Another Build Question

BIGPETE · February 26, 2014

Guys, I am in the process of converting a shed to a little loft and building nest boxes and perches etc etc (you will see my other Q's lurking around in this area of the forum).

Being a new starter, I will be sourcing some breeders to start with so I can breed some offspring myself and then get them flying out etc.

The shed (loft to be) isn't huge, maybe 10ft x 6ft but I don't plan to keep many birds (probably 6 pairs). Keeping them prisoners and not flying out obviously means an aviary is necessary. I have seen a lot of builds so I have the construction all planned out but the one issue that I'm not sure on is the base/floor.

Does it need to be raised off the ground? (The base area is currently grass). I realise it needs to be predator proof so I would make sure it's solid construction, thick wire and could panel the bottom (outside edges) areas with sheets of metal or something I'm thinking.

I see a lot of them are raised off the ground, but wondering if this is important?

The thing that I'm curious about with it being raised off the ground, is say for example the base (wire mesh) is 1ft off the ground, when the birds droppings go through it and onto the floor below.. How the hell do you get under it to clean that area when the gap is only 1ft? I can't see how you could get access to the surface underneath to keep all the droppings from building up. :wacko: :blink:

alex wight · February 26, 2014

Hi Pete, if you can't gain access to the aviary, you can fit a tray underneath which pulls out for cleaning then replace it. My one was on slabs and was able to gain access, so was easy enough to get in and clean out.

alex

The mesh doesn't have to be really thick, same thickness as chicken wire would be fine. I use 1/2" x 1/2" aviary mesh.

alex

March 3, 2014

My lofts are a foot of the ground. It allows the cats to hunt for mice under there. Matt at ecco lofts builds a open floor loft with trays that collect dropings. Google Robinson mesh, they do inch square wire sheets in 8x4ft for 15quid if you want wire flooring. I use it I my roller kitboxes. The thing is not to rush, look at loft pictures and work out what you'd like. I have a foldaway aviary, which built myself, I can fasten it to individual section. I took the idea from those foldaway dog crates. HTH.

paddymac · March 3, 2014

I have a 6ftx3ft aviary attached to my stock loft which goes all the way to the ground with a concrete base I put in myself. I then have a frame of 2in x 2in covering the base of the aviary with a couple of support batons which has 1in x 1in heavyduty wire attached which is placed on the concrete floor and I just lift it up on its side when I clean the aviary out. :animatedpigeons:

BIGPETE · March 3, 2014

Cheers for the info lads, materials being sourced and build scheduled to start this weekend if the rain holds off.

Lennut Tar · March 3, 2014

Cheers for the info lads, materials being sourced and build scheduled to start this weekend if the rain holds off.

Busy time ahead Pete I suspect I would say. I was pleased to see you have a curious mind. Use it to your maximum :rolleyes: & you might just be surprised etc at what you could learn. :animatedpigeons:

BIGPETE · March 4, 2014

Cheers Lennut, yeah busy few weeks ahead with building a home for them and then settling the new birds. Very exciting times to be honest and can't wait to breed when it gets warmer and have some birds to fly out! I ask a lot of questions on here but don't know anybody who keeps pigeons (outside of the forum) so this website is a blessing to me and im very thankful for all the info everybody had offered. Top site and top people!