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Hello
I have a pair of zebras and Society finches each pair in different cage . I am thinking of building a nice sturdy aviary in the yard.
I recently moved to Florida and even placing the cages in shaded screened patio they seem so happy the males "sing" all day.


My concern is the temp. 3/4 of aviary will be in shade with a shed opening so birds can fly into at night or bad weather but thats my concern.

In winter we do get chilly nights rare but does happen. Am I making a mistake by keeping Australian finches in Miami temperature?
We have a pair of wild breeding non native lovebirds in areas but ofcourse they simply fly off to avoid chill (imagine they do)

The aviary will have cement floor and shed will be cemented in place so secure but temp drop concerns me . Any input,suggestions are truly welcomed.

Thank you.

Louie

Hiya,
I'm a finch breeder from England. It depends where your birds are from and if they are used to low temperatures.Zebras and Bengalese can be acclimatised to withstand low temperatures.Provided they are indoors to avoid frosts at night they should be fine.My birds,including Gouldians can be seen quite happily flying around in the aviary in the rain and snow of an English winter, the only time they stay indoors is when it's windy...which they seem to hate.
A light in the shed area will encourage them to go into the shed at night to roost. Cheers Paul.

poohbear wrote:Hiya,
I'm a finch breeder from England. It depends where your birds are from and if they are used to low temperatures.Zebras and Bengalese can be acclimatised to withstand low temperatures.Provided they are indoors to avoid frosts at night they should be fine.My birds,including Gouldians can be seen quite happily flying around in the aviary in the rain and snow of an English winter, the only time they stay indoors is when it's windy...which they seem to hate.
A light in the shed area will encourage them to go into the shed at night to roost. Cheers Paul.

Fantastic help thank you very much. I intend to provide a shed with perches so they can fly into at night thus imagine should be fine.
Lots rain ,grey days in Englands winter . You dont use an extra heat in the shed?

If the weather is particularly vicious it would be wise for the welfare of the birds to provide some form of heating.
A simple and relatively cheap way of providing comfort for your birds is to suspend a low wattage heat lamp from the roof of the shed with plenty of perches beneath.Birds aren't stupid and will gather round a heat source if they need it ,and with plenty of perches under the lamp they are able to move away from the heat source if it gets too warm.
The important thing is to feed inside the shed and provide light for a while at dusk to encourage the birds to roost indoors.
Feeding inside is common sense to avoid attracting mice and rats to scattered seed.
Cheers. Paul.

poohbear wrote:If the weather is particularly vicious it would be wise for the welfare of the birds to provide some form of heating.
A simple and relatively cheap way of providing comfort for your birds is to suspend a low wattage heat lamp from the roof of the shed with plenty of perches beneath.Birds aren't stupid and will gather round a heat source if they need it ,and with plenty of perches under the lamp they are able to move away from the heat source if it gets too warm.
The important thing is to feed inside the shed and provide light for a while at dusk to encourage the birds to roost indoors.
Feeding inside is common sense to avoid attracting mice and rats to scattered seed.
Cheers. Paul.

Thanks for the advice. I intend to have a cement floor and with cement sides going up 12 inches than ofcourse strong gauge wire . I hope that helps with mice ,etc .
I never thought of heat inside the shed but sounds good .
Thanks again for the info.

Louie

I'm in Atlanta and have an aviary attached to an inside corner of the house -- two sides open, two against the house (sunroom). Like you, we used heavy gauge wire on the inside to deter major critters and give the birdies a safe surface to light. But because it's so *&)($*&#( buggy here, we also installed regular window screens outside that. We exchange the window screens for heavy plastic in winter, which keeps the guys cozy without blocking too much light. Have a portable oil-filled radiator-type heater in case it gets *really* cold, but if they're accustomed to cool weather slowly, the little guys can do pretty well.

SOunds like a fun project. Keep us posted on your progress!

Cheers,
Pat

If you have concerns about light sources for outdoor heating, consider using a heat panel. http://www.avitec.com/Avi-Temp-Infrared ... -p/ihp.htm
I used them for my outdoor finch flight in the winter and the birds did fine, plus I didn't have to worry about burned out bulbs or fire. Like the other poster I also added plastic panels in the winter to provide extra protection from wind.
Since you'll have an indoor enclosure attached to the flight you may not need to add more wind breaks. For a 'night light' I would use a green or blue light bulb.........mainly because I don't think a glaring incandescent bulb is good for the birds, but that's just MHO.
Definitely add the heat in the shed and have plenty of perches so everyone can get under the panel for heat..........or away from it if they're too warm.

I like Pat's idea of adding screen. Mice can get thru just about everything and I had to use double wire on my flights to prevent hawks, cats, raccoons, etc. from reaching thru and grabbing my birds.

If you decide to purchase the panels, shop around for prices. Also try to get panels with temp controls and a small light that let you know when it's on/off.

That's another sensible idea for background heating.My nightlights are ordinary bulbs,but on a dimmer.They are on all night on the lowest setting just a few watts.Should the birds have a night fright I can immediately increase power to give them more light to settle before lowering the voltage back to minimum.
When reading your comments over there I have to remember that even though we have some filthy weather in a UK winter.Your weather in certain areas can be a damn sight worse.
At least we don't have to worry about racoons
Cheers.....Paul.

pittipat wrote:I'm in Atlanta and have an aviary attached to an inside corner of the house -- two sides open, two against the house (sunroom). Like you, we used heavy gauge wire on the inside to deter major critters and give the birdies a safe surface to light. But because it's so *&)($*&#( buggy here, we also installed regular window screens outside that. We exchange the window screens for heavy plastic in winter, which keeps the guys cozy without blocking too much light. Have a portable oil-filled radiator-type heater in case it gets *really* cold, but if they're accustomed to cool weather slowly, the little guys can do pretty well.

SOunds like a fun project. Keep us posted on your progress!

Cheers,
Pat

Thanks for the info. Didnt you want bugs for the finches to snack on?
I find that a "perk" .

annz wrote:If you have concerns about light sources for outdoor heating, consider using a heat panel. http://www.avitec.com/Avi-Temp-Infrared ... -p/ihp.htm
I used them for my outdoor finch flight in the winter and the birds did fine, plus I didn't have to worry about burned out bulbs or fire. Like the other poster I also added plastic panels in the winter to provide extra protection from wind.
Since you'll have an indoor enclosure attached to the flight you may not need to add more wind breaks. For a 'night light' I would use a green or blue light bulb.........mainly because I don't think a glaring incandescent bulb is good for the birds, but that's just MHO.
Definitely add the heat in the shed and have plenty of perches so everyone can get under the panel for heat..........or away from it if they're too warm.

I like Pat's idea of adding screen. Mice can get thru just about everything and I had to use double wire on my flights to prevent hawks, cats, raccoons, etc. from reaching thru and grabbing my birds.

If you decide to purchase the panels, shop around for prices. Also try to get panels with temp controls and a small light that let you know when
it's on/off.

I have seen those heatpanels I know snake people love them (I have 2 box turtles get reptile magazines) Never thought of them for space heat for birds .
thanks

poohbear wrote:That's another sensible idea for background heating.My nightlights are ordinary bulbs,but on a dimmer.They are on all night on the lowest setting just a few watts.Should the birds have a night fright I can immediately increase power to give them more light to settle before lowering the voltage back to minimum.
When reading your comments over there I have to remember that even though we have some filthy weather in a UK winter.Your weather in certain areas can be a damn sight worse.
At least we don't have to worry about racoons
Cheers.....Paul.

We have corn and ratsnakes in area but with heavy screen small gauge they cant get in . Small raptors also but again cant get in.
Ofcourse going to build it so a racoon cant get in . I have 2 box turtles out during the day bring them in at night .

Louie wrote:

pittipat wrote: <snip> But because it's so *&)($*&#( buggy here, we also installed regular window screens outside that. <snip>
Cheers,
Pat

Thanks for the info. Didnt you want bugs for the finches to snack on?
I find that a "perk" .

Well, if you've ever visited Georgia you'll know that NOTHING keeps the bugs out entirely! The screens are mainly for the mosquitoes--don't know if finches are susceptible to West Nile virus, but why chance it? Even w' the screens, they do get their share of other bugs coming up from under the house (and probably from *in* the house! LOL )

And poohbear, if you think raccoons are bad, try possums! We have a giant mama possum in our backyard this year, and she's been nosing around the aviary a good bit. YIKES!! I'm glad my husband was super-compulsive when he built it; we're pretty confident it's critterproof.

Cheers,
Pat

I didnt realize insects such a problem in GA would have thought same as in Florida .
I intend to start building this weekend going to make it critter proof .

I enjoy the racoons,etc as long as no bears lol the aviary should be critter proof.

my friends extended the sprinkler system from the backyard up to the aviary and have solar panels on the shed roof that the birds use for inside space and they stay out year long... i've been thinking about puttig an aviary up, but am concerned with hurricane stability; any suggestions? And for the critter proofing, remember that we're up to our foreheads in snake activity during bite season and those giant toads that we see hoppong around at night... are poisonous to animals so be careful. Good luck!

I've been excited about getting a pair of finches. I used to raise them and parrots until I was diagnosed with cancer. Now I need a pair to enjoy. Now I'm having a problem finding what I want.
Anyway, I've always wanted an aviary that the kids could go outside and in at night. I live next to woods now, and have coons, possums, deer, bugs, and an occasional coyote. And the woods are small! The bug thing, meaning skeeters, was my worry. We already had a wild bird tested positive for West Nile, this year.
I'm really enjoying your forum.