My New Avairy need advice/ HELP!

[HARVEY123456789]

im building my new avairy. it is 5m long by 3.5m deep, and 2.4 high , (FOR MY ZEBS)

i have all ready tinned /colourboned outside of avairy and put all out side mesh on , i have also wired the base of the avairy to keep the mouses out.
QUESTIONS ?

im wondering what soil ,ect i should put down ,? mabey sand , wood shaving , ect?

What food containers should i use ,

what nest boxes should i use ?

also im wanting to put some diffrent brids with my zebs , what other breed of finch should i put in ,

should i put in some plants ,

is the avairy big enough for my zebs >>>>????( I HAVE 5 PAIRS)

any more info would be nice

one done will post pics

[flippenheck]

is the avairy big enough for my zebs >>>>????( I HAVE 5 PAIRS)

You should be able to keep a few 20 pairs based on the size you are talking about.

The aviary sounds great. Just try and keep the breezes out if you can and provide plenty of perches etc.

I find it helpful to look over the old posts on the forum and see what people have constructed. That way you can modify other peoples ideas to suit what you want.

rgds
Flippenheck

[djb78]

Hi Harvey, the aviery size sounds quite large, 17.5 squares, if you base a pair requires approx 1squre metre I would say about 17 pair. As for flooring sand is great as any excess water can drain out, but flooring should be up to you to decide what works best. As for feed containers I like to use a mixture such as open plate like containers, hanging and auto feeders as this gives my finches multiple places to eat. Nests as for zebs nest boxes or Cain nest baskets is what I will choose. Other finches is your choice but keep in mind that zebs can be a bit disruptive to more timid breeders, I used to keep my zebs with bengos and canaries. Hope some of this helps.

[HARVEY123456789]

thanks for the replys guys i didnt know you could keep that many birds , in this size avairy wow i only just got a bigger one because i got 5 pairs , my old one was 3meters by 2.5meters ,


as for food containers i use to only use the floor ones , which ones do u think would be suitable for my avairy if i placed sand in , also what would be the best breed of finche (other then zebs ) to put in with my zebs

[jusdeb]

An aviary that size could do with a couple of feed stations in my opinion . Maybe spread them out so some are high and some low .

[djb78]

I find that alot of finches will accept nest boxes and cane baskets but some will only accept brush/plants/grasses as they prefer to build their own nests. As for putting plants in your aviery I would say that will be fantastic for your birds but be careful that the plants aren't toxic to birds. The brush which I use is tea tree but there are many more types you could use. With spacing for finches its approx 1 metre square minimum per pair, the more room the better for your birds if you want to get another 8 pair that will leave you with ample space for young you breed. I recommend painteds very hardy, not hard to breed, non aggressive and are a step up from zebs, live food will help with breeding but not necessary.

[HARVEY123456789]

thanks to every one for the advice

how much am i looking at for a pair of painteds?

[Nathan Morleyy]

Harvey,
Other good species of finches would be Star finches, Gouldian’s , Double barred finches and long tailed finches they are all a good step up from zebra finches. For a pair of painted finches you are looking at $60 a pair.

Thanks Nathan

[amalan11]

I was after painteds in the last couple of weeks and they were very hard to find and the 3 stores that get them were $75/$85 per pair and only one had them come in.
lovely bird though very docile

[Mel7610]

Hi sounds like a great aviary!!
Another breed too would be Hecks or blackhearts,they mix very well with the zebs.Sont worry too much its nearly spring and there will be plenty about soon.As for feeders I have one hanging up from the roof,one on the floor and one half way up the aviary wall on a shelf.Think outside the square even vist your op shops and look at the old kitchen wares,sometimes a little imagnation goes a long way!!!Good luck with everything
MEL