Aussie Finch Forum

I am thinking of constructing an aviary which would enclose a lemon tree which would then be part of a planted aviary. Any harm to Finches?
Cheers.

I have Citrus trees in my aviary without a problem

I'm pretty sure they're OK, a few QFS meetings ago a gardener came in to talk about plants for aviaries and mentioned that citrus plants are good.

Should be fine, at least your finches will have lemony breath!
If the tree gets any aphids, the finches will love them
Thanks
Noah Till

There's a breeder a few suburbs away from me that has lemon tree growing in his aviary. The aviary has an open mesh roof, and the tree has formed a sort-of canopy along the top. It looks very nice.

I just hope he picks any lemons before they drop off and hit a finch at terminal velocity...

Thanks for all the comments. Looks like the lemon tree will be enclosed soon enough and yes Shane, the roof will be open for any rain we might get here, if ever!!
Cheers.

I had a friend that grew a mandarin tree in a pot in his aviary and he never had fruit fly affect them. He had Cordon Blues, Orange Breasts, Cubans and a few other non Australian finches. It worked well. The birds don't eat the fruit but do control the insects.

Citrus are heavy feeders and any bird poop will help feed them, but they will also need regular fertilising. You can prune citrus trees regularly to keep them small enough so they don't push the roof off the aviary.

The only thing you need to watch out for is fruit dropping on quails and other ground dwelling birds. Be sure to pick any fruit off the tree before it drops, and give the tree a shake each day when no birds are under it.