Anyone had issues with glass windows?

[SamDavis]

Hi,

About a month ago I completed 2 new aviaries (4m by 4m) within our existing colorbond barn. Each aviary includes glass windows which I've covered with half inch weldmesh over the entire outside of the window - so I can open/close the window from inside. This morning a star hen was dead on the floor under the window - no obvious injury, but I assume she's run into the window.

I know many others have glass in their aviary (some without any wire). Hopefully this is a one off - has anyone else had this problem?

Sam

[natamambo]

Don't have glass in the aviary but we have a tree outside our kitchen that birds love to kamikaze from straight into the family room.

[dano_68]

I know of many breeders with glass also with no problems, but it could be a couple of things.

First, I would be concerned about what frightened her enough to bang into the window in the middle of the night. Something has terrified her I would say – check for rats, mice, snakes or cockroaches.

Next, does the window reflect back into the aviary like a mirror? This would also prove dangerous.

Why don’t you try put a cross of masking tape in the center of the glass. The birds will see it but it will still let light in etc.

But as I said, my first priority would be to track down the source of the night fright.

[jusdeb]

A scant covering of brush , just enough to let light in but thick enough to act as a buffer between bird and window might help/

[Jayburd]

I plan to use glass in my new aviary, so i'l be following this topic ;)

[SamDavis]

I know of many breeders with glass also with no problems, but it could be a couple of things.

First, I would be concerned about what frightened her enough to bang into the window in the middle of the night. Something has terrified her I would say – check for rats, mice, snakes or cockroaches.

Next, does the window reflect back into the aviary like a mirror? This would also prove dangerous.

Why don’t you try put a cross of masking tape in the center of the glass. The birds will see it but it will still let light in etc.

But as I said, my first priority would be to track down the source of the night fright.

The windows don't appear to act as a mirror and I'm not sure how a cross would be better than the mesh that's already on the outide? No evidence of ferals either. In hindsight, It might have been me who caused the scare. Due to the heat I've had the roller door fully open, but it looked like we'd have a thunderstorm last night (about 10pm but never happened) so I nipped out and shut the door. Maybe I scared her? In any case, I'm afraid it'll be a much bigger issue for future fledglings.

Before I built these cages I had just holding cages in the shed. On a few occasions I had a finch escape and head straight for a window and bang (no fatalities fortunately). Also the odd wild peaceful dove has got in and banged into the glass. This is why I put mesh over the entire outide of the window. I haven't witnessed the finches in the new cages bang into the window - even when first released.

Maybe the wire should be on the inside of the window. But that'd be real a pain, in terms of opening/closing. Maybe a small night light might help?

[SamDavis]

A scant covering of brush , just enough to let light in but thick enough to act as a buffer between bird and window might help/

Yes, good idea - thanks. Rather than brush, I'm thinking a branch with lots of twigs but without leaves would do the job. As you say Deb this would let the sun in, but enough to divert any suicide attempts! Also a good spot for them to sun themselves in the morning.

[Matt]

My shed has a glass window. I once had a gouldian escape from one of the cabinets and he flew straight into the glass and killed himself. If you could put the wire in front of the glass instead of behind it that would solve your problem. Have you ever noticed when you first release a bird into it's new environment, they will crash into the wire for a while before they learn there boundaries. At least wire has some give and won't kill them.

[shox]

how big is the window, which direction does it face

[SamDavis]

how big is the window, which direction does it face

In this aviary there are 2 windows. Both are about 1200W X 600H - standard sliding aluminum ones. One faces east and the other faces north. These are the main light sources for the aviary. Why do you ask?