Hi Team,
I though starting this topic would be pretty handy for many people who are looking into getting new birds but are unsure of aviary size requirements for the new species they are looking into. I've noticed with almost every finch article on the net there is information about almost everything on the birds except housing size. I was hoping some of the guys that specialise in any species no matter how common or rare they are would offer some insight into this and what they have had success or not with over the years. To make it easier lets assume the finches are kept in an aviary with a population of roughly 6 birds (assumed approx norm). Obviously I don't expect anyone to go through Zebs to Whydahs but I think this would be a great way of helping people not set themselves up for failure before they begin. There are always exceptions to the rule but generally it would be nice to know a rough norm.
Thanks in advance
Aviary size requirements per species
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COUNTRY CAPITAL
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One point I picked up on is your comment regarding the "six other birds" occupying the aviary.
Newcomers would have far less trouble if they stuck to low numbers per aviary.
Most of our commonly kept finches will happily exist and may even breed in a relatively small enclosure if there needs are met.
the trap many eager beginners fall into is buying too many birds, not allowing for breeding expansion, or expecting some of the more difficult species to compete with the common types.
zebras, gouldians, doublebars and ruddies for example are common for a good reason....they are survivors and will attempt to breed in almost any type of housing.
having got that off my chest, I try to offer as much room as possible.
I try to grow seeding grasses and greens in my aviaries along with bushes so a fair bit of room is required. If room was not available maybe I could cycle potted ones through to them. Good management is the key rather than floor area.
their are too many variables for me to put a figure on required space. For example, you may have a large aviary for your birds but if 75% is flight that doesn't leave much room for shelter/nesting area. This is where they will roost and spend much of their time. If a dominant pair take charge of the shelter they are likely to be the sole breeders in the aviary.
sorry to give you little in the way of answers....but its not an exact science....if it was we may all get it right.
1 square metre per bird or per pair has been mentioned before as a guide but I try to at least double this.
my best advice would be to look at the birds you wish to keep and set up an environment to suit. Make the most of the available space by choosing species with different requirements. get a low nesting/ground species like painted/fire/masked and cohabit them with those who wish to nest higher up like Gouldian or stars.
they will then largely keep to themselves giving you more chance of success.
Hopefully others will offer their experience so more newcomers have a better chance of achieving the success they desire.
Newcomers would have far less trouble if they stuck to low numbers per aviary.
Most of our commonly kept finches will happily exist and may even breed in a relatively small enclosure if there needs are met.
the trap many eager beginners fall into is buying too many birds, not allowing for breeding expansion, or expecting some of the more difficult species to compete with the common types.
zebras, gouldians, doublebars and ruddies for example are common for a good reason....they are survivors and will attempt to breed in almost any type of housing.
having got that off my chest, I try to offer as much room as possible.
I try to grow seeding grasses and greens in my aviaries along with bushes so a fair bit of room is required. If room was not available maybe I could cycle potted ones through to them. Good management is the key rather than floor area.
their are too many variables for me to put a figure on required space. For example, you may have a large aviary for your birds but if 75% is flight that doesn't leave much room for shelter/nesting area. This is where they will roost and spend much of their time. If a dominant pair take charge of the shelter they are likely to be the sole breeders in the aviary.
sorry to give you little in the way of answers....but its not an exact science....if it was we may all get it right.
1 square metre per bird or per pair has been mentioned before as a guide but I try to at least double this.
my best advice would be to look at the birds you wish to keep and set up an environment to suit. Make the most of the available space by choosing species with different requirements. get a low nesting/ground species like painted/fire/masked and cohabit them with those who wish to nest higher up like Gouldian or stars.
they will then largely keep to themselves giving you more chance of success.
Hopefully others will offer their experience so more newcomers have a better chance of achieving the success they desire.
CC
Aussie finch tragic.rodent/snake terroriser.
Aussie finch tragic.rodent/snake terroriser.
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Tiaris
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Good question and there is no one answer fits all as with most avicultural issues.
I prefer to look at this question from the point of view of what gives my birds the best possible chance of a good life with the best breeding prospects rather than how many birds can I fit into my cage approach.
The more common species are generally far more forgiving than rarer & more challenging species but with all species the fewer birds per aviary will result in a better quality of life and better breeding prospects for the species you keep.
To give an example, my breeding aviaries are all 3.2m x 6.4m x 2.4high & I run a maximum of 6 breeding pairs per aviary with the more common species and 2 to 4 pairs of more challenging species. I catch out all independent young 4 to 6 times per year (every 2-3 months) and place them into holding aviaries.
This works well for me with most species & with my aviary fitout & feeding routine.
In smaller 1mx3m aviaries my son successfully breeds one pair of Scarlet-chested Parrots and one pair of Zebra Finches (both very domesticated species) together.
Extra feeding stations, nesting sites and perching areas can allow for slightly greater stocking density without significant loss of breeding results in most aviaries but I generally find fewer pairs usually results in significantly improved results. Providing a variety of options with all of these helps greatly too (eg. feeding at different heights, different nest site options - type & location, etc.) I find the key to striking a happy medium when mixing species is to make the over-riding goal to minimise competition between pairs for all resources. Observation of what is happening in your aviaries is the best indicator of what (if any) changes are necessary to achieve harmony, health and young birds on perches.
I prefer to look at this question from the point of view of what gives my birds the best possible chance of a good life with the best breeding prospects rather than how many birds can I fit into my cage approach.
The more common species are generally far more forgiving than rarer & more challenging species but with all species the fewer birds per aviary will result in a better quality of life and better breeding prospects for the species you keep.
To give an example, my breeding aviaries are all 3.2m x 6.4m x 2.4high & I run a maximum of 6 breeding pairs per aviary with the more common species and 2 to 4 pairs of more challenging species. I catch out all independent young 4 to 6 times per year (every 2-3 months) and place them into holding aviaries.
This works well for me with most species & with my aviary fitout & feeding routine.
In smaller 1mx3m aviaries my son successfully breeds one pair of Scarlet-chested Parrots and one pair of Zebra Finches (both very domesticated species) together.
Extra feeding stations, nesting sites and perching areas can allow for slightly greater stocking density without significant loss of breeding results in most aviaries but I generally find fewer pairs usually results in significantly improved results. Providing a variety of options with all of these helps greatly too (eg. feeding at different heights, different nest site options - type & location, etc.) I find the key to striking a happy medium when mixing species is to make the over-riding goal to minimise competition between pairs for all resources. Observation of what is happening in your aviaries is the best indicator of what (if any) changes are necessary to achieve harmony, health and young birds on perches.