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Aviary. Anonymous
alright /an/

I want to build an aviary. Not a huge one, just a small-ish one that can fit down the back corner of my backyard. I want to keep budgies in it, because budgies are rad.

The thing is, I want to build it myself but I'm not sure what I need to include in a practical sense. I want to have most of it just open, so typical cage wire would do the job there. I'm also considering incorporating some sort of hide-away that isn't open, so the birds can hide there if they get frightened by other birds, cats, or even by my dog (who is old and doesn't give two shits if other animals are in the yard with him). Obviously I'd need roosting areas, and even though I'm not planning on getting any females I'd probably have a nesting box there anyway - just in case in case I ever want to give breeding a try - with the ability to cage it off and separate it from the flock.

I'm not sure what to do for the base. I want to make it as easy to clean as possible, keeping in mind this won't be a walk-in aviary (I simply don't have room for one that big) so sweeping it isn't really an option. A slide-out base seems like the best bet, but on the other hand I want to get a bit ambitious with this and so I would like to put plants and stuff in there to make it more interesting to look at and more "natural" for the birds to live in.

So yeah, anybody here with experience with aviaries who could maybe give me some pointers on what I should be aiming for?
>> Anonymous
Build a double-door in to prevent escape. I mean like, you have to go through two sets of doors to get in or out so that if a bird makes it past the first one, it's still not in the clear.
>> Anonymous
Make sure you use wood that's safe for birds. Google it. Also, do NOT use galvanized wire (basically every wire, you're going to have to get stainless steal which is pretty expensive) Definately not chicken wire. Building an aviary can often be more expensive than just buying a big cage because of all the safety precautions you have to take.
>> Anonymous
check out the ads in pet bird magazines, like Bird Talk. there are usually companies advertising pre-made aviaries, and some aren't that expensive. they also advertise aviary building materials. sometimes these pre-made kits are cheaper in the long run then something you made on your own. stainless steel wire mesh is best, but expensive. plastic-coated can work as well, but you need to be vigilant and give the birds plenty of other things to chew on (ie tree branches with leaves, etc).

also, i don't know if you've had budgies before, but i have and i found they very often have health problems. mine all died of kidney and liver failure despite being fed the exact same diet that my cockatiels and turquosine parakeet eat and are healthy on. i personally will never get another budgie because of that. i find that grass parakeets in general tend to be healthier then budgies, which is why i like them better especially for aviaries. they are often as colorful, if not moreso, even though they are usually not as friendly. something to think about, anyways.
>> Anonymous
My room doubles as an aviary for my birds.
>> Anonymous
>>329984
Man, that would be amazing. Isn't it messy? Or do they know to put in a certain spot? Got any pictures of your room/aviary?
>> Anonymous
>>330211
*poop in a certain spot.

Damn typo.