A Budgerigar in the aviary in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, Greater London. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Keeping birds as pets or to rear for breeding comes with a certain amount of responsibility and basic knowledge. It is important to keep pets well feed and above all comfortable in their environment.
When it comes to birds, it is important to provide a comfortable living area, where they can feel as close to their natural habitat as possible.
Many might consider investing in an extra large cage in order to provide a larger area for flight but it is the option of an aviary which is by far the more ideal option when it comes to housing birds. Cages, without doubt, limit a bird’s movement whereas an aviary creates a far more natural environment and allows them to explore.
However, aviaries do take up a larger amount of space and can come at a price, so it is always a good idea to shop around and do some research beforehand. The last thing you would want is to build an aviary that may completely overwhelm you with an amount of floor space it requires. Aviary plans can be found online and most come with easy DIY instructions and even all the essential tools needed for its construction.
Do make sure though that the materials you use are of quality and are robust enough to withstand all weather conditions, particularly if the aviary is to be placed outdoors.
Building an aviary will increase not only your ability to breed or keep birds but also improve on the quality of care you give them.
Aviary, The Abbey Gardens An exotic bird in the aviary in The Abbey Gardens (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Once you have decided on what kind of birds you wish to keep or breed the next thing is to decide on is a flight cage or aviary. Building an aviary requires a certain amount of planning in order to provide a healthy environment for your pets, so it is worthwhile to spend some time doing a bit of research in order to find the right plans for what you need.
Where you are going to place the aviary is another important factor to consider. Are you going to house your birds indoors or outdoors? Do you have enough space for access and cleaning? Will your aviary be in a safe place where you can control damage or potential theft? Once you have thought about these points, the next thing to do is check your buildings plans and decide on what materials you are going to use.
Choosing a sheltered spot for your aviary will keep it protected from the wind and prevent too much direct heat from the sun. Make sure too that it is not too near overhanging branches from trees, as dropping from other birds may contaminate your aviary. Allow for space around the aviary in case you decide you want to extend it at a later date. Better to think ahead than have to reconstruct a whole new aviary which will be time-consuming as well as costly.
Building an aviary of good quality will not only enable you to get the most enjoyment from your pets but also create a more natural environment for the birds themselves.
An example of a commercial home aviary (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It's aquariums for most but for some, its aviaries. Pet lovers tend to relax more and feel calmer when they watch their pets in action and nothing promises more action than watching colorful birds of different species take flight and belt out a cacophony of sounds in birdsongs.
The thing is, people tend to confuse aviaries with bird cages, thinking that they're one and the same thing. For the clueless and for those who want to know the difference between each, aviaries are large enclosures for confining birds but have larger living spaces than cages. Aviaries also allow birds more space to fly and are usually designed to mimic a bird's natural habitat. Because these cages allow birds to fly, they are sometimes referred to as flight cages. Plus, aviaries will also allow you to house a number of bird species.
Birdcages on the other hand, are cages designed to house birds as pets. They are often considered too small to house more than two complimenting species at a time and are more often than not, used more for home décor without live birds in it, unlike aviaries. Cages are also too small for birds to have any flying space and choosing cages also depends on the size and species of birds you want to get.
Whether you prefer to get a bird cage or a bird aviary, there are important things you need to remember if you are to ensure that your birds will live in a safe, healthy and happy environment. For one, your cages or aviaries will depend on the number of bird species you want to breed, the weather conditions where you live and the kind of birds you want to breed. Gardens are usually the best places to build your aviaries in while indoors would be the best place for bird cages.
If you're in a quandary about whether to get a bird cage or an aviary, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each in order to make the best decision. Cages offer you more flexibility and freedom to control your birds, allows you to create specialized diets and monitor them closely for any signs of health problems. However, birds are more prone to escape cages than aviaries so if you want more security and safety aviaries may be your best bet.
Aviaries, on the other hand, allow birds to fly and live more happily because it is specifically designed to mimic their natural habitats. Since you can house more birds in them, it also gives them the opportunity to socialize, form their own flocks and choose their mates. Some breeders even attest to the fact that having aviaries actually lets you form a closer bond with your pets and is a constant reminder of why you lovebirds to begin with.
And lastly, aviculture experts also believe that if you want to concentrate on one or two bird species at a time, then cages would be more practical than aviaries. Unless you have been breeding birds for a while and know each species like the back of your hand, aviaries are best left to the experts and the experienced.
Take your bird-breeding to the next level and get the best aviaries that will suit your needs. Find aviaries at SimplySheds site and ensure you have a healthy and safe environment for your fine, feathered friends.
Article Source: EzineArticles
Male chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Whether you have built your own flight or purchased one from a manufacturer, cleaning and maintenance are vital. Unlike cages that hold only a couple of birds, a large flight can hold dozens of birds depending on the size. The more birds housed together the greater the threat of bacterial infections from a dirty flight.
The design and setup of your finch flight are extremely important. It should have conveniently placed doors at the bottom to provide easy access to the cage floor. There should also be access doors to allow easy access to the birds, walls, perches and other items. Many commercially built flights have wire grates above the floor.
If possible eliminate the wire grate as it only makes more to clean and does not benefit the birds in any way. Finches like to forage on the floor of the cage and the grates can possibly injure the feet of your Finches. Another bad thing about wire grates is if you provide nests for your Finches and they raise young. The babies could be severely injured if they should fall from the nest onto the grate.
There are several fantastic products that are both effective and affordable to make the job of maintaining your flight quick and easy. All are readily available online or at your local pet store.
Poop-Off; A very safe product for cleaning cages, perches, and accessories.
Aviclens; A great water cleanser. Add it to your bird's water at all times to prevent bacteria from forming. Change your bird's water every 1-2 days in hot weather, every 3-4 days in cooler weather.
Planet Petco Crumbled Paper Litter For Birds; An excellent litter for the bottom of the cage. Lasts from 1 to 2 weeks in large Finch flights.
Finch Seed Hopper with Catch Tray; A great feeder that reduces mess.
Perch and accessory placement inside the Finch flight is something often overlooked. The placement of perches, toys, feed and water stations, etc. need to be carefully thought out. Never place any of them where other items are directly below them. This greatly reduces the buildup of droppings on perches and accessories. This will result in having to clean perches, toys, etc. only about once every 7-10 days. (Unless you notice a need sooner) Cleaning is a snap too!
No need to remove perches or accessories from the cage, simply spray with Poop-Off.
Wait 10-15 seconds and wipe down with a damp cloth.
(Do the same for the cage walls)
Avoid small water cups in your flight. Use a 1 quart or larger hanging Waterer and always filled with water treated with Aviclens. Unless you notice a large number of droppings you will only need to change the water every 1-2 days in hot weather, every 3-4 days in cooler weather.
Use Seed Hoppers with Catch Trays. The hopper holds a large amount of seed and the catch tray eliminates most of the mess. A good rule of thumb is to add 1 hopper for every 4 inches in your flight. By providing the proper number of seed hoppers you will be emptying the catch trays less often.
Cover the flight floor with about 2" of the Planet Petco Crumbled Paper Litter. Even in very large Finch flights the litter only needs to be changed every 7 - 10 days. This will vary depending on the number and type of birds in your flight. Typically the litter lasts anywhere from 7 days to 4 weeks. The litter absorbs moisture and odor, as well as effectively preventing bacteria. When it's time to change the litter simply sweep or vacuum it out of the flight and add new.
Place the Bird Grit in a 10-ounce crock on the flight floor. Be sure it is away from the hanging waterer or it will become wet and need to be changed. Also, make sure there are no perches or other items hanging above the crock. If you pour a nice layer of grit in the bottom of the crock it should last a couple of weeks before you need to worry about changing it. (Unless you notice droppings building up in the grit)
These simple steps will make maintaining your large flight easier and less time-consuming. You'll have a whole lot more time to just enjoy your birds.
When starting a new hobby, it is always prudent to learn everything there is to know about it in order to be a success at it. An example of such a hobby is aviculture, which is the practice of keeping and breeding birds, contributing significantly to the upkeep and preservation of avian habitats by raising public awareness.
Aviculture is also one way of contributing to the environment as keeping birds in an aviary under controlled conditions protects them from natural disasters and situations that can severely decrease their numbers. It also enables bird enthusiasts to study the behavior of certain avian species and find ways to forestall their extinction.
Aviaries have been in existence since the 1800s, with an aviary known as the Raven Cage being considered as one of the oldest structures in the London Zoo. An aviary is akin to a cage but where cages confine birds to a particular space, aviaries allow them to fly in much larger spaces. Also, unlike cages, aviaries simulate a bird's natural environment with the addition of plants and shrubbery within the space.
If you're considering starting one in your home and deciding on which birds to choose, there are several factors you need to think about and seriously consider if you are to be a successful aviculturist. First, you must consider the climate in your location and choose birds that are well-suited for it. Also, don't make the mistake of choosing birds that are too large, too loud or too expensive as they can become ultimately too much to handle.
For beginners, the first choice should be canaries which are among the most popular aviary birds in the world. Well-known for its singing prowess and vibrant colors, the canary is ideal for those just starting out in aviculture because they don't require too much caring for and will be quite happy to be left to their own devices. If you want a singing canary you'll have to make sure you get a male one as female canaries don't sing.
Another bird that is known for its singing prowess is finches. As fast flyers, they can be fun to watch as they zip from one corner of the aviary to another, twittering in tones that are several decibels below what parrots are capable of. Finches are ideally bought in pairs and need lots of flying space as they do love to fly. Be careful though, that they don't get too crowded as territorial fights can erupt.
Budgerigars or parakeets are perhaps the most ideal aviary birds since they are relatively inexpensive, easy to dispose of and just as easily replaced, which is why some people tend to disregard this bird and forget the fact that they can be trained to be good talkers despite their small voices. When patiently handled, budgies can bond closely to their human companions and are ideal pets for children. Quaker parakeets, on the other hand, need to be handled carefully as they are considered illegal in some states because they are considered threats to local agriculture.
If you want birds that can be petted, then cockatiels are what you should get. They love to snuggle and be petted which is why they are considered the most affectionate birds. These small parrots also come in vibrant colors and can also be trained to talk and others in whistling. Most parrot species like the poicephalus parrots and the Pionus parrots are an easy-going and gently bunch that is not as noisy as some of their mates and can also be easily taught the gift of gab. You can also consider their livelier and flashier cousins the Amazon parrots, who although slightly quieter, love to attract attention to themselves and are easy to handle as well.
And last but not the least there's the peach-faced lovebirds which, in addition to being easy to care for are also affectionate and love to be petted. They can be carried in your pocket or perched on your shoulder but must be bought in pairs as otherwise, they waste away without a suitable companion. They tend to be on the quiet side but are known to be able to learn a few phrases every now and then.
Of course, having the best aviaries to keep your birds it is also important in your success as an aviculturist.
The great thing about getting aviaries these days is they are available online as well so that all you need to do is to pick and choose the best size and style for your home or backyard. Remember to get one that has enough space so that even if you put varied species in it you won't find yourself having to settle territorial fights. Also get ones that are easy to clean, preferably with removable bottom trays to clean droppings easily.
Whatever your reasons for starting a bird aviary are, you'll need to get the best bird aviaries money can buy. Check Simplysheds bird aviary and be on your way to becoming the best aviculturist possible.
If you want to have an aviary, you need to know that there is a special way to build and landscape the aviary according to the kinds of birds you want to keep. Here is some useful information regarding the same.
First of all, what is an aviary? An aviary is a very large bird cage. In fact, an aviary is not even a cage but an entire room where you can keep birds. You need to remember that birds are animals of flight so they will need a place to perch and a lot of room to fly around. At the same time, you do not want them to fly away.
Building an aviary
Before you can landscape an aviary and keep birds in the aviary, you need to build one and it needs to be built properly. Building an aviary does not necessarily need to be a very difficult task. The things you need to build an aviary and how to build it are listed below.
1. Treated pine logs can be used to build the basic structure of the aviary. The size of the aviary needs to be at least twelve feet by twelve feet and seven feet high. This type of aviary can be used to house all kinds of different exotic birds. To have this aviary outside, however, you need to also pay attention to your climate.
For example, if you live in the warmer climates of the United States, such as Florida or the Desert Southwest, you can keep more exotic birds such as budgerigar parakeets which are better known as budgies. You can also keep parrots and other exotic birds of the like. In the northern climates, an aviary should be built as an extra room since tropical birds cannot handle cold climates. This kind of aviary can also house larger exotic birds, such as peacocks.
2. Chicken wire or glass for the sides. In the warmer climates, you can use just chicken wire to enclose the aviary. In colder climates, the glass should be added. You need to have glass panels that you can remove in the summer months.
There are other items to get at your local hardware store to fasten the chicken wire and glass panels.
Landscaping the aviary is something that is different from a general landscaping project. Depending on the size of your aviary, there are several different ways that you can landscape your aviary. If you are building an aviary to breed budgies, you need to keep in mind that budgies like to chew things. This means that budgies will destroy many leafy plants.
Furthermore, you need to make sure the houseplants that you buy for the aviary are not poisonous for the birds. For perches, you should find large pieces of driftwood. The pieces of driftwood should be clean and free of any types of toxic substances that could be harmful to the birds.
Breeding budgies can also be affected by the landscape of your aviary. Budgies are social birds and you need four or five pairs to breed. Furthermore, in the landscape, you need to have little birdhouses high up and they should fit with the landscape. Budgies build their nests and lay their eggs in these birdhouses. For beautification of the aviary, make the birdhouses blend with the plants and other parts of the aviary landscape.
Plants
Plants depend on the kind of birds you are keeping. For example, finches do not necessarily destroy vegetation, so if you want to keep finches, plants can be great. With different birds of the parrot and parakeet families, such as budgies, loris, lorikeets, macaw parrots, and lovebirds, you need to be ready to replace the plants on a regular basis.
These birds chew and cannot only destroy the vegetation in the aviary but also can destroy their little bird houses if they are made of a weaker material such as wicker or gasket material. For these birds, wood is a much better material to build their nesting boxes.
Whatever you do, an aviary needs to have a landscape that is very easy to clean. Birds can be very dirty and usually defecate indiscriminately. This means that you need to design the aviary floor with a type of sand that can absorb the bird droppings and can be changed easily.
Having an aviary can be a great stress reliever. You should design the aviary in such a way where you can sit in the middle of the landscape and enjoy looking at your birds.
An example of a commercial home aviary (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bird aviaries or bird cages to the plain-spoken are large enclosures for confining birds, not to keep them captive but to allow them larger living spaces where they can fly. Aviaries are also known to come with shrubs and plants to mimic their natural habitat. They can often be found in zoos and public parks, displaying birds of various colors and species for the public's enjoyment.
Aviaries were meant more to preserve certain bird species and for breeders' use. Often, it is not easy to mix bird species especially if you have no sufficient knowledge of their particular traits and habits but keeping them confined within aviaries offers a neutral environment which helps the birds settle down more easily. The most popular type of aviary is the home aviary, which is popular with breeders who have enough space in their backyards for it. Traditionally, aviaries were a DIY project but these days, commercial aviaries are available in various sizes to fit all kinds of spaces and budgets.
There are two main types of home aviaries: suspended and grounded. Grounded aviaries are fixed to the ground with a concrete base to keep rats, snakes and other predators from chewing their way in while suspended aviaries are either hung on trees or have supports that are affixed to the ground as another way to prevent predators from reaching the birds. However, choosing the best aviaries depends on a lot of factors, which makes shopping for them online quite a challenge especially if you don't have an idea of what you're looking for.
To choose the best aviaries, you must consider factors like house space, design and bird species if you are to get the best ones that will keep your birds happy, healthy and safe. Stainless steel bird aviaries are a popular choice among breeders because, for one, there is no coating of paint that the birds can chip or chew on so there's no risk of toxic poisoning. It is also easy to clean and it resists the formation of bacteria well because it is non-porous.
However, if we are to be more specific, here are the most popular types of bird aviaries that are available online and off that most breeders and bird lovers consider:
Indoor and Outdoor Aviaries
These are best for people with enough space in their homes and backyards. These cages are usually big enough to accommodate two large birds or several small birds like canaries. Breeders usually choose between the stainless steel and aluminum varieties.
Stacker and Breeder Aviaries
These are for breeders who have limited space and who take care of several bird species. These are usually stacked 3-4 cages high and powder-coated in white or black. These enclosures usually contain feeder boxes, a place to hang a watering device and they have removable pans to make for easier cleaning.
Flight Cages
These are enclosures that are large enough for birds to fly in. Unlike cages, they allow birds more space to spread their wings and get all the exercise they need as they tend to get bored and depressed when they can't fly around as much as they'd like and this often leads to an untimely demise in some cases. They also designed to simulate a bird's natural environment with the addition of plants and shrubs.
Cantilevered Aviaries
These combine the best of both grounded and suspended aviaries. They are usually designed with a conventional ground-based section that is attached to a suspended section which provides birds with extra room for flying and resting. This suspended section also makes it easy to keep the cages hygienic since the droppings fall to the ground and not in the cage.
Aviaries are the best investment bird breeders can make but it is also important to keep in mind several things in order to make sure that the aviaries you purchase are worth your time and money: make sure that they are equipped with proper heating and cooling to keep the birds comfortable, make sure that the wire or mesh is thick enough so the birds can't chew their way out and that they are not made of cedar or redwood which emit dangerous fumes the birds can inhale.
An aviary is a large enclosure also known as a flight cage and is used to mimic a bird’s natural habitat. Keeping a clean aviary is highly important in order to breed and keep healthy birds and prevent the disease from spreading amongst them.
Bournemouth Gardens: the aviary (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Knowing how to effectively clean and maintain a healthy living space for birds is extremely useful and can reduce the overall workload from mounting up and becoming much more of a tiring chore. You can practice cleaning methods on a regular basis and this will not only make the overall process easier to keep on top of but also allow the birds to adapt to the cleaning routine.
A few tips that are worth noting are how you plan to go about the various cleaning tasks. By dividing the aviary into sections and various different cleaning tasks you can go through the checklist a lot easier not to mention quicker. The main tasks may include, cleaning the floor, changing the floor covering, changing drinking water, replenishing food containers and disinfecting certain areas.
Some cleaning jobs need to be daily while others can be left for weekly maintenance. It is useful to outline which jobs are which in order to run a smoother cleaning operation. Check too that all cleaning products you use are not harmful to the birds themselves, particularly disinfectants. It is important to remove the birds before using any strong and potentially harmful products, especially if they release harmful fumes.
An aviary is a shed or cage like construction designed as a living space for wild or domesticated fowl. Given that birds are used to flying free in their natural habitat it is important to recreate as best we can this kind of environment in order to keep them comfortable and healthy. It simply will not do to cut corners and make do with a mere shed looking building with a mesh wire front.
Keeping any kind of pet involves responsibility and sensitivity and the most important thing to consider is protection. Therefore when building an aviary it is important to take into account the elements and provide both shelter ventilation and lighting for your fowl. Disorientation and discontentment can lead to stress and through stress a whole host of other factors can interplay.
Maintenance and sanitation of your aviary should be paramount and knowing the most effective way to keep up with the regular cleaning process is crucial. A dirty aviary allows bacteria to breed and disease to spread so knowing how to clean out for aviary is of paramount importance. Make time to check over the sanitation of your birds and take care in what products you use. Often disinfectants can emit harmful fumes so extra time needs to be given to removing the birds beforehand and fully ventilating the enclosure afterward.
As long as you take into consideration the basic elements of building and maintaining an aviary you can enjoy and take pride in your birds. It may seem like a bit of a chore but once good practice becomes habit, keeping an aviary can be very rewarding
