Finally plans for aviary!

So, we have been trying to agree on where the aviary will be, the dimensions and materials. This has been a daunting process, as what I want and what he is willing to build are two different things. We have finally reached a compromise. The plans are now as follows: 15' long, 10' (trying to make that 12' hes not bending on that right now, I originally wanted 20'x20') wide and 10' high. I'm sooooo excited! We haven't decided on the roofing yet but we have decided on what to use. I originally wanted SS welded wire. We are only going to be here for another year or two so I didn't want to invest that kind of money for something that we will leave behind. So my plans are to use screen on the inside and a cheaper wire on the outside, that way if they should break through the screen they will not get loose but will not be exposed to the cheaper wire long enough to cause harm. Plus, apparently my birds are terrified of flys and I don't really want them exposed to mosquitos either. The wire on the outside will also prevent the dreaded squirrels from chewing through the screen.

I was planing on keeping the birds from being able to perch right up against the screen so that they wont be tempted to chew through it. I also wanted to plant things like banana and hibiscus in the enclosure. I wanted a shallow, and I mean very shallow, small 'pond' with water fall in it as well. I don't want them to fall in and drown, so I was thinking 1"-2" deep? I want something that they can bathe in easily.

Questions, would LOVE to hear feedback and opinions on this (above and below):

What should be used for the ground? I wanted just grass. Neither one of us want a concrete slab. He wants gravel. My issue with the gravel is that I fear it will only look good for the first week. How would one go about cleaning it? I envision bird poop and food getting stuck in the gravel. The last thing I want is them to have access to moldy food.

Double door? I am insisting on a double door and he doesn't see the point. Safety is my main reason, plus its an extra barrier from insects getting in.

Roofing? Should the whole top be covered or half? I was thinking maybe a dome type style so that they could get up in the roof should the weather be bad. I don't want to provide 'boxes' because I don't want to encourage egg laying from Rome. I'm not really sure how to provide them with adequate coverage should there be a really bad storm come through without taking away from the look of the aviary.

Thanks, sorry its long. I will add pics as we progress on this project to this thread, so that I'm not creating a thousand threads on the same topic.

Oh I picked the screen because that is how they are currently enclosed and they have left it alone. I don't have anything close enough to the screen where they can touch it, so I think thats why they don't mess with it.

If you look close enough you can spot the eclectus in the pic, sorry its so grainy, my phone hasn't been sending good pics for some reason.

sounds exciting, just be sure the screen and "cheaper" wire doesn't have zinc in it

Hi molcan2,! Very exciting! Our aviary is started but still on hold, my husband says he sees no point with Amigo being what he is, I'm still pushing the matter, he' starting to cave in. I would love to be able to leave here, WITH my husband, for at least a week and know that all will be well when we return, of course that would be with a bird care giver.

I love your idea of screen being on the inside! In the plans that I have, my perches would be stand alone, not tacked to the wall, kind of like a hitching post for a horse. Also, a box with a heating element. Baja is awesome in the winter!

Dirt flooring would be my choice. We have a friend that just moved here from Oregon and he had helped someone from there, to build an outdoor aviary, this person had cockatoos. He used concrete for the floor, just so's it could be sprayed off with a hose.
I would cover half, with a gabled roof and high perch underneath to protect from weather.

Woo hoo! For now I will live vicariously through you!

Your plans sounds wonderful. My hubby been talking for years about one but that's as fare as it got. Just wondering if you put down grass how would you take care of it?

Thanks Triordan, I will make sure I check the zinc out.

Mare, I think it would be good for you to have one so that he could stay in it should you go on vaca. Even when your home and hes loose you could use it for Sassy.

Didomum, still trying to figure that out. I have seen aviaries before with grass floors but not sure how they keep them clean, I assume the grass would be easier than gravel or river rock? Maybe I'll go with sand?

With grass you should be able to just use a hose and spray the droppings into the grass, where it will act as fertilizer.

I think this is a great thread as we are thinking about building an aviary with two seperate components to keep my mams Senegal away from my blue fronted amazon so we were thinking of using a strong mesh or some very strong see through plastic the plan is just so they can get the workout they need and get to know one another better I haven't got my blue front as yet and there is one month and eight days left until I do get her also they won't be staying in the aviary over night as where we live the people just think they can take what dose not belong to them and we won't risk having our birds nicked but anyways I would love to see the progress of your aviary as the weeks go on and keep us posted

Having built a couple of aviaries near you (Palmetto/Parish) , i found stopping mosquitoes was not enough. I had trouble with Sand Nats , "no see ums" I had to use either fans or 20x20 screen wire, Some birds where effected by the nats and some not. The 20x20 screen cost more and stops more of the sunlight and breeze. I haven't had an issue with the zons chewing on it but most of the time my birds are in separate cages and don't have access to the screen. Given plenty of perches and such i don't think your will bother with it either. The floor should be concrete, i slope mine into a sump with a drain. Makes it so much easier to clean. A couple of birds might make a natural (grass) floor possible but insects /bugs will be more of an issue. I would suggest a "tin" roof. They'll get plenty of sunlight anyway, and shade that they'll need more often. A real roof also hides them from the hawks better, still get a few but not so bad when under cover. I built my aviaries with 1x2 wire mesh, wish i had spent more money and got 1/2 x 3 ,but that's a lot of money..I know i'm not helping your cause with your husband because my suggestions are more costly. But if your in it for the long haul, i'd do it right. My next one will be on a slab with a pool type enclosure over it, something i can replace with out "redoing" the whole aviary and bugging the birds who live there full time. BTW i build my aviaries 12x24 and 8 high.A separate door (double entrance ) is best and can be added after the fact ,it doesn't need roof/floor, Screen, etc.

Thanks Henpecked . These were the two screens that I was looking at:

48 Inch x 100 Ft BetterVue Invisible Screen [BV48100] - $105.00 : METRO Screenworks, Window Screen Direct Store

I was worried that the one above might not be sturdy enough. The one below I worry that they wont get enough sun exposure (or am I just worrying to much)? If I were to do the one below I would get the fine weave mesh. The one below seems to be marketed as the stronger of the two but I haven't made up my mind yet.

Super Screen & PolyCB2 Indestructible Insect / Bug Screen

Thanks everyone for your input. Its so hard trying to design one from scratch. If I look at pics online I come up with a zoo type enclosure which isn't realistic with were we live right now.

Yeah the super screen looks better, But how much? I don't think you need to worry about blocking the sun, they'll get enough. I did find 20x20 SS screen in 8' x100' rolls for 725$ but have to freight from TX. Are you going to pour a concrete slab ?

No hes completely against a slab, I might be able to talk him into brick pavers though.

Okay here is the 'blue print' the image to the right is an aerial view, the left would be if you were standing looking at it on the ground. In the aerial view the dead peanut looking thing is going to be a small koi pond (might as well do a combo since I have been wanting one of those to). Its going to be 8ft high, 15ft long and 10ft wide. The roof will extend 10ft (may do the whole thing depends on if that gives enough shade). I will have a 'room' on one end of it, where the end and 5ft on both sides will be covered with tin. On the inside of the aviary the tin will also come in on each side 31/2 ft. This will hopefully give enough protection from the elements (as we have nasty storms) and I should be able to still put up heat lamps in the winter inside the 'room'. I can also put their existing cages and stands inside the 'room' so they can still have their 'safe place' but wont take away from the look. As with all things this is still the tentative plan and I'm sure will go through several revisions. It will be built piece by piece but I'm still super excited.

I want one!!!! Not possible with less than 600 sq. feet of living space. What is the flooring? The one my now deceased vet had in his office was full of PVC perches and nets and nat. wood and rope perches. He had a large Mol. too for over 30 years. I often wonder how Charlie is doing without his mate.

Congrats. on such wonderful play area for your birds.
Looks like most things in the aviary are beak proof except the toys. Is that right??

This is mine framed out. [/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]


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Thanks for posting that