Aviary construction

[allicat1229]

Is there a prefered wood to use in aviary construction? The three types I could use are poplin, douglar fir and red oak. Suggestions?

[lovemyfinch]

IMy hubby used just plain old Pine.

[KoacNation]

I made mine with standard 2 by 4 board base, not sure what that wood is made of, and then used pine 1 by 4, 6ft long for the upright posts.

I only mention this since I plan to make a new aviary this summer, I'm a perfectionist to a fault, and as I built the original, I noticed the top half to be a bit "wobbly" due to the thinness of the pine boards. Now, to a normal person the amount of "wobbliness" is fine and in fact would never matter, but no, not to my mind. (I mean there are a few other improvements I have sketched out, so I'm kinda joking)

It's sad, before I was even done, I was totally excited/determined about making another.

So, If yours is gonna be 6 ft high or so, hold one end of the long board and shake it to see if it wobbles at the end. Or just hold it parallel to the ground and see if it sags at the end. I noticed this as I bought it, but thought the frame at the top would tighten it up. No such luck as I built it.

I'm sure there is some way to secure them at the top more tightly than I did, but I dont know of it.

next time it is standard 2 by 4's for the entire frame, not just the base, I put decorative molding over the frame anyway, not sure why I didnt use the 2 by 4's all around.

anyway, my two cents from a very, very raw aviary builder.