Outdoor aviary help!

MarciaLove · Jan 5, 2013

I really want to rescue a macaw but my house is too small to house one comfortably so I want to build an outdoor aviary for year round use. I live in GA so I need to know if I even can have one for year round use. It can get up to 100 degrees F. in Summer and down to 30-20 degrees F. in Winter. I would be building it completely from scratch so if it is possible to have one what materials would I use? I don't want the bird to get too cold in winter so I was thinking plexiglass and a heater maybe, but would it keep the heat in at all, and what about summer would it be too hot??? please anything you know is very helpful!

goalerjones · Jan 5, 2013

Here are some helpful links:
Parrot Kingdom - Build Parrot Bird Aviary

Infrared Cage Heaters for Birds. Heat Panels

MarciaLove · Jan 5, 2013

thanks a bunch!

willist · Jan 5, 2013

Something to consider, my down the street neighbor had a beautiful B&G Macaw which she kept on her back porch, that is until someone stole it. BTW. I live in a 900 sq. ft. townhouse and I have 2 Macaws and an CAG.

MarciaLove · Jan 5, 2013

my house is crammed full I have a family of 7 people, 3 dogs, 4 fish tanks, 3 chinchillas, 6 birds, and lots of toys as there are little kids in my family.

goalerjones · Jan 5, 2013

Theft would probably be your biggest concern after the specific living enviornment. As long as you can make it hard to break into, the aviary would be okay IMO.

These are hard times we are living in and people will become more desperate for cash.

MarciaLove · Jan 5, 2013

hmm should i put a padlock on the door? it will be in my backyard behind my house as well so it should be hard to see.

MarciaLove · Jan 5, 2013

and what are your guys thoughts on tubular heaters?

goalerjones · Jan 5, 2013

MarciaLove said:
and what are your guys thoughts on tubular heaters?

They're radical! Sorry, just had to do it...

MarciaLove · Jan 5, 2013

haha

so you think they are good, and how many/how long would they have to be to heat up an 8Lx6Wx8H aviary?

MonicaMc · Jan 5, 2013

Birdie Buddy Home

With the right setup, a parrot can live outside year round, including with snow. You would need an enclosed area from wind, rain and sun.

plax · Jan 6, 2013

MarciaLove said:
hmm should i put a padlock on the door? it will be in my backyard behind my house as well so it should be hard to see.

There's still the risk of theft. Padlocks can be easily removed with bolt cutters. And Macaw screams can be heard around the neighborhood - it won't be difficult for those near your home to determine that the Macaw screams are originating from your backyard. Just some things to consider.

Alwese · Jan 6, 2013

You don't say where you are in Georgia, but I am in the Northeast corner of Florida and at times it does get too cold for macaws to be outside. My friend David has over 100 macaws and his 2 acre back yard is well shaded with oak trees to protect from the heat of summer, but even he has problems heating their indoor quarters when extreme cold comes to here. The back of his property is salt marsh for the Intracoastal Waterway and closeness to the water provides somewhat of a buffer, but he has major problems with Racoons and even rats as well.

MarciaLove · Jan 6, 2013

im in Gwinnett county GA and im trying to figure out the best way to heat it its either heat lamps, tubular heaters, or a space heater with a cage around it to prevent the bird from getting to it

Turquoise · Jan 7, 2013

Like Alwese said, there are predators you have to protect against if you plan to keep your macaw outside 24/7. Raccoons, rats opossums can all be a danger. I read about a plan on another forum that allowed for a double wire with spacing between the two cage wires to protect against night creatures being able to grab the birds through the wire. Just thought you might want to think about safeguarding against the furry four footed thieves also.

I plan on making a patio type aviary outside my back door for my feathered kids to enjoy in warm weather. But only when I am home & sitting out in it with them. My macaw boys have an aviary for their indoor cage, 5'X8' in the corner of my living room & I have a relatively small house. I chose to give up space & furniture I didn't use to have my favorite parrots in my life.

MarciaLove · Jan 7, 2013

mine is too cold for a wire aviary i was planning on a Lexan, or Glass one but im still researching things!

goalerjones · Jan 7, 2013

I would recommend an alligator filled moat. That way the bird is safe and the 2nd amendment wont be an issue in the months to come.

MarciaLove · Jan 7, 2013

lol i like the way you think XD

Outdoor aviary help!

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