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Flapper

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Hello from the south of England!

This is the most challenging bulletin board I have encountered, and I have no idea where to post my question so here it is: My garden sometimes has bird noises. At the foot of the garden is an abandoned wooden garden shed with big windows that I'd like to turn it into an aviary - to achieve continuous bird noises. Is that feasible?

My biggest concern is cleaning the floor. I'm guessing I could line the floor, but what cleaning process would that floor need to handle? How often? Would you recommend sweeping with a dry broom, hosing with water, scrubbing with something specialist? Would the walls need cleaning?

The next big concern is the black felt roof. It's currently has some tree shade, but it could hot without much sunlight. Should I be painting it a different colour, installing ceiling ventilation, or anything else?
 

Tyrion

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sunnysmom

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Welcome. Are you talking about something for wild birds or pet birds?
 

Zara

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or anything else?
something to heat the aviary in the winter would be something to ponder also, as well as measure to protect them from avian influenza.
 

Flapper

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something to heat the aviary in the winter would be something to ponder also, as well as measure to protect them from avian influenza.
Thanks. What is the minimum temperature for budgies?

Does protection mean solid roof cover?
 

Flapper

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@Zara , I found this advice on gov.uk:

"Keepers of birds must also follow strict biosecurity measures such as cleaning footwear before and after visiting bird enclosures, keeping areas clean and regularly disinfecting hard surfaces, and placing birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas away from wild birds, particularly waterfowl [...] Taking action such as having clean clothes, equipment and footwear when handling birds and making sure buildings are bird proof.."

Is it fair to say that if the aviary has a roof, hand sanitiser, and a pair of slippers, then we should be OK? Which is the right forum to ask these questions?
 

Feathery

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Hi and welcome!
:hello:

Question: from what I read you're wanting to create an aviary so that you have "continuous bird noises" correct? Why not just turn on YouTube Budgie Best Friends in the background?

In addition to the temperature control and sanitary requirements others have mentioned, you'll also need to ensure that the enclosure is safe from rodents and predators.
 

Sparkles99

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@Destiny did this with budgies too and may have some advice!
 

Yuki Shiro

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Budgies can tolerate quite low temperatures (once accustomed to).
You also might look into kakarikis. [Red-crowned parakeet, new zealand]
Totally different than budgies, but even more hardy.
They would not be that kind of bird that sits on shoulders,
quite independend (which might be a pro or a con, depending)
 

Shezbug

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Welcome to the Avenue :hiya:
 

Flapper

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Thanks :)

For some background I am not unsympathetic to the needs of animals. I used to be an ichthyologist, and I won't bore you with the lessons learned. The top-level summary is that I would never buy a ready made aquarium, and nor would I build an aquarium that wasn't gravity fed with overflows and wasn't plumbed to the mains for easier water changes etc.

I am here asking about aviaries because on one hand I do not know enough to design a good aviary, and on the other hand I know its worth taking the time to design it right.

Question: from what I read you're wanting to create an aviary so that you have "continuous bird noises" correct? Why not just turn on YouTube Budgie Best Friends in the background?
I did leave my laptop in the shed to test the effect, and it was OK but too fake for my taste ;)

In addition to the temperature control and sanitary requirements others have mentioned, you'll also need to ensure that the enclosure is safe from rodents and predators.
I haven't had my opening question answered, which is how often does the aviary floor need cleaning and what is the ideal cleaning method?

Assuming there is electric heating, would the whole aviary need heating in winter or just the nest boxes? If the temperature dropped to 15C/60F would the birds retreat to their nests and sleep? How long could they tolerate 15C/60F?
 
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Shezbug

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A concrete floor is the best option, cleaning should be done as frequently as possible (I do my aviary everyday or every second day depending on how much food and debris there is) to keep the aviary hygienic and not make it inviting for rodents and bugs.

Your current building may not be appropriate so it might be helpful to post a pic of it and share what kind of wood it’s made from- not all wood is bird safe and all parrots will chew.
 

Flapper

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A concrete floor is the best option, cleaning should be done as frequently as possible (I do my aviary everyday or every second day depending on how much food and debris there is) to keep the aviary hygienic and not make it inviting for rodents and bugs.

Your current building may not be appropriate so it might be helpful to post a pic of it and share what kind of wood it’s made from- not all wood is bird safe and all parrots will chew.
Humn. I didn't think of the birds chewing.

I could staple wire mesh (or lath) to the ceiling, walls and floor. I could cover the floor with a concrete. Do they chew plaster?
 

QB1rd

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Welcome and good luck with your project!
 

Shezbug

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Humn. I didn't think of the birds chewing.

I could staple wire mesh (or lath) to the ceiling, walls and floor. I could cover the floor with a concrete. Do they chew plaster?
They will have a chew on nearly anything they can get their beaks on so as a rule it is best to only house birds in areas built specifically with their safety in mind- some structures are great to alter for birds to use but some others would just be a waste of time, money and effort and still not really be safe enough to house them in.
If they can access any wood then it must be non treated and a wood that is not toxic for birds as birds are very sensitive to everything in their environment.

I really think that sharing a photo and information regarding the actual structure you want to convert will be very helpful as things specific to that building can be addressed rather than you collecting a heap of information that does not really help your particular situation.
 

expressmailtome

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Welcome, and enjoy the site!
 

sunnysmom

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Pet birds. Trapping wild birds is illegal where I live.
I don't know what the weather is like where you live. That's one consideration but I think you might be better off building a new aviary than trying to convert an old building.
 
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