Bird Room?

[Tonkatiel]

I'm not really sure if anyone will be able to help me, but when I searched 'bird room', only 1 topic came up (which was awesome!) but that was someone who had completely refurbished a room for there birds which I can't do lol. Not even sure I'm looking for help, more just general opinions?

My birds don't get much out of cage time. My Cockatiel isn't interested yet, and my Lovebirds do like coming out, but with the way my house is set up it ends up turning into a complete nightmare every time!

To give you an idea of what I'm saying, picture a huge room, divided into 3, with open archways between each room. First the kitchen, then the loungeroom, then a room that is currently set up as a toy room for my kids. Very high ceilings in each room, and the kitchen has cupboards that reach up to about 30cms below ceiling level (PERFECT hiding spot for my troublesome little Fids ).

My plan right now is to turn the toy room into a bird room (since my kids seem to believe its a toy storage room and not somewhere they're actually supposed to play, so it's pretty much just wasted space at the moment).
I'm renting, and while my landlord is VERY lenient, I really don't think he'd appreciate me ripping up the carpet or installing a door. So I'm limited as to what I can do to it.
I'm thinking about installing a curtain over the archway so that when the Fids are out of there cages, they have to stay in that room. But am I having very unrealistic expectations of the curtain actually stopping them? It wouldn't be the end of the world if they did get into the rest of the house, but I would prefer it if they didn't.
There is a huge window in this room, which currently doesn't have any curtains or anything over it. Should I install curtains for this to stop drafts and such, or would it be better to leave them uncovered and allow natural lighting 24/7?

I'm planning on putting a couch, a small tv and maybe my desk in this room also. That way it can be not only my bird room, but my 'retreat', and will also allow to me to spend just as much time, if not more, with the birds than I do at the moment.

We have a giant tree/playstand thing which they LOVE, but right now I have to put it away after each use as my monkey of a 3 year son also loves it It's quite heavy and a complete PITA to move, so to be able to permanently leave it (and hopefully more in the future) set up in the room, I'm thinking about installing child safety gates across the doorway.

Does this all sound alright? Any suggestions?

 

[sodakat]

I think it sounds great! When I first divided my living room to create a bird room, I bought a bunch of $20 wooden framed screen doors from a local home improvement store. I used "T" and "L" brackets to fasten them together to create a wall, and put hinges on one so I could enter the "room".

If the arches into the room you intend to use are not much taller than a doorway, you could do something along this line. You may need to attach a 1x6x8 along the top of the arch to provide a way to affix the framed screen doors. Molly bolts will work for this without making a huge mess of the walls and when you move you just take out the bolts.

It is much nicer knowing the birds are indeed safe in their room than wondering if they have made their way through a curtain when you are busy in another part of the house.

I had to cover hardwood flooring in my bird room, which was easier than covering carpeting. I found a product called Durotherm which comes in 4x8 sheets and is originally intended to be used on walls I think. It is very reasonably priced and perfect for rolling cages and cleanup. I covered the entire floor with sheets of Durotherm right on top of the hardwood flooring. I taped the seams. Durotherm has a honeycomb interior so is lightweight. I taped the seams.

 

[Greenwing]

The curtain should stop them as long as they don't decide to climb down and around the curtain...you can even use Velcro or staples on the sides... Another option would be to install a 2x4 header in place of a curtain rod.. And secure a runner for either a bifold door or luan barn doors....

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

A curtain in front of the window would be nice so you can open an close it as you please. The curtain to contain the birds... you'll have to figure out if your birds will be able to conquer. I know that a curtain would not stop my fid. He's get through by going under, around or over it. He climbs curtains like a monkey does a tree -- fast and with expertise. The velcro idea from Greenwing sounds like a good way to secure it if you see the fids getting through. Sodakat's Duotherm find sounds great. I'm going to look in to it for me too. Pritti currently has his own room about 10'x12' and even with all that space, and toys, stands, all kinds of stuff, he still wants out to explore. The big thing is to make sure they can't get at electric wires, outlets or unsafe "chewables" - I'm sure you know that though. One wall is glass ceiling to floor, but I do close the blinds at night so that he has consistent level of darkness for sleep time.

Sounds iike you and fids will have a blast in the new room when it's ready.

 

[Tonkatiel]

Thanks heaps everyone, I love all the ideas - will go to the hardware store today and see what I can find

 

[WeimerHeimer]

If you do have carpet in your Bird Room and you're not able to remove the carpet I use to use the clear floor runner/protectors. Lowes, Homo Depot, etc.. sell a 2' wide x 6' long runner for under $6.00. You can also buy it by the linear foot at most carpet/flooring stores. It's clear and has little teeth on the under side, which helps it to stay in place. I use to palce them around my cages and/or play stations/perches. If the birds mess them up they're real easy to clean off. In the summer I use to just take outside and hose off. In the winter I have a utility sink I use to wash them off. Lysol wipes also work great, too. These runners protect the carpet and make clean up ALOT easier.

 

[Tonkatiel]

If you do have carpet in your Bird Room and you're not able to remove the carpet I use to use the clear floor runner/protectors. Lowes, Homo Depot, etc.. sell a 2' wide x 6' long runner for under $6.00. You can also buy it by the linear foot at most carpet/flooring stores. It's clear and has little teeth on the under side, which helps it to stay in place. I use to palce them around my cages and/or play stations/perches. If the birds mess them up they're real easy to clean off. In the summer I use to just take outside and hose off. In the winter I have a utility sink I use to wash them off. Lysol wipes also work great, too. These runners protect the carpet and make clean up ALOT easier.

Thanks WeimerHeimer, I had actually thought of them, but wasn't sure whether they came in larger pieces. Will have a look for some
Ps. It was your bird room that came up when I did a search - you did an amazing job!

Sodakat - I saw pics of your converted bird room last night. Have to say I'm extremely jealous!