Finches Aviary
People particularly fond of finches that want to have their own finch aviary may build one at home. However, before actually building your aviary, there are a few things to consider including the safety of your birds and how you can minimize time and effort in maintenance.
One of the very first things to consider is the protection of your birds from other animals that might be a threat such as, cats, dogs, mice, rats, snakes, etc. This part is crucial not only because they endanger your pets but also because finches will never breed in mice infested areas. Having a footing made of concrete around the aviary’s perimeter will help solve this problem. In addition, metal sheets should be used as cladding all around the aviary by attaching them firmly to the concrete footing. A minimum height of 1 meter is important to prevent dangerous animals from climbing up into the aviary.
An important factor is the finches’ environment. They prefer warm and dry so it is best to maximize sunlight exposure and minimize windy and cool weather. Everything inside the aviary, including the floor, must be dry. Sands and gravel are ideal for the maintenance of a dry floor. Consider sub-drainage if your aviary is not fully roofed.
Plenty of people like to put plants inside. But bear in mind that having plants inside your aviary do not help in its maintenance of a warm and dry environment. Shaded areas are extremely prone to dampness. It is best therefore that the plants be sparse and to allow them plenty of room to grow inside the aviary. Too many plants may also mean more time spent cleaning. You don’t want to spend a lot of your time cleaning and scrubbing down bird droppings on plants. Same goes with plastic plants and decorations. Everything inside your aviary must be easy to clean.
Of course, there is the option of putting plants outside the aviary. But you have to arrange them in such a way that you do not compromise the birds’ safety. This is especially important for aviaries that have partial roofing. Make sure these plants aren’t tall enough for other animals to climb onto the metal sheets and into the aviary. Proper distance from the aviary is also crucial. Plants may attract mice, but if your aviary is well covered and protected and no small niches can be found for the mice to slip into, then all is well.
One of the advantages of having an aviary is that it is bigger than a bird cage and thus properly simulates the birds’ natural environment outside where they can roam and fly free. Perches must not be placed near each other to allow this natural activity (flying) to take place.
Installing a night light inside your finch aviary will help your finches see in the dark. Consider turning your lights on and off the same time each day and using a timer so you don’t forget to do this.
