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| Spartacus |
I am in the midlands UK, and at 50 have decided to try my hand at an
aviary!
Heres what I have so far. a 6' x 4' shed, on the side of it I have
attached a 6' x 6' x 6' flight area covered with 1" x 1/4" mesh. Mesh
door opening inwards on the shed (Behind the main door) and a door in
the flight area
I would like to put into this a pair of cockatiels, 3 or 4 pairs of
budgies, a pair or 2 of canaries.
Letting them breed sounds good to me, but I have a few questions
(Forgive me, I am a complete newbie to this)
Is my area big enough for all the above?
Will all the above be compatible?
what size hole(s) do I need in the side of the shed do I need to let
them into the flight area?
Do these holes need to be coverable for incliment weather?
I have been told that at dusk I should put all the birds inside the shed
for the night, is this true?
I have also been told that I should not put any breeding boxes in until
next year, is this also true?
Is it safe to use shed and timber treatment on the shed and wood used to
build the flight area or do I need specialist treatment?
Where would I obtain the birds to get me started? A petshop? or is there
some way of finding people with aviaries in my area that may sell me
some birds
And finally!
I have two pairs of budgies indoors, they have been caged and living
indoors for a couple of years now. The boss (She who thinks she must be
obeyed) is of the opinion that they are now 'indoor' birds and should
not be put outside. Others tell me that budgies are hardy creatures and
will adapt. Who is right?
Sorry about the massive post, but I suspect there may be one or two
people here with a little bit of experience in this area <Grin>
I will now retreat back to my corner and shut up
--
*I* am Spartacus!
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| Just Molly |
"Spartacus" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b4746b8e1c0998a989687@usenet.force9.net...
> I am in the midlands UK, and at 50 have decided to try my hand at an
> aviary!
> Heres what I have so far. a 6' x 4' shed, on the side of it I have
> attached a 6' x 6' x 6' flight area covered with 1" x 1/4" mesh. Mesh
> door opening inwards on the shed (Behind the main door) and a door in
> the flight area
>
> I would like to put into this a pair of cockatiels, 3 or 4 pairs of
> budgies, a pair or 2 of canaries.
>
> Letting them breed sounds good to me, but I have a few questions
> (Forgive me, I am a complete newbie to this)
>
> Is my area big enough for all the above?
I think it is not large enough for the amounts you want. Tiels in
particular are strong flyers and need something a little longer really.
> Will all the above be compatible?
Yes if they have a large enough aviary and nothing is breeding.
> what size hole(s) do I need in the side of the shed do I need to let
> them into the flight area?
About a 3" x 4" will be fine.
> Do these holes need to be coverable for incliment weather?
No as long as the are facing south or east. MOst of the wind and weather
over here come from the north and west.
> I have been told that at dusk I should put all the birds inside the shed
> for the night, is this true?
They should go in by themselves.
> I have also been told that I should not put any breeding boxes in until
> next year, is this also true?
Yes.
> Is it safe to use shed and timber treatment on the shed and wood used to
> build the flight area or do I need specialist treatment?
I use a water based stain as it is safe and works well. Try B&Q as they
sell it in a range of nice colours too. I like green as I think it looks
traditional and attractice. Don't use that nasty orange (red cedar) as it
will make your neighbours feel sick ;0)
> Where would I obtain the birds to get me started? A petshop? or is there
> some way of finding people with aviaries in my area that may sell me
> some birds
Best thing to so is watch in your local paper for bird auctions or get the
cage and aviary birds paper out on a thursday from WH Smiff.
>
> And finally!
> I have two pairs of budgies indoors, they have been caged and living
> indoors for a couple of years now. The boss (She who thinks she must be
> obeyed) is of the opinion that they are now 'indoor' birds and should
> not be put outside. Others tell me that budgies are hardy creatures and
> will adapt. Who is right?
She is .
>
> Sorry about the massive post, but I suspect there may be one or two
> people here with a little bit of experience in this area <Grin>
>
> I will now retreat back to my corner and shut up
> --
> *I* am Spartacus!
Where abouts are you in the country? I may be able to point you towards
people with reasonable stock for sale. However I think you should start with
only a couple of pairs of budgies in nice colours. After all if you breed
there may be several rather pretty ones you want to keep. Aviaries are a
bit like gardens, you need to plant less at first and see what space you
have after your first season before you add more. If you cram the aviary to
capacity now, and you breed some really pretty things, you will not have
room to be able to keep them.
If you want a mixed aviary with lots of different species, I would not
breed. Or howabout 2 aviaries, one with budgies which you breed, and another
with canaries and mixed finches?
I would be happy to talk at length to you if you need to ask more questions
and if you email me with your number I will phone you.
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| Spartacus |
Just Molly said....
Thanks for your prompts and informative reply Molly. I recognise the
name and think we may know each other from another NG, (I had another
name then)
> >
> > I would like to put into this a pair of cockatiels, 3 or 4 pairs of
> > budgies, a pair or 2 of canaries.
> >
> > Letting them breed sounds good to me, but I have a few questions
> > (Forgive me, I am a complete newbie to this)
> >
> > Is my area big enough for all the above?
> I think it is not large enough for the amounts you want. Tiels in
> particular are strong flyers and need something a little longer really.
Drat! I really wanted tiels!
>
> > Will all the above be compatible?
> Yes if they have a large enough aviary and nothing is breeding.
Hmm, so nothing breeding... which breed would be the problem?
>
> > what size hole(s) do I need in the side of the shed do I need to let
> > them into the flight area?
> About a 3" x 4" will be fine.
>
Brilliant! You talk in old money, makes it easier for me :)
> > Do these holes need to be coverable for incliment weather?
> No as long as the are facing south or east. MOst of the wind and weather
> over here come from the north and west.
Now, where did I put that compass........
>
> > I have been told that at dusk I should put all the birds inside the shed
> > for the night, is this true?
> They should go in by themselves.
good, cos I would only forget to let the buggers out!
>
> > I have also been told that I should not put any breeding boxes in until
> > next year, is this also true?
> Yes.
Gives me time to save up for em!
>
> > Is it safe to use shed and timber treatment on the shed and wood used to
> > build the flight area or do I need specialist treatment?
> I use a water based stain as it is safe and works well. Try B&Q as they
> sell it in a range of nice colours too. I like green as I think it looks
> traditional and attractice. Don't use that nasty orange (red cedar) as it
> will make your neighbours feel sick ;0)
its going alongside a high fence so neighbours don't really apply, but I
like the sound of green
> I have two pairs of budgies indoors, they have been caged and living
> indoors for a couple of years now. The boss (She who thinks she must be
> obeyed) is of the opinion that they are now 'indoor' birds and should
> not be put outside. Others tell me that budgies are hardy creatures and
> will adapt. Who is right?
> She is .
God, if I tell her that I will never live it down! AND I would lose my
indoor birds. I aint even gonna ask about my African Grey, she aint
going out there!!!
> Where abouts are you in the country? I may be able to point you towards
> people with reasonable stock for sale.
I am in Shrewsbury
> Or howabout 2 aviaries, one with budgies which you breed, and another
> with canaries and mixed finches?
God, it cost me enough to build this one.... Hmmm, I was offered a
couple of breeding cages....
--
*I* am Spartacus!
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