Outside Aviary

[Angelbaby]

I would love to see pics of those who have an outside aviary. I ordered one for Angel so when I'm outdoors I can work in my garden without him on my back. Any pros and cons? Need good ideas of what not to have in it. Thanks, Lettie

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Hey Lettie,

I Don't know what the soil is like in your neck of the woods - but here in Central Florida we have to keep the floor of the aviaries off the ground. Our soil here is loaded with fungus. So it all depends what practices are done by breeders and what your vet might suggest for any percautions you might have to take.

I would like to put up a large aviary - but the extra costs I would have to incurr to make it safe is more than I can afford at this time.

[MoluccanZoey]

I'm TRYING to save up the money to get one (but zoey may be getting a new cage first) here are some links I've found- hope you find them useful! :D

http://www.macawdreams.com/outdooraviaries.html
(BEST ONE)
http://www.cockatoorescue.org/index_files/Moluccan.htm
(VERY GOOD)
http://mikeoso.homestead.com/aviary.html

These are just pictures of really neat aviaries all set-up. Some are rescues, but I would love to visit, especially the cockatoo rescue- that looks awesome!

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Heather,

I thought I was the Internet expert - but you have me beat by a mile.

I have never seen those aviaries - what a treat.

I recommend that everyone click on the links and take some time to look at all the pics and read the words there. Very interesting.

Thank you so much. ;)

[too&me]

I love that rope & branch hanging set up. From experience I can tell you that the upkeep & clean ability stand point that sand or fine gravel have some give & are easy to rake old food & droppings out of. Cement is easy to hose but you have to sweep first & bacteria or fungus can set up in the cement due to the porosity of the material.

[bonnie]

That is a BEAUTIFUL site! All those Moluccans living together! Just wonderful! Thank you Heather!

[MoluccanZoey]

I spend way too much time lurking online. But on the bright side, if you ever need me to look something up, chance are I've found way too much information on it. I have on my favorites about 30 sites with aviaries on them. A girl (and her cockatoo) can dream can't they? :D Those were the best, but if you need more- I can give you some others.

[Jamieleigh]

Hey Lettie,

I Don't know what the soil is like in your neck of the woods - but here in Central Florida we have to keep the floor of the aviaries off the ground. Our soil here is loaded with fungus. So it all depends what practices are done by breeders and what your vet might suggest for any percautions you might have to take.

I would like to put up a large aviary - but the extra costs I would have to incurr to make it safe is more than I can afford at this time.

If cost wasn't an issue, what would you do? How would you lift the aviary floor up off the ground?

I'd like to put in an outdoor aviary as well for my birds but am just not sure where to start and how to make it look nice in my backyard.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

According to my vet who is also a breeder... Concrete floor is the best. I think there should be a slight slope to is so it can be hosed off allowing water to drain off.

A concrete floor allows you to walk in - where any other floor system that has to be raised off the ground - you can't walk on it.

X-cuse my English tonight - tired --- but you get the point.

[Jamieleigh]

I would love to see pics of those who have an outside aviary. I ordered one for Angel so when I'm outdoors I can work in my garden without him on my back. Any pros and cons? Need good ideas of what not to have in it. Thanks, Lettie

Where did you get your aviary from? And if you already have it set up, how is it working for you? Would you mind sharing pictures?

[too&me]

I have worked with birds both on concrete & on sand & on gravel-see more bumble foot on cement & it is porous so hard to disinfect deep down. the birds enjoy the sand & gravel it has more forgiveness in a fall & gives them a chance to play in the gravel or sand. Old food & droppings can be raked out daily you can still plant things and replace the flooring as you wish. It also drains well. Just my personal choice after working with birds on many mediums.

[Jamieleigh]

I have worked with birds both on concrete & on sand & on gravel-see more bumble foot on cement & it is porous so hard to disinfect deep down. the birds enjoy the sand & gravel it has more forgiveness in a fall & gives them a chance to play in the gravel or sand. Old food & droppings can be raked out daily you can still plant things and replace the flooring as you wish. It also drains well. Just my personal choice after working with birds on many mediums.

Thanks for sharing, that's some valuable information. I'm talked into using sand now! :)

[Jamieleigh]

Are there any types of vines that are bird-safe to use to grow around an outside aviary? I'm seriously looking into putting one in and have the area scoped out but want to be completely educated on what I can and can't do with it before I even break ground.

And with the sand bottom - do you have to put tarp down first on top of grass/soil and then lay the sand on top of the tarp or can sand go straight on top of the soil?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Jamie,

Other parts of the country - sand and gravel are preferred - but here in Central Florida where it is sub-tropics --- fungus is a major problem.

According to the avian vets and prominant breeders in the area -- concrete is required.

[Jamieleigh]

Dang, I was thinking sand was going to look so pretty... :(

[Angelbaby]

First I was going to get one built, but we couldn't find the wire mesh strong enough. We would have had to order from China. So no. I had gone to the Memphis bird fair and my breeder had a pic of one. 4x8x8 I do have a concrete slanted place to put the cage. I should arrive here in about 7 weeks. I can't wait. I will post pics as soon as it is up. Thanks for the links and all the info.

[Jamieleigh]

I'm so anxious to see your photos! 7 weeks feels like it's taking forever, hehe. I think we have decided to go with Cages by Design's outdoor aviaries (http://www.cagesbydesign.com/Store/tabid/64/entity/tabid/76/entity/tabid/76/c-63-suncatcher-aviaries-outdoor.aspx). We haven't fully decided yet as we're trying to figure out how much room we have and how to make the aviaries as usable as possible for the most amount of birds. But I think it will be easier than making the whole thing ourselves. After flying Bondi in a batting cage (http://flickr.com/photos/davewomach), it made me want the aviary even more. I'm realizing how important it is for birds to be outside and luckily, Florida weather allows this practically year-round.

I'm also looking into a fake vine that they use at Sea World that looks really pretty. The only thing is, I have heard it's really expensive but apparently the birds can't chew through it and it's strong enough for them to land on if they wanted.

[too&me]

Try this link Jamieleigh-
Safe Plants for Birds (http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/safeplants.htm)

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/laurel.gifThis is the companion article to the one above. Here is a list of plants that are safe for your bird, at least in reasonable quantities.

[birdie]

One of the links Heather provided is the state where I live. I have not been there, but I have talked to mike. He's a good guy.

http://mikeoso.homestead.com/aviary.html

I like to see others ideas, as we are planning to build our own aviary but our ideas keep changing.

[Jamieleigh]

Well, from the safe foliage (http://jamiesparrothelp.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/toxins-household-environmental/) for birds, grape ivy (http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com/Artificial_Greenery/Artificial_Garland/1463_1_.jpg) and kangaroo vine (http://www.yonemura.co.jp/pho/npk/s0202.jpg) stuck out the most for what I would be looking for. So, I looked into both and what is native to Florida and found a great and helpful website (http://www.floridasnature.com/vines_gallery.htm). Just in case anyone else had this interest, too. Now I'm just wondering if grape vine (http://www.floridasnature.com/images/Muscadine%20grape_Vitis%20rotundifolia.jpg) and grape ivy are the same thing?

[too&me]

I do not think they are the same. There are several hundred varieties of grape and ivy has many species also.

[fritters56]

Those links are well worth the trip. We are (finally) moving onto land of our own and I saw some really great ideas!

[Evelyn]

Well, from the safe foliage (http://jamiesparrothelp.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/toxins-household-environmental/) for birds, grape ivy (http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com/Artificial_Greenery/Artificial_Garland/1463_1_.jpg) and kangaroo vine (http://www.yonemura.co.jp/pho/npk/s0202.jpg) stuck out the most for what I would be looking for. So, I looked into both and what is native to Florida and found a great and helpful website (http://www.floridasnature.com/vines_gallery.htm). Just in case anyone else had this interest, too. Now I'm just wondering if grape vine (http://www.floridasnature.com/images/Muscadine%20grape_Vitis%20rotundifolia.jpg) and grape ivy are the same thing?

No, they are not the same thing.

EVelyn

[Angelbaby]

It's arriving in June, can't wait. It's coming from MO. The breeders who sold me Angel. Pics will be posted. Thanks everyone for the tips.

[Angelbaby]

Yea, It's finally here and up. Hope you can see Angel trying to help in the background. http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/mercadocandles/Aviary.jpg

[Evelyn]

Yea, It's finally here and up. Hope you can see Angel trying to help in the background. http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/mercadocandles/Aviary.jpg


It is absoutely gorgeous. Now I don't like my King double macaw cage anymore!

Would I be too nosy if I asked how much it was; also what are the measurements.

[Angelbaby]

No problem. These guys gave me a great deal. 989.00 measurements are 62 depth x 82 width 6feet and 8inches tall.

[too&me]

Beautiful and looks sturdy, lucky bird. Safe coating I hope.