged environment yet. The breeder said to keep them in their "home" cage for at least 3-4 months. Then start letting only two out at a time and "training" them to come home at the end of the day to their "flock". So that is the plan!

Thanks for asking! Hope all is well in your part of the world!