I have been interested in house birds since I was a child. I've always had some winged pets at home - canaries or parakeets. I was able to instill this passion in Małgosia's wife, and maybe also in two children. Especially my daughter, 4.5-year-old Julia, willingly helps me with feeding our birds. The one-year-old Igorek is currently watching us closely, but he will probably also be a great breeder one day.
When my wife and I lived in a house with a large garden, I dreamed of building an aviary for birds. I was browsing through various photos of such buildings on the Internet, reading on forums how they were built, and I was getting more and more eager to build my own.I shared my "birdhouse" plans with my wife. At first she was against it. She explained that we have too many activities related to raising children to worry about birds. In the end, however, she was convinced.
I started with gathering the necessary materials, incl. wood, mesh, glass, concrete panels, OSB panels and shingle. Then I had to ask my father-in-law - the handyman for help, because I did not feel strong enough to erect such a structure. And I must honestly admit that if it weren't for him, the plans to establish an aviary would remain only in the sphere of dreams …
The structure is about 10 m2the surface and the shape of a hexagon, 2.20 m high, and with a roof 2.80 m. shelter from strong sun and in winter from frost and wind. Each structure of this type should be protected against birds of prey and animals. We used concrete slabs for this purpose. They are buried in the ground to a depth of 30 centimeters.In addition, on one side we covered the aviary with window panes, and on the other, we secured it with a mesh with a fine weave. The skeleton of our aviary rests on wooden poles. We made the roof of OSB boards and covered its top with shingles. Of course, all wooden elements are protected with an impregnation agent.
Inside the house, we made quail perches. They can not only lay eggs there, but also spend the night. We have built special boxes for parrots. With them in mind, we also dug branched, rootless birches into the ground and placed feeders on them. We also made rope ladders for them.
For the new tenants of our aviary, we fenced off a small room where they acclimatize to other residents. Only after a few days of their stay in this "isolation room" they are released to the remaining birds.
Before winter, cover the mesh walls with foil to keep the inhabitants of the aviary warmer. We remove the cover in spring, when the greatest frosts lessen.
Our breeding started with 4 parrots, which we received as a gift for a good start. Currently we have 14 of them.Among them are the following species: alexandretta, wavy, goat and lovebirds. We also plan to buy nymphs. In addition to beautiful parrots, our aviary is home to 6 Chinese and 10 Japanese quails. Over time, their number will surely increase, because these birds lay eggs that my whole family eats. Quail eggs are very he althy because they do not contain cholesterol. They also have more nutrients than chicken.
Keeping my pets is not too complicated. Every other day I make them a salad of finely chopped fruit and vegetables. I also include eggs in this menu every few days. Besides, our birds like sunflower, millet and nuts very much. Often I also throw them whole apples, which they slowly peck at during the day. To strengthen their immunity, I give them chopped garlic from time to time.
My Gosia, initially so opposed to the aviary, is now proud of it. He likes to photograph winged pets,and then to admire the photos. We encourage everyone to develop their ornithological passions and build aviaries that will beautify and enliven any garden.
Maciej Kamiński
