Page 13

G'day Kathy Just wondering can you help me im looking for idears for a indoor finch
aviary. I have been to so many bird shops and when i say what i want "thay just
scratch ther head" And then i come across your web sight and your aviiarys and they
are what ive been trying to explain to my frainds. i live in australia and most people
breed out side.But im after a indoor set up like your idear . Do you no of a nother web-
page with pic's of a set up like yours. or any cabinet style aviarys If so can you please
send it on to me. As i have all the wood to build it but i still need to look at more
.Thank you for your time Kathy. Regards Billy

Kathy, I thought I would share some wonderful news with you and our bird lovers. As you all
know My house was burned down on May 10th. I lost a lot of sweet, loving pets, But I also
had several pet birds on the nest at the time of the fire and was surprised NONE of them gave
up their nest with all the fire, smoke and water going on around them. I had 3 baby peachface
and 2 orangeface hatch DURING the fire,

( their nest completely black from smoke) my first baby Eclectus hatched 11 days ago, pulled
him because I had to move mom and pop to their new location. Baby is doing fine. Mom Is
mad.

Cuddles and Bridget ( my pet Congo Greys) were expecting their second clutch this year, to
hatch any day and I had to move them. I waited till last to move them giving them as much
time as possible. "This I think is amasing," 2 Babies hatached the 28 & 29th. While the
second one was only a few hours old we had to move them. I put the nestbox with babies in
the truck with my daughter and her husband, with their cage on the back of the truck. I put
Cuddles and Bridget in a carrier, and took them with me in another car. They didn't even seem
to mind the babies being gone, Cuddles sing and talked to me all the way home. I thought
sure mom wouldn't want anything to do with the babies after an hour apart. We set up their
cage at the new location, I put her box with the babies in it just where she had it, and put mom
and dad in the cage. Gave them fresh food and water. They stayed out of the nestbox, didn't
even look in it for about another hour, Just about the time I thought I should pull the babies
and feed them, I heard them crying, SO did Bridget, She went into her box and I could hear her
feeding the little ones. The move didn't seem to upset their routine at all.

Mom, Dad and babies are doing just fine. Cuddles just talks and sings as usual.

Its so cute when he looks in the nestbox to ask Bridget "what you doing hun, making
babies?" It cracks me up. Yes, I lost a lot of sweet little pets! But I'm so very Thankful for the
ones that were missed!!

I think the new babies have helped me cope with this situation much better. And all the birds
are adjusting to their location change very well.

I think Cuddles is saying "Mom, Life must go on"

Delma

I am a first time caller and I was wondering if you could shed some light on

this question of mine.

I have been playing with an out side aviary for the past 18 months. I

started with 8 finches and 4 parakeets. After 2 breeding seasons I am

concerned about potential problems with inbred birds. Last year I gave away

about 20 birds to friends and family and this year again, I have given away

about 20 parakeets and 20 finches. At present I am settling down with 48

finches and 38 parakeets. Again my concern is how do I go about introducing

new blood with out necessaraly going out and purchasing birds when I already

have a bunch. Or, maybe there isn't a problem and I am over reaction.

Any suggestion would help.

Thank you for your time.

I've been searching for someone to talk to for some time, this response is

great.

I have Zebra finches.

This last batch of parakeets I noticed that some are smaller then batches

before and for the first time I lost two 4 week old babies this weekend.

All of the other birds seem to be full bodies and very active in the aviary

and interacting well. As it gets hot I remove all nesting boxes and stop

the breeding cycle. So I am very interested in gathering information and

meeting people who can help me take the hobby of mine to the next level,

which I don't really know what that is yet. Maybe it's time for me to come

meet some hobbyists and find out what I've got started.

This is real exciting. Thank you for your response.

Hi Kathy,

I want to THANK YOU for taking so much time with me today on the phone...I could
have talked much longer but I was on my late lunch hour

at work...and well, you know how that goes... time to get back to work!!

Here's what my husband and I are planning (at this point to do); Please tell me where I
may be getting 'off track'.

Wood aviary (8' X 20' X 7' tall) with 1/2 x 1 " wire mesh screen; only one door.

This is shaded on the west by a three year old Palo Verde tree (outside of the actual
aviary)

The only plant already INSIDE the aviary is the orchid bush...which I will investigate to
make sure it's not toxin to my new little friends!

We plan on doing the pea gravel floor; and contemplated the need for putting WIRE
MESH under it to keep out mice, snakes, etc.

Do you find you have a big rodent problem with all your aviaries?

We have placed the aviary where we can view it from our garden room and as we go
down the 10 wide steps to the first greenhouse...so the birds will have a lot of attention
and 'traffic'....but these are Hobby Greenhouses, not public retail, so it is just my
husband, myself, our three grounds helpers, and of course, our dog, Mandy.

My husband is home all day and loves to 'putz around' with our hen house, our goldfish
pond- complete with two resident turtles, etc. So I don't think

"maintenance" will get too far ahead of us.

We were told that if we purchased finches (or any bird) that was raised INSIDE , not to
try to attempt to move them to the aviairy until late October; this is one reason I'd
rather find OUTDOOR RAISED birds to begin with.

We want to be able to go in, have a seat, and enjoy the birds...in the aviary.

We thought having a maximum of 16-20 birds to begin with. Is this practical, or should
one start with just a couple of pairs of Goudlins first, then add more??

Or is it better to start them all off at the same time...at approximate same ages,
etc....for the most harmonious beginning?

While we don't particularly care to have them breed....what type of habitat/homes do
they need? If no nests are put in, I've read, then it discourages

breeding. What about just someplace to get out of the chill, the wind, or (if we ever get
any) some rain? What do you suggest for 'shelter from the elements" ?

Please do find out about the Button Quail for us? If they are and when they might be
available.

What about a little bird called a Chucker?

Thanks again for all your help!

I've enclosed a picture of our little Hen House. (Foghorn Leghorn and The Girls) (smile)

Hope to hear from you soon and we will call ahead for an appointment to come visit
and select some birds.

Lydia