Hi! I am new here and I am going to be building an aviary soon. I am a teenager and I want to get into show budgies. My dad will help me build the aviary. I have a few questions.

 

1. Can I wash or cover the zinc in the metal mesh with vinigar?

2. How can I do this?

3. What kind of metals are okay to use as the wire mesh?

 

Also, for people that live in the united states, where can I get the mesh?

 

My plans are to have it ...

 

* 8 ft long

* 4 ft wide

* 6 ft tall

 

I want the bar spacing to be ...

 

* 1 inch

by

* 1/2 inch

 

Then, the enclosed space, like the sleeping place that is completely covered by wood and has a

 

* 1ft

by

* 1 ft

 

opening is going to be 1 and 1/2 ft long,so taking that away from the 8 ft means that there is going to be a flight area of 6 and 1/2 ft. There is going to be an extra ...

 

* 2ft long

* 2 ft wide

* 6 ft tall

 

extension for the safety door and door.

 

What should the bottom be made of. I cant have concrete. My mom was thinking of wood.

 

If you can help with ANY advice about having an aviary, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you!

On Jun 14 2007, Angelica asked:

> 1. Can I wash or cover the zinc in the metal mesh with vinigar?

 

Yes, or let it weather for a few months.

 

> 2. How can I do this?

 

Dilute the vinegar in a bucket of water, and using a scrubbing brush or broom scrub the mesh then hose it off.

 

> 3. What kind of metals are okay to use as the wire mesh?

 

Usually galvanised mesh as you've already discovered. Stainless mesh is available but horribly expensive and usually not necessary. If you're likely to have mouse or snake problems in your area consider using a mouse-proof mesh. As a rule of thumb (or finger) if you can get your finger through the mesh holes then a mouse can wriggle through it too. If a mouse can get through, then so can some snakes.

 

> Then, the enclosed space, like the sleeping place that is completely covered by wood and has a

 

Be careful with wood. Many timbers suitable for outdoor use are treated with various things that may be bad or poisonous for your birds. Also - budgies LOVE to chew wood! Actually ... budgies love to chew all sorts of things ...

 

> extension for the safety door and door.

 

Good idea.

 

> What should the bottom be made of. I cant have concrete. My mom was thinking of wood.

 

See the note re wood above. It would be a really good idea to at least have some concrete footings to secure your aviary too so it does not get blown away in strong winds or storms. If your ground is suitable, then pegs driven into the ground may be good enough. If your ground is sandy or gets soft in wet weather it would be wise to use something more substantial. Have a chat to your mom or dad ... there are safety considerations that are important.

 

I've used dirt floors as well as concrete. I prefer dirt. The birds love it. Some people don't, and it can get muddy in winter. You might want to consider pavers? At least for a path. You will need to make sure nothing can burrow under the walls (eg rats, dogs, wild animals etc). And if you have a dog you'll need to make sure that it cannot damage or tear the mesh walls - ie use thicker or heavier mesh, or solid panels on the bottom 3 feet or so depending on the size of the dog(s).

 

Also check with your local council about any relevant regulations regarding the size of the structure, any permits required (or how big can you build it without needing a permit) etc, or any specific bird related ordinances.

 

Good luck!

KathyW.

Edited June 14, 200717 yr by KathyW

Hi Angelica and welcome to the forum.

 

An Aviary upgrade. < this might give you some ideas.

Hi Angelica and welcome to the forum.

 

My Aviary has sand floor which the birds love. In the winter there is no mud so it might be worth considering. I want cement floors but my parnter will not do it. May be one day I will be able to talk him into it.

But I do have cement around the whole aviary to stop birds digging out, not that they do, but you never know and to stop any thing getting in.

 

Picture of my aviary, nothing special but it does the job.

:bluebudgie:

Thank you, I love your Aviary Daz and splat!

Would we be able to maybe put like a plastic thing for the bottom and then cover it with dirt or sand?

 

Also, can you use vinigar to wash away or cover the zinc on the mesh?

Yes, you can. Mix up a solution of vinegar and water in a bucket and scrub down the wire using a broom head or brush.

 

 

Feathers.

Also, Where can I get the mesh , because I looked in a hardware store calle Home Depot, and they don't have unleaded. Where is a typical place that I can get unleaded mesh that is 1/2 inch by 1 inch and is thich enough for the birds not to cut through it.

 

Does every metal mesh have leaded metal?

I don' know where you would buy your wire, but I buy mine from a timber and steel place and just go in and buy 1/2 by 1/2 wire mesh and it is 1.2 gauge thick for small birds, which is very strong, dogs etc can't destroy it.

Yes and I wash my wire down with a vinigar wash also.

Good luck.

Thank you but I don't have one of those where I live unfortunatly! =[ I might go to menards. So what do I do if there is lead in the metal?

Thank you but I don't have one of those where I live unfortunatly! =[ I might go to menards. So what do I do if there is lead in the metal?

 

 

Most decent metal merchants that carry mesh SHOULD have a range of mesh designed for aviaries. Ask for aviary mesh specifically. There should be a range of different weights and sizes for finches right up to parrots! Ask or ring metal or hardware suppliers in your area.

 

Good luck,

KathyW.

Thank you , but there is a prolem! don't have any metal suppliers in my area and all the hardware stores dont even know what an aviary is! I also cant order off the internet . =[