Start of the Aviary :)

[jennyb]

Hi, as today was such nice weather we decided to make a start on the ground for the aviary, we bought some concrete slabs last week from b and q to extend our patio. So today we started to work our aunt and uncle even helped, it turned out to be more work than i thought, we had to cut the trees and bushes as they are in the place where the aviary will be. Once the trees were done i then had to dig up the grass turf in the section which wasn't too bad, we expected the ground to be really hard but it was quite moist. The hardest bit was getting the ground level with the existing patio, this has proved the toughest, but i've decided the best way will be to do abit each evening rather than leave it until next weekend, we don't want to take too much longer. Anyway hopefully we are on the right track and it should begin to take shape by next week.

[Teresa]

These jobs always take longer than you think, but worth it in the end.  My aviary took about 6 weeks to prepare the ground, but there was a pond there that needed filling in and levelling out.
Good luck, hope the weather brightens up soon.

[jennyb]

Hi, yeah it will be worth it. Today we spent a couple of hours digging the ground, unfortunately we have hit a problem, we have discovered a massive tree root which goes deep into the ground and then upwards and down again, not sure which tree it is to but it is right in the way, so we had to leave that bit for now, so the slabs go up to that point. We are going to double the slabs to raise the aviary off the ground, so will need some more slabs, luckily my grandad has lots left over from his greenhouse, we will bring some back on saturday and put them in on sunday. That gives us time to dig the ground, just not sure what to do about the root! We had a pond but it was filled in many years ago as it got too much to look after, we are planning in putting in a small pond maybe later this year after we have got the aviary done. The garden will look nice once everything is done, we have the bird feeders, will have the aviary and a pond so it will be great for wildlife and us. We can sit on the patio and watch the chipmunks as well as spend lots of time with them, thats the part i am most looking forward to. Sorry about the pictures they are abit rubbish.

[tarcus/Kevin]

As long as the roots were in the middle and not around the edge where the frame will stand you could always mesh over them leaving the bare ground for stuff the chips plant to grow.
Mine love to play in the grass and sunflower garden they have planted for themselves 

[jennyb]

Hi, spent all sunday afternoon in the garden with dad and a few hours on monday (yesterday) with my dad and sister and now we're about half way there. We have added another row of paving slabs, brought some home from my grandad's. Found we used more sand than we thought we would need so bought another four bags yesterday, have used four bags already on eight slabs. Anyway its not expensive. All the slabs have been laid out in position but only the two back rows have been properly leveled. We are well on schedule so should be completed by this weekend. Hope we can tame new chipmunk before she goes outside in the big enclosure as worried she may be too wild once outside, also hope she won't be bullied by other chipmunks.

Oh about the tree root we couldn't save it in the end, we tried everything we could to leave it but it ended up getting damaged, we will have to keep an eye now that the tree doesn't die. We think it goes to a young sicamore.

[Gilly]

This brings back memories of last year for me. I like the way you are building it on a solid base ( my mistake)
Whats the design of the aviary? Is it meshed one side or more? It looks quite sheltered where it is.
I made mine with the idea of sitting in the sun  watching them  I'm still waiting for the sun thats all.
We have got a picnic table and benches set up next to ours now on the new patio which is great. There have been chances to watch them while they play around.
I cleaned their aviary out at weekend as some of the grass was very long, so it's like new again.
Good to see yours is taking shape Jenny  and keep the old folks working hard  .....Gilly

[jennyb]

Hi Gilly, the avairy is meshed all sides with a meshed roof (we will be changing the roof to wood felted for protection from bad weather), the safety door is at one end with a large box for sleeping in which is protected from the elements. Dad ordered the avairy today and they say they can deliver in three weeks so not long now. Yeah although it is sheltered where we will be putting it they will get the sun also, that was why i chose the location aswell as being by the house. Think we may put bark chips in ours aswell as some of the soil we have dug out for digging in, i have some grass to put in but doubt it will last long as the chips will probably dig it up. I'm looking at chipmunk friendly plants to include, we have a number of tunnels to put in so each chipmunk can get away from the others if they want peace.

Lol dad has done most of the work, couldn't have done as good job without his help. We have completed another row today so one to go now. The last row will take some more work as we haven't dug the ground out enough for those yet, an extra row wasn't in the original plans but we feel it will be easier and that way the avairy can be abit more forward so it meant digging up more grass. Some pics from tonight.

[tarcus/Kevin]

All hail the mighty workers. Just a passing thought  jenny don't bother planting any grass. The chips will plant their own when they bury the seeds in the food.
You will also find a mini forest of sunflower plants and wheat. Unfortunately it is not warm enough over here for the peanuts to grow least not up this way  your chippy hotel is coming on very nice indeed.If possible try to only cover half of the roof with wood/ply and felt my chips love the feel of the rain on their backs at times and I am tempted to throw in a bar of soap for them trouble is they would probably try to eat it, they do with any thing else i leave lying around. one had my corned beef and potato pie today.Have you any plans for a bench to sit in with them i find it very relaxing to sit and let them wander over me like darling children (NOT) they try and eat every thing I take in.

[Teresa]

It's looking good.
In reply to your comment on your chipmunk becoming wild outside.
We had Herbie in the house 6 weeks before he went outside in the aviary and to start he was very jumpy when we went in with him. Two weeks later and he's tamer than he's ever been.  He'll climb all over me looking for nuts and if I put my hand out he'll jump on. He wont stay and let me stroke him unfortunately but that may come yet.
The only bad thing is when the weather is bad he'll stay in bed allot so some days I don't see him much especially when I'm working.

Tarcus a seat is a good idea, I'm after the perfect seat for my aviary I would love a big tree stump to sit on and it'll look good too, any ideas where to get one from.

One tip for aviary owners, always take a screwdriver in with you, I've already been locked in fortunately my OH was home but he had to unscrew the door to let me out.  The latch in the inside was loose and while I was knocking in a nail inside it knocked it on and locked me in.

[Gilly]

I've been trying to get one of them stone benches off fleebay for a while now to put in with mine. The ones with the squirrels for the legs. I'm just being tight and don't want to pay over £30 

[jennyb]

Hi Tarcus, i bet the chips like that all those sunflower plants, your chipmunks like the rain, mine hate getting wet so doubt they will want the rain. Not really thought about a seat but does seem a good idea. Gilly, you mean like the bench in the pic i've attached of Pearl and Abigail's old avairy, i thought it was cool when i saw it aswell. Teresa, did you start by taming Herbie in the house, i think if i can just get new chippie to take food out of my hand she will then be tame enough to hopefully not run and hide when i enter the avairy. I've got a tree stump at the moment in Asriel and Pearl's cage it was originally a conifor in our garden which we had to cut down, both chipmunks like sitting on it, Pearl sometimes has a sleep on it. We think we are going to call our new girl Hermione as we are all Harry Potter fans, lol and haven't named a pet after a character yet. She's a very pretty chipmunk like Emma who plays Hermione in Harry Potter. Lets hope she will become tamer and not hide all the time.

[Teresa]

He would take food from my hand in his inside cage but I never let him out in the house.  Can't wait to get my other chipmunks I think Herbie needs company might encourage him out of bed too.
When I got Herbie he was about 6 or 7 months old from last years babies, from what I've read I think when they are younger they take longer to come round to you.

[Gilly]

Yep thats the bench I'm after 

I have four tree stumps in our aviary. The one thats gets the most use is the highest one. They take food back to it or just relax on it.
They must get a good view from it that probably keeps them at ease.

Mine don't mind the ran at all 

[jennyb]

Hi, the last row has been completed and it is looking good, we think we have it as level as we can get it. There was a bit more digging for the final row but only abit as most was done the last time. Anyhow hopefully the chipmunks will enjoy all our work.

[jennyb]

Hi Nate, i was wondering would it be ok if i added your site to my website?, i'd like to include the forum in the links as it has been a great help to me and would be a big help to chippie owners and potential chippie owners who may visit my site, thanks.