aviary

[sarah-J]

Here are some pictures of my aviary, I'm always adding more stuff, but it never seems enough.

this is the second time I try with the photo's.

Sarah

[Gilly]

Some great pic's of the aviary Sarah. Are they all camera shy?
Thats a big ladder in there. Also plenty of hidie-holes for them. It looks like they should have plenty of fun 

[Nate]

I think it's just popcorn right now.

I like they way it's be the window so you can watch him easily.

Don't breed any in that aviary though, as the babies would be able to escape though that size mesh. I had a mesh half that size once and saw one baby escap. I got her back as it was indoors.

[tarcus/Kevin]

Hi sarah like the cage have you considered drainpipes? I have found my chippies adore them.
They love them so much I have got them one eacxh with a couple of spares.They are easy attached using zip ties.
I posted some pics on hear with chamille using her favourite
Take care look forward to seeing more pics.

[sarah-J]

Hi All,

thanks for the replies, and some great comments.  Only popcorn at the mo,  have been ringing round like mad, but will just have to wait longer.

Tarcus- i did look at your pics, the one in the middle of pipe was a good shot, I would never of thought of drain pipes or some of the other things suggested with out this site. I will be adding more stuff later so will def get some drain pipe, but will need to move it first so I can put some plywood on the back wall to keep more weather off, so at the mo best not put to much in. It's a two man job to move it!

Gilly- I'm not sure what the screw was for, there is more houses to go in when the others arrive, I think it had a house on it, But I will take it out, Well spotted.

Nate- I think the holes probably look bigger on the photo. Have had Babies for the last two summers, I always try to do a body count when they are a few weeks old, and they have been there still when it's time for them to leave home, Only lost two with the mums eating them, but that was when they first had babies, and i think they didn't like me looking. but after a while they were OK with it, As I put opening tops on the nest boxes, look with out touching now. But will keep an eye out in the future for possible Houdini's!

Funny as I often stand at the window to watch, get the pleasure, but stay warm!! lol Popcorn has started to come and sit near like the others did, as if to say why are you there and not in here giving us treats!! they used to sit and watch us walk about the house.

I think it was a cautious eye but was impressed that he didn't run and hide.

This site is so terrible, I can't keep away from it.  I've been off work with a bad hand for two weeks and hardly done any tidying, should be running around like an idiot now with one hand trying to get it done for Monday, as I'm back to work. So thankyou to everyone for a lazy interesting 2 weeks!! lol

Sarah.

[chris]

Wow it looks great. We are going to start ours this week.
Do your chips use all the houses? and what do have on the floor? AND... Do you have trouble with cats?

[sarah-J]

Hi Chris,

Thankyou, but there's always room to improve!

At first I did put in a nest box for each of them, (4 chips) but they all slept in one box, so eventually I only put 3 boxes in.  They tend to store food in the other boxes, and sometimes they would change the box they all slept in, also when the females had babies all 3 mums and babies would still sleep in the same box but dad would have to move out for a while. I used to change the inside of the box probably more than recommended, but i never changed them all at the same time. and sometimes I just added more fresh hay.

They did have a favourite position of box, and they nearly always used that place to sleep and for the babies, i put a hook on the lid of a box so i could look in easier and always made sure that box was in there favourite spot near breeding time, lucky for me it was the easiest to get to.

I have a flagged floor, and use small bark from b&q, 1 bag lasts all year, I try to pick out all the wasted fruit and empty peanut shells, to keep it clean longer, Also I rake through it regularly to make it fluffy and to air it.

The cats do come and sit on the window ledge or the roof,  if the cat sees me they run away, so sometimes I have spied on them to see what they do, They mainly just watch them running around, and the chips did come past the cat, the cat would put his paw up slowly and gently, (probably caught his claws on the wire the first time, so learnt his lesson), but never really touch the cage. The chips were always to quick for the cat.The only time the chips would show worry and do the warning sign was when there was babies in the boxes. so they were quite happy to run around and ignore the cat, It is always the same two cats that visit mine. They've not visited popcorn yet, But I will be watching out to see how he reacts.  If you get problems with cats then I would try to chase them away (unless they are yours!) it makes them more weary when they try to came near.

You could always have a spray bottle near full of water and sneak up on the cat. as the chips come first!

Has any one also had problems with cats and do any of you have cats and chips indoors? That would be interesting to find out.

Have you already built yours or is it a new build? You will have to post pics of all the stages if a new one.

Sarah.

[Teresa]

How big is your aviary?
How big are the holes in the mesh, mine is being made of 1/2 inch mesh

[sarah-J]

Hi Teresa,

Thanks for the number, I will try them in the morning fingers crossed they still have them.

My mesh is 1/2 inch wide and 1 inch tall

The aviary in total is 8ft long including the porch

the section they have is 6ft long by 2 1/2ft wide by 6ft high.

 I only have a small garden so couldn't do it too big, but I can take a stool in and sit with them in the summer.
The branches came from the local park, didn't know then that some tress are poisonous, but they were OK  so left them in.

You will have to take pictures of the build.

One day I saw my male with the most swollen under carriage, I was that worried as they were trailing on the ground that I took him to the vet, He just laughed when I told him he was living with 3 females, (bit like a human male!!!) they only swelled up that big the first time he was sexually active, I think he was over a year old by then. After that season they only swelled up a bit when the females were in season and then go down till the next time. Not sure if this is the case with Herbie, as he is only 6 months, I was told they don't breed till 18months old and not sure if that was just the females or both, or if it was even true, maybe someone else knows?

Sarah.

[sarah-J]

Hi All,

I have finally finished !!!
 
(well two jobs left, some gutter and a piece of plastic to add to the end to keep the wind out)

But I am never moving the aviary again!!           It took 3 blokes and me to move it and even then it was a shuffle!! lol

I added a large piece of exterior hard board to the back of the aviary to make it more weather proof and keep out the slugs, well most of them any way.

I've now put in the drain pipes, and other things that I think will keep them amused. I also made a tunnel out of square drain pipe as this is strong euough to stand on if needed.  They have all used the tunnel, which i like the best as they can't dig down in mine, didn't have quite enough bark to cover all the pipe for the photo, but have done so since. Oh yes i do have a shelf to put in when I get the chance to make it.

More logs than you can think of!! and now not much room for me!    but fun for the chips   

Sarah.   

Ps, sorry if you've seen some of the pics in the chips update, but thought I'd post them with the avairy also.