I was thinking of building an aviary for outside for my 3 budgies and my cockatiel. My dad said if I can plan it out then he would build it for me (and I would help, of course...well, actually, more like just getting in the way, (Laughing out loud))

It would just be in the summer, because we have cold winters (I live in Canada)

There are quite a few cats in my neighboorhood, so I would have to make it cat-proof and I would only have them in there when I am outside. My dad suggested using chicken wire (I think thats what its called) or some kind of wire thats no more then 1/2" apart. I don't know what I could build the frame out of though. Would they be able to chew at wood? My guys don't chew on their dowel perches so I'm hoping that wouldn't be a problem. Any other suggestion on what I should use for a frame would be much appreciated.

I would cover the top of the cage with tarp, so they can have some shade. I was originally just thinking of having the bottom of the cage wire, like the rest of the cage, so the poop can fall through the I can just use the hose to wash the bars. But then I was reading through some of the threads and a few people used sand in the bottom of the cage, because it was easier to just scoop out the poop. Does it act like clumping-cat litter? Can I use clumping-cat litter? I think this would be a great idea because I don't want to kill the grass under the cage from all the poop.

 

I don't know what size it would be, not something too big, because I'll only have 4 small birds in it, but it has to be big enough where Janice can get away from the budgies. I think she finds them anoyying. I've had them all together before with no problems, the budgies don't bug her, I just think she's an old grouch, (Laughing out loud).

My friend has a budgie (she lives down the street) and our budgies love playing together so I think this would be a great way for them to interact with each other.

 

I can't really think of anything else I need...oh wait, what about perches? I would get some rope perches, but I would like to have some wooden perches that extend across the length of the cage. I would also have atleast 2 water dishes, maybe 3, but what about food dishes? They eat all their food in the morning so I don't think I'll need them. I'll bring in some toys from thier cages...think thats about it. If I've missed anything please tell me!

And thanks for help in advance!!!

Meg

 

P.S. I don't know if you guys need to know this or not but all of my birds have their wings clipped.

Hi! I don't have an outdoor aviary, but I would think concrete for the floor would be best, as then you could hose it off. If you are going to have it raised off the ground (it sounds like you mean sort of like a huge rabbit hutch?) you wouldn't need to do that, just have some kind of base you could remove to clean out. How big are you going to make it? I wouldn't use kitty litter, sand seems better. And if you are going to keep them outside, you really need to let their flights grow back out before you put them outside. If you haven't already, check out some of the other threads in this section for some ideas. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

you really need to let their flights grow back out before you put them outside.

I don't understand, why would I need to do that? They will be safe in the cage, the cats can't get at them. They can still fly a little bit, I would call it more of a "flutter".

If I really do have to let their feathers grow back out, then I won't be doing it because by the time their feather's have grown back it will be winter

I really want to keep their wings clipped, because I would be worried if I have the door open on the avairy (say I was taking out a toy or something) for just a split second and they flew out. Also, transporting them to and from the avairy would make it more dangerous, too.

isnt the whoe point of having an aviary to let them have more space to fly? if they cant fly then it defeats the object really.

 

also, my budgies are clipped and they dont 'flutter' from perch to perch they have to climb around the cage bars otherwise they might not make it to the perch and fall down.

 

i would be worried that the birds would cause themselves an injury. when they are clipped it really is not a good idea to put them in an aviary.

i dont understand what the point is in having a part time aviary?

 

wouldn't it unsettle the birds alot to be moved constantly with the change of temperature and things?

There cage is quite small, and I've been trying to find a larger cage for a loooong time but I can't find one So I thought it would be good for them to get out of their tiny cage and let them play in an avairy. Also, I want to start getting them outside since it is warm to get some fresh air and sunshine, so I thought instead of having to bring their cage out everytime that an avairy would be a great idea. I have a large carboard box with holes poked in the sides to transport them. They don't seem to mind it. The avairy won't be that big, so even if I let their flight feathers grow out they wouldn't have much room to fly around.

still, an aviary is quite tall and i dont think its a good idea to have clipped birds up so high on perches. i would never forgive myself if one of them fell or crash landed.

 

i think it is good tha you want your birds to have more space to play though have you thought about ordering a larger cage off of the net?

 

if you still wanted to build the aviary then why dont you start it while its still warm and then it will be ready for when their flights grow back? i think if you are going to put the effort in and make it yourself then you should make it as big as you possibly can and im sure they would love it!

 

also, i think you should build it on concrete and put loose sand over the top this way it will prevent any vermin or predators getting in.

I just won't make it tall then. I'll make sure they have lots of ways to get to each perch. Would it help if I call it a cage instead? So maybe like any outdoor cage? And it won't be me building it, it will be my dad, but I just have to give him the info. I was going to put it on a stand, not right on the ground. Could I put some kind of pan on the bottom to hold the sand, or a liner or something?

Here are the questions I would like answered, they are what I asked in the originally post. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Would chicken wire work?

What can I use as the frame?

What can I make perches out of?

How many water cups should I have, and should I have any feed cups?

And thats about it...I think

 

Edit: If I could find a cage for cheap of the net maybe I could convince my parents to let me get it (they don't like ordering of the internet) for inside.

I live in Canada though, and most cages that are avaible won't ship to Canada, and if they do its really really expensive. If somebody could recommend some sites that would be great.

Edited April 8, 200520 yr by MegTheBudgie

I'm going to go get the supplies tommorow.

the only worry i have is if your birds get overweight it is recomended that the perchs are high and the food is placed on the floor as this is were they get the best exercise from flying up not across

Edited April 10, 200520 yr by hath

What's the view on Suspended aviaries.

 

The one I'm bulding is on the side of a shed.

I am making sure that it is long enough to have short flights.

I'm not considering clipping the birds wing though.

 

Any thoughts on these ideas. I very curious?

 

Aviary Photos - Not finished yet

 

Ermm...you know you can make your own thread.

 

Nice avairy, By The Way

 

Well, since nobody can help me, can somebody tell me where I can get help? I guess I'll do a google search.

Edited April 10, 200520 yr by MegTheBudgie

dwells has already got his own thread where there are pictures of the aviary he is building maybe you should have a look, it might give you a few ideas, i think its in 'my flock' under new aviary.

 

we are all trying to give you ideas here...so people are tryingt to help. you dont have to take anyones advice or help if you dont want it though!

Okay, I was reading some articles about building a small aviary, AND I CAN'T USE CHICKEN WIRE because it is coated with toxic-zinc or something, I could of killed my birds How come nobody told me that? You guys knew that I asked a couple times if chicken wire was okay, and nobody said anything??? Well atleast I know now. Now I have figure out what to use..

hey dont blame people on here. we are all here to try and help eachother out but maybe nobody said anything because nobody has used checken wire. if you are going to use anyones advice on here then you would really need to do a bit of net research anyway - for your own peace of mind. it really is down to you, not anyone else.

 

have you been to your local pet store? most pet stores have 'pet wire' for building guinea pig runs and stuff like that. if the squares are big enough so that they wont trap a budgies foot then you could use that. you need to find a metal that isnt going to rust.

Oh, I just thought you guys would know, because when most people think of wire they think of chicken wire.

Nope, no wire at either of the petstores here.

maybe there are pet suppliers that will stock it on the internet?

Me and my dad decided not to build an aviary any more, because I'm not always outside and I would have to keep an eye on them all the time so they wouldn't get out in it that much. Instead my Grandma is giving me money to buy a larger cage for my 3 budgies We are going to Winnipeg (since I can't find a cage here) some time this month (my birthday is May 2nd) because I saw a cage I really liked at a petstore there. I might not get that cage, but no matter what I'm getting a bigger cage for them. The cage I have right now is only suppost to be for 2 budgies, but my brothers budgie was really lonely being by himself in a small cage so he moved in with my budgies I'm hoping to get a big enough cage so I can get 1 more female budgies, so both my males will have mates (they will both bicker over Jasper, my female budgie, (Laughing out loud))

Maybe when I move out into my own house (which won't be for atleast 6 more years) I'll build a very big aviary for all the birds that I plan to have.

glad you came to an agreement!