My Natural Aviary!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:08 pm

mickp wrote:why is it that so many people who have birds also have cats?
before any of you have a go at me, yes there is also a cat here, but it wont go near my aviary as the dog owns the backyard and thankfully the cat is scared of the dog so never goes into the backyard

Funny, I've noticed this too. Seems to be a lot of problems with cats around. Finches dying because of fright or being attacked by a cat. Not a fan of cats, but if I ever get a cat, I'll trade in my Gouldians for Zebras!

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:00 pm

I to have cats in the house not outside on porch ever ,birds own the porch,at times I would like to bring birds into house but its just to risky,I think any one that owns both are taking a chance

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:29 pm

Everyone, I'd like you to meet Joey (left) and Phoebe (right) named after the characters in the show Friends;

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:39 pm

Good looking birds
How the flight coming along?

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:47 pm

Everything is looking good, since my last updated I have added a 6' fake bamboo plant and took the palm tree out to replant it. I left it in the house and found my cat chewing on it and we all know about the bird-killing bacteria in cat's saliva... so I threw it out. I need to buy a few more plants, some fake vines, some orchids, some nests, and some staghorn ferns, and a few more perches, and a bird bath.

Quite a long list, I'd say.
This previous wednesday all the holes in the aviary, caused by the panels bowing at different levels, where fixed! Making it safe for birds. I picked up these two doves today and they are doing great so far! I have held both of them and one even landed on me! I have high hopes for them being hand-tamed but we will see. I think I pretty much decided on my first pair of finches being some gouldians but only time will tell. Anyway, more pictures tomorrow!

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:30 pm

Sounds good glad its all coming together for you did you ever find any finch breeders in area or bird clubs you would save money on birds

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:42 am

B CAMP wrote:Sounds good glad its all coming together for you did you ever find any finch breeders in area or bird clubs you would save money on birds

Nope, not yet. I still need to go to my bird vet to find out of any local breeders. Although I cant imagine me getting one any cheaper then like $100, and it might not be worth the extra trouble to save $10 bucks per bird.
Anyway, we have a problem, ANTS!
I found 'em in the food, I'm going to have to build a free standing food/water dish with a 'moat' around it so that ants cant climb up and get in the food.

I guess I should also buy some of the bird-safe pesticide as well from www.birdboard.com

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:58 pm

Josh I use boric acid for ants and it works and safe,don't have where the birds can get it . have used this for several years and its cheap to make up check this link http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww36eii.htm

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:37 pm

Iwant to get doves, but i think i will wait till i have my own aviary. It would be to much to have in a flight with all the other finches.

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:25 pm

B CAMP wrote:Josh I use boric acid for ants and it works and safe,don't have where the birds can get it . have used this for several years and its cheap to make up check this link http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww36eii.htm

thanks for the link! I think I'll buy some of that, although I dont know where to find it. Also another problem is that I cant place where the birds wont have access to it because I have no outside access to the aviary. I might need to somehow add in a door so that I can access the outside of the aviary. I have no ladder tall enough to get up this high.

Also jamezyboy,
The doves are awesome.... I really like 'em. I cant wait until they get more comfortable in their environment, and start acting a little more at ease.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:59 pm

Josh You can get boric acid at CVS, Walgreen's, they show you how to use those little plastic cups like you get ketchup in at restaurant I use the plastic bottles that prescriptions come in they have screw on lids and are a lot harder to get into, just do them like it showed in the article,maybe put under a small pot like a clay flower pot just set in a out of way spot where you don't see it from the front of aviary.The ants will be drawn to it because of the sugar,they will find it
Hope you can understand this

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:55 am

I am so envious right now! That aviary looks so incredibly cool. I want one! I get very addicted to animals as well. I have waxbills and fish and parrots and cats and a dog that keeps the cats away from everything else. I also have a diamond dove and button quail.

Might I suggest that you heavily research button quail before you jump right in and get them. With the space you have you would be better equipped than most but they have alot of pitfalls. They can fly for one and often severely injure themselves when they get scared and crazily fly into things. They can be very vicious to each other and can scalp (yes, I have had that happen) or even kill each other so have a backup cage ready that has a soft roof. In my area the young were almost impossible to get rid of so make sure that you have a place to send the babies before you breed. Also they will need thier own food dishes (mix turkey starter or gamebird starter with thier seed cause they need extra protien), thier own grit and water, and they love a sand bath. They are adorable and I love them and I wish I could breed them but they can be a surprisingly large amount of work. Plus, they have a reputation for being bad parents (thought mine were excellent). They will also need lots of places to hide so they can feel safe. I cut holes in carboard boxes or ice cream containers and put them in upside down as huts. Quail can become an addiction and a hobby in thier own right. If you do want to get them and have any question I can probably answer them but research is the key.

Your Diamond Doves are gorgeous (I love Friends so awesome names!). My little male is looking for a mate since his died and I cant find one anywhere!

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:05 pm

Thanks Anabelle,
I did decide against the button quail, mainly because I cant get any locally.
Phoebe laid an egg!

I don't think it will hatch, since she hasn't sat on it all that much, but its a good sign that they are settling in.

canucky2 · Post by **canucky2** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:14 pm

It seems this thread has stalled.... but how did it end up. Did you get the finches in the aviary? Do you have pictures? ...

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:18 pm

The aviary worked out fine, but I never got finches. I've been SO busy, it looks like any new birds is out of the question, which is fine with me because I honestly cant say I have the time anymore.

Also, the aviary gets horribly dirty and live plants get trashed. I think it would be impossible to have an extremely attractive 'jungle'-ish aviary with the normal budget and leisure time