Aviary floor

We *finally* got the loft turned and positioned where we want it. The birds seem to really like it and, as there is now a small tree overhanging one corner, they have more shade to get out of the sun if they so desire. The next step is to build the aviary and that's all designed and the supplies list is made. Only question remaining is about the "floor". The loft (and aviary) is/will be within the fenced in dog yard which is just off the back of the house - we live way out in the country and human troublemakers really aren't a concern but this provides that little bit of extra "protection". We've never had anything wild come into or even approach the dog yard (we do have an ample supply of fox, coyote, & fisher cat) so putting the loft in there seemed like a reasonable thing. And ... there is a motion light to scare away night time predators IF they get bold. Besides - it's just off the screened porch and we LOVE sitting out there listening to the pijs talk!!! The plan is for a "walk-in aviary" - 8x8 (same as the loft itself) - attached to the front of the loft. The loft already has a "chicken door" and 2 windows - so that will be the bird access. The aviary walls will be built with screen doors so the screening will be small (bug resistant), we can get in (or out) from multiple points...and it can easily be expanded (or moved) if we ever enlarge the loft. The roof will be hardware cloth (or maybe more screen doors) with a tarp strapped on in the winter.

So, anyway - my question is this. Would it be ok for the aviary floor to be left natural? The dog yard floor is "gravel dust" 2' deep .... very fine, hard packed gravel. It's been the dogs' yard for 10yrs, is limed routinely, and drains VERY well, as it is completely open to the elements (rain, snow, sun) and gets a deep natural "washing" routinely. Would this be ok for the floor of the aviary? Would it need to be able to be disinfected and, if so, is there a disinfectant that can be poured onto the gravel ground and do the job? There is no option to pour a cement floor but we have been considering laying the 1'x1' garden blocks down for all or part of the aviary floor so the birds have a rough surface to keep their nails trimmed. But - the ground would only be 1" below this surface.

OH GREAT GURUS - GIVE US YOUR WISDOM

Your setup sounds wonderful.
The only thing I can think of is making sure no creepy crawly predators can dig their way under the aviary. :boing:

When you have it finished, please do post some pictures.

I would go for the cement garden blocks with the gravel undeneath. The concept is that should a rodent try to dig inside, the gravel will pervent them of doing so by caving in on them when they dig. It would be better to make the gravel deeper underneath the blocks...6".
Also, if you can slightly slant the cement blocks away from the loft, it will make hosing/cleaning much easier.
I learned the hard way! :WHAT?:

So...no need to worry about disinfecting the ground they walk on??? AWESOME!!

Great idea, Charis! We certainly can add a layer of pea gravel or something else loose like that, lay it down so it's deeper near the loft and shallower out at the edges. And maybe a protective layer of screening across the entire floor under that gravel so that snakes, etc. can't burrow under. In fact, we can bury the bottom edges of the screen doors with the gravel, too. Then lay the garden blocks on top of that....just enough angle not to be level!!!

Looks like we're in business!!! YIPPPPEEEE!!!

That will be perfect!

Sounds nice, safe and easy to clean!

I read once that the floor of an aviary can be left natural, the poops just wash away in the rain. This hasn't been my experience!

Cynthia

Matilda wrote:

That will be perfect!

Ohhhhhhhh, and I do like PERFECT!!!!

Nothing but the best for the birds of Mistwald Loft (...or the dogs....or the cats.... )

In fact, when I die, I'm coming back as one of MY animals!!!

Cynthia wrote:

Sounds nice, safe and easy to clean!

I read once that the floor of an aviary can be left natural, the poops just wash away in the rain. This hasn't been my experience!

Cynthia

Yeah - it was the "leaving it natural" that I was concerned about. But, as long as that's ok, keeping it clean (although not disinfected) is why I like the idea of the 1' square garden blocks. I can scrub them clean if need be (and they look good, too). The residual will then wash away between the blocks or out into the rest of the dog yard and just be raked up when the dog yard is cleaned.

wolfwood wrote:

Nothing but the best for the birds of Mistwald Loft (...or the dogs....or the cats.... )

In fact, when I die, I'm coming back as one of MY animals!!!

ME too!!
My animals have it pretty darn good!!

Fancyfeathers wrote:

wolfwood wrote:

Nothing but the best for the birds of Mistwald Loft (...or the dogs....or the cats.... )
In fact, when I die, I'm coming back as one of MY animals!!!

ME too!!
My animals have it pretty darn good!!

Oh maaaaaan, there's that twirly thingy again :eek:

Some bacterias can live in the soil for years. I think you'd still have to disinfect the aviary floor on occasion, but couldn't that be done even with the blocks? Scrub it on the blocks, then just hose off? Sounds nice having a walk in aviary, and that's a really nice size. Your birds are going to love it! And the dogs should keep the predators away. Are you planning on putting hardware cloth over the screening on the doors? That would make it even safer.

NiteOwl wrote:

* Some bacterias can live in the soil for years. I think you'd still have to disinfect the aviary floor on occasion, but couldn't that be done even with the blocks? Scrub it on the blocks, then just hose off?
** Sounds nice having a walk in aviary, and that's a really nice size. Your birds are going to love it! And the dogs should keep the predators away.
*** Are you planning on putting hardware cloth over the screening on the doors? That would make it even safer.

* That was my concern. I can scrub the blocks but not the dirt underneath...and, certainly, anything on the ground can 'splash' up on the blocks (those pesky microscopic bacterias ) But - it sounds like that's okay (not enough bact. to be a concern??) ... or maybe because it IS the ground and some exposure to bacteria is normal???

** Ya' think it'll be big enough?

*** Well, we hadn't planned on screening the screens. Is that necessary? Our porch is screened and nothing comes in ....

wolfwood wrote:

Well, we hadn't planned on screening the screens. Is that necessary?
Our porch is screened and nothing comes in ....

I would suggest using hardware cloth as an extra security feature as NiteOwl has mentioned.
A curious predator can tear a hole in regular screen.

Would it be possible to post a photo of your aviary?

Fancyfeathers wrote:

wolfwood wrote:

Well, we hadn't planned on screening the screens. Is that necessary?
Our porch is screened and nothing comes in ....

I would suggest using hardware cloth as an extra security feature as NiteOwl has mentioned.
A curious predator can tear a hole in regular screen.

Would it be possible to post a photo of your aviary?

Thanks ... then, I guess we'll be adding hardware cloth!!

Do you mean photos of the Loft or Aviary? The Aviary isn't built yet .... but I sure will post photos when it's done!!

wolfwood wrote:

Thanks ... then, I guess we'll be adding hardware cloth!!

* Do you mean photos of the Loft or Aviary?

** The Aviary isn't built yet .... but I sure will post photos when it's done!!

* I was thinking the aviary, but would love to see some photos of the loft as well.

** Looking forward to seeing them.

I just uploaded a bunch ... so if a friendly Administrator were to approve them , I'd be happy to post them here ....

Your loft is adorable and so is that welcome pij.

so much for sharing your photos with us.
Your birds are beautiful as is your loft.

Cindy

Fancyfeathers wrote:

so much for sharing your photos with us.
Your birds are beautiful as is your loft.

Cindy

Thanks, Cindy (and Charis)! The Loft is really pretty modest next to some of what's out there....but it works, the birds are quite comfy, and it fits well with the design of the HOUSE. Actually looks like it was built at the same time....now we just need to decide if we're gonna paint it to match the house. Decisions! Decisions!

As for the Welcome Pij ..... not quite sure how I managed to upload it that many times .... but I really only need it once. I tried to figure out how to delete them all and couldn't. Maybe that same "friendly Administrator" would delete all but 1?

As for the Welcome Pij ..... not quite sure how I managed to upload it that many times .... but I really only need it once. I tried to figure out how to delete them all and couldn't. Maybe that same "friendly Administrator" would delete all but 1?

Done!

Matilda wrote:

As for the Welcome Pij ..... not quite sure how I managed to upload it that many times .... but I really only need it once. I tried to figure out how to delete them all and couldn't. Maybe that same "friendly Administrator" would delete all but 1?

Done!