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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

744.0. "Outdoor Aviary" by SWAM1::DEFRANCO_JE () Fri Oct 23 1992 18:02

    I'm thinking of building a small outdoor aviary.  This would be to
    house 2 or 3 cockateils, two zebra finches and 1 canary.
    
    I live in Tucson, Arizona where the weather can get cold (as low as the
    mid 20's) but only for a short time at night.  Even winter days warm up
    to the 60' and 70's.
    
    I'm thinking of setting it under the canopy of three pine trees located
    right off the back patio.  This would help to reduce the cold in winter
    and would also provide much needed shade in the summer.  I thought 6
    feet by 6 feet would be a nice size.
    
    Any helpful hints, suggestions and experiences would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Jeanne
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
744.1my thoughtsHAMSTR::MAGEEFri Oct 23 1992 20:0117
    
    I'm not an expert but-
    
    I think that temps. in the 20's
    even for short periods of times
    will kill these birds.
    
    Also a note of caution regarding
    what type of materials you use. I 
    have an indoor mixed aviary I built.
    Two sides have chicken wire. When I
    put two new society finches in there 
    last week they promptly left through 
    the openings in the wire!!! Finches 
    can fit through very small space.
    
    chet
744.2Indoor AviarySWAM1::DEFRANCO_JEMon Nov 09 1992 13:4822
    I've done lots of checking around and most breeders here in Tucson do
    keep their birds in outdoor aviaries.  They claim that the cold is not
    the problem but rather the summer heat.  Actually all of my birds were
    bred outside during the winter.  Breeders here remove the nest boxes
    during the summer due to the heat.
    
    Even with this info, I've decided to keep my birds indoors but am still
    thinking of an outdoor aviary that they could be in while they are out
    during the day in nice weather.
    
    Re. .1
    
    An indoor aviary might be nice too.  Can you give us a little more
    detail on how it's built and how it can be kept clean.  I bring my
    cages outside each week and wash/spray them with the hose.  Obviously
    this "hose" trick can't be done in the house.  
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Jeanne