Aussie Finch Forum

Hi All
new to the forum
thought I would raise a question and certainly welcome constructive feedback.
I am about to construct a hothouse 3m x 7m that has opaque/translucent panels which should likely prevent any potential problems with birds hammering themselves into the walls.
My primary question is that in creating this will mean a high level of ambient humidity that I am cagey about.
I am aware that mites and in particular Gouldians are highly susceptible to these microclimates but thought it right to raise this with the greater community to gauge peoples thoughts to whether this is a feasible concept.
Look forawrd to feedback
many thanks
andrew

Gouldians in the wild are in high humidity areas.... IMO air sac mites are more prevalent when they are stressed or overcrowded (thats just my observation) what is the purpose of the hothouse? is it because your in a colder area? Gouldians can handle low temps just not drafts... plenty of forum members breed them in outside areas in Victoria..

IMO gouldians breed best in humidity between 50-65%....if you can allow airflow in this structure I don't see humidity being a big problem....unless it gets over 80%.

Cheers
Paul

vettepilot_6 wrote:Gouldians in the wild are in high humidity areas.... IMO air sac mites are more prevalent when they are stressed or overcrowded (thats just my observation) what is the purpose of the hothouse? is it because your in a colder area? Gouldians can handle low temps just not drafts... plenty of forum members breed them in outside areas in Victoria..

My observations also VP and a good ones,you will breed a lot of gouldians in a setup like that but,if you are going to sell on their young you can pretty much gaurantee that they will drop dead in a few days being not used to natural temperatures in others aviaries as they are hot house birds.

Welcome to the Forum by the way Andrew. Cheers Craig

IMO, Hothouses are for breeding plants in a controlled warm atmosphere and not for breeding BIRDS in.
They are also used in cold climates to grow Vegetables out of season, but birds NO Thank you.

Good point Craig

Thanks all for your thoughts.
Yhe hothouse is primarily for housing cold intolerant plants.
There would be good air circ. Finches are an after thought/ I used to have many aviaries when I was younger.
Many thanks
A

Curious which panels you intend to use? Opal like my patio? Green like my avairy? What I have on the avairy is fixed about 12cms above the avairy as shade and pest protection, but allows the breeze to flow under it. Birds need good ventilation and also protection against cold winds, if you have this then plants and birds together could work.
LML

I'm the first to admit that i have no experience with hothouses, but i would personally be concerned about the high humidity and wet floors coupled with the massive temperature fluctuations (hot days crashing to cold nights with all that glass) and then how to keep the thing cool during summer.

most finches, but not all are from rather dry climates. could be a problem.

but, thats just guesswork on my part.

Finch breeder
the panels are actually a Bayer twin wall polycarbonate. It diffuses the incoming sunlight and would be a translucent visual barrier. Birds would not crash into it.
See: http://www.wintergardenz.com.au/store/c ... ouses.html
Considering a lot of the plants will be orchids, there will be alot of cross flow ventilation and auto window vents to remove excessive heat.
I will also trial a shadecloth system over half of the roof area to regulate heat.
Entryway will be by an annex with coldroom plastic vertical strip doors
I imagine that I will initially trial some star finches and double bars and see how that goes. btw: this is probably a long way away as yet. We've only just sold our house in Sydney and I have yet to relocate to Canberra!
Many thanks to all for your thoughts
A