Outdoor aviarys

[CKD]

After reading and looking at pics in Cliffs post about his new aviary made me want to see what others have. I want to get some ideas.
Post pics of your outdoor aviarys here. Thanks.
Christy

[Chariclo]

I agree! If you have one post away please!

Being in western NY state - I don't have very many months that my fids can even be outside - but Maia especially would enjoy an outdoor play area. I've allowed her flight feathers to return - so I certainly will not have her out at all unless she is secure.

I know one time someone mentioned the good and bad points about using those pre constructed dog kennels - but can't remember if it was good or bad? :aiwebs_01 (Another blonde moment-brought to you by Melissa!)

Maybe someone could refresh my memory... :icon_smil

[Crebain]

Does this count?

[The Outlaw]

OK, ladies. I just took this today. Next week it will look so pretty with the wisteria abloom, but this is what it looked like at 1:00 today here in Maryland. My birds are in the aviary from April through October here in Mayland. When the weather is above 65 and under 90, they are out there, rain or shine. Its healthy and keeps them in great shape.

Don't know if you can really see inside, but I have a 12 foot rope that swags the entire length of the aviary with 3 large boings, a couple of plastic rings and I'm about to go replace 3 large wicker wreaths that serve as swings until they are chewed apart. I replace them every 3 days. I also have a 6 ft. PVC gym out there with other toys and feeding stations. I keep 2 PVC umbrella stands and pipes out there and as soon as the apple tree gets some leaves, I'll create some "trees" for their chewing pleasure. I inspect all toys daily before taking them out to the aviary. I hose the cement floor down with the power washer every few days and bring in the feeding dishes daily and run them through the dishwasher.

My aviary is constructed with conduit (vinegar washed) and 1 x 3 inch GAV (also vinegar washed) and measures 10 feet x 8 feet x 8 1/2 feet high. The roof is constructed of corrugated plastic panels that can be removed as needed for more or less sun exposure throughout the day.



THE OUTLAW

[kp_in_scott]

Our aviary is on the porch. It would just be tooooooo hot out in the yard, I know I know they come from the jungle, but my birds are used to airconditioning! We just got this delivered yesterday. It is 6 feet tall, 8 feet long and 5 feet wide. My porch floor is concrete, so we just spray in off with the hose. Toys, ropes, and swings are being adapted. So far just about everything we put in has been promptly attacked, and dropped to the floor. We'll get it worked out though.

[Chariclo]

Nancy - Incredible of course! Did you have plans for that or just fly by the seat of your pants?

Kim - Is that a premade kennel? I am looking to do the same thing actually on a cement pad that we have. It looks great!

[Doug W]

Question...here in NJ we have to worry about the nasty mosquitos. The WNV is rampid. What do you do in July/August when the Squeeters are eating everyone alive?

We too would love to have an Outdoor Aviary, just worried about the Mosquitos? Any suggestions would be great.

[The Outlaw]

We have a terrible skeeter problem here as well. What you have to do is this:

1. Don't take the birds outside until the early morning dew has evaporated.

2.Check all around the aviary for standing water and drain immediately. In other words, if you are watering plants and there is water sitting around in catch dishes, you have to be vigilant about keeping it fresh.
Mosquitos lay eggs quickly.

3. On rainy days, the skeeters are usually not a problem, but if they are, keep them in on those days.

4. Bring your birds back inside before the evening dew. I think everyone is usually back in cages about 7:00 at the latest, usually earlier. I think the latest I feed is 6:30 in general and I always feed them in their inside cages.

5. Power wash the entire aviary, toys and all at least once a week. I usually spray the floor early in the day to give it time to dry out before I bring the fids outside.

6. I do use a large mister sprayer (like you use to spray insecticide with on flowers) and give them some cool respite during the day. They hate to be sprayed with a hose, but seem to like the fine mist from the sprayer. However, I really do this just to cool the aviary.

7. Frankly, I use myself as the best test for skeeters. If they are chewing on me, the birds are in the house or in the screened in Florida room. Since my aviary is next to the poolhouse, pool and pond, I do have to be very careful about standing water. That's why I have goldfish in the pond. They will eat the larvae. The pool only attracts them due to the swimmers.

8. Just thought I'd mention this: make sure to keep an eye on your fids. Birds standing with wings slightly open and with beaks open are too hot. Temps above 90 degrees can be very dangerous. Make sure to be careful about what you choose to roof your aviary. DON'T USE CLEAR OR FROSTED PANELS. They will cook your birds. Do use opaque panels. In fact, I'm thinking seriously about thatching the top of mine this year. I'm afraid the stuff will wind up in the pool, however, so I really have to give it some thought.

I know its scarey, but the benefits are too good to scrap. My birds are 100% happier since I've built the aviary. It allows them freedom to be birds.

[The Outlaw]

Michelle:

I wish I could show you the amazing plans and all (LOL) but its nothing more than a big rectangle with a slightly peeked roof. Both Will and our friend Plum are proficient welders, so all I had to do was draw a picture and stand back. Oh, I had to feed them amazing meals, of course and really great homemade desserts. That was far harder than actually building the darn thing.

Frankly, if all you want is a nice aviary that's low maintenance, go to Home Depot with a drawing of what you want to do, grab a sales associate and tell them to figure out what you need. Once you have the frame (I actually think a smaller one (not so tall, 7 feet is MORE than high enough) could be done very well in PVC. As for the wire, I had to special order that from my local Farmer's Co op.

The one thing I will do over is replace the wire with stainless steel. I couldn't locate it when I built this, but later did find it and it would only have cost me an extra $200. That's chump change.

THE OUTLAW

THE OUTLAW

[kp_in_scott]

Melissa,
We did look for a premade dog kennel, but could not find one that would fit the dimensions of our porch. So we contacted a chainlink fence company, gave them the dimensions we wanted and the fact that it was for birds. They premade the panels in their warehouse and came to our house and set it up in a matter of minutes. The chainlink is not powdery/grey looking like a dog kennel. It is shiney actually looks like aluminum. Ours has a flat top on it instead of arched, but he makes one that is domed also.
Nancy,
We have a thermometer on our front porch which we will be watching very closely. Summers in the south can be deadly.