HELP with aviary size

[sarafigal]

Hi all. I am going to build an outdoor enclosure for my companion birds (not breeders)--a senior BFA, a senior CAG, a GCC and a few budgies. They all get along. The BFA can never fly; the CAG might fly eventually but cannot now--they don't need real flight space, and I can't afford to enclose a half-acre anyway.

Since I am in effect building a large outdoor communal cage on my patio (concrete slab), the question I have is one of size. Do you think a 12' wide x 8' deep x 7' high enclosure be big enough to be worth the effort? I'll fill it with ropes, swingy things, and branches for them to wander.

I'm thinking of ordering the panels (GAW, 1/2" x 3") from KW Cages (the Wingz catalogue).

Advice, anyone?

 

[Boysmom]

Is the GAW galvanized wire ? If it is you will have to treat it so it is not toxic for the birds. Also consider a nice roof to protect it from the rain, as galvanized gets a white rust that might not be good for the birds. I am not sure if the white rust would be harmful or not though. I owned a sheet metal shop and we used tons of galvanized metal, so that is how I am familiar with the white rust forming from any amount of moisture.

Good luck, it sounds like it would be a fun outdoor play place for your birds to get fresh air and sunshine.

 

[henpecked]

i think the size is fine. I'd give some fore thought on keeping it clean. that's usually one of my biggest problems.Ants and other bugs can be a problem if food and waste collect too long. You will need a good roof and maybe a fan outside blowing in for when it gets hot. The 1/2 x 3 wire is the best for outside aviary IMO.Will you use a small cage to transport them in and out? Will it be out of sight from dishonest people?

 

[sarafigal]

The aviary will be on the patio in back of my house, with a fully fenced, enclosed garden--it is invisible to the street. The birds currently have outdoor cages there (with the dogs) and enjoy living outside as long as the weather is suitable. Re cleaning: The aviary will be on a concrete slab with a hose available for washing down. (I already have to do that with the outdoor cages and swings--a pain, but necessary.) I will put a roof over much of it, use the misters I already use for warm days, and install some kind of safe heating units for cool but nice weather. I certainly could use a fan. I'm also thinking of covering the outer wire with a finer mesh to discourage mosquitoes and flies.

Do you think this is big enough to be worth the effort?

 

[sarafigal]

In terms of in/out transport: Eventually I'd like to build an opening between the aviary and one of my patio windows. Until then, I'll do what I'm doing now: Winston and Cyrus just ride on me; Queequeg rides on a dowel or a table stand; the budgies ride in a little cage.

 

[ShellyBorg]

Sounds great! Please don't show my flock, they will want to move in with you!

 

[sarafigal]

This is the hodge-podge set-up that I'm going to replace with one large enclosure. Here you can see Queequeg and Winston: