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Aviaries and Bird Rooms


 Double barred finch
Owl finches happy in their spacious aviary

If you plan on keeping a flock of finches or a mixture of compatible species, an outdoor aviary or a bird room will be ideal. The finches will benefit from lots of space, the fresh air and abundance of sunlight. As long as the area is secure and sheltered, you will have several options - a homemade structure, a free-standing or lean-to shed, a converted outbuilding, or whatever hybrid structure suits your suits the space you have most.

Setting Up an Aviary or Bird Room

Bird rooms can be easily set up in sheds or other outbuildings, this provides the dual advantage of a dedicated space for the birds, and protection from the elements. Outdoor aviaries are also fine, just make sure that you provide a large covered area for the birds to retreat to when the weather turns sour. In either case, you will need to provide some form of heating for the colder months of the year.

Bird rooms and aviaries are essentially giant cages. They will need all the same fixtures and fittings, but on a larger scale. Provide dozens of perches and swings, some raised feeding areas, lots of bells and other safe toys to provide the ideal environment for your birds. You can also use larger branches, and in an aviary you can even provide living trees and shrubs.


Society finches in aviary
Society finches in their aviary

Bird housing of this size needs to be cleaned out regularly and there is lots of work involved. Keeping the floors clean is vital, because an unclean floor will attract vermin such as mice and rats. Many bird room keepers go for a concrete floor, as this can be easily hosed or swept clean. Uneaten food will need to be changed daily and the whole cage will need to be fully cleaned out on a weekly basis.

Aviary Size

The size of your aviary will dictate how many birds you can keep in it. A general rule of thumb is to have 5 inches of aviary length per finch, and a width that is at least half of the length. Going by this, a cage that can house fifteen birds will need to be 70x70x35in. Scaling things up a bit, an aviary that can house fifty birds will need to be 20x20x15ft.

Do note that these are simply just rough guidelines. Some finches will need a bit more personal space, and if they feel overcrowded they will soon become aggressive. Always ask an expert for advice before beginning an aviary project or introducing new birds. Keep in mind that Canaries aren’t all that sociable and will need more space than the average finch.


Double barred finch bathing
Owl finch outdoors

Aviary and Birdhouse Accessories

An aviary or birdhouse will need kitting out just like a normal cage would, only on a much larger scale. There will need to be several feeding and drinking areas, plenty of perches and swings, various toys etc to keep all your feathered residents happy and content. Perches should be installed at various heights, so that all your birds can find a spot that suits them the most.

Customer Images

A yellow and grey small bird being held by its owner

Comments

Reader, 2 December 2023

My father as got a outside aviary with no electric nearby how can he stop ther water freezing please


Sherona, 13 May 2020

hi got zebra parents & 4 chicks in big avairy with canaries. not safe nest on little high ledge-would parents abandon babies about week old if i moved them too there own cage..


Chris, 11 May 2020

Hi anybody advise about insulation of a 8x6 shed to a bird room .I have polystyrene 25mm sheets and double sided bubble wrap in a roll . which should I apply against to the inside of the shed walls first if I use both poly and foil . foil first or poly, would it make a difference to the formation of condensation and any mould ? Any suggestions would be of great help as being a new possible breeder . Thanking you in anticipation of your kind help . Chris


Karen, 16 October 2019

My finches are puffing up and dying could you give some advice please


John, 12 September 2019

If your canary's are used to being in an aviary with out side flite and inside flite the birds will acclimatize them selves with the weather summer and winter no heating is good for them they will molt according to the weather.