Outdoor Aviary Dilemma

[Williamsong]

So I recently purchased a large 10' long by 5' wide by 6' tall outdoor dog kennel and modified it for cookie so he can be outside in the summer. It is chain link fencing, which is fine for cookie to be in since he is my biggest but I want to be able to put my other birds in there too. I want to buy some of the half inch by half inch hardware cloth that they sell at my local menards but it's galvanized, and I know that can be toxic for birds. They also sell the same thing but plastic coated, but they only sell it in small sections of which I would have to buy a lot of to cover the outside of the cage, the galvanized stuff they sell in huge rolls so I would only have to buy one, it would be a lot cheaper to get the galvanized stuff. I was wondering if since its outside will the galvanization wash off with rain and make It safe for my birds? Or do I just have to spend the extra money to get the plastic coated stuff. What I'm gonna do is just cut the wire into sections and zip tie it to the chain link all around the kennel, so that way my GCC and TAG can also go in there. But yeah, do I have to buy the plastic coated stuff or will the galvanization was off with rain ?

 

[Flboy]

Look into a vinegar wash. But I am unsure if this will promote rust. Or, Take out a loan, and use stainless s wire!

 

[Mekaisto]

Scrub the wire with vinegar and leave it out in the weather for a month or two. If it was galvanised properly, this will get rid of the outer layer of zinc, but will still keep the wire rust-proof.

I wouldn't recommend going with the plastic-coated stuff, because the birds will eventually chew it off.

 

[Chihuahua]

LOL i just made a post about this... THANK YOU for the advice i was at a loss!

 

[SilverSage]

Dont go with plastic - even "non chewy" birds eat it.