Floor type

[Rosco]

Is it possible to have holes in the concrete floor that has a wire rodent proof cage inserted into the holes, so you can whack a plant in it? I'm still in the planning stage of my aviary and thought 75mm concrete with a slope to a drain hole would be the go. I was planning to put 25mm of sand and grit on top of that.

Any comments welcome.

[vettepilot_6]

Is it possible to have holes in the concrete floor that has a wire rodent proof cage inserted into the holes, so you can whack a plant in it? I'm still in the planning stage of my aviary and thought 75mm concrete with a slope to a drain hole would be the go. I was planning to put 25mm of sand and grit on top of that.

Any comments welcome.

Mice/Vermin will eventually come up through the opening.....you could lay 6mm Stainless Mesh (expensive stuff) under Concrete before laying,so you could have holes then, plants would still be able to grow...

[Craig52]

Is it possible to have holes in the concrete floor that has a wire rodent proof cage inserted into the holes, so you can whack a plant in it? I'm still in the planning stage of my aviary and thought 75mm concrete with a slope to a drain hole would be the go. I was planning to put 25mm of sand and grit on top of that.

Any comments welcome.

Mice/Vermin will eventually come up through the opening.....you could lay 6mm Stainless Mesh (expensive stuff) under Concrete before laying,so you could have holes then, plants would still be able to grow...

It is possible but you will end up with sick plants from suffocation from the concrete and possible rodents eating the roots.Large pot plant containers can be used,especially with seeding grasses and can be rotated when necessary from plants growing outside the aviary in pots.But don't place dishes under the pots as you don't want your birds to have access to that water as it will drain under your gravel on top of your cement to the 6mm drain holes.
I believe concrete floors only work under fully roofed aviaries with partial polycarbonate areas for extra light for your plants to survive. Craig

[Rosco]

Cheers blokes. Appreciate that. Sorry to the OP if this appears to be a thread hijack too. mea culpa.

I am thinking, for my 4m long, 800mm wide x 2.2 high aviary, three to five holes 300mm in diameter, in the concrete floor. Inserted into the holes (and this will be done before I pour the floor), will be some baskets made of 10 mm stainless mesh. I am on deep rich volcanic soil, so a free root run and ample water won't be a problem. Choice of plants is another topic, but I reckon this might work. The 10mm mesh should keep the rodents out (?) and allow a reasonable degree of root penetration into the soil for a reasonable degree of plant satisfaction.

Any good? If not, all ears.

[vettepilot_6]

Cheers blokes. Appreciate that. Sorry to the OP if this appears to be a thread hijack too. mea culpa.

I am thinking, for my 4m long, 800mm wide x 2.2 high aviary, three to five holes 300mm in diameter, in the concrete floor. Inserted into the holes (and this will be done before I pour the floor), will be some baskets made of 10 mm stainless mesh. I am on deep rich volcanic soil, so a free root run and ample water won't be a problem. Choice of plants is another topic, but I reckon this might work. The 10mm mesh should keep the rodents out (?) and allow a reasonable degree of root penetration into the soil for a reasonable degree of plant satisfaction.

Any good? If not, all ears.

I will be doing similiar only on top I will be increasing height with sleepers as well so grasses and such will get good drainage and fingers crossed no vermin getting past the mesh....

[Dutchlindsay]

Thanks again for the reply, much appreciated.
My head says go with concrete but my hear says do what you have always dreamed of and create a beautiful planted, dirt floor aviary.

I am currently contemplating to combine the two; dirt floor with using 6.5 mm wire under floor, 6.s mm wire in a 45 degree angle under ground away from the aviary. On top of that I would have a strip of approx. 400 mm of gravel all around the aviary, covering the dug in 45 degree angle mesh.

I want to use 6.5 mm mesh. I understand that 12.5 mm X 12.5 mm will keep out mice as well but with the 6.5 mm your birds are safe from bird attacks from wild birds as well, simply cause eg butcher birds or Rosellas cant grab anything through the small squares.

I have found 9 mm X 9 mm wire on the internet as well-

Anyone got n opinion on that?

Cheers and thanks again for the replies

[SamDavis]

Dutchlindsay can you let us know how large your aviary complex will be? I have concrete floor aviaries (a few but have had heaps in the past) but now I really prefer large planted aviaries. It isn't such a big deal to dig deep foundations to stop rats and then you're free to plant as you wish. For my recent build I ran the wire down underground and then outwards in the bottom of the trench. The trench was then backfilled with gravel. There's many ways to skin a cat...

[vettepilot_6]

I understand that 12.5 mm X 12.5 mm will keep out mice as well but with the 6.5 mm your birds are safe from bird attacks from wild birds as well, simply cause eg butcher birds or Rosellas cant grab anything through the small squares.

I have found 9 mm X 9 mm wire on the internet as well-

Anyone got n opinion on that?

Cheers and thanks again for the replies

12.5mm will not keep out mice or snakes...neither will 9mm...if you can fit a pencil in the gap a mouse will fit through....need 6mm mesh

[Craig52]

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Thanks Diane,i just wanted to show that you can have plants in pots on concrete floors,these plants are in their 2nd year after a cut back after seeding.They also act as a hiding place for the hen crimsons when the cock bird has a spak attack with them.
The plants also need tieing up as they grow and are fed with seasol once a month but need watering two or three times a week.
The plants out side the aviaries can be swapped at any time with the ones in the aviary if one dies from being pot bound etc.
Under all those pots in the aviary is a series of 6mm holes drilled in the concrete for drainage.. Cheers Craig

[Pictorella]

Thanks for posting your aviary pics Craig. Something to aspire to in the future.