To fully roof or not That is the question ?

[gomer]

I am seriously thinking of fully roofing this bank of aviary's. As some of you know I live in southern Vic,In a higher rainfall area then Melbourne and a little cooler.I have been thinking if I fully roof I may have better results with more arid birds.I have always had part open roofed aviary's except the first few old faithful back yarders I had. So the Question is,Is there many down sides in fully roofing,Heat is not too much concern here.I was thinking of a alternating polycarb / iron roof overlapping the existing roof but starting maybe 50mm to 100mm higher to let out heat,and having about a 1 to 10 fall as well. Are there many finches that don't do to good in a fully roofed aviary.Any thoughts ??

[GregH]

Do it! Doesn't seem natural but in the end it saves lives by reducing exposure and reducing disease concerns - a wet month in summer and an earthen floor equals protozan heaven even without the help from their friends on the outside.

[finchbreeder]

I always had part covered and part open roofs. But in recent years with less rainfall but what we do get coming in drenchings have now fully covered 2 out of three and it does not seem to have had any ill effects. Only concern could be heat, but mine are under a massive cape lilac.
LML

[E Orix]

I hate roofed in aviaries.The majority of the major collections are not roofed in. Maybe the bigger collections of the domesticated species
maybe for Gouldians Zebras Canaries up to some Parrot finches.I prefer planted aviaries which if not over crowded are easy to maintain.
It also enables you to see your birds in near natural conditions and in alot of cases will enable you to breed the rarer species.
No one has been able to prove to me that fully roofed aviaries are better, I originally lived in Melb. apart from some parts of Tas. there are not too many colder/wet places. You struggle with the weather yet I never had anything except open topped flights. I must admit I had good shelters and still do.
There is a 50/50 method, you can buy a Horticultural 50% white shade cloth it breaks the wind and rain but the plants will still grow vertically and the aviary is still well lit and bright by the sun.I have also seen aviaries roofed with light brown shade cloth which seemed to work.
But its a personal choice and I am happy with my results.
By the way Gommer nice aviary bank

[MadHatter]

You could also do half the flights covered and leave the other half open (or split it into thirds and do one third partly covered) You can then try species under different levels of cover and compare results.

[Jayburd]

I think there are merits to both theories, though currently I'm going with fully roofed on mine. I totally agree with madhatter though, if you have enough aviaries, and enough money to tes6t stuff, do some experiments and see which turn out the best results

[gomer]

I might go half of that bank or maybe all of it for a start.As i have another bank the same,As said about the open roofed ones for rare specie I have a large area ear marked for planted aviaries,as well as a area for a bank of suspendeds,If I chose to go that way.

The Question still remains about having one raised roof over the top of the other, to let out heat in between,Or should I be trying to keep the heat in.

[COUNTRY CAPITAL]

Gomer, i'm in Orix's camp on this one.
i think you have to choose between clean/sterile controlled conditions or a more natural/come what may approach.
Maybe compromise and have some of each, i know of breeders that do this to succeed with the more finicky species and everyones happy.
my flights are all planted out and open but thats just my choice as it suits my normally hot/dry climate.
having said that my masked colony have struggled this season buillding in tussock grass and getting washed out.
to raise the most young its no contest really.... but that is not my absolute priority

Take my advice and please yourself....
cc

[Fincho162]

Despite what you may read/hear there are no finches that you cannot breed under fully roofed aviaries - yes, even the weaver family!!
Many of the bigger collections that I've visited on the "big island" are also fully roofed - again for health reasons.......

Ours are fully roofed because of the climate AND the fact that vet checks of the flock pre roofs and post roofs showed a vast improvement in the health after roofing.

If heat is a worry you can opt for Bronze tint polycarb - and there are even more $$$$ ones that reflect back some of the heat. Also by suspending a shade cloth 'sail' over the aviary during the hotter months you can deflect a lot of the heat.

Also roofing does not stop you from having a fully planted aviary..........a couple down here are like jungles with Bamboos and grasses - one has 8 foot Miscanthus grass and bamboo which sways in the breeze - very African veldtish!!!.............all fully roofed and all watered through a bed of coarse gravel - reduces wet spots and allows water to seep away...........no droppings from passing birds and again some control over the environment.

From outside they look like boxes but inside.......a whole different world!!!!

Dont get me wrong I love open aviaries.....but horses for courses!!!!!

[Alex]

Surely some of the new plastic sheeting would allow all the light through that you would like including the right UVA/UVB for birds and/or plants - and just stop the water (and maybe some of the wind)