Flight Rooms?

[jessyh]

So, I'm thinking about turning one of the bedrooms into a flight room. A friend of mine says he did this and I think it's a wonderful idea. But he hasn't sent me pictures yet and I have no ideas on how to do this. Does anybody else have a room indoors that they turned into a flight room? Does anybody have any pictures? Did you have to rip up your carpet or did you do some kind of plastic? I just need help with thoughts and ideas, I want it to be beautiful! I'm definitely not the handy type. And I'm more of a "just show me" kind of learner. Not someone that processes directions from words with no visuals. Thanks for any advice!

[poohbear]

Build a large flight in the room by all means...but to just put a wire door on would be a big mistake.
Carpet???? No way.
There is eventually going to be a build up of dirt on the walls and floor...better an interior flight boarded on one or two sides to protect the walls,with washable vinyl flooring throughout.

[jessyh]

Um, ok. I sensed a little bit of hostility in your reply and I'm not sure why you were so rude about my idea. Isn't that why people come to forums? To get good ideas and advice? To get excited about projects?
#1 Your MULTIPLE question marks after the word "carpet" suggests to me that you were thinking I want to leave the carpet exposed to the birds. I said I wanted to do some sort of plastic over it so I don't have to rip up my nice carpeting. I have heard of people doing this too. Using some kind of thick plastic and sealing around the edges of the room to keep it sanitary. Then adding bedding over it. Plastic can be mopped, you know. As long as you lay it tight.
#2 The walls can be wiped clean very easily, wouldn't I have the same problem with keeping walls clean if a flight was boarded on the sides?
#3 I was actually going to do just that, put up a screen panel in the entry to the bedroom and have the rest be the aviary. Why do you think this is a terrible idea?

If you're going to post a rude reply to somebody asking for some friendly advice, at least back up what you say. Say why not to seal the floor with thick plastic, why not to put up a screen etc. Thanks a lot for crushing my ideas, just makes me want to build it even more.

[lovemyfinch]

Here is an entire post dedicated to Candace's crazy bird house. You might be able to get a few very good ideas from this.
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5192

[Ursula]

I have done this with a sun room that had carpet it in. (Size about 11 by 11 feet.) And it was not a big project like Candace's birdhouse. (Of course I wish I had that much room myself! )

You can check out pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/udmoran/MyAviary#

I put pondliner on top of the carpet, and stapled it to the wall about a foot high. I use Aspen shavings on top of that. (Ordered online in big bales.) I don't worry about the walls too much, and actually, they really don't get very dirty. Besides changing the litter I do have to clean the table and plants etc. regularly. The windows could use some cleaning now, but... well... the birds don't mind.

I say, go for it! I never regretted it and it's so much nicer to see the birds fly instead of hop around in a cage.

I am sure Donna (Dfcauley) can chime in here too, she also has an indoor aviary and it's very beautiful and even bigger than mine.

[Ursula]

I forgot to mention: Meanwhile I also discovered that flag pole holders that people use for small flags on house walls are excellent for holding branches.

I can also send you newer pictures and answer questions offline if you're interested.

And... my husband and I are not at all handy either.

[L in Ontario]

Um, ok. I sensed a little bit of hostility in your reply and I'm not sure why you were so rude about my idea. Isn't that why people come to forums? To get good ideas and advice? To get excited about projects?

Hi Jessy, You can relax - Poohbear is not being rude. He's simply being direct and to the point and honestly, not rude. It's the body language that you cannot see that needs to be taken into account. Don't try to read between the lines. Paul (Poohbear) has more than a wealth of knowledge about raising finches and is always willing to share his knowledge. Thankfully. So grab a coffee (or whatever your choice of beverage) and read on what others may suggest for your possible Flight Rooms. ALthough I, myself do not have a "free flight room", I'm sure the possibilities are endless!

[CandoAviary]

Pooh Bear rude? LOL He is a Brit.... that's what they are known for is their frank honesty, aka rudness Don't let it bother you.
I am sure if he had an extra room to devote to birds he would do it in a heartbeat
As for creating flight rooms, I can say from first hand experience they are the greatest. I have cage banks and breeding cages in a building, outdoor avoiaries, large flight cages in rooms, built in decorative flights, and whole room flights. They all have their purpose and the big room is a great asset. It gives birds excellent space to fly even when you may have inclimate weather. Also a joy for us humans to sit inside and commune with our birds. I find this to be a very rewarding experience instead of aleays viewing them through bars
Do check out the building plans in this post. It will give you some ideas. After having used it for months now I would change nothing. The flooring is a snap to mop, the branches were placed away from the walls...still do not have one bird poop there...so it is possible to create a safe and easy flight this way.
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5192

[DVBourassa]

I too had considered making a bedroom into a large flight but then decided to build a flight inside the room instead. The main reason I chose to do this was the difficulty viewing the birds without being in their space. I have a flight built inside the bedroom with a small seating area outside the flight that I can relax in to enjoy them.

http://www.finchinfo.com/visitor_aviaries.php
The panel form aviary would be perfect for building a large flight inside a bedroom without having to make major changes to the room itself. Plus, you can use as many panels as you want to make it as big as you want.

[poohbear]

[lovemyfinch]

I am sure it is Paul.

[Pukasand]

My problem is that my available room faces West.. where the sun sets. My birds would only get the evening sunshine. Now they have the morning/aftn. sun, which is better for them I think. More flight room with artificial light and less beneficial sunlight, or smaller space with natural sunshine? Any opinions? I would love to use the spare bedroom as a birdroom.

[Pukasand]

[ http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc217/raebhoop/isitsafe04-3.jpg ]

Ollie, ollie, in free.

[CandoAviary]

You know we love you Paul

I too have an aviary built into a room for viewing pleasure. These are nice but they do not afford the excercise and entertainment of the birds as in larger rooms. I really enjoy a flock of the same species in large areas acting more like they would in there natural habitats.The social structure of a flock is very intricate and I learn much about keeping my birds from watching these relationships. I was able to screen/wire the room flight so I can still view the birds from sitting outside of the aviary or I can actually go inside comfortably with the birds...best of both worlds. Pics of my two 6 foot flights:
The Sunoom Aviary:


The RoseGarden Aviary:

[poohbear]

How do you keep everything so clean?...Your birds toilet trained?