[Kevin D.]

I am thinking of setting up a whole aviary for it, so that he has a lot more flight then in a cage. It would be around 5ft wide, 7 ft long and 6 ft high. Does that sound good? I would be using 1/2 in galvanized wire so that it would be very tough. I would also have some plants in there. I was also thinking of having half of it have a sprinkler system, so that it is like a natural shower. I was also thinking of the aviary thing so that it would have a lot more flight, and then it would be good for conditioning for the outdoor flight training i am hoping to do with it. What are your thoughts on this?

P.S I do not have the bird yet.

 

[tielfan]

It sounds lovely! Just one possible problem - galvanized wire is zinc coated and can cause zinc toxicity. A different type of wire is better if available, but galvanized is mostly what's available. Here's some info: http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww14eii.htm

 

[Kevin D.]

Thanks! Umm, yeah all i could fined at the store was the galvanized wire. we do not have anything else.

 

[srtiels]

Hi...I am in the process of making walk-in outside flights for my mousebirds.

I just made the following posting on another list, that might be helpful to you:

If anyone has made their own home made cages, they are probably familair getting caught or cut on the sharp edges of the cut wire. I have found that these from Home Depot work Great: : 8 ft. FRP End Cap Moulding - White - 9440XA at The Home Depot

And if you have a walk-in flight, and it does not have a safty porch there is risks of as you go in and out the possiblity of a bird escaping...

Below are some pix's of remedies for both. (FClick on pix's for a larger veiw)

I also use hardware cloth for my caging and have not had any problems with it. What I do is take a gallen of vinegar, and pour it into a 1/2 tub of water (bathroom tub) and soak the wire for 20-30 min, and then rinse off and allow to sun dry.

My flights in the last pix have 1/2" plywood roofs, with a gradual slope, with 2"x4" for support.

I am planting my flights because my mousebirds are not descructive...BUT, from past experiences when I planted flights for tiels they chewed and totally destroyed ALL plants, so it is best not to put any plants inside the flight.