Building Aviary & Pionus

[Islandzoo]

Well our plan is biuld an aviary for a pair of Pionus.
we had decided to use Aluminium box section wtih 1inch square 14g Weld Mesh.
But, lady in petshop who used to keep aviaries withi parrots said wooden frame aviary panels are fine so long as the wire is covering the wood so they can't chew it.
I wanted to use metal from a security point of view, but alumium panels for the lot will cost around £300 which is a lot of cash, considering we have other supplies to buy too.
Trevor could make a wooden aviary for a third of that!
What do you guys think?
The aviary will be 11ft x 4ft x 6ft high, plus smaller inside section not sure of size yet, in the shed.
secondly
we had decided to get a pair of Blue headed pi's but haveing read Roger G Sweeney's Complete Guide to the Pionus Parrot, he says the Maxi Pi's are hardier and 'one of the easiest pionus to breed'
As beginners then that is a bonus...
but he doesn't say the Blue headed is difficult to breed either...
My favourite is the Bronze wing. But all this depends on what we can get hold of, pionus aren't particularly common in the UK. we also would prefer a proven pair.
I'm awaiting Rosemary Low's Book on Pionus, and making enquireies into what is available.

Any suggestions would be welcomed though :rolleyes:

[birdnerd]

I wouldn't skimp on aviary materials. It may take you longer to build the aviary as you need to save up the $$, but nevertheless, I can vouch for the pi's ability to chew wood, and a silly piece of wire isn't going to hinder a truly dedicated pi.

If your goal to to start up an aviary, I'd suggest starting with the pi that's easiest to breed and aim for the ones you seriously want when you have a bit of experience under the belt.

Personally, however, I'm partial to white capped pi. ;)

Wouldn't you be?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/sillyfeathers/Johnny.jpg

[Islandzoo]

Hi BN
He's so cute!
I think you're right, and all parrots love to chew don't they!
More piccies please :P
Oh, and what is this wheezing thing they do ?

[birdnerd]

Johnny's a blast.

Pi are strange.

When they get excited (ranging from fear to anger to happiness), they hyperventilate. I'm not sure what that's about, but if you don't know it's coming, it'll freak you out.

:O

More pics later. I have to go move rocks before it gets ridiculously hot out there.

(:

[Islandzoo]

Ok No worries, good luck with your rock moving!!

[Sue]

BN cute pic. :wub:
Kristie good luck with the aviary:highfive:

[Jean]

I agre with BN, it is always better to spend more and do it right the first time. When making a good investment you want it right. I am glad to hear you are not going with a wood frame. Good Luck! and keep doing your research.

[Jean]

BN, that is a beautiful pic! Thanks, for sharing it!

[birdnerd]

Thanks! Johnny is my favorite pi!

Here he is again!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/sillyfeathers/johnny_regardant.jpg

[Jean]

Awww, he's beautiful! :heart: :wub: :heart: no wonder your such a proud mom! His adorable expression melts my heart! :heart:




:thanx: for sharing Johnny's pic!

[Jean]

Another question, :scratchch Are you planning on a concrete floor for the aviary? :confused: If not, what type floor are you going to have. That is something you want to consider when building an aviary. You want to be sure there is no run off that can cause muddy areas. I have heard about some aviarys that did not consider that and end up with a muddy mess.

I will keep thinking of what ever helpful ideas I can. :scratchch LOL

[Islandzoo]

Jean most of our back 'garden' is concrete which make life easier - we then think we will use sand as it's easily swept up in a pan and disposed of
Thanks though - you've reminded me to add a brush and long handle pan to my list of needs.

[dee]

Hey by the way just an idea for your aviaries. Have you looked into suspended aviaries? They are a bit cheaper than your average cage to make, extremely hygienic, great length for your birds to excercise in I'll look for some pictures and get back to you.

I recently bought a suspended with 2 flights in it which my ringnecks are in, and I've the bottem wired in as well and have a few quails in it.

[Islandzoo]

Hi Dee

No I hadn't thought about it - trouble is we haven't got a lot of space to play with - we haven't got a very big garden, and there is only one place the aviary can go.
It will be 10ft long, x 4ft. But I'd like to see the pics anyway, thank you :)

[dee]

http://www.cagesandaviaries.com.au/images/products/aviaries/avipanel_susp_sml.jpg (http://www.cagesandaviaries.com.au/aviaries/suspended.html)
Ha! I did it! This is your basic 1. Mines a lot bigger (so my ringnecks can enjoy it), depends what size your birds are. also my suspended is completely closed in with a walkway at the back so I cant accidently let my lovely ringnecks out. as with most parrots, when it rains my birds have the choice of sitting in the rain (or sprinkler if its really hot) for a bath ( which they love!) or retreating to the dry covered end. The only downside is you cant walk in with the birds landing on you etc. Another great thing with this single cage if you are ever interested in buying more birds you can get another cage made up andfitted next to this 1.

This cage is smaller that the aviary size you stated. It takes up less room, you can even put a garden under it ( I've seen that done too).

[Islandzoo]

Thanks Dee. hmmmm I've seen them. it's not really practical for what we want.
perhaps I will take a photo of the space in our garden where it will go. Its going up against our brick shed, with an access hole into a cage which we will have in the shed (well a smaller indoor aviary bit) where the food will go, and the nest box.

We now have to buy another small shed type thing to put all the volatiles in, like paint & white spirit and weedkillers etc.

But Thank You for your input, keep the ideas comin!

Oh Pionus are Kind of like small Amazons aren't they, or grey sized.

[birdnerd]

Pi are not Amazons, but they are from the same part of the world and ranges overlap a lot. They're a bit stockier compared to the one gray I know.

They're about 10-12" beak to tail, at least White Caps anyway. Some of the others are a touch bigger. They look like pint-sized Amazons with muted coloration.

Fastest way to tell a Pionus from an Amazon: Pi have red/hot pink under the tail.

(:

[Islandzoo]

Hi BN
Thankyou!
sorry reading my post back again - I know they are not amazons but I believe they are the same kind of size well a bit smaller as you say.

Also most 'zon's have 'blazing' eyes - yellowy iris and flash red when angry - know what I mean? well Pi's have dark brown irises - am I right?

[Jean]

http://www.cagesandaviaries.com.au/images/products/aviaries/avipanel_susp_sml.jpg (http://www.cagesandaviaries.com.au/aviaries/suspended.html)


Ha! I did it! This is your basic 1. Mines a lot bigger (so my ringnecks can enjoy it), depends what size your birds are. also my suspended is completely closed in with a walkway at the back so I cant accidently let my lovely ringnecks out. as with most parrots, when it rains my birds have the choice of sitting in the rain (or sprinkler if its really hot) for a bath ( which they love!) or retreating to the dry covered end. The only downside is you cant walk in with the birds landing on you etc. Another great thing with this single cage if you are ever interested in buying more birds you can get another cage made up andfitted next to this 1.

This cage is smaller that the aviary size you stated. It takes up less room, you can even put a garden under it ( I've seen that done too).


For small spaces that is a nice small portable aviary. You mentioned yours was larger. Do you know the deimentions of your?

[birdnerd]

Some pi have red irises. Others have dark irises. Johnny boy is of the dark-eyed persuasion.

Pi are smaller than Amazons, but they have the same basic body structure.

[dee]

i'll try! Slowly converting from metres to feet for you. My aviary consists of two flights sitting next to each other basicly. So I'll give you the dimensions for one flight. 3 ft x 3 ft, 8 1/2 ft flight. The flights are about 3 ft off the floor. Than the walkway is about 3 ft wide 6 ft long.

[Jean]

Thank you, I forget you don't go by feet measurements too. I believe we are one of the few that do. Thank you for sharing the sizes, It sounds nice, I like the idea is prortable. Maybe ,some day you can share some pics!

[dee]

Sunday I'm determined to get pics of all my birds for this site, I want to share them!! I just love my birds and when anyone comes over they end up spending quite a bit of time checking them out.

I'm renting the house I'm living in at the moment so I cant really put anything non-portable in! For my 2 normal aviaries I'm looking around for some cheap pavers to use as a floor, so I can clean them.

[Jean]

That flooring should be nice! It sounds like a good idea. I understand what you mean about keeping things portable for now. I'love to seepics. I hope you can get some taken this weekend. Good Luck!