Setting up an aviary of your own is a wonderful way to showcase your pet birds while keeping them protected from predators and the elements. Getting an outdoor aviary for this purpose will provide your feathered friends with a more natural home to live and interact in. Here is a basic guide to get you started off in setting up an aviary that you and your birds will love.
Choosing the right mix of birds for your aviary
Zebra finches, canaries, budgerigars and cockatiels are common in aviaries. Make sure they are similar in size when you mix these species together. Larger birds will dominate the enclosure causing stress to the smaller birds. Smaller birds are intimidated by their larger counterparts, even the peaceful ones, when both are confined together in an aviary. It is also recommended to keep the number of male and female birds even to prevent fighting. Keep the single sex male or female birds together and separate them if you don’t want them to breed.
Do not combine aggressive birds with the peaceful ones. If it’s your first time setting up an aviary, it’s best to stick with peaceful birds such as silverbills, blue-capped waxbills or Gouldian finches. Avoid mixing hookbills and finches. Hookbills are potentially dangerous to finches. It is also not advisable to mix finches with doves, peafowl and quail except for the button quail.
How many are too many?
There is no formula as to how many birds you should have, however, each pair of birds should be able to peacefully perch at least two feet from other birds. Try to provide 0.28 – 0.37 square metres of aviary floor space per pair of finches. As an example, the EasyShed Aviary which is 1.50m (width) x 0.78m (depth) x 1.82m (height), can house about four to six pairs of finches.
Come breeding season, remove pairs that do not tolerate any disturbance to minimise conflicts. Reducing the population of your aviary during mating season is also advisable since birds will become more aggressive and assertive. Put them in separate breeding quarters.
Feeding stations
Provide extra feeding stations and water in your aviary so that the dominant birds do not take control over them. Observe your flock, and make sure that all the birds are getting access to food and water.
1.5m x 0.78m
Aviary Pet House
$546
1.5m x 1.5m
Aviary Pet House
$674
Deciding on Plants for your Aviary
Not only do plants make your aviary look beautiful, they also make great hiding places for birds hiding from their aggressors. When disagreements occur inside your aviary, birds can escape from their attackers by hiding in the foliage. Take care of the situation by having numerous perching and roosting spots where individual birds, pairs and families can privately sleep and roost.
Be sure to research what plants are best for your winged pets. There are some that should be avoided completely, and others which can turn your aviary into a bird’s paradise.
EasyShed Aviary
Keep your birds safe, secure and well ventilated with the EasyShed Aviary garden shed. Our 1.50m (w) x 0.78m (d) x 1.80m (wall height) / 1.82m (peak height) aviary and our slightly bigger 1.50m (w) x 1.50m (d) x 1.80m (wall height) / 1.82m (peak height) model offers a secure environment for breeding and housing your birds. The mesh coverings are made of .12mm thick high-tensile steel, with .35mm thick framing and sheeting, protecting your birds from predators and the elements. The EasyShed Aviary is easy to clean and maintain, and it provides excellent ventilation and security for your peace of mind. Click here to visit our Aviaries section.
