Walk-in aviary plans

Project index:

• Before you start (page 1)
• Materials (page 1)
• Foundations (page 2)
• Main frame (page 3)
• Completing the frame (page 4)
• Cladding, roof, and netting (page 5)
• Building and installing a door (page 6)
• Finishing touches (page 6)

Cladding, roof, and netting

Figure 5.1: Cladding, roof. and netting

Now that your frame is hopefully complete, you should be able to get to work making your aviary bird-proof.

Netting

Make sure the netting you use is small enough to keep in the smallest species of bird you intend to keep. Birds have a surprising ability to squeeze in and out of small holes, so talk to someone from your local bird club if you need advice.

Even if you intend to keep only large birds you may change your mind later, so it is best to use finer netting than you think you need.

Attach the netting as shown in Figure 5.1 to the top two sections of the outside of the frame. Make sure no netting is placed over the door frame. Secure the netting in place with either galvanized or stainless-steel staples.

Plywood cladding

For a nice finish and to provide some limited shelter from the elements we suggest cladding the lower walls of your aviary with plywood.

If you have followed the plan then the plywood cladding will be 650mm high to line up with the first vertical beam.

If your site is prone to strong winds from a particular direction you might decide to clad the entire wind-ward wall with plywood. We have not show this option in the diagram.

The roof

Cut two 4000mm lengths of 25x25mm timber and attach across the top of the front and rear wall - effectively connecting the ends of the roof supports. This piece of timber will help keep the edges of the roof bird-proof.

Now cut your chosen cladding to size and install with roofing nails. The length of the cladding should be such so that it overhangs by 25mm at each end - out to the edge of the 25x25mm timber.