Outdoor aviary

[lynda]

I was wondering if anyone puts their grey in an outdoor aviary at times for some outdoor daytime fun? I am currently building one for my Stanley and need any input/advice on the matter. I read a great deal on predators so double wired the cage with 5 inches in between the two layers so nothing could reach through/into the cage. Anything else I should know?

[Auggies Dad]

Do not use any galvanized metal i.e. wire, screws, or nails. Also no pressure treated wood.

[greybaby]

I would love to have an outdoor area for my grey but for the past two years we have dealt with WNV in our area and our avian vet has made it clear she cannot be bitten by an infected mosquito. Has anyone else figured out a way to have them outside without this risk? Do not intend to steal your thread but this is just another thing to consider when building anything for them outdoors.

[lynda]

I suppose you could always staple gun mospuito net around the entire aviary if it is a wood structure over the regular bars yet far enough away from it that the grey could not get to it. Maybe this is what I will have to do- going for a 3rd layer. Wow this is becoming quite the fortress.

As far as the galvanized issue...I did not realize my big mistake until after I made the thing. i did use chicken wire- oops. Now I cannot change it. SO my hope is to put enough stuff in there that Stanley will not want to deal with the wire and play with his toys and trees etc. I dont know how well this will really work though. I have read that there are certain foods that remove heavy metals from birds bodies. Maybe I can introduce these as well when he is in the aviary? What do you think? What is in galvanized metal anynhow? And how sensitive are they to it really?

[Tanna]

I believe it's zinc that is the problem, but I may well be wrong.

And very, very, very sensitive. I read an article about an Alexandrine parakeet (not much smaller than a Grey) who came very close to dying from heavy metal poisoning because the screws holding his food bowl on his cage were galvanized metal; and he didn't even actually chew on them. You don't want your bird anywhere close to galvanized metal, trust me.

[lynda]

Well, any suggestions then on what to do now? If I can not use the chicken wire...then what? is there something I can use from the hardware store? I'm not going to rebuild this thing out of rod iron. I don't weld :-)

[Tanna]

I know they do make some kinds of chicken/dog/hog wires out of non-galvanized metals... they're more expensive, though. Other than that, I'm really not sure...

[greymomx3]

Zinc (galvanized metal) is a MAJOR risk!!!!! Even if you try the foods...is it really worth it? Our oldest, Scarlet got zinc toxicity...still not sure from where cuz we are so careful. Over $1000.00 later and several weeks of injections and oral medicines...she did test in normal levels. It is just not worth it...we could have easily lost her. Plus with the chicken wire...they can bite right through it. Even if you put plenty of toys and perches in it, they will still climb on the sides...bam! Zinc right in them! I know aviaries are expensive to buy, but they are the safest way to go. We have one of these.

www.aviaryconnections.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GA8-OUT&Category_Code=Outdoor-Aviaries-Cages-Macaw-Parrots-Outside

We were able to get it for about $1300 at a bird expo in Phoenix. Getting it home was fun but well worth the savings in shipping!


EDIT: For some reason the link did not come out right...either copy and past or just try www.aviaryconnections.com and look for the 8 foot garden aviary. And the 12 gauge with 1/2" spacing is the best for keeping even the humming birds out. My 3 AGs are enjoying ours as I am typing this.