By Maddie Evan
When you are a bird lover, and you want to have an aviary in your garden, there are many factors you will need to consider before getting started. You will need to ensure you provide a suitable environment for the birds that keeps them safe and helps to keep them happy. Below are some of the various factors you will need to consider, which will ensure you have everything you need to keep your birds happy and healthy and safe from potential predators.
The Birds You Will Keep
You will need to think about what birds you want to keep in your aviary, and many options are available. When you are new to keeping birds, you will want to choose ones that are relatively easy to maintain, and some popular ones for beginners include:
- Budgies
- Lovebirds
- Chinese Painted Quails
- Rainbow Lorikeets
- Zebra Finches
Decide what type of birds you will keep, and then you can look to ensure you have a suitable aviary for them.
The Size Of Aviary You Will Require
You will need to work out what size outdoor aviary you will require, and this will depend on the type of birds you keep and how many you will have. You will need to ensure plenty of room for them to move around, somewhere for them to nest and roost, and lots of places they can perch as they would do in the wild. You can click here to get more information on the ideal aviary size for your birds on the RSPCA website to help you find the best solution for your birds.
The Material For Your Aviary
There are various materials you can use for your aviary, and these will also determine the cost of your aviary. One of the most cost-effective options is choosing a wooden aviary for your birds, but these are not as secure as plastic or metal ones, and security should be a vital factor to consider. You need to ensure your birds are protected from predators, and many animals may try to attack your birds, including:
- Cats
- Dogs
- Foxes
- Badgers
- Weasels
- Ferrets
- Birds Of Prey
The Position Of Your Aviary
You will also need to ensure that you place your aviary in the best location, and you will want to avoid having it face north or south. You can decide to build a lean-to aviary along the side of your property, which can help reduce the construction costs and keep them close to the house. However, you will need to do what is best for the birds and not the cheapest option for yourself.
Controlling The Climate
Depending on where you live, you may need to give your birds protection from the weather, which means you need to keep them warm during the colder months. You may need to have plastic sheeting you can put up on the sides of the aviary to stop rain from getting in and find a way to keep them warm when it gets cold. You will also need to ensure that your aviary is strong enough to cope with the weather, so you may want to avoid a wooden one if you get a lot of snow.
