Let the planning begin!

[Greytness]

We are FINALLY planning out our outdoor aviary! We've been struggling with how to make one that didn't require us to carry them out in kennels. Looks like we're going to build a passageway from our bedroom window directly into the aviary. It will also have a double door outside. Pricing out stainless steel wiring. Trying now to agree on how tall it should be, as I want to be able to get them down when it's time for them to come back inside.

 

Here we go! :-)

[SRSeedBurners]

You really don't need stainless wire. THat's going to be ungodly expensive depending on how big you're planning. Also go tall, they love tall, there's always a way to get them. Cheese is GreycieMae's kryptonite. She will drop whatever she's doing if she sees me with cheese. She is grey like a mouse after all.

 

Keep us updated with pics and progress.

[Greytness]

Then what wire shall I use that will be completely bird safe?

[SRSeedBurners]

GAW (galvanized after weld) steel is what you want. Lots of sanctuaries and zoos use it. We used 14 gauge 1"x2". Probably could have gone to 16 gauge which is cheaper and MUCH easier to work with. I don't think a CAG can get through 16 guage although you will see recommendations of 12 gauge for CAGs which I believe is complete overkill. I have a 500 pounder CAG and a Jardines with a serious bite and they can't budge the 14 gauge. I used 16 gauge in the roof corners where I had to complete the triangles and wished I would have gone 16 all over.

 

Our smallest bird is a 150 gram Caique that wears an XS aviator harness and he can't come close to getting his head through the 1"x2".

[Greytness]

Thanks for all the info! The smallest bird that I'd have out there is a pineapple GCC, so I'm thinking the 1x2 might be too big for him.

I'm having a contractor create our aviary, so as much detail as I can have as to what's needed, the better!

 

Would I have to prep the GAW to make it safe, or will this material be good to go?

 

We have a macaw as well, so the wiring will need to be good for the small as well as the extra large birds.

[SRSeedBurners]

oh...a macaw...a quick google search says they recommend nothing smaller than 12.5 gauge. Standard OTS chainlink fencing is 11.5 gauge. Pretty tough stuff. I don't know what the 'real' diameter you can get away for a macaw - no experience.

 

Your problem is going to be creating an aviary that will accommodate the strength of a macaw yet be small enough to hold a GCC. I'm afraid the wire you'll have to use will be so heavy that it will really inhibit their 'outdoor' experience. 12 gauge 1"x1" is going to be ridiculously expensive and cumbersome. Not to mention the poor bastard you hire that has to move/work with that. It will require heavy equipment.

 

I'd highly recommend, if you can, building a small bird aviary either attached, or separate from the big bird aviary - that's what I would do. When we have my daughters birds, they just go in the aviary in a larger cage. Parrotlets can get through little holes. Im not too worried about them as they do super well in cages anyways and they get lots of out time in the house and bird room. It's the bigger intellect-brained birds that I feel need the aviary more anyway.

 

As to your question about prepping GAW, 'they' say you should. If you can buy it now and let it sit outside and hit it with water occasionally, do it. I didn't but never noticed any problems. It's probably like vaccinations, no one really knows since birds just aren't dropping dead around the stuff.

 

I have a whole album on FB that shows my aviary but most importantly, it has a parts list that we used if you're interested.

Edited April 22, 2016 by SterlingSL

[Greytness]

Yes, I'm interested! If you could PM me your FB info, that will be great! Thanks!