Breaking Ground!

[jacksmom]

We broke ground on the aviary yesterday! Our neighbor brought his backhoe over and leveled out about 30 x 12 in space for it. 25ft of flight/playspace, and 4ft of indoor "out of the weather" area.

We still have to order/bring in a LOT of materials...but we have begun the stockpile and construction is under way!

Squeeee!!!! And I am NOT the squealing type, lol!!!!

:D

[kendrafitz]

Oh WOW!!! Congrats!!! Can't wait to see pics!

[jessicas94lt1]

Woo-hoo good for you guys. Your fids will have so much fun.

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[Mare]

Yay! Great news! Yes, please keep us posted with pics of your progress! :)

[plax]

Great news, indeed, Grace :D

[2birds]

Sweet!!! Don't forget the pics

[94lt1]

Great.. I would love to build an aviary for our birds.. But with the feral cat problem in this area... I prefer to have our babies inside and outside when we take em out.. I know they'd enjoy it outside more often though...

[jacksmom]

Pics are boring at the moment, I will get some as soon as the first of the framing is going up though! :)

Thanks, guys, I figured only you guys could understand how excited I am! I miss my boy!

We don't have feral cats, probably because we have coyotes and owls and such. I am not too worried about anything being able to break in and get to him...if he can't get out, not much that can hurt him will be able to get in, lol. With a smaller bird I might worry more...but in the end, as said by Dory in Finding Nemo - "Well, if nothing ever happens to him then nothing will ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo." ;)

We decided to go with alternating tin roofing and clear roofing. We know the clear won't last as long, and it will be easier to replace a few panels rather than all. :)

[BeakFace]

I am just so jealous! Are you using the Stainless Steel Mesh, if so which one and where did you buy it. Thanks

[jacksmom]

My vet actually convinced me that GAW wire that has been scrubbed is fine, so we sacrificed the stainless steel idea so we could really amp up the dimensions.

I do have some bookmarks on my computer where I marked the best price for it and for the GAW, though...when I order the wire in a couple days (I'm not around my computer much, usually my phone) I will be sure and post the links. :)

LOL, it is a necessary upgrade...he just isn't around people enough anymore. And Jack loves people. I'm not interested in changing that! ;) I AM building a chain link regular fence around it to keep kids from messing with him, though - I don't want him taught to bite, and I don't want them poking stuff through the bars! Some kids are BAD these days!!! I had to actually threaten some regular customers that they wouldn't be able to bring their kids anymore if they couldn't watch them. They were beating on my greenhouse, and its made of plastic! And throwing sticks and rocks at it!!! Anyway...fence around the aviary to keep out bad unsupervised children!!!

[jacksmom]

Part of the frame...and got the indoor concrete down. :) The initials are mine and Congo Jack. ;)

[plax]

Very nice, Grace :)

[jacksmom]

Thank you, Plax! :) I promise I will post regular updated pics, and if anyone has questions about any of the building materials please let me know. Not sure what we have spent so far, but I will also post the final total cost of the project so that anyone considering an aviary of this size will have a better idea. You guys have been so helpful to me in the past, it is the least I could do!

I should also mention that we didn't suddenly become rich or anything, and we have a ballpark figure of 1,500 estimated. If you think about it, that wouldn't be too bad for this kind of space! :)

[plax]

Thank you, Plax! :) I promise I will post regular updated pics, and if anyone has questions about any of the building materials please let me know. Not sure what we have spent so far, but I will also post the final total cost of the project so that anyone considering an aviary of this size will have a better idea. You guys have been so helpful to me in the past, it is the least I could do!Thanks, Grace. I'll look forward to your updates ;)


I should also mention that we didn't suddenly become rich or anything, and we have a ballpark figure of 1,500 estimated. If you think about it, that wouldn't be too bad for this kind of space! :)That's a reasonable figure!

[Mare]

Wow! That is a HUGE space! Such a lucky bird! I look forward to watching your progress and am very interested in hearing the final cost. Looking Good!!

[kendrafitz]

What an awesome space!!!! What a lucky boy Jack is!

What type if business do you have? I only ask since you mention customers. I'm thinking he will be thrilled with being outside and getting to visit with lots of people!!! :)

[jtbirds]

Looks amazing, I have supplies for one just need to get it built for the rescue! can't wait to see it done:)

[Mare]

I showed my husband your frame and he says, "That bird's gonna eat the "c##p" out of that wood!!". I had to explain to him that not ALL birds are like cockatoos :)

[jacksmom]

Yeah, he is not much of a chewer, Mare...but we aren't going to let him have access to the wood in the frame. We are ordering some GAW wire that goes on the inside of the frame - and just in case he does decide to pick at any wood he can reach, we are putting up 1x6 pine boards with stainless screws we can replace. We swore that a change of behavior on his part would not result in a rebuilding on ours! ;)

We are all about bang for our buck around here...that concrete slab cost $100, that is the only total I know so far. I can also post a price breakdown, that way if you decide to do things differently you will know what costs to take out/replace. :)

I run a coral aquaculture facility, and a retail shop for full-line saltwater aquarium supplies. Of course, as a bonus, this means most of our customers love most types of animals. He will have lots of new friends! And be able to chat with Momma throughout the day. Jack's dream life, lol. :) A good thing, too...he has begun over-preening!!! :eek:

[jacksmom]

Roof goes up today!

[plax]

Roof goes up today!Wow, progress! That will be such a nice structure for Jack... I'm sure he'll just love it :)

[2birds]

It's going to be fun to see the project completed. It looks like it's going to be a pretty good size. Not a bad price for that.

[jacksmom]

I can't wait...the wire arrived today. :) What with adding concrete, and some other upgrades to the wood, we will probably come out more like 1700 - 1800...but you would be able to see how it could be done in a less expensive way, that just wouldn't look as nice. ;)

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[jacksmom]

That truck in the pic and the guy are probably a bad reference, heehee, they are both pretty big! ;)

[plax]

That truck in the pic and the guy are probably a bad reference, heehee, they are both pretty big! ;)Not at all! It looks huge with the guy standing next to it :). I'm very impressed, Grace :D. Great job so far!

[jacksmom]

I can't wait for him to be in it...but, safety first...it must pass my "Can he mess with that" walk through. Really worried what to do about mosquitoes, short of putting up netting...looking into natural plant deterrents and sprays...

[plax]

Can you somehow space netting around the outside of the structure and far enough away from the side panels (and the top) to be inaccessible to Jack? Other animals potentially tearing through it may be a concern, though. It may require periodic replacement.

[jacksmom]

We could, and we will - if we have to. For now, we are trying to save the expense if possible! ;) Starting experimenting now with the natural remedies so we will be ready. :) Mosquitoes LOVE me, so I am a good test. ;)

[plax]

We could, and we will - if we have to. For now, we are trying to save the expense if possible! ;) Starting experimenting now with the natural remedies so we will be ready. :) Mosquitoes LOVE me, so I am a good test. ;)LOL. Please let us know if you find something safe that works well.

[jacksmom]

Ug, most of these plants are impossible to find!!! Does anyone on here live in mosquito and tick country, and keep their birds outside? Are they attracted to your birds like they are me? Or hardly at all, like my husband? :banghead:

Anyway, update! :)

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[2birds]

Coleman mesquito deleto 2500. It runs off of a propane tank like a gass grill does. They are a little touchy and you have to know how to work them but they do put a hurting on the mosquito population. The big problem with them was getting clogged. On the one I refer to you can replace the tip for a couple of bucks.
The aviary is looking great.

[plax]

Beautiful progress on your project, Grace! :)

[Mare]

Wow! Looking good! What is the enclosed area on the right, is that where you enter? Amigo is an outside bird and Mosquitos can be an issue here for a few weeks at the end of spring. I've not found nor have heard of a deterrent that is bird safe. I've never seen him bothered by them but also know that West Nile virus can be a concern. I'm thinking your best bet would be to add screen to keep them out.

[jacksmom]

We went with the screen, and an electric bug zapper. Yes, the enclosed area is where you enter, it is also his heated space he can go to get warm. :)

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There is actually a lot more done now...nicer wood has been added to the inside on the places the wire is not going in the flight area. :) Moving right along! :)

[Lady]

Oh wow, where are the finished pics? This looks really nice!