Newbie Help - Diy Aviary

[Chef 0]

Hi all,

 

I am new to this bird thing but have been bitten hard by the bird bug

 

I have purchased a good solid cage for a Green Cheek Conure that I hope to have once

he/she has hatched, hand raised and weaned. However this all started from looking after

my daughters class pet, a budgie named George.... anyhow

 

I also want a garden aviary to keep some budgies (Dont have any yet as I want their home sorted first)

 

I am determined to build my own (I am quite handy with that sort of stuff) and I have done lots of research

on the net however I seem to get conflicting views (Sorry for the long post - I will make a point shortly)

 

I LOVE the look of http://www.backyardaviary.com/finish%20aviary.jpg however it is not cost effective to import from the USA.

 

NOTE: I am wanting to landscape inside the aviary (Like I have seen at Kellyville Pets)

 

Here are my key questions (The point at last )

 

Q1 - Should I use Wood or Metal for the framework ?

Q2 - Is it dangerous is it to use Zincalum wire ? If so what are the alternatives ?

Q3 - Can I leave a "Palm Tree" inside the enclosure (Pictures available if required)

Q4 - Flooring - It has been sugested Grass is a good alternative to concrete or dirt, Opinions ?

 

NOTE - I am very reluctant to use a concrete floor and have other plans to deal with potential rodent issues

 

Thats about it for now - Your turn

 

Regards

Chef

[Guest Thirtyfive Black]

yay, i love aviaries!

mine has a wood bottom, and then has sand, but mine is on wheels on the patio 8ft x 6ft x 6ft, but i hear most people say they have cement just cuz its easy to wash down

but if you wanted a planted aviary, then you would use grass.

i cant remember if palm is good, i want to say yes, but will look for a link for you.

mine is wood framed, and YES they do eat it! (Laughing out loud)

we used The screen is 1/4'' hardware cloth some people

call it chicken wire but its actually called hardware cloth. we scrubbed it down with vinegar and then used a pressure washer on it

if you want to see some pics, go to...

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/BUUZBEE/?start=80

 

safe plants:

 

ACACIA

ALOE

AFRICAN VIOLET

BABY'S TEARS

BAMBOO

BEGONIA

BOSTON FERN

BOUGAINVILLEA

CHICKWEED

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

CISSUS (KANGAROO

VINE)

COLEUS

CORN PLANT

CRABAPPLE

DANDELION

DOGWOOD

DONKEY TAIL

DRACAENA VARIETIES

FERNS: (BIRD'S NEST,

BOSTON, MAIDENHAIR)

FIGS: (CREEPING,

RUBBER,

FIDDLE LEAF, LAUREL

LEAF)

GARDENIA

GRAPE IVY

HEN AND CHICKENS

IMPATIENS

JADE PLANT

KALANCHOE

MAGNOLIA

MARIGOLDS

MONKEY PLANT

MOTHER-IN-LAW

NASTURTIUM

NATAL PLUM

NORFOLK ISLAND PINE

ORCHIDS

PALMS: (ARECA, DATE,

FAN, LADY, PARLOUR,

HOWEIA, KENTIA,

PHOWNIX, SAGO)

PEPPEROMIA

PETUNIA

PITTOSPORUM

PRAYER PLANT

PURPLE PASSION

ROSE

RUBBER PLANT

SCHEFFLERA

SENSITIVE PLANT

SNAKE PLANT

SPIDER PLANT

SWEDISH IVY

THISTLE

VELVET NETTLE

WANDERING JEW

WAX PLANT

WHITE CLOVER

YUCCA

ZEBRA PLANT

ZINNIA

 

safe branches:

 

The following materials

are not safe if toxic

chemicals or insectides

have been sprayed on

them. Before installing

them in any cage, scrub

all branches with a

non-toxic disinfectant

(such as diluted chlorine

bleach), then rinse and

dry well.

 

ASH

CITRUS (ANY)

DOGWOOD

ELM

EUCALYPTUS

GUAVA

MADRONA

MAGNOLIA

MANZANITA

NUT (EXCEPT

CHESTNUT & OAK)

PAPAYA

PINE

PRUNE

RIBBONWOOD

SASSAFRAS

THURLOW

VINE MAPLE

WILLOWS:

(GOAT, ***** &

WEEPING)

[budgie_addict 0]

I love the look of that aviary in the link you provided too! Being close to those windows would make it seem the birds were inside as well!

[Chef 0]

Thanks for the tip... I have decided to get an Aviary built as materials would cost only marginaly less money and by getting it built I get a better product in the end...

 

Decided on concrete floor with Sand on top based on other feedback that matches what you have..

 

Now I just have to lay the slab :dbb1:

[**KAZ** 0]

We started out with fully planted out aviaries with palms and ferns etc. Budgies just LOVE palms !! :dbb1: Needless to say, there are no palms left of any kind. The only plants they seem to leave alone are the ones harmful to their health and we had to take them out as well as soon as we learnt good plants from bad plants. There was a great ground cover plant that went partway up the aviary mesh on one side of the aviary.....when it rained and it got wet, the budgies would drape themselves over it looking like outspread angels and would roll around all over to bathe in the wet plants. It was a sight to see. I think I will try large pots of bamboo next and see if it is birdproof.

Although not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, concrete ends up being the better option for floor treatments. We have some concreted areas and mostly earth floor everywhere else. Only one thing to say about earth floor (or grass) .....MICE !! They dig and they tunnel ( they have even tunnelled into and through thinner concreted areas of floor ) and it becomes a neverending battle to defeat them, preferably without the use of poisons. We are undertaking modifications to our aviaries right now, and a good part more floor area will be concreted. You can always lay sand or wood chips atop that if you like a more natural look or paint or stain the concrete of you like the hose-it-down-and-clean-it approach. We also had some very nice thatching lining the inside walls of the aviary...........this also was a haven for mice to nest and build up numbers once they had tunnelled in....we have just removed the last of it from one of our main aviaries. What initially starts out looking attractive, pretty, rustic and natural has in the end been replaced by something a bit more sensible, durable and servicable. In the end the birds health is at stake. They get a load of bugs from earthen floors, and need worming a lot more often. Any access from roof mesh whereby wild and free birds can walk atop the aviary and droppings come through bring disease. So, there is a lot to consider and many people on this forum will have some good advice for you. Good luck and kindest regards Karen

 

PS......There are some excellent aviary bargains to be had on ebay as some members here got their's that way.

Edited October 14, 2006 by Bubbles

[Chef 0]

Well,

 

Its Done !

 

I bought an Aviary, and put it on bricks on top of a conrete slab, going to get sand after I have washed the wire with vinegar, etc...

 

Now I just need to collect some gum tree branches, build / buy some toys and then go shopping for some friends to move in

 

BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

PS - Yes the cubby is new too - it has been a busy week :beer:

[Daz 0]

Chef you have been busy.

[Guest esta]

What beautiful back yards you all have.

When are we all invited over for a BBQ and a dip in the pool?