My Aviary (sorry it became an essay!)

[monotwine]

Thought I would share the story & pics of my aviary.

Aviary Dimensions: 4.6m x 3.6m x 2.2m (15ft x 15ft x 7ft tall)
Housing / Breeding room opening out onto a flight. Outdoors with a planted dirt floor.

So from the start my husband knew this was going to be a headache for him. Ever-optimistic-me had no idea what work would be required to get my little aviary up and running.
You must understand that neither my hubby nor I are DIY kind of people. I have ideas, but don’t know how to make them happen.

I was introduced to Finches through my husband as he had rescued 6 Zebra finches before I met him. He made a little outdoor aviary and all were content.
Enter me: I met my husband and during our time of courtship, found this little aviary at the back of the house. The birds were healthy and happy but lacked something… me! I took an instant liking to these busy little creatures. Oh gosh, I got terribly involved with the little zebras. First I started by giving them attention, a little weed seed here, special food there and a year later breeding, and then getting different varieties of Zebras and other species of Finches. Well the outcome was that I obviously needed to expand the aviary operation as it was getting a tad crowded.
At this point in time we got married and moved to a larger property. I decided on my perfect aviary expansion. It had to be assembled in such a way that we could remove it and reconstruct it if we moved house, able to house about 30-40 finches comfortably and most importantly it had to be cost effective. I incorporated all my learning curves in my new design that had previously caused me grief, strong latches on double doors with self closing springs on the outer door to prevent escapees, etc. I decided to use a modified garden shed and attach it to an outdoor flight area made up of panels. The shed would offer security and protection from weather plus double up as a secure breeding area and the outdoor area would provide the freedom and natural environment I knew the finches would love.
I hunted high and low for a second hand garden shed and picked up a bargain on a rundown one right in my own town. After dismantling it we carefully brought it home and fumigated the wood panels for rot and beetle. During reassembly, we replaced broken or rotten planks and the shed was deemed sound enough to stand for a few years. The interior was divided in half. One side a breeding area the other seed storage etc and additionally become a double door for entry. I gave it a good sanding and pet friendly water based varnish. My poor husband had to try waterproof the roof a few times and “lost” the covering a few times due to strong winds. Eventually we had to have a lattice of cover strips to keep the roof in place. The shed was placed on hollow bricks to keep it raised to allow for pest control, such as mice etc by allowing my dogs and cats entry below the shed. So far this has worked 100%.
Thereafter was the period of constructing the side panels. Each panel was made up of a wooden frame with galvanized mesh stretched over it and attached with nails (this is before I found out about staple guns!) Each side was made up of two identical panels which were then all nailed together to make the outer walls. These side panels were dug into the ground to a decent depth to secure them and provide extra support (also to deter any determined predators/pests from digging underneath). I had already found large old dead trees as perches and had these placed inside the enclosure before adding the roof. The roof of the aviary was made in a similar fashion and placed lastly with a middle support pole. The one issue we had with this aviary was wood. No matter how many calculations we did we never seemed to have enough and were constantly going down to the hardware store for a few extras. I never asked the cost till the end and well, in hindsight having a carpenter do the job may have cost the same. We will never know, but we take pride in our aviary as we did it ourselves with a huge help from my father-in-law.
Over 3 months the aviary was built on weekends and any free time available. Finally at last it was secure enough for the finches to arrive. They loved it. Some of the breeders were skeptical about the birds going into the shed to use it for breeding as it was lower than the flights roof and dark. My birds had no issues with this once they figured out where the warmth and nests were. They quite happily teach new comers the trick too. The floor of the shed is lined with dried grass (teff / hay) which the birds also use for nesting and it softens the landing for fledglings.
Half the outdoor flight was covered with a roof after the first winter season when driving rain managed to find its way into the shed.
The spot I chose for the aviary already had grass and good dirt floor with a slight slope for water runoff. I simply added a few finch friendly plants including shrubbery for natural perching and shrubs and grasses with edible fruit for natural foraging.
My finches love being well, just birds in my aviary. They scamper about amongst the foliage. Search for bugs and happily strip the edible fruit from shrubs and grasses. I feel it keeps them stimulated.
I sit for hours watching my finch TV. It is most satisfactory.
I still have finishing touches to make to the aviary, perhaps a little more aesthetics. The joins where panels have been attached need cover strips over them to make it neater, but I always seem to find another pair of finches I just have to have instead of spending the money on aesthetics. With my pairings basically complete and new finches not actually necessary, perhaps I will finish it this year.

ok some pics of the newly constructed aviary (2years ago)

[monotwine]

These are the most recent pics of my aviary.
Panoramic view from inside.
Plants have grown well and now get used more often as perching and skulking.

[cindy]

I very much enjoyed your "essay". What pleasure you must have in enjoying this everyday, not only enjoying the finches but what you have built. Your aviary turned out very nice, I like the fact they have a covered structure to go into at night and during bad weather. I also love the little bench right outside so you can sit and watch.

What is wonderful about this forum is we get to meet people like you from all over the world, hear their stories and see there birds.

Thank you for sharing your story. You have beautiful birds and I enjoy seeing all and more of your pictures of them.

[lovemyfinch]

Loved reading about how this all came to be. You must have some extremely happy fids in your lovely aviary.

[dfcauley]

Oh... it is wonderful!!!!

Your birds are surely very happy in that setting!!!!
I think when you live where you can have them in an outside setting in the sun it is the most perfect situation!!!

[L in Ontario]

Sounds like a little piece of heaven on earth for your fids! Very well done and well explained too! Thanks for sharing all your efforts!

[monotwine]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes I thoroughly enjoy my aviary and it's always an interesting feature for visitors.

If you had asked me 3 years back if I would be keeping finches I would have thought you mad. When the finch bug bites, it doesn't let go.

The birds just love to sun themselves and I am very much appreciative of the fact I can keep them outdoors. I have much respect to all of you that manage to keep your indoor finches so happy and content. That takes a special kind of love and attention too!
Outdoor aviarys I think are far less maintenance.

[CandoAviary]

Beautiful and great story. While dating my husband he thought I had a few too many birds... Now... 5 years later he considers them part of the family I hope to have a permanent planted aviary... in the meantime, potted plants on the concrete will have to surfice.

[Rayray]

a great story and beautiful pictures , and for sure you got a nice TV

Ray

[monotwine]

Thank you.
Cando I am sure you will have your dream.
Rayray I aspire to one day have an aviary like yours! stunning setup.
When I own the house I stay in I can built my 5star finch hotel.

*although my hubby has already told me if we do that we are OUT SOURCING! LOL he is not going to try it even.

[Domenic]

I hope to have an indoor glass aviary of about that size. Where I'm moving the birds would freeze to death in the winter or drown in the fall if I had an outdoor aviary. I just love watching different species cohabitate and interact. That's why I am so interested in having a single aviary. How come I don't see any birds in the pictures though?

[mickp]

very nice aviary, well done.
looks like lots of space around it for a few more aviaries as well

[monotwine]

How come I don't see any birds in the pictures though?

LOL Roosting time. They were in the shed that last pics was taken at dusk. Surprisingly though its not often they are all out in the flight. Many spend their days inside the shed or low on the ground between the shrubbery. It's actually easy not to see all for a full day because they can hide or nest in hideaway places. That usually sets me off to a panic and I go in to hunt where a bird may be, just incase its an issue.

very nice aviary, well done.
looks like lots of space around it for a few more aviaries as well

Mickp There is LOADS of space for aviaries. The back yard alone is easily 100meter squared, but its a rented house for now and already it would be a mission to move a single aviary. One day when I own my house it will be a big setup!