It is easy enough to find bird aviaries for sale if you want to, but it is also just as easy to buy ones that would sooner fall apart than keep your birds happy and safe. Buying a bird aviary is something that is not to be taken lightly as it means you will not only be taking care of one bird and as such, it is important that you ensure that they are not only happy, safe but healthy as well.
Unlike cages, aviaries allow birds more freedom by having more than ample space for them to fly around. This space also keeps things from getting too competitive and the last thing you want is to see your birds in a fight. The great thing is that these enclosures can either be a great DIY project or can be bought online according to your specifications and delivered straight to your home. They also allow you to closely imitate a bird's natural habitat so your birds won't have trouble adjusting to it.
Whether you build or buy your aviaries, the best place to start is to find one that is tall enough and wide enough for you to walk into. Ideally, the whole structure's width should be at least two to three times the bird's wing span, at least six times the width of the bird's body for the length and the height should be at least four times the bird's body length. For 20 average-sized birds for example, an aviary measuring 12 feet long, 3 feet wide and 5 feet tall is best.
If you have larger birds, it is best to look for structures that measure around six feet by 8 feet or bigger, preferably made of steel since it will be more hygienic and easier to clean. It should also have mesh screens so that the birds have more exposure to fresh air and sunlight and should preferably have double doors to prevent any escapes – this means you enter the aviary through a first door, close it and then enter the actual aviary through the second door. If you find this too tedious, then you can get one with a single door with a bolt for extra security. Your wire mesh should also be ideally about 12.5 square meters by 1.2 mm thick. Putting in access doors for your nest boxes and feeding dishes also make maintenance easier.
While it is ideal to get structures with wire mesh roofs, this isn't a good idea if you live in an area where it snows or rains a lot. Instead, you can get aviaries with flat or sloping roofs or you can place it in an overhang. Make sure you put in plenty of perches for your birds to roost on and to create their nests. You can also get structures with concrete floors so you can hose them down for easier cleaning.
And last but not the least, make sure you get aviaries that blend well with your surroundings or home décor. You can also buy plants and shrubs that are specifically meant to decorate aviaries like elm, coffee and dogwood trees, barberry bush and bougainvilleas for color and flowering plants like African daisies, violets and baby's breath. Remember that these structures are not only meant to house your birds but also to ensure that they are safe from predators and diseases.
