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Birds need an aviary 'to call home‘…
Whether your current aviary is in need of repair or your flock of feathered friends has simply outgrown their home.
Sooner or later you will need to consider building a new facility.
Here are a few tips on how to ensure you are providing the best new home for your birds:
Best nest
Essentially there are two types of aviary to consider - the suspended type and full height construction.
A suspended aviary is generally placed off the ground and has half a tree inside to give the birds a place to perch and helps to create some natural surroundings for them. They are often stepped and have several levels.
A full height aviary is one that goes from the ground to about 180cm high. Again there is a bit of natural surroundings within the aviary that makes your bird feel comfortable.
Most breeders seem to prefer the suspended aviary because they are easily cleaned without disturbing the birds but, whichever type you choose, the most important thing to remember is that your birds need a minimum height in which to feel comfortable.
Size and construction
Ideally each flight of a suspended aviary should be a minimum of 1800mm deep x 900mm wide x 1000mm high, while full height cages should be a minimum of 1800mm deep x 900mm wide x 1800mm high.
Ideally, frames should be made from timber or metal frames with a sheet metal roof and a galvanized mesh exterior. Be aware though that some materials (splinters from timber, oil coatings on galvanized steel) can be poisonous and/or harmful to birds so talk to your local hardware store about ideal resources.
Location
Once you have built your aviary, the only decision left to make is where to keep it. In most cases the location of your aviary will be determined by the direction that the storms and prevailing winds come from. Ideally, your aviary should be protected from the elements but still allow enough morning sun to shine through.
Maintenance
One of the true pleasures of owning birds is taking the time to enjoy having them so the less maintenance you have to do to your aviary the better. To ensure minimum maintenance make sure your design is simple and made from solid, good quality materials. Ensure the door to your aviary is easily accessible and wide enough for you to get inside for cleaning and replacing the food and water supply.
