Hey guys, just wondering, if I was to build an outside aviary for my budgies could I use untreated pine? Is that safe for them to chew on (because they inevitably will) or should I stick with something different, or use plastic or metal of some description? I wont be building it for a while but it just popped into my head so I thought I'd ask.

-Shann

Pine is a softwood. Is it for all weather conditions ? If so, I would not use pine.

Also, I find my birds chew up the pine perching and objects in my aviary.

If you are doing an actual OUTDOOR aviary, probably metal framing would be best. Have a lood at all the previous topics in our Aviaries and Cage section on here and see what others have done.

Cheers K

A metal frame - gal square section, angle or pipe depending on your "builder" ;-) - would be longer lasting. It may be cheaper to buy a "kit form" aviary - usually steel clad, colour-bond or similar. Depends on what size or look you want for your aviary.

 

I have used wood - house frame timber (untreated) - on my first aviary when I was a kid (my dad built it for me) and the birds DID gnaw great chunks out of it. All aviaries from then on have been metal of one sort or another.

 

For a free-form aviary gal pipe is great as you can put it together with downee fittings and get as "creative" as you like with shape etc, and modify it more easily than a welded frame. Bit like an overgrown mechano set ... but I digress ...

 

Good luck,

KathyW.

I am in the process of building an aviary, I have made it out of timber, I have used Oregan which lasts much longer and is not treated in any way and cannot harm the birds.

 

For the walls i am using Hardiflex and COlourbond for the Roof. I am trying to minimise Timber on the inside so the birds do not gnaw at it all the time plus if you keep them occupied they should do less damage.

 

I purchased my Orgean timber from a 2nd Hand Timber yard and saved big dollars on it.

 

I wanted my aviary to blend in with my back yard so decided to build one instead of buying a galv pre-made one.

 

If you want ease buying a premade one is alot easier as i have been building my aviary for 3 months now and i have the frame up, roof on and guttering so water goes straight into my Water Tank.

 

I will be posting pics soon on the Aviary topic.

 

Cheers

Thanks guys, It will be an outdoor one... we have one at the moment in the backyard where we're renovating but mum thinks its an eyesore (which I have to admit it is) so Im going to build a new one when we move back in and I get the time... so, probably next year some time, (Laughing out loud), when school's over and Im free.

-Shann

Pine or oregan wont last long in the weather & both these soft woods are termite “candy” hard wood or metal are the way to go as recommended by others.