Build another flught cage or hold out for a backyard aviary?

29 Oct 2014, 15:15

Hi,
I know this might be an inane question but one that I must ask. I was chatting with my OH last night and I brought up the idea of building a larger flight cage. My current one is 1.25 x 60 x 65. I think I will put pair of Zebras in there for starters. My next idea would be to build a much larger flight cage along the same theme but incorporating features like an easy cleaning tray and a roof made of polycarb to let in more sum. The dimensions I was thinking would be along the lines of 1.5 to 1.8 m wide x 1 m x 1 m. IS this getting too big for a flight cage? or, as my wife thinks, would I be better served by saving the cost of building a flight cage and put towards a proper walk in outdoor aviary.?
I realise this is quite subjective but any opinions to those with experience in these matters would be good.

cheers

Adrian

29 Oct 2014, 15:34

Adrian wrote:Hi,
I know this might be an inane question but one that I must ask. I was chatting with my OH last night and I brought up the idea of building a larger flight cage. My current one is 1.25 x 60 x 65. I think I will put pair of Zebras in there for starters. My next idea would be to build a much larger flight cage along the same theme but incorporating features like an easy cleaning tray and a roof made of polycarb to let in more sum. The dimensions I was thinking would be along the lines of 1.5 to 1.8 m wide x 1 m x 1 m. IS this getting too big for a flight cage? or, as my wife thinks, would I be better served by saving the cost of building a flight cage and put towards a proper walk in outdoor aviary.?
I realise this is quite subjective but any opinions to those with experience in these matters would be good.

cheers

Adrian

G'day Adrian,it all depends on when you will be able to build the large aviary and can you wait that long without having the extra small aviary,but in saying that you will be able to use your small flight cages for holding cages when you breed your birds in the large one.
Also with the larger flight cage you could breed some birds in that in the mean time and sell the young to help pay for your large walk in aviary but you would have to breed a lot of zeb's,try something else like bengalese (society finches)

29 Oct 2014, 15:43

I would take the wifes advise myself before she changes her mind

But thats me and it depends on which direction you want to go.

29 Oct 2014, 19:58

My definition. Avairy can be stepped into, cage can't. I have always gone for the most hubby can be talked into. But that's cause I have to get him to build it with my help. Hmm, what's the possability of both? Remembering that the wife needs to pick herself a pair of finches to get her nicely hooked.
LML

30 Oct 2014, 00:38

I have no metal working skills and my talents with the hammer and drill are quite dubious beyond putting together simple wooden boxes.

So, in light of all that I won't be building the aviary but would instead be looking at buying secondhand and adapting to suit my needs. But this is not likely to happen until the new year so in the meantime I still want to keep learning and eventually breed finches.

30 Oct 2014, 05:52

Over here in Vic you can pick up some cheap aviaries on Gum Tree,might be the same over there ,maybe another option for you,garyh

30 Oct 2014, 10:12

Adrian, checkout Gumtree and Quokka. If you find something within the budget go that way. If not start up the carpentry skills. And still get the wife to pick a pair of finches to get her hooked. Good luck whichever way you go.
LML

30 Oct 2014, 16:42

finchbreeder wrote:Adrian, checkout Gumtree and Quokka. If you find something within the budget go that way. If not start up the carpentry skills. And still get the wife to pick a pair of finches to get her hooked. Good luck whichever way you go.
LML

I have looked at Gumtree and have seen a few really nice set ups that may suit. My DW is happy for me to slowly tinker with my tools and build another, larger flight cage whilst we look around for a decent aviary. cheers for all your advice

Adrian

30 Oct 2014, 20:39

I was going to suggest that you build your own as I did, and I don't have any welding and very little building skills, but if you can butt 2 pieces of 25 ml galvanised metal tube,
with metal right angles and Tec screw them together, you are a builder, Use 50ml by 25ml for the corners and for the roof . Work every wall frame on the ground, Tec screw the sheets to
the frame and presto you have 4 walls. The tricky part is laying the concrete foundation. That is another Story.

31 Oct 2014, 14:26

Spitfire wrote:I was going to suggest that you build your own as I did, and I don't have any welding and very little building skills, but if you can butt 2 pieces of 25 ml galvanised metal tube,
with metal right angles and Tec screw them together, you are a builder, Use 50ml by 25ml for the corners and for the roof . Work every wall frame on the ground, Tec screw the sheets to
the frame and presto you have 4 walls. The tricky part is laying the concrete foundation. That is another Story.

Hi SpF. So are you saying that there is hope for me?

I like the idea of building my own because I can build exactly what I want and where it would fit. Would you be able to post a photo of your setup and how you put it together - just to get an idea how the system works.? that would be great!

cheers

Adrian