How to Build an Aviary for Green Wing Macaws
Outdoor aviaries provide pet birds with a safe area to get valuable free-flying time and access to unfiltered natural sunlight. For parrots in particular, this is vital to the absorption of important vitamins and minerals. Aviaries also bring the added benefit of greater mobility which keeps larger birds from developing all-too-common weight problems. When designing a flight for a large bird, such as a member of the macaw species, special considerations must be made to keep the creatures safe from harm and secure in their outdoor habitat.
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Things You'll Need
- 2x2 square steel tubing
- 1 inch spaced stainless steel mesh
- 12 gauge steel wire
- Shovel
- Rake
- Level
- Welder
Instructions
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1
Determine the size of the enclosure. Most aviculturists and avian vets recommend a flight be at least three times the bird's wingspan for width, and six times the bird's body for length. For a macaw, a good flight size for a permanent outdoor aviary is at least 10 feet wide, 15 feet long and 8 feet tall. The longer you can make the flight, the better.
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2
Level the area where the aviary will sit. You can rent commercial leveling rollers for this if you have a lot of space around the aviary location, or use a rake and shovel to clear the area by hand.
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3
Mark the positions of the steel vertical posts using landscape paint or chalk dust. Vertical posts should be set every 6 to 8 feet for best stability. If you plan to set the vertical posts yourself, but have a concrete company pour the slab, factor in an additional 24 inches of length to each post (12 for your first set, and 12 for the concrete's depth). While the charge might be slightly higher, it may be better to ask the concrete company to set the posts themselves at your pre-measured intervals so that you need only factor in an additional 12 inches to your desired height.
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4
Determine the layout of the door frame. Double doors are safest and may be required in some states for non-native bird species. The easiest way to create your doorway is to purchase ready-to-hang doors from an aviary supply company or home improvement store (shower doors and metal security doors work well) and measure the width for your door frame in advance.
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5
Set the posts for the vertical frame supports and the doorway 12 inches deep into the ground, making sure they are level.
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6
Pour the foundation. For large hookbills, concrete floors are recommended as they allow easy cleaning, prevent escape and keep the birds safe from both parasites and predators. A 12 inch depth is good for stability. Since a macaw aviary is so large, hiring a concrete company for this step is a good idea. A poorly set or uneven foundation can wreak havoc on your flight down the road. Allow the concrete to set for a week before continuing.
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7
Weld horizontal braces of more steel tubing around the top of the structure to complete the framework.
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8
Attach the stainless steel mesh to the framework using 12 gauge wire tied every 18 inches. For macaws, mesh should be 10 gauge or heavier, with spacing of around one inch to prevent toes or beaks from getting caught.
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9
Attach the ready-to-hang doors to your existing framework using the included hardware.
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Tips & Warnings
Never use galvanized or zinc-coated wire for hookbill enclosures, as this can be fatally toxic to parrots. Use stainless steel mesh and wire at all times.
