Aviary construction - new pics

steph · Post by **steph** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:44 am

The latest....second coat of paint is done and we've starting on the mesh. I decided to go with plastic hardware netting for the enclosure.

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:57 pm

Now it's starting to look like an aviary! Can't wait to see it full of birds.

steph · Post by **steph** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:14 pm

Its done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my husband installing some of the hardware netting Saturday night.

Sunday morning sand...

Sunday afternoon my sister-in-law came over and helped me arrange everything on the inside......there's supposed to be another bowl on the bird feeder stand, but one of them broke in shipping...waiting for the replacement...and disregard the sticker on the hanging planter - I'm going to take it off! The plants I put in the aviary are feather palm, hibiscus, spider plant, and creeping fig. If you look up at the top you can see where I used an orchid bamboo stake to make a little swing. You can also see the birds perched near the top on the right side!

Another view...you can see the sand floor and the creeping fig plants that will hopefully grow up the netting on the back of the aviary. I will have to be very careful that they don't take over!

And here is Pacu & Mora getting used to their new "world"...

Later this evening they knocked their millet spray onto the floor, but weren't too afraid to follow it...I was impressed to see them come down from their perches...

I'm finding that its very difficult to get a good picture of the birds - they never hold still! Here's a couple of pics I managed to get before I left them alone for the night...

Today was a GREAT day!!

EddieNorCal · Post by **EddieNorCal** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:04 pm

The aviary looks terrific! You guys did a great job! Enjoy your birds and your new hobby and best of luck to you! Are you planning to add any more?

franny · Post by **franny** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:13 pm

Wow, it looks beautiful with the sand. And the live plants. Those are two very lucky finches.

Bet they are going to really enjoy picking out their favorite spots to soak in the sun.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:02 am

Parrot finches are very active, so you did good to get the pictures. They should enjoy their wonderful new home.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:21 am

Beautiful aviary. All the hard work you and your husband put in will bring many hours of enjoyment. The red throats are beautiful. They look like they have settled in and will love their new home. Bet they start setting up house soon........

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:46 am

You carefully planned your aviary and it has paid off!!!

Lovely! Enjoy!!!

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:04 am

good job

and now enjoy it !! get a beer and sit down

ray

summert85 · Post by **summert85** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:15 pm

it looks nice! awesome job.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:38 pm

This looks terrific Steph!! And you have windchimes in there too - great! Of course I adore your Parrot Finches and can't wait til my babies colour up too! Beautiful!!

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:16 pm

Beautiful aviary.

It looks like you have the same vinyl netting I'll be using on mine. I'd like to know how the sand works out on the floor.

Wonder who is happier.. your birds or you.. hehe..

I'll bet you both are..

steph · Post by **steph** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:50 am

EddieNorCal wrote:The aviary looks terrific! You guys did a great job! Enjoy your birds and your new hobby and best of luck to you! Are you planning to add any more?

Thanks! According to FIC I can accomadate about 9-12 birds in my aviary, but I want to save some room for breeding. The next pair I want to get will probably be GB waxbills. They are just so cute!

steph · Post by **steph** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:02 am

BillD wrote:Beautiful aviary.

It looks like you have the same vinyl netting I'll be using on mine. I'd like to know how the sand works out on the floor.

Wonder who is happier.. your birds or you.. hehe..

I'll bet you both are..

Thanks, Bill! I can't speak for the birds, but I would guess they are pretty happy. When I first put them in they would only stay on the highest perches and just fly back and forth, but now they are all over the place - exploring, tearing up the plants, hopping around in the sand...I love watching them hop

Anyway, about the sand....I had to wait to respond until I had actually spent some time with it to determine if I liked it or not. So far, I like it! I really like the way that it looks, which is why I chose it not knowing how I would like it when it came to cleaning.

I donated one of my fine mesh strainers from the kitchen to the aviary, and it works like a charm. I have a tiny rake that I use to move the sand around, so I clear one spot of all dirty sand. I sift out the clean sand over this clean spot so I don't bury any dirty sand with clean sand. I just look around and scoop wherever I see lots of poop, seeds, leaves, etc. I scoop as close to the top layer of sand as I can to get all the debris on my strainer then move the strainer over the clean spot of sand that I made when I first started the process and sift. The strainer catches even the tiniest seeds!

When I'm done the sand is mounded up where I had deposited all the clean sand, so I just take my little rake and smooth it out. Good as new! I've also heard about people spraying a vinegar/water or bleach/water solution on the sand to keep bacteria from growing, but I haven't tried this yet...not that I won't. I just forgot about it until now.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:27 pm

That's great to hear Steph..

I really like the idea of having sand on the bottom. I was considering wood shavings, but you did mention how bacteria and other nasties could grow since it is organic. I never would have thought of that.

I thought of a Japanese Sand Garden when you mentioned you were going to use it. Doesn't have any relation to finches, but I think it would be a nice visual for me. Don't think the birds would mind either.

Like the idea of a vinegar/water or bleach/water solution to sterilize the sand. I'm very interested in what you find.

I'm glad your birds are settling in and enjoy your new aviary.