What kind of mesh to buy?

Since our aviary plan fell through, the newest idea is to enclose the back deck where the birds live so they can be allowed out-of-cage at times during the day. The deck is made of merbau (pine), but the plan is to put up aluminium frames to which will be attached sheets of wire mesh. A folding or sliding door will be installed as well.

My questions:

i) must I use stainless steel or will galvanised steel do? (NB. The birds won't be living 'out' in this enclosure and will only be playing in it while I'm with them and engaging them in training).

ii) what mesh size for Alexandrines and a Corella? I was thinking 25mm, but should I get smaller for safety? And what thickness? 2mm? Smaller? Larger?

I'd really appreciate any and all input. This has been far too long coming and I'm anxious to get started!

Betrisher

[FONT=&quot]Aaaa, the foundation of a wonderful project! [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Galvanized steel represents a serious problem as the galvanized coating (many different terms used from hot dipped, hot sprayed, etc...) is in fact Zinc. And, as you know, Zinc is classified as a Heavy Metal and is Toxic for Parrots. Although, I have seen some extremely well applied coatings, they all have or will flash, flake and peal. Ingestion is the primary means of entering the body. Like Lead, Zinc has a semi-sweet flavor and as a result creates an interest in obtaining more.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The major concern regarding what to use is what is likely to try getting in![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- The outer fence should be able to too fend-off the largest, most aggressive attacker, which can sometimes be Humans! This could be as aggressive as galvanized steel chain link fencing (commonly used around ball parks).[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- The middle fence should be able to fend-off your smaller animals (rats and large). Here you could use galvanized steel chicken coop wire and it would be applied directly to the surface of the chain link fencing.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The above represents an outer structure that stands separate from your Aluminum inner structure. As stated it keeps your Parrots safe from Mother Nature. Because it stands separate and outside of the Inner Aluminum structure, it also keeps your Parrots from access to the Zinc coating. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]- Commonly, your Aluminum frame installers have a wide range of different screening products. Of recent, much stronger screening products have come available that are standing-up to seagulls attempting drives into pools. Much of the choices of the inner system is dependent on just how aggressive your flock is on such product. Using Aluminum or Stainless Steel maybe your only choice.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Assure that the galvanized products do not make contact with the Aluminum components.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]- I like a concrete foundation /floor as it is much easier to clean and provides a strong separation from the digging family of animals.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]- Plexiglass (or like products) can (should) be placed around the base of the Aluminum structure as a means of keep the small animals and snakes out.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Enjoy![/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]** When considering spacing it is very important to size it based on the head size of your specific Parrot. The estimated distances between the eyes assure that they cannot place their head between the bars, which could result in their hanging themselves.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]** Bar sizing should be the same as the cage. The larger the panel of fencing, the greater the thickness needs to be to support itself and hold its shape.
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Stainless only (or aluminum---but that is very easy to chew---super soft)--- not sure about the other question.

Thank you Trish for starting this thread. We had the same idea of creating an Avery out of a deck.


Thank you Sailboat for this excellent information and advice.

Thanks so much, Sailboat! The reason I asked is that, being a deck, the area I'll need to enclose is rather large. The idea is that by enclosing the deck I'll have a safe and large-enough area to play with and train my birds without having them indoors (as I used to do). Since the birds will be either on or near me during the entire time they'd be out-of-cage, I was thinking that galvanised wire might not matter too much. At most, they might land on it and clamber about briefly before coming back to my training area.

None of my birds spends time chewing or beaking the cage wire. They climb across it using their beaks, certainly, but only to get from A to B.

I've found a local company that makes both galvanised and stainless steel wire mesh in sheets large enough for my purpose. The galvo costs a fraction of the st.st., so I'm sorely tempted. Of course, I wouldn't even consider galvo if I were building a cage the birds would be *living* in!

The other possibility is pet-mesh, which would serve the double purpose of keeping out mozzies and flies in the summer time. Lots to think about...

Betrisher