Indoor flight finally completed!

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:40 pm

subersibo wrote:If I could do it over I would not have provided theose ventilation panels on the front since it only leads to having poop on the glass, there is enought ventilation on top anyway.

Why not cut some plexiglass to fit over the wire parts (use mirror clips or hinges used to hold pictures in frames). Then you can cut all the wire out except a 1/2 inch bit around the edge - just enough to hold the plexiglass from popping through into the cage. But then there's not enough for the birds to grab on to to crap from.

subersibo · Post by **subersibo** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:59 pm

Franny: thats a good idea but in order to cut through the mesh and install plexiglas would require taking off the whole top to be able to remove the wire and screw the plexiglas in. It's difficult to explain. But the poop problem doesn't bother me that much anyway, I just need to wipe it off every few days or so.

franny · Post by **franny** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:01 pm

subersibo wrote:Franny: thats a good idea but in order to cut through the mesh and install plexiglas would require taking off the whole top to be able to remove the wire and screw the plexiglas in. It's difficult to explain. But the poop problem doesn't bother me that much anyway, I just need to wipe it off every few days or so.

I think I wasn't clear maybe? I actually meant you could cut some of the wire off from outside - leaving a border of it stapled or screwed on as it is. (Basically just cutting a big hole in it. (But if you have vinyl mesh, not wire, then you maybe couldn't do this as the vinyl mesh wouldn't stay stiff and in place. If you've got wire (hardware cloth) then the part you leave creates a "frame" to hold the plexiglass in place. Then you cut plexiglass to fit just so it sits inside the wooden frame, and leaning up against the remaining wire. Screw mirror clips to the wood frame to hold the plexiglass.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:54 pm

I found some Tenax plastic hardware net (3' x 15') at Lowe's, when I was looking for the vinyl covered metal hardware cloth. Has anyone used that before?

It seems durable enough and I don't have any hook bills that could chew through it. It's 1/2 inch square black plastic and quite flexible.

I have most of the lumber i'll need, but will have to rent a truck to get the plywood sheets home. Just won't fit in the Landaulet.

fyi.. the Landaulet is a concept car and I drive a Volkwagen.. Sorry Liz..

I will look for a nice mural to put along the back and I'll post pics as I start construction.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:11 am

BillD
I think that lowes will cut the sheets of plywood to the size you want ,which makes it a little easier.
that netting seems like it will be hard to get tight across the front or side of aviary,You don't like the hardware cloth you can paint it black?

franny · Post by **franny** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:16 am

I'd be hesitant to use the plastic as well. What if you do accidentally cut it, even just by putting in a perch that's a bit sharpt on the end. It would think it would be too soft. And you wouldn't want to put any outside feeders hanging on it... It's thicker than the wire as well, so not as good for viewing. Only plus as far as I can see is that it's not sharp and hard to handle and cut like the wire.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:27 am

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I plan to have plexiglass in the front and just use the plastic netting on some of the side areas for ventilation. the netting is really thick and I think I could pull it taught for the small area I'm considering.

My plan is to build an aviary about 10' long and 7' high and 3' wide. I think that would give them a good flight.

I think I'll need full sheets of plywood and I don't mind renting a truck to get them here. They won't fit in my Volkswagen.

I'll see if I can post some pics of the plastic mesh I purchased. No plans on putting perches or anything else on it.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I need all the advice I can get.

subersibo · Post by **subersibo** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:34 pm

Bill D:

That black plastic mesh is exactly what I have on my flight and I've had no problems with it. I originally wanted the metal mesh and would just paint it black but that would cost more time & money. I don't think you'll run into any problems w/ it if you'll be keeping your cage indoors. If you can, just use the mesh for the top of the aviary, there will be more than enough ventilation and ALL the mess will be kept inside.

You can get a mural from ebay, it's a lot cheaper than buying one from stores and there's a lot of good choices. You might want to consider wallpaper which is pretty cheap. I originally intended to put cloud design wallpaper (the birds will be really easy to see with the light blue and white design) til I saw the garden design I'm using. For the size aviary you're building, there are lots of nice big ones from ebay! Here's one (although a bit dark)
http://cgi.ebay.com/AUTUMN-FOREST-Path- ... 7C294%3A50

Here are some ideas you might wanna consider that'll make your life easier

:

Use aspen or pine shavings for flooring so you wouldn't have to clean that often, I just rake it every now & then and replace the shavings every 3 to 4 weeks. What kind of floor are you considering? How will you be cleaning it?

For a bird feeder - Don't use the bird feeder I have in the pics. Although it's super cheap, the birds like to sit on top of it and poop all over it! I now use a wild bird feeder I got from Home Depot (also cheap, about $4-5). It's green and is a tall cylinder type. It has 8 holes where the birds can feed from and the birds cannot poop on it. The good thing about these wild bird feeders is that the seed hulls drop off after they eat the seed unlike if the food is kept in dishes which you have to clean everyday and blow the hulls from. Plus , you don't need to disturb your birds that much. The seed in the feeder lasted me more than 2 weeks for 9 birdies.

Here's a design idea for perches - I wanted the perches to be situated so that viewing birds would be easy. If I stick them directly on the backboard, some birds would be harder to see if others are blocking him/her from view. I bought a wooden dowel (Lowe's) and cut it to 1" pieces & drilled 3 holes in each one. The middle hole is where I screwed the perch on and the 2 holes on each end was screwed to the side of the aviary at an angle. I hope you can view it here:(try zooming it).
http://brenice.multiply.com/photos/hi-r ... Daddy%2350
I did place 1 perch through the backboard (& mural!

) so it would appear that it was coming out from the picture.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:12 pm

Thanks Subersibo..

Still need to get a pic of that plastic mesh on here. It really resembles vinyl coated hardware cloth, not your typical window screen stuff. Quite thick and I'm glad you don't have any issues with it. This aviary will be in doors. I still haven't planned everything, but I will have a full front in plexiglass, considering the issues you had with the mesh on top of your front (pooping on the plexiglass). Thanks for that advice.

The cloud mural sounds very nice and thanks for posting the one available on the Bay.. I'll keep looking to find the right one.

I plan to have a foundation of 2x3's on the floor with exterior plywood on top of that. I should consider sealing it. I purchased some dark green marble colored floor tiles to place on top of the plywood. Wanted the color difference so I would know when it was dirty. Your idea of putting shavings in the bottom is interesting. I was thinking of the butcher paper, but I may reconsider that.

I'm planning on having long doors (horizontal) on the bottom, like you have, that I could open to clean down there without going inside. Very nice idea btw..

Like your idea on the perch placement on the sides, but was considering putting them on the back board pointing towards the front (integrating with the mural too). Already thinking on how to anchor the side ones on the front near the plexiglass to make it 3D.

I have a lot of Bamboo culls that i'll play around with.

REALLY appreciate your help Subersibo on my designing phase..

James · Post by **James** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:41 am

what if you made two of them 5x3x4tall and made them so you could strap them together then pull the two ends out giving the birds the full 10x3x4 flight and if needed you could slid the ends back in release the straps and have 2 five foot cages you could move around easyer.

James

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:25 am

Thanks for your suggestions James.

I am a tall guy and want to build an aviary I can walk into (the 7 foot height). I do like the idea of being able to 'split' it with dividers though. Not quite sure how I may do that yet. Still working on the design.

It will be a stationary aviary and won't be moved around. My current cage is on rollers and I'm sure Bosley and Harriet will be very upset when I move it to start construction.

I really appreciate everyone's input.. Know it will make my new aviary a good home.

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:27 pm

James wrote:what if you made two of them 5x3x4tall and made them so you could strap them together then pull the two ends out giving the birds the full 10x3x4 flight and if needed you could slid the ends back in release the straps and have 2 five foot cages you could move around easyer.

James

This is a great idea James! I saw something similar on the Cages by Design website I think. But on their cages all pieces of plexiglass/acrylic sat in the inside track of a double track plastic runner. If it got soiled, you just took off the piece of corner molding, in order to slide in a "fresh" clean piece of plexiglass, then slide out the soiled one to clean it. So all you need to have is one extra piece of plexi for each different size cage side (only one piece, if all sides are the same). And likewise, if you wanted to join two cages, you could just slide out the one end piece on each, and slide together and secure together.

Bill,

What about a roller type blind? I saw one large indoor aviary on line somewhere that used one hanging from the center of the aviary ceiling as a divider. It would have some gaps, but if it was mainly being used for the purpose of just confining them to one end of the aviary to make it easier to catch up a bird, this might be sufficient.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:01 pm

That's a great idea Franny..

I will have open 1/2" grates on the ceiling just below the lighting and was thinking I could build one out of canvas to fit inside.

Wooden dowels on top and bottom to keep it rigid and something sewn into the sides to keep it straight.

It wouldn't be in the aviary all the time, but when I needed it I could bring it in and hook it up on the grates and lower it down to provide a nice soft 'barrier' to confine them to one area. Would be easy to adjust the size of their confinement that way too.

Might be easier to just buy one, I don't know yet. I have a bamboo roller type shade on my door to the back yard. It's like a window in a door frame and the Texas sun comes right through it in Summer.

Great suggestions. Thanks!

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:15 pm

BillD
Just a old fashion type window shade it could be in the cage all the time when you want just pull it down then let it roll back up. You probably won't see it at at the top of the aviary

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:47 pm

Thanks B Camp..

I'm thinking if it is a permanent structure in my aviary, there is the possiblity of the birds 'soiling' it. Something else to clean

Not sure how much I would use it and if it is removable and still does the job, I wouldn't have to worry too much about that. I may find out later that I really should have integrated it into my aviary.

Time will tell.