New Outdoor Aviary for Rio! :D

It's been a while since I've been on here, but wanted to post pics of the aviary we just finished building for Rio, our 7 month old catalina macaw. We bought a steel 10Lx10Wx6H dog kennel for $200 on craigslist. My husband knows how to weld (very convenient!) so we bought some steel 10 foot poles and 14 gauge wire for the top. He cut the poles to the correct size, then welded the poles together and we attached the wire to the frame with metal re-bar ties. We used some zip ties in places where the re-bar ties weren't long enough, and I know he'll chew the zip ties, so I'll be buying something stronger for those areas. The total height now is around 8 feet. We placed large natural branches (using wood that's safe for parrots) for perches, Rio's hanging swing, jungle gym, and a large natural wood hanging chew toy in there for fun, and finished it with a "Welcome Feathered Friends" sign that I bought at a local flea market for $7.99! I have new food and water bowls, just have to go attach them to the cage. The whole project cost around $450, which is so much better than the $2500-$3000 price tag I've seen for macaw aviaries of this size!!! We'll be getting a gazebo canvas cover for the top for rain shelter soon. We had Rio out there once so far, and he was a little unsure of it, since it was his first time outside. But I'm sure he'll love it in no time! We're waiting for the weather to get out of the 60's and get a little bit warmer before we'll put Rio out there again. He'll spend his summer days out there, and we will bring him inside to sleep in his cage at night, because I don't trust the foxes nearby and I wouldn't feel safe in general leaving him overnight outside. Rio's been VERY destructive lately, chewing furniture and knocking things off every surface he lands on, so I'm glad we finally finished this project! He'll finally have a place to fly and my furniture and knick knacks won't be in danger LOL.

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One more picture...(I don't know why they always show up so small. If you click them, you can view the full sized image).

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That looks great!

Amazing! what a lucky bird.

Thanks! We're renting right now, but when we buy a house I'd like to build an aviary for him that's around 15'x15' with a concrete slab. But for now, this will be good!

That is awesome, but I noticed there is a gap around the door. How big is the gap because you don't want him squeezing his head in there.

great job . he is going to be one happy bird. Alison and sweetie pie

I was concerned about the gap around the door, too. But after measuring, it's not that different from the bar spacing. The bar spacing is 2x4", which I've seen used in many macaw aviaries before. When Rio was in there, the bar spacing seemed just right for climbing on without being able to escape. The gap on the sides of the door is 2" (it LOOKS bigger, doesn't it?) and the gap on the bottom and top of the door is 2 1/2". Do you think I should place wire on the top and bottom?

Wow that looks awesome! Rio is a very lucky bird.

Looking great, I'm sure he'll learn to love it

Love it! you guys did a really good job.

Thank you!

It's really awesome! You guys did a great job!

That's so nice!

I noticed the same thing..large "gaps" at the door area. A Macaw can squeez threw that easy. And other varments can get in the cage. The zip ties will be something your Macaw will chew threw. I like the placement of the cage you made him...shade and sun. I would look at the large gaps around the door and fix that, or get a larger door. Very cool!

Awesome job ! Your hubby did a wonderful job ! Rio looks very happy too

WOW, very nice. In Florida, I would have to keep a close eye out while my birds were outside due to snakes. I would suggest you do the same since your aviary backs up to the edge of a wooded area.

I would also like to suggest that you put some type of covering over one portion of the top so that Rio will be able to move into the shade and out of the sun when he gets warm.

so jealous! wish i could provide my nut with something like this

looks soooo good. would love to get something similar in my garden but our weather here
is sooo bad, i think all birds here would be better off living indoors. if it's not the heat that
gets to them, it's the dust. >.<

how neat! my husband would love one of these for the birdies. I will have to remember this idea!