ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS ON KEEPING AUSTRALIAN FINCHES
Part 1 - Building an Aviary/Bird Room
By John Williams
The logical place to start is the building or modifying of a building for the aviary. Now is a good time to start planning a new aviary ready for work to begin in the Spring. Try and visit as many other peoples aviaries as you can, see what works and how they have overcome different problems.
If you are opting for a new aviary/birdroom, there are some considerations that you need to take into account. Firstly check if there are any Bylaws covering the size of the aviary in relation to the area of your garden especially if you live in rented accomodation.
Location of the aviary is also of the utmost importance. it is probably not a good idea to build at the front at the house, especially if this is adjacent to a road, as this may attract vandals or worse. Ideally a site sheltered from the worst of the winds, away fram overhanging branches, if it gets the sun even better, a location reasonably near the house has the advantage of allowing you to see the birds, also aiding security, additionally it makes running an electricity supply to the aviary easier.
Depending on your budget you may opt for either:
The first option saves you the major contruction work but you still have to fit out and insulate it to your requirements. Building your own has the advantage that it can be designed to your own requirements and can be considerably cheaper. Converting an existing building can also be advantageous depending on the size. If you do not have a suitable building the purchase of a shed/workshop either new or secondhand to modify is a further option.
Let us assume that you have decided on option 2 or 3. Draw up working plans of the aviary/birdroom, this will allow you to decide on the size and layout, try to foresee any possible problems which may crop up also to estimate the cost or materials construction/modify.
I will not go into too much detail on most of building techniques as space is limited and the information is readily available in any good D.I.Y. book from your library etc. The next step will be to mark out the site for the concrete footings. This will support the aviary framework/Base and as it extends below ground help to prevent anything from burrowing into the aviary.
Once this has set a row of concrete blocks or similar can be set around the perimeter of the birdroom and flights, this will ensure that the timber is kept away from the damp ground. Now to the actual timber construction. The basic framework for both the birdroom and the aviaries is 50 x 38mm (2 x 1 1/2) SAWN TIMBER using a straight forward HALVING JOINT. The simple braced framework wall panels are clad with a good quality Tongued and Grooved timber.
The floor consist of joists (SIZE DEPENDANT ON SPAN) supported by joist hanger or wall plate, a D.P.C. should also be placed on top of the birdroom supporting wall. The joists should be thoroughly treated with Wood Preservative, over this the main floor can consist of either 18mm (3/4) High Density Chipboard or Plywood Panels the underside of which should also be treated with Wood Preservative or Bitumin Paint, on top of the floor panels place a layer of 6mm Polystyrene sheet or ceiling tiles, this will provide the floor insulation. This in turn will be covered by a sheet of Hardboard. The prefabricated wall sections can be fixed in position and bolted together.
The roof consists of double skinned board (Chipboard or Plywood with 50 x 38mm (2 x 1 1/2) softwood frame lined with Polystyrene sheet or Glass fibre insulation this will later be covered by felt.