Outside aviary

[marti375]

Has anyone here built thier own outside aviary? If so any pics or tips would be appreciated.

[Abby]

My aviaries have all been premade panels however if you can use a drill, an angle grinder and a welder then it's not too hard to make your own.

If you have your own place I really advise concrete slab base and solid sheet ablout 6 inches or so up the open sections. Really helps cut down rodent issues and makes cleaning easier.

Work out what birds you're putting in and look at future as well. Look at what size it needs to be for the species, appropriate mesh size etc. What is the purpose of the aviary. Is it a place for birds to just purely live and play, breeding, singles species, communal etc. This will all have an impact on your design. Where are you going to locate it. Aviaries can either become part of the garden or stick out like dogs balls (excuse the expression).

What is the climate like where you are? This will also impact as to whether there's a need for sprayers during the heat and which direction you face the aviaries.

Some of the best aviaries for enrichment and looks I've seen belong to a guy named Jim McKendry who is a behaviourist here in Australia. If you scroll to the bottom of the images on the link you can see some of Jim's aviaries and how he's incorporated different aspects. They really are beautiful.
.:Image Gallery:.

I probably haven't helped at all but made the issue more complicated. I guess what I'm trying to say is there's alot of considerations to take in and when designing your own from scratch, well wow the things you can do.

[marti375]

I live in upstate ny and the weather can be rough most of the year. Summers are nice and I'm sure my Hahns would like to spend some time outside. I just have the one bird for now. I'm looking to build something realatively small for the deck. Just curious about bird safe materials. I don't own any welding equipment but I have a friend that does.

[chapala]

Since it's short term use, how about a large, simple flight cage for your deck? Some type of breeder flight, nothing fancy, but a nice amount of room for your bird and a chance to get some sunshine and fresh air.

[marti375]

A large flight cage would work nice. I just figured I could save a lot of money by building one. I'm kinda handy that way. Been looking for a used one but no such luck.

[Abby]

I decided to have a look through the bird store here and there's some nice patio type aviaries.
http://www.birdtoys.com/aviaries.html

If nothing else it might give you some ideas. Stainless steel mesh is the ultimate material to use. Can be very pricey though. Most aviaries here are made from galvanised mesh and colourbond. There needs to be care taken with the galv mesh due to the zinc so a thorough scrub with a vinegar solution and a wire brush is necessary. This can then be painted with an acrylic water based outdoor paint. This paint is bird safe once thoroughly dried even if they do nibble the occasional bit off. You may also be able to draw up a design and then get one of the steel people to put it together in prefabricated sheets (not the right word) that you then bolt together. You can talk to them about the materials that they have and what can be used looking at both safety and $$.

Hope this is a little more helpful.

I'm an Aussie so when I hear aviary I kinda think of what we call aviaries here. Big things that are full time accommodation. I'm also on a bit of a new adventure with redoing mine looking at getting more back to nature with the furnishings so I admit I may go a little overboard on my suggestions with my own enthusiasm.

[marti375]

Thanks that was a bit more help. I'll have to check out the local hardware stores to see what they have. That web site has some nice cages. I love those tiki style ones and would spend the money but I have no place store it during the winter months.