Aviary

[BIGPETE]

Aviary build ongoing at the minute.

 

Soon to start meshing it up.

 

What are you guys thoughts on mesh size?

 

1"x 1" ok or too large?

 

What size do you suggest and why.

 

Want something strong enough to keep anything from breaking in and for me to be able to walk on but also small enough to keep out any vermin etc.

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

Pete

[alex wight]

Hi Pete

 

I use 1/2 X 1/2, which keeps everything out but you'll struggle to get something that small in the strength you need for walking in

 

You then need to go to 1 x 1, but that's opening the door for vermin.

 

You can always get the galvanised grills used for gang ways then fit the smaller mesh on the floor.

 

Just an idea.

 

regards alex

[andy Burgess]

as above 1/2" x 1/2" every time. walking on mesh ? why is that Pete ? is there another option ? have you considered the droppings falling through . the stronger mesh will be much more costly too. un-less you can scource it from a re-cycling company , could be an option maybe ??

[eastcoaster]

If you have foxes hanging around they can easily rip open the thin mesh ,double it up at the bottom metre to make sure .

[peter pandy]

I went to a scrap yard and managed to get walkway flooring 8x3ft at £10 each. cover with 1/2 ins mesh job done.

[Roland]

Mice, probably even a weasel will get through 1/2 mesh.

[eastcoaster]

Mice, probably even a weasel will get through 1/2 mesh.

Think you mean 1inch mesh ! A female or juvenile weasel could get through maybe ! But hope not as that's what mine is made of.

 

I take that back just read up on the weasel and if very hungry they can get through gaps as small as 10mm , unbelievably eh.

[ally mac]

Think you mean 1inch mesh ! A female or juvenile weasel could get through maybe ! But hope not as that's what mine is made of.

 

I take that back just read up on the weasel and if very hungry they can get through gaps as small as 10mm , unbelievably eh.

 

Bleedin heck. That's incredible.

[Bryngwynt Lofts]

All our aviaries have 1/2inch x 1/2inch wire.We have plastic grills on the floor.Cuts down on the cleaning in there,looks good and keeps birds off the direct floor.We have 26ft x 5ft aviaries on lofts,best thing we did.Birds out getting sunlight and this time of year,safe from predators.

[peter pandy]

All our aviaries have 1/2inch x 1/2inch wire.We have plastic grills on the floor.Cuts down on the cleaning in there,looks good and keeps birds off the direct floor.We have 26ft x 5ft aviaries on lofts,best thing we did.Birds out getting sunlight and this time of year,safe from predators.

 

Sunlight what's that, ??.

[neila]

I have ply floor with grids , 2 1/2 foot ply on the sides then above that 1/2 inch wire for the 4 foot to the roof , I cant see the need to have mesh down to the floor level

[Kyleakin Lofts]

I have 6mm mice and rat proof mesh on mine.

[BIGPETE]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

The thick wire mesh (iron grids) seemed very expensive and also places charged the earth to deliver especially given how few I need.

 

My garden backs onto field so mice and foxes are rife. So will go with the 1/2" as advised above.

 

As for being able to walk on them and something sturdy (I am quite a fat *expletive removed* so need something solid as a rock)

 

I have found these plastic pallets which are cheap to buy (£6-£8 a piece) and seem to be very easy to get hold of. Plan is to bolt a load together with coach bolts and then 1/2" mesh over the top of it.

 

 

Got a rough idea in my head but will see how it pans out and keep you chaps posted.

 

Thanks again for all the input. Much rather pick all your brains before i build it and then have to alter the *expletive removed* in the rain.

[Bryngwynt Lofts]

I have the plastic grills from Palatts £5each 50cm x 50cm,very strong and lock together.Worth a look save you having to do some diy,hoping it works.

[REDROCKET]

I'm just about to build an aviary it will be built the same as one I have already a breeze block base built on 3x2 slabs sides and front frame of 3x2 timber 10x10mm mesh approx and the roof built with uni strut frame and covered with the plastic sheets found on coservitaries mesh on floor was from 2"x2" hole fence wire cut into removable sized sections for easy removal for cleaning . I don't think your pallet idea is good it will be a night mare to clean out. Good luck.

[startenout]

HI I HAVE 60 MTRS BY I MTR QUARTER INCH MESH STRONG MICE AN VERMIN PROOF WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED THANKS

[REDROCKET]

Inch mesh isn't mice proof is it mice can get through 10 or 12 mm I think.

[BIGPETE]

Hi Guys,

 

Very grateful for all the points of view and info shared here. New to the sport and 1st aviary build so what some of you old heads would think of as basic stuff is new to me haha.

 

Redrocket you gave me real food for thought with the cleaning and maintenance and a lot of you other lads have helped me know what sort of mesh I can get away with to keep those *expletive removed* vermin out.

 

Have been wokring on it sat and sunday this weekend, weather has been crap sat was full on rain all day and sunday has been near on gail force winds, so not ideal haha. That said have got what we could done and at least the frame is up.

 

Regarding the ceiling going to mesh it and then plastic (clear) sheets over the top for maximum sunlight. Wire mesh there incase the sheets ever come off and also as a further precaution to keep any roof top vermin out (Thanks Wiley for that idea).

 

The floor, still in two minds. I was going to go all pallets, but the size of them made it awkward as cutting them is possible but it would weaken them and as said before i have to walk on them and i am 16 stone odd so needs to be sturdy. Thinking of having shuttering ply on the back quarter (nearest the loft) and the pallets infront of them on the outside edge.

 

Under the floor be it mesh or pallets I am going to shutter ply the outside edges and then lay a thin concrete screed for ease of cleaning. So when the crap drops thru the pallets I can still lift them out with ease every month of so and keep it clean and no fear of vermin.

 

Couple of progress shots:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My main concern here (and i hope some of you tradesman and wise folk can put me straight here)... With shuttering ply on the floor. It will get some exposure to rain and a lot of exposure to dampness etc. Is there realistically anything I can coat it with to stop it from warping and losing shape?

 

Will be working on finishing it off next weekend so any pointers or advice pre then much appreciated.

 

Pete

[andy Burgess]

looking great Pete . admire your enthusiasm . ply ?? you could coat it with black bitumen paint , that will see it lasting a lot longer. however , i would build it with an easy replacement option for the future.

[peter pandy]

Ply lying flat will last no time at all as you will never be able to seal the edges. When water finds its way in which it will, it will seperate and split. I have read all the reasons to avoid meshing your floor and the chances of any vermin coming up through 1/2 ins is miniscule and you have more chance of being knocked down with a bus in your garden than seeing any vermin entering your loft. Talk about puting a brick wall in front of your idea is typical of many instead of being constructive.

 

P.S. I have nothing under my aviary and give the bare earth a rake when its required shoveling the dung into the bucket.

[REDROCKET]

Looks the business so far Pete.