Fantasy Aviary

[Pictorella]

Finchbreeder,

I don't think your a lazy breeder at all, I just think you know your limitations which is a brilliant thing. I walked around the Singleton sale yesty with a wallet full of money looking at oriental greenfinch, crimson chat and tri parrot finches but instead I spent $100 on two pair of cordons. Why? I knew I couldn't do those other birds justice. My aviaries are too small and my routine isn't as set as I'd like it to be. I knew my limitations.
Of course you could be the guy walking around the sale with an open pet budgie cage full of gouldians and parrot finches.......he didn't know his limitations.

[jluna]

I would love a bank of aviaries, 1.5m wide, 4m long. 1m enclosed , then 1m perspex-covered, then open for the last 2m. The open section of each would be planted with seeding grasses and a suitable native tree which can be kept trimmed and pruned to provide perching. The enclosed section would be lined with tea-tree and have dowel perches. Oh - and each aviary would have flowing water and be vermin-proof, of course!

I'd keep single pairs/small colonies (3prs) of one species in each aviary. Buy a new species? Erect new aviary!

Birds would be wild-type zebs, double bars (both races), painteds, longtails, masks, pictorellas, chestnuts, redbrows, diamonds, plummies and crimsons. Foreigners would be cubans, jacs, cordons, ruddies and orange-breasts.

*sigh* might go and draw up some more plans...and buy another lottery ticket...

[Andrew]

Great question.

Difficult to answer and I think my answer will be different tomorrow...maybe.

But here goes some thoughts. Many years ago I remember going to Olsen's Bird Gardens on the Gold Coast. There was a large planted walk through aviary and on each side were banks of aviaries housing various parrots. I have always liked the idea of a large planted aviary with birds flying high above me and me then searching at the other end where they land in an effort to properly identify them.

I now live in Singapore, and only about 10 minutes away from Jurong Bird Park. A yearly family pass allows me to see similar things anytime. Massive aviaries, unusual birds (though questionable aviculture at times). I often leave the bird park, however, wondering about what a large Australian aviary would be like. Such a diversity of environments and birds. Something about a large arid environment appeals. A flock of princess parrots dropping at waterhole. Gouldians and longtails. Maybe I should just get out to the outback! My brother boasted of seeing princess parrots in the wild on a recent trip.

The government here has talked about relocating the bird park. I suspect that would mean redesign of modern aviaries etc...that could be a virtual unlimited supply of cash to build a fantasy aviary. Now, to get them to listen to my plans!

What I have seen here in these large aviaries is that size is not always the best. Sometimes, size gives the false impression of being able to mix with impunity. The health of the birds is not easily monitored, and stress can in fact be just as much an issue as an overcrowded patio aviary. I'd still have an enormous aviary, but I would need a lot of time to consider it. It is a lesson for me to read previous posts of people who wish to improve what they have or whose aviary fantasies are about better aviculture rather than bigger birdkeeping.

As for birds, I'm keen to have hornbills and touracos. They would be a great challenge. But then very big aviaries for just a pair...maybe very big aviaries for every pair of all species...is that a fantasy....

[arthur]

Many years ago I remember going to Olsen's Bird Gardens on the Gold Coast.
.

Last time I went there . . and it was a while ago . . so things may have changed

It was a template for what not to have for a 'fantasy aviary'

[Andrew]

Many years ago I remember going to Olsen's Bird Gardens on the Gold Coast.
.

Last time I went there . . and it was a while ago . . so things may have changed

It was a template for what not to have for a 'fantasy aviary'

Arthur, perhaps...

but maybe you would like to elaborate? I was there about 30 years ago as a young kid, so, perhaps I was not too knowledgeable about aviaries. I have vague memories of it now.

Of course, I am using it as a starting point of an idea, not a template or pattern.

[BluJay]

Bird breeder and/or collector. Everyone has their purpose. I enjoy my birds, taking care of them. Watching them watch me to see what goodies I'm bring them. They are so calm and at peace, no scattering on my approach. Wether they breed or don't breed, I love letting them be them. What could be more rewarding than to sit after a long days work, and admire all my efforts in the trees, lawn, birds - enjoying the songs of them all and smelling the sweetness of everything in bloom.
I am so grateful to the people that have come into my life, assisting me to obtain the birds I desire, as well as putting me in my element again. They have helped turn my fantasy into reality. Regards

While IMO, breeding birds is a necessary evil.

[finchbreeder]

While IMO, breeding birds is a necessary evil.
To quote a famous red head, Please explain? I don't get what you are saying or why? I find breeding the birds a desirable part of the hobby, though not as frequent or as prolific a part as I would like with some types.
LML

[arthur]

[quote="Andrew"]
but maybe you would like to elaborate?



It was mainly to do with the smell of rats and the number of rat-holes

As I said may be improved now . . 30 or 40 years since I was there also

[BluJay]

@Finchbreeder: To me breeding birds are to better the birds I have, and/or to build my collection. Or to keep a species going. Year after year birds are bred, and where do most of these birds go? A Dealer or Pet store where a lot of people with good intentions buy a bird or two. When the novelty wears off - it leads to unintentional neglect, and many birds falling off the perch two feet up. This to me is the evil of breeding. My question is where do all these birds go? Regards.

Please note: I am not not bashing breeders, dealers or pet shops. There are some pretty darn good ones out there.

[finchbreeder]

Birds, Dogs, Cats. Yes there is an aspect of breed them and move them on. Which results in some being sold to well meaning but ignorant owners, who, mostly inadvertantly, neglect them. I get where you are coming from there. But breeding them to preserve the varietys and expand the mutations. That is a joy.
LML