Until I get back to blighty I'm stuck with an awful choice of cages, his current one is big but he rips bars off if he doesn't get his own way.  I am planning a bit of DIY to make a cage and, if successful, a nice big outdoor space.

After a bit of shopping about I had an idea.  I'm planning to create the skeleton on the cage using  plumbing pipes using 3 or 4 way pipe junctions as the joints.  As meccano as it sounds it will probably work and will let me build a fairly complicated squareish structure.  I had a few questions for those of you who run bigger sized cages/avaries:

1.  Is copper or failing that aluminium chew-safe?

2.  What is the best sort of 'chickenwire', the plastic coasted stuff (dunno underneath), anodised steel..are there more types?

3.  Any recommendations about floor structure? Chickenwire with trays beneath, plate aluminium with trays on top, open floored to floor marble?

4.  Is it worth putting a little bird house in there?  Hes a long tailed bird.

Anything else very welcome.  As is always the case I am more excited about building it than Oodie is about sitting in.

 

hi i dont know much about aviarys but i walk past someones garden everyday and he has got two in there and i always notice the little bird houses he has two i think they r a good idea a bit more safety for the birds ... what i can do if he is out in the garden ask what is best for making a an aviray if u like. kirsty love

Hi There,

Personally i would steer clear of copper and go for the plastic push together pipe work or use wood , as long as its on the out side
of the wire he wont be able to eat his way out lol. As for wire mesh, make sure there is no zinc involved this is deadly to birds, the plastic covered
wire is a no no too as the birds will pick and chew the plastic coating if this gets into their digestive system it can cause problems.
I would put the aviary straight on the marble floor, it will be easier to clean, cage grills are a pain in the butt to clean, just put a clean layer of newspaper on the floor each day.
The birdy house is ok it will give him something to play/chew with if he shows any signs of getting broody i would take it out .

hope this helps

Adie