How to make an aviary
This is a construction guidance for an aviary with a size of ca. 100x50x200 cm.
1. In the building centre/hardware store
Some things you might already possess, then delete them from the list. The rest of it you’ll find in a building centre/hardware store. Here is your shopping list:
- cordless screwdriver + adapter for the screws you use + wood drill
- screws
- small cranks + hammer or small screws + shims
- 2 locks + proper screws
- 4 small hinge-joints + proper screws
- wire cutter (you will regret it if you safe the money for it!)
- mesh
- some rectangular blocks of wood
- 3 boards for linings á 1,5x30x120 cm
- one floor board 120×60 cm
- varnish + brush
- sandpaper or rasp
Optional:
- jig saw and blades for wood or handsaw
- 4 elbows
2. Sawing and polishing
Building centres/hardware stores wil saw the boards and rectagular blocks for you or you do it yourself. You need the following:
- from the rectangular blocks of wood 6×200 cm, 4×96 cm, 4×100 cm, 8×46 cm, 3×95 cm and 2×104 cm (Length)
- linings 1×100 cm, 1×95 cm und 2×46 cm
- floor board 110×60 cm
After sawing everything you have to polish the edges.
3. Varnishing
Varnish all pieces and let them dry for at least 24 h. Using lacquer you have to colour everything 3 times waiting at least 24 h between the layers.
4. Making the frames and meshing them
Make 6 frames from the blocks (2x side frames, 1x back, 1x top, 2 doors), predrill and screw the frames together.
The side:
- 2 rectangular blocks á 200 cm, 3 á 46 cm and 1 lining á 46 cm
- connect the long blocks with a short one at the upper ending
- put in the lining board on the lower ending and fix it → put a short block right above
- put in the third short block in the middle
Back:
- rectangular blocks of 2×200 cm, 3×95 cm and a lining of 95 cm
- same procedure as the sides
Top:
- rectangular blocks of 2×104 cm connected with 2×46 cm
One door
- rectangular blocks of 2×96 cm connecting with 2×100 cm
Cut the mesh and cover each frame with it, fixing the mesh with cranks or screws with proper shims.
5. Put the frames together
- connect one side frame with the back
- with the second side frame the same
- place the top and fix it
- fix the doors on one side with the hinge-joints
- apply the locks
- putt he construction on the floor board
- varnish the floor board again (avoids sliding of the construction on the board later on)
- alternative: fix the construction with elbows on the floor board
6. Furnishing
Furnishing can differ much from one species to another. Have a look into the portraits of you future friends and then deside how to furnish the aviary.
You find some ideas for furnishing here…
7. Hints
Instead of a meshed frame you can use solid wood for the back. This has to be varnished, too. This avoids that you little friends poop at the wall behind the aviary. On such a back also levels can be fixed.
Translation
Angelus Noctis
Proofreading
Jedediah
