Indoor aviary building help/ideas

[willertac]

I can't say I was charged an arm and a leg for my 30x18x18 (cause I got it for $30 on Black Friday), but man! Looking at all the cages for my birdies makes me cringe! Then I was struck by an idea: why not build your own aviary?!? I expected it to cost quite a bit, much like building an aquarium or terrarium, but it's not! At least, the brands offering hardware cloth I looked at weren't that much. I was thinking of buying a large flight cage for my two boys and possible additions, but now I'm pretty sure I can make my own aviary for at least half as much, and make it better and bigger!
I have this closet in my room that has nothing important in it. It's the kind with removable, rolling doors. It's got a shelf a foot and a half from the top, and a bar for hanging hangers right under it. I can't give you the exact dimensions yet, as I have no measuring tape. Anyhow, I was confused as to the perches. More improtantly, I was unsure whether to make this a cage-like structure that could fit in the closet, or to make the closet a cage-like structure. But for the perches, I came up with two ideas favoring the latter of the two closet spaces. 1: drill perches into walls. 2: use hangers as perches (plastic, removable, easy to wash, disposable, no drill holes in walls).
Then there's the issue of the aviary's door itself; how does that get made? Do I just put a random rectangle of wood in there? Or do I become creative with the existing closet doors (but possibly risk escapees)? Do I use a birdbath as a water-dish? Where can I put food and the such? How do I maintain the cleanliness of such a structure?

I am not a builder, per say. But I do know a thing about thinking. And asking. So...

1. Suggestions for hardware cloth? Any good brands/experience with them?
2. Whole-closet (only 1 wall of hardware cloth, the one facing me) or separate structure (all walls cloth)?
3. How to service the birds and clean?
4. Doors and perches; your takes?

This may have to go to the species section of the forum but:
If I make it big enough, can I safely add 2 female zebras to my 2 males to prevent aggression, and can I then add a few more finches of different kinds?
Can a ringneck dove live safely with finches in any volume? If not, what other kinds of birds can accompany my finch friends?

Thanks, all, even if just for reading.

[amandap]

Oh my goodness, there are so many great things you can do with that!!

For one, I'd say that you could easily use branches stood up at an angle (or even potted trees) as perches. If you use the trees, take some care in how you cover the dirt as the birds will dig.

I've seen so many people use great creative things for their aviaries. lovezebs uses mail-sorter style shelves for nesting spaces (so cute)!

Ventilation is important, so I'd say the hardware cloth is a good idea. Building door frames is really not that hard. Just get some 1 x 2's from the hardware store, some hinges and some good clasps. I didn't even mitre the corners, just used a handsaw and then screwed little L-brackets into the backs. Be sure to give yourself some doors that open low to make clean up easier without escapes.

You'll also need a good UV light since I doubt the closet gets sunlight.

I will try to attach pictures of my aviary in a separate message in case they help (I converted an old etagere cabinet from CraigsList). Also try searching Pinterest. I got lots of great ideas there.

Good luck, I know you'll love the results of your efforts.

[Colt]

Here are some fabulous builds done by an old member of the forum. There are pictures as well as other important information.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... bird+house

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... bird+house

[Derk]

Colt

WOW! Glad you supplied the link. I posted a quick note to 'revive' the thread for members who never saw the original thread.

[Colt]

You're quite welcome. It was amazing to watch the progression...

[dunker817]

I don't know about converting a closet but I think it would be similar to what I did. I wanted a bigger space so I just turned a small bedroom into a birdroom. I purchased a silk tree on line for them to hide in and a parrot cargo net for perching along with several manzanita branches I bought on line. I drilled dowel screws into the ends of the manzanita branches then drilled the branches into the wall. I also have some perches hanging from the ceiling. I had the ceiling fan removed and a fixture put in for high spectrum bulbs. For their dishes I use wild bird platform feeders and a wild bird bath. I also use flower pot saucers for holding small quantities of stuff like egg food and mineral grit. Oh, I pulled up the carpeting and put down some basic, cheap peel and stick tiles. The door is a storm door. It works well because I can see into the room and watch my birds. I don't like to bother them while they are eating or bathing.

[Derk]

dunker817
That sounds similar to what I did for my lovebirds. But then I went crazy with a drywall saw. I cut a hole that was just less than the size of a rubbermaid sweater shelf - the bars are close together. Then secured that over the hole after fixing the wall edges. It was a non-weight bearing wall so I was able to cut through the 2x4's. Of course, I checked for electrical etc...safety first!