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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
| Help with aviary! |
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I am seriously going to start planning for a small outdoor aviary for Manu the macaw, & would love any suggestions!
It will not be very big, as we just don't have the room. He wont be able to fly in it, but it will be bigger than the hanging cage we have used in the past when he is outdoors. Something he can at least stretch & play in.
He wont be housed in it, but will be outside in it during the day when I'm nearby to keep an eye on him.
So I'm planning to use just chainlink fence. Will that be OK, do you think? I will probably have to keep some kind of lock on it so that my grandkids can't open it, but something that I can easily open.
Of course I'll have to cover it to keep wild bird plops out of it. I wonder if I should also put some kind of mesh, or something around the outside of it too, to keep small birds out of it too? I don't know ...
Like I said, any help or suggestions would be appreciated! |
Wednesday March 15, 2006 4:54 pm |
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Yupra
Flying tumbler
Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 2206
Location: CA |
I don't have much experience with aviaries, but I have helped build some chicken pens, and they had shadecloth covering part of their outdoor area (including the sides, right down to the ground). I think it would be a good idea to have a shady area for Manu to sit in if he gets too hot  Plus shadecloth adds a bit of privacy as its sort of hard to see through (in case he's getting harrassed by the natives!). Just my two cents
Please note I'm not an expert! So expert aviary builders out there feel free to correct me |
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Wednesday March 15, 2006 9:58 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Thank you for the input Yupra  I will definitely keep that in mind! |
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Wednesday March 15, 2006 11:09 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Umm sorry Cathy, but what are chainlink fence? Just need to know what it is to make sense of what the cage might look like.. hehe |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 3:11 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Oh Bih, I don't know how to explain it to you, sorry! I'm sure you know what it is, I'm just not maybe saying it right. Maybe I can get a picture, it's just the type of fencing people normally use to enclose their yard, like to keep dogs in. |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 3:22 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Ok, I just looked it up on Google.. I think it's the right thing..
Are they like criss crossing wires kinda forming diamond shapes next to each other?? Sorry that's how I'd describe it.. hehe..
Just wondering if that was it, how would it stand up to Manu's beak?? and I guess my other question would be to make sure that Manu won't get heavy metal poisoning from it if he does decide to chew on it. |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 3:26 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Yeah, it sounds like that's what is it Bih!
I'm sure it will stand up to Manus beak, in fact, that may be the only thing that would! No, J/K, I'm sure there are other things that would.
Yeah, that's what I'm wondering too, about the poisoning, so maybe that's not the best thing to use after all.
Any suggestions as to what I should use? |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 3:30 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Hmm can you get like a stainless steel one?? I guess those one with plastic covers on the metal part won't help much as I'm sure Manu will go through those easily, the plastic cover that is...
I know over here you can get like the aviary mesh that has mesh 2in x 2in. That would be good for Manu.. May be you can get those? It has to be Stainless steel of course... That's the only other thing I can think off that Manu wouldnt just chomp through!!! LOL |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 3:44 pm |
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fionam
Moderator
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Posts: 1757
Location: Surrey, UK |
Hum Cathy,
I dunno what to suggest that Manu wont get through!!!
I was just wondering if you could ping an e-mail to somewhere like this
http://www.emeraldforestbirds.com/ too see what they use for thier outdoor encloseures.... Prehaps they can help...
Or you could talk to Greg to see what he says....
Fi |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 3:56 pm |
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Kellyanne
Flier
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 659
Location: Ottawa, Canada |
Cathy,
I have to tell you that ever since I have seen Manu's photos - I have been in love with him. He looks like such a lovely and special bird. Now I want a macaw!
I want to build an outside aviary as well. I like what Fluffy Sue did - her's seems to be more like a giant playstand though. I wonder how she constructed it? Does anyonne know what kind of wood(s) are safe to use to construct a play structure. I had one for my umbrella cockatoo, Calypso, and it was built out of cherry wood. Ideally, I see myself giong into the forrest, taking a dead tree, cutting it up and then constructing something.... I foresee a nice little summer project.... |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 4:14 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
You know Bih, if I can ever get hubby to get started on this project, we're going to have to get out there & see what exactly is available.
I am bound & determined to get one made this year - SOON - even if I have to do it myself (heaven forbid  ), or hire someone to do it for me!! I hoping that at the mere mention of "hiring" someone, hubby will find the time!
Fi, what a great site that is! I never realized there were SO many types of toucans! I'll have to take some time to look thru that more, thanks! And I might send them an e-mail! I was kind of hoping Greg would notice this topic, but I may have to send him a PM, I know how busy he is with his projects 
Thank you Kellyanne That would be great if I were an influence on you getting a macaw
I know there are lists of safe wood on the internet, but that's my problem too, I'm kind of scared about going out & chopping down stuff for them to chew on, but a lot of people do! |
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Thursday March 16, 2006 5:24 pm |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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| Re: Help with aviary! |
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Hi Cathy! That’s a great plan! I think Manu will love you for it when it’s finished! (He loves you now too he he)
I don’t understand what you mean with chainlink fence. Is it the very thick one they use for fences? The one that’s wrought?
I know they use that in a parrot rescue over here. Perhaps you can look at the photos? Is that what you meant? |
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Friday March 17, 2006 6:00 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Hey Kellyanne! If you want to construct a play stand, why don't you check out the one I made for Chaquita in my diary It's all made of PVC and took me only a day to make. All the plastic chain and rope is cut-to-length and you can get all the materials at a home improvements center like Lowe's.
Cathy, you're inspiring me to make one for Chaquita too Warm weather is coming soon and I CAN'T WAIT!! It'll probably be filled with weatherable PVC too  |
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Friday March 17, 2006 7:45 pm |
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inokuma
Just hatched
Joined: 11 May 2006
Posts: 37
Location: memphis, TN |
| Re: help with aviary |
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Cathy.. I know most chain link fenching is galvanized using zinc to protect from rust.. (I've been doing lots of research) So unless you can get it before they've dipped it or find some non-galvanized or stainless steel chain link then I'd try for something else..
I'm wanting to build an indoor aviary and am at a loss myself as to what to use for it... most of the "safe" mesh is just tooo expensive.. I may just end up getting some "safe" chicken wire and hope they don't figure out they can break it if they try hard enough(not like it'd be the end of the world if they did since they will be inside!)
If you have to use chain link, I think they suggest spraying it off really well to remove any loose zinc, let it set in the sun to dry, and then painting it with a latex paint(just don't use rustoleum.. it contains zinc too:P) which also makes it easier to clean..
I'm a newby to the bird world, but I hope that helps some.. |
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Friday May 12, 2006 9:49 pm |
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