Populating a New Aviary

[doctorchris]

I am just about to put up an aviary in my garden. I am a newbie but have kept caged Budgies in the past. My initial idea was to find Budgies that were unwanted or abandoned and to give them a new home. However, I have heard that Budgies should ideally be introduced to an aviary at the same time. Is it OK to build the flock slowly or should I look to buy a group of birds now?

[Shirls]

Welcome to the forum doctorchris. You have come to the right place with your question. There are lots of members on here that can advise you about aviaries. From my understanding you can introduce new birds to an existing flock but there are procedures to follow. I think skysmum, Budgies Retreat and FFG are to name but a few who will give you some good advice.

My flock of four are indoors so I can't help in that respect but any new bird should be quarantined for four weeks before introducing to existing birds, in case the newbe has any problems that will only show after a little time. There is a thread on here about quarantining, I'll try and find it for you. It's under Budgie Talk General in the main list. Here it is:

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/6793/important-quarantine

Btw I think that is a brilliant idea you have of rehoming rescue budgies!! Well done you!

[steve05412]

Greetings and welcome.

I built my aviary last year and put 6 in as a group all from same petshop. The other week I added another 3 to the flock after being in a separate quarantine cage in the other shed and what I did was have the original 6 in the outer flight and let the new ones into the indoor area.
After a few mins I opened up the flight to allow them to meet, they were a bit standoff at first but after a few mins were quite happily mixing. I think it may of helped that they were calling to one another before meeting up.I can only say it worked for me...hth


My aviary has heating in on a thermostat ste to 10 deg for the cold winter nights

[FFG]

Hello and welcome...
Pretty much the same as Steve for me too. It's fine to add more and great that you want to rescue them too. Just need to quarantine them. Good luck

[Hezz]

What are the dimensions and how many birds are you thinking? Just that that does not seem like a big space to me, and your birds will need plenty of room to move about. It's a great idea you have, but be careful that you don't overcrowd, otherwise the birds are back to square one.

[laughingwillow]

May 18, 2016 7:23:18 GMT Hezz said:

What are the dimensions and how many birds are you thinking? Just that that does not seem like a big space to me, and your birds need plenty of room to move about. It's a great idea you have, but be careful that you don't overcrowd, otherwise the birds are back to square one.

Totally curious....What about the aviary doesn't seem like a "big space"?

[Hezz]

May 18, 2016 13:56:54 GMT laughingwillow said:

May 18, 2016 7:23:18 GMT Hezz said:

What are the dimensions and how many birds are you thinking? Just that that does not seem like a big space to me, and your birds need plenty of room to move about. It's a great idea you have, but be careful that you don't overcrowd, otherwise the birds are back to square one.

Totally curious....What about the aviary doesn't seem like a "big space"?

All of it, which is why I have asked for dimensions. Looks can be deceiving, but my opinion is that almost all backyard aviaries are too small. (Too small and over-populated, and then the owners wonder why their birds fight.) Most I would call large cages, rather than aviaries. I understand why, but I couldn't do it to mine long term.