AviariesAviariesby D. Marlena
The popularity of indoor/outdoor aviaries has existed for centuries. They can be as elaborate or simple as you desire, requiring only care in design and layout. Location is of primary importance and should first be considered. Type of birds to be housed is equally important.
First, if you live in a mild to moderate climate there should be no problem. If your area is very cold or one of extremes, you might consider an indoor aviary or special care must be taken in ventilation and heating.
Materials: Never use redwood or cedar as they give off fumes that are dangerous to small birds. Hookbills will chew the wood and become poisoned. Cement, block, brick, stone, metal, are excellent materials for hookbills and parrots as well as Lories. These type aviaries are easy to clean compared to other types. Blocks are especially desirable because insulation can be placed in each cavity. Any type must have NO exposed electric wiring or electric outlets that are not concealed. All parrot and related birds will chew, electrocuting themselves and probably starting a fire.
If canaries or finch is your choice, then you can design and decorate to suit your home pattern or perhaps a doll house or planted garden.. All aviaries should have brick, stone or cement floors with building and flights enclosed in 1/2" hardware cloth. Solid floors as described are not only for ease of cleaning, but to prevent mice and burrowing rodents from entering. The small weave of wire is to prohibit entry of smallmice and snakes.
It is better for the birds to have cement potted plants for decoration if you desire. Check with your nursery for suitable trees, shrubs and plants. If there is a zoo near you, visit the avian section for ideas.
Glass windows may be used for canaries and finch, but dangling items should be placed in front, so they won't fly into the window thinking it is an open area.
Outdoor shutters, canvas flaps or battens may be used to close the birds up at night if you do not live in a very warm area. Perches must be placed in a position that is not in direct air flow or drafts.
If this is a larger project than you wish to make at this time, but would still like to have a small outdoor setting, it is possible to build a small house with no outdoor flights. You should provide a skylight or window for sunlight to shine through.
Should you live in an extreme climate, heat and/or air conditioning may be necessary. Again remember to place perches out of direct line of air flow. I live in a fairly moderate climate of California and need no more than a heat lamp in the winter. Hosing down the outside of building in heat is usually all that is necessary on hot days in my area.
Have plenty of food, water, gravel and treat dishes available. Greens and fruits are better if placed in large tray or pan for a couple of hours, then removed to prevent spoilage. This is an absolute must when using hard boiled eggs. Provide a well maintained bird bath and keep water level no deeper than height of birds legs. Birds are not comfortable and will avoid baths that appear too deep. Bird droppings will quickly contaminate the water, so cleanliness is a must. Never allow algae, slime or mold to form on any birds food, water or dishes.
During breeding season, place extra nests so birds will not argue over choice. Aggressive birds may have to be removed. This is not real common, but neither is it unheard of to find birds aggressively attacking others. On very rare occasions you may find a bird that is violently aggressive toward other birds and attack even their own offspring as well as kill babies in other nests. When I have gotten a bird like this, it is kept separate from all breeding stock. NEVER breed this type of bird as there is some indication that it may be genetic. Some types of birds should never be housed together, so again research is essential to success.
Exotic finch are a specialty and require partitioning for many species. These delicate and beautiful birds can be quite expensive and require extensive study while planning. Society finch are friendly and can be housed with both canaries and most species of finch. Zebra Finch are sometimes raised successfully with canaries, but often become a pest when canaries are nesting. Society finch will often act as foster parents to other types of finch, so therefore are always an asset to keep.
Parrots and hookbills will require heavy wire or chain link for flights where macaws and cockatoos are housed. These birds are a delight to observe and can be lucrative to breed, but much care must be given in planning housing and flights. Other articles will discuss breeding of larger birds. Each entry must have an inner and outer door to prohibit escape when door is opened.
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