New Aviary Project

[arvon]

Hi all,

This is my 1st post as I am about to embark on a new journey in to the Aviary world.

I am currently planning my Aviary and was wandering what the best options are for the flooring (excluding concrete as have priced it up and a bit more than I want to spend)

Also, I will be putting it under a number of trees, I have read conflicting items on this matter, I will be opting for a full roof to stop any wild bird droppings etc entering the Aviary.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, also, does anyone know of any reputible breeders in the Shropshire/Cheshire area, done some searching with no luck.

many thanks for your time.

Arvon

[BudgiesBuddy]

Hi Arvon and welcome to forum

I am sure you will be getting a lot of advice about your new project. For a start, it is necessary to cover the roof of outside flight with a thick transparent plastic or any other material sheet to stop the wild bird droppings.

If you can post the dimensions and your requirnments, the members will be able to help you in a better way. Best of luck with your project

[arvon]

Hi, Thanks for the reply

I will be using a 10ft x 8ft shed with a 15ft by 9ft flight.

Would also like some advice on good starter birds, will be going with budgies, was also thinking some canaries, finches, maybe some love birds and quail for a ground feeder bird.

I look forward to being part of the aviary community

[Hezz]

Some birds can't be mixed with budgies as they tend to become rather aggressive, but those who are really in the know will be able to help you out more there, but certainly not love-birds. That little I do know. I think most people's opinion is that budgies should be on their own - budgies will rip up finches nests (second-hand info I am giving you) as an example, but quails are okay with lots of accommodating - many members on here have both together happily, but there are measures you need to take to keep the quails from being badgered. Hopefully someone with that first hand knowledge will get back to you.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Mar 16, 2012 16:10:07 GMT arvon said:

Hi, Thanks for the reply

I will be using a 10ft x 8ft shed with a 15ft by 9ft flight.

Would also like some advice on good starter birds, will be going with budgies, was also thinking some canaries, finches, maybe some love birds and quail for a ground feeder bird.

I look forward to being part of the aviary community

So do you have a plan or drawing ready or you looking for some advise on that?

When you say, 10ft x 8ft shed with a 15ft x 9ft flight, do you mean that the covered shed will be 10ft x 8ft and outside flight would be 15ft x 9ft?

[arvon]

Hi

Yes you are correct, a 10ft x 8ft shed, with a 15ft x 9ft flight attached.

I have the design sorted, the only thing that I am unsure about is 'do i need to seperate the birds out for sleeping arrangements or do they do this themselves', I will have part of the shed as an indoor aviary for very bad weather etc,etc.

I think the main thing for me is which birds will co-habit together peacefully and enjoy it.

[BudgiesBuddy]

As Hezz said that all birds will not go along with budgies so you will have to decide first which birds are you planning to keep.
Being in UK, you will need an inside flight as well.
Do you mind sharing the design

[BudgiesBuddy]

Mar 17, 2012 9:51:41 GMT arvon said:

Hi

Yes you are correct, a 10ft x 8ft shed, with a 15ft x 9ft flight attached.

So you mean something like this?

[gerwynmr2]

hi there arvon ,couple of points to help you,and a couple that may not,you should have no problem keeping a number of variaties together, in a communal aviary,budgies,finches and quail will readily mix with a minimum of squabbling also cockateils sometimes,as for the base if not concrete the slabs or at least a mesh base with gravel over ,if you are putting under trees,then you must cover the roof with roof sheets either clear plastic or steel,as the wild birds droppings will make the birds ill and even pass on killer diseases,try and use natural branches for perches keep all food indoors as this will attract vermin if put in outside flight use plenty of rocksalt or plain table salt around the floor area of flight as slugs and snails carry nematodes which are lethal to birds and animals in general,yourbirds will congregate together for roosting in the inside aviary and will attain their own territory ,if you are putting nest boxes in make sure you have more nest boxes than hens to minimize fighting
hope this helps you out
regards gerwynmr2

[arvon]

BudgiesBuddy, it is pretty much that design although, I have now bought a slightly smaller shed at 8ft x 6ft and the flight will be longer and not quite as wide probably 20 - 22ft (not measured the exact distance yet) x 7ft.

Most of the shed will be made in to an inside flight, will this be enough room for all the birds to cohabit in realtive peace during the winter months, also, would I let them out in the outside flightat all during cold weather?

gerwynmr2, I am cutting back as may of the over hanging brances as possible but, there will be a solid roof anyway. I have moved the postion I will be placing the aviary so there is already part concrete part asphalt base, I will be able to pour the rest of the base in concrete as not that much to do.

Thank you all for your responses, it all helps.

regards

Arvon

[BudgiesBuddy]

Post some pictures if you can so we can have a better idea

[arvon]

My Aviary so far

can anyone tell me, if the Aviary is south facing do i need to have a clear roof on it or will a solid one be ok, by solid i mean not transparent.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Apr 4, 2012 14:29:02 GMT arvon said:

My Aviary so far

can anyone tell me, if the Aviary is south facing do i need to have a clear roof on it or will a solid one be ok, by solid i mean not transparent.

It is always good to have a transparent sheet as an outside aviary roof.

By facing south do you mean a certain direction of the sun?

[arvon]

Hi chap, it means it gets the sun all day., this is why i thought about the solid roof as too much sun is not good for them

[BudgiesBuddy]

I think in that case it would be better half covered and half transparent. At least they would have both options.

It will be interesting to see what Barrie advises in this case.