Need advice for Aviary setup

[firebladejr]

Hi all,

It's my dad's 60th at the end of May and my brother and I are looking at buying him an aviary. He used to breed finches for about a good 10 years but gave it up a long time ago due to the expenses of raising two boys! Anyway, it's something he always talks about and given retirement is fast approaching we're thinking it's the ideal time to set him back up.

They have a large yard and after speaking with their gardener the ideal location for the aviary looks to be attached to the back wall of the shed. The shed is made out of solid fibro and painted to match the house with the same guttering etc. If we run the aviary along the back wall of the shed it will give us a maximum width of 2890mm and a height of 2400mm.

What sort of depth do we need to allow for to build an adequately sized aviary? Also, would it be recommended to have a small concrete slab laid to form the base of the aviary? Or is this not recommended?
We will need to mouse proof the aviary not only for the finches, but also because my mum is absolutely petrified of mice, so additional mice in the yard/house will just make the aviary an unpopular addition to the yard very quickly.

Also, is there an aviary builder in sydney (north west preferably) that could build something with these dimensions? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete.

[finchbreeder]

The bigger the better, if you can build with 2 sections so dad can keep birds that may need seperating that is a bonus. Cement floor is a matter of taste, but definately a nice deep 600/700mm concrete foundation round the edge and flat tin sides up about the same height so the rodents can't get in. And watch the gaps round the doors, no wider than 6/7mm also to keep the rodents and snakes out. Sure you will have a happy Dad. hmm maybe I should start putting orders in for my 60th in a few years time.
LML

[Myzomela]

If you decide against a concrete slab then I would recommend running 6-7mm wire mesh along the floor of the aviary. Make sure it is tightly attached to the 4 walls with NO GAPS or the sneaky so and sos will get in. You can then cover the wire with gravel or coarse sandwich looks more natural.
Also watch gaps between the roof sheeting and the top of the aviary as mice can get in here.
If you can add a safety entry door ( i.e. double door system) or a safety lane way then that will prevent accidental escapes.

And I second Finchbreeder's comments- the deeper the better.

[bob21358]

Well done for thinking of your Dad - it would be a great present and something he will love for many years to come.

Well there are whole books on the subject of aviary builds, so any advice is just glossing the surface.

The floor can vary - it can be concrete, but it can well be sand or gravel. The main priority is to keep it dry as possible - ie well draining.

The width should be as wide as possible. No aviary can be too big!!! For a walk in aviary min width of 1200 but the wider the better.

Also it is good for your Dad to have a full height walk in door - those half height ones get a bit awkward for us oldies. But that means you will need a safety door.

Depending on the width you may want a fully roof aviary or partially roof one. There is a move to fully roofed aviaries by breeders.

Also try to have shelter for the birds from the prevailing winds (normally south and west). Good to have the aviary orientated north but looks like your position is already chosen.

You may want to use mouse wire for the whole aviary. This is pretty much the only way to keep mice completely out. It is a 6mm hole so visibility can be reduced. But paint the wire black and that improves visibility.

A good aviary builder is Les Turner. He is located near Minto but not that far via the M7. Google Les Turner Aviaries and you will see what he has.

All the best - I think its just a great present.

[werty]

Les turner...

Mate the bloke qouted me $1800 for an aviary extension

Got another bloke to do it for $800

Same exact extension..same materials..same quality

[arthur]

We live in a commercial world . .



Don't know LT or the 'other bloke'

But it always pays to shop around

[werty]

We live in a commercial world . .



Don't know LT or the 'other bloke'

But it always pays to shop around

Carrington kennels..just remembered the name

He does Custom made aviaries

[gomer]

Out of the three of you is anyone handy ? Perhaps the greatest part of the gift could be the three of you working together building the aviary ??? If not getting one built is a really nice gesture as a thanks Dad. I am sure either way he will get alot of enjoyment getting back into birds.

[firebladejr]

Thanks for all the replies and advice! I'll keep all of the above in mind and will start ringing around to get some prices.

[COUNTRY CAPITAL]

I just want to echo the "hand's on" sentiment.
while its a great idea, it would be even better to get together and build yourselves.
find a mate good with a welder or simply cut and bolt together the frame.
with a few helpers it could be done in "just a coupla days".
quality time, a bbq....beer...!!
sounds like a weekend well spent to me.