Help with new outdoor aviary

[kratz71]

Hey everyone, I just found this site and needed some help. I'm about to jump back into keeping finches for the first time in 10 years! I guess I'm getting that itch again. I have a screen room that I put a metal roof on and am planning to add wire to the inside of the aluminum frame and the outside(to protect the screen). I will also be adding a sfaety catch to the door. The structure is 10'X12'x9'high(see pics)
The problem I am having is how to enclose part of it, if any. It is fully exposed on all sides. The north side is the side facing the house so I don't want to cover that side because we won't be able to see the birds. Of course all the cold wind in the winter comes from the north so what should I do? Do you think the gable roof will provide enough protection from the wind? They can get up under the roof somewhat.
Any help or ideas would be great as I've never kept finches outside before. I've read every topic on here about housing finches and have gotten lots of ideas. Even though I live in sunny Florida, it still gets down to about 28 degrees F with alot of wind.
Thanks for any help!

Mike

[B CAMP]

Welcome to the forum,
I think thats going to be a great aviary, I do think you need to close in one or two sides to keep out the wind and have plenty of branches up in the gable for them .I have a small aviary outside in the winter I cover the outside with plastic to keep the cold out and then I use some of the red heat bulbs to keep it warm.
If it gets to 28 you will need all sides covered I think .
Some just staple the clear plastic to the outside frame,I think others will add info here for you soon

[mickp]

I would make the back wall the same as the roof (solid) but would use polycarb/alsynite sheeting (this stuff will allow light through but no wind or weather) on the two side walls and for the front have a couple of removable covers or roller blind type things which will allow you to have it either open or closed depending upon the weather

[kratz71]

Hey guys, thanks for your ideas. I was planning to enclose 3 sides with something but I did an experiment first(with cheap plastic sheeting) and found that the inside temperature went up by about 15-20 degrees! It was 94F outside the aviary and 110F inside! That didn't seem to comfortable to me. Will that be ok during our hot summer weather here in central Florida? I thought about buying the "solar control" polycarbonate panels that allow in some light but not as much heat. I'm also alittle worried about this holding up during our tropical storms/hurricanes. There is just so much to worry /think about. Thanks again and anymore ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[mickp]

if you were to put a couple of whirlygigs on the roof that would draw out most of the heat. you could also have a couple of your wall panels that are removable to allow for increased air flow

[B CAMP]

I would only have one side covered to keep the wind out,it looks like the birds can get into the gable part of the roof to get out of the sun or rain when they want.The roof turbine is a very good idea would keep the air fresh and cooler. But in winter it would be best all sides covered to stay warm with some air circulation

[kratz71]

Hey Bill and MickP, thanks for the ideas. I think the removable panel idea will work best. I looked at the polycarbonate panels today and they are 2ft wide. I could just remove one or two on each side in the summer and that should help keep it cooler.
I'm still having doubts about this working out, mainly due to the abundance of rat snakes and raccoons around here. I will be adding 1/4" and 1/2" hardware cloth to the inside and outside of the frames but I know from experience that rat snakes are very determined. I've found them in my attic, my purple martin birdhouse(15ft off the ground) and in my sons bathroom sink!
Thanks again for the ideas.

Mike

[dfcauley]

THat is going to be a great looking aviary!!!!

[kratz71]

Thanks dfcauley, I'm still in the planning stages before I go out and buy all the materials. I'm trying to make sure I think of everything that can and probably will go wrong. The whole idea of keeping the birds outside year round is new to me but I feel our climate is good enough to give it a try.

Mike

[B CAMP]

Mike
I think one of the most important things is to completly cover the screen with the 1/2 in galvanized hardware cloth so they are safe from the critters we have in fl.,if you go with that you might consider painting it black it makes the birds show up better paint the wire before you put it on the aviary you can use a roller.
Your right the birds will do fine outside with a little help I have two small aviary's that have birds some have been in those aviarys for three years and do just fine

[kratz71]

Hey Bill, that is exactly what I planned to do. Do you think I need another layer of 1/2" wire on the inside of the frame to keep the finches off of the screen? I've heard differing opinions on this. Thanks

Mike

[B CAMP]

Mike
Their nails can get caught in the screen wire,I think if it was me I would put the 1/2 wire on the inside for the birds sake if the screen got tore then I would just patch the screen wire

[kratz71]

Hey Bill, I think I'm going to just get extra wire and put a layer on the inside and outside of the screen. I know one of these raccoons or rats or mice or stary cats around here would tear that screen pretty quick. I've also considered putting something solid around the bottom 2 or 3 feet of the aviary to limit critters from chewing or clawing through the wire. It should also act as a visual barrier to anything interested in the finches. Thanks again for the insight!

Mike

[B CAMP]

Mike
I relay don't think you need the solid panel around the bottom as the finch's don't spend a lot of time on the floor any critter will know that theres birds in there but if you use the galvanized hardware cloth i don't think they can chew Thur that ,I know i have all the critters and they haven't gotten into mine in a couple years. But some times peace of mind is what we all need with our setups. Good luck