Advice on cage wire please

[Betrisher]

Some years ago, we purchased an enormous aviary, intending to erect it in our back yard for our birds. Since then, I have inherited my childhood home and moved there. The local building code won't permit me to erect the (rather massive) aviary, and so I'm looking for a different solution.

We have a large outdoor deck which is about to be (next week) extended to double its size. I'm thinking this area could be enclosed so that I could safely let my birds out-of-cage. My question is, what kind of wire do I shop for?

I'm in Australia, so I'm not sure whether stainless steel wire is either available, affordable or appropriate (haven't even begun to look yet). Galvanised wire is certainly available, but I'm afraid to use that because of the zinc content. Chicken wire seems too flimsy to house Alexandrines and a Corella. Chain-link fencing seems like overkill, so: what, then?

I'd really appreciate any and all input, especially from Australian members who know what's available at Bunnings.

 

[Bundiibird]

Trish if you follow six grey parrots on Facebook, the lady has done several aviaries and would be able to assist. She is located in Queensland. But would be able to tell what she used.

 

[Betrisher]

Thanks heaps, Amanda! I found this stuff at Bunnings called Project Mesh. It's expensive, but the wire is 2mm thick and the mesh is 25cmx25cm, which should be enough to keep my flock in. It's galvanised, but I haven't been able to find a single source of stainless wire anywhere. I'll check out Six Grey Parrots and see what she recommends. Love to Bundii and Millie!

 

[SailBoat]

With the exception of Stainless steel everything you are looking at is dipped /drawn steel wire though molten Zinc (Galvanised Wire). Just different names. They all flake bits of Zinc.

The larger the better (enormous aviary) since the wire enclosure becomes less confining. And as always, the greater the number of other activities within the aviary the less interest in the enclosure. Danger points are where perches and wire meet. Consider clear or milky colored plastic in these areas to avoid having them sit next to the wire and work at it with their Beaks.

I'm a big believer in concrete base that is a minimum of 100 mm thick and extends a minimum of 150 mm wider than the vertical supports of the aviary.
It is as important and likely more important to think about what is outside the the aviary trying to get in! The use of concrete not only makes it easier to clear, but keeps diggers from accessing the aviary.

It is important to know the signs of Heavy Metal Poisoning and to always be on the watch for and be ready to quickly move to medical support. Look at adjusting the aviary diet to one that would be used to help shed Zinc from their bodies, i.e. your being proactive.

 

[Kiwibird]

I recently constructed 'splash guards' with aluminum components for Kiwi's cage. In my research, aluminum is bird safe. It is also lightweight, durable, will not rust and is easier to work with than stainless. Our local hardware store offered strips of it it in multiple shapes and widths. May be worth investigating what would be locally available to you.

I believe several companies offer aluminum aviaries ready to assemble too. I'm sure you can find one online in AU.

 

[Flboy]

Several that I have seen locally are all double enclosures! This gives a bit of a protection if something tries to break in!