Aussie Finch Forum

Just a general to see if I can get some input on the number of birds that reasonably should be kept in an aviary before it becomes over crowded and inpractical. My aviary is 2m deepx4m longx1.8m high, does anyone have thoughts on the 'correct' amount of birds for such a size

this is a common question that we all ask from time to time.
I tend to work along the lines of 1 pair of birds for every two square meters, but with the more active species (eg parrot finches) I double that.

here's a link to try cage size calculator
if you put in the amount of birds this says you can have, then overcrowding could become a problem during breeding season. for one of my aviaries it says 250 to 350 birds, I have 20 pairs plus their young in there and the young are removed once they have been out of the nest for 4 weeks.

The truth is there is no magic formula only guides for you individual circumstances. For a breeding aviary I like to ensure that each pair of birds in an aviay less than 2m in height has one square meter of ground space and for a 3m tall aviary about 1/2 a square meter and anything over that height is out of my budget so what's the point of knowing! In many breeding aviaries the limiting resource may not necessarily be the aviaries foot-print but suitable nesting spots. You can improver this by spreading out your brushed area or not placing all teh nest boxes together or at teh same height or even offereing ditterent types of boxes, baskets, wire frames etc.

Of course the type of birds you keep greatly influence the capacity - you'll fit in a lot more pairs of zebra finches than pairs of cubans. You also need to allow for progeny in a breeding aviary since territoral needs have to be met once the young are mature - if you aren't going to move them immediadely at independance and especially if you want the parents to go down to nest again.

I don't think there is a magic formula. If your aviary is purely ornamental then space requirements are less once you account for the inter- and intra-specific needs for "personal" space. In an ornamental aviary too you may have plants that you don't want covered in droppings - even if you position perches correctly the fittings and plants will still become fouled if the density is too high.

Thanks for the feed back. I did not expect there to be a 'standard' answer so the info provided helps. In using your calculator link Mick it seems I can have 40 to 54 birds which seems lot in a small space. I think I will work on double what I currently have and say 20 to 25, which will allow for offspring even though I don't plan to 'psuh' the breeding side, more a keeper at the moment.

My ones that are 2.4wx4.5dx2.1h.I keep up to 5 pr in them.plus young untill self sufficiant.

i go on the 1 pair off inches to 2m square of floor space. i have 3 to 4 par in my aviaries that are 2m wide by 4m long all my cages are 2.5 high , i find the less the better as when they start to breed the population can double even tripple over a few months depending what you have in there...........pete

Current population is pair Red Faced parrots, Pair Fire tails, pair Red Cheeked Cordon, 1 extra Red Faced Cordon hen, two pairs Orange Breasted Waxbills. I have been contemplating a pair of Ozzie Gouldians, pair Ruddies and pair of Stars. Any thoughts.

personally (this is my opinion) that means 8 pair of birds + an xtra that would be over crowding unless its a new cage with another lot of birds .also remembering that during breeding season even the smallest of finches can get territorial over nesting sites ,just enjoy what you have got and save your money to build the next aviary , this hobby of ours can be expensive and very rewarding at times so dont buy birds for the sake of having more it just hurts your wallet........pete

Thanks Pete for the reminder to be patient, Not sure about another aviary yet but everyone that I have spoken to tells me that it is very unusual to have only the one aviary as this interest can become very adictive

JohnP wrote:everyone that I have spoken to tells me that it is very unusual to have only the one aviary as this interest can become very adictive

Aint that the truth....

check out this topic...

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=3035&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10

Bearing in mind of course that this is only what we are admitting to, we all know there is more to it.....just got to get everyone to confess......