Need ideas for a Aviary for my Peafowl, bunch of questions,I pic

[Joe.G]

Hi, I already have a idea in my head as to what I want to do, It is going to be 20x16x8 or 9 ft high I have Pressure treated lumber, the frame is going to be 2x8 and 4x4 posts, there will be some 2x6 and 2x4 for bracing and what not.



I am going to put a door on one of the 16 ft sides in the corner and on the opposite end on the other 16ft wall I am going to sometime over the summer add a small coop just so they have some place to go to get out of the weather, this coop will be build outside of the Aviary with a small entrance for them to go back and forth though, the coop will be prob about 6x8x8 or something along those lines.


I plan to wrap the whole thing, sides and ceiling in 1/2x1/2 hardware cloth, Figured this stuff is pretty strong and should hold up well, I thought about using 1x2 welded wire but I think it is going to cost a bunch, I plan on buying 2 100 ft rolls. I'll prob also put one layer of hardware cloth down on the ground on the inside of the aviary, prob just one pass on the outer edge.


I may cover the top with a tarp for now , and maybe add a roof down the road or cover half and leave half open.


I would like to add some stuff in the inside, I don't know if I should leave the grass, or put wood chips or sand.


What about plants or trees? bushes? How many Peafowl could I keep in this size aviary? I have 2 Males and a female at the moment, I would like to add another female. Thanks

[DayBird]

You won't be able to keep more than one adult male in the aviary. They will constantly fight for dominance. They'll dig up any grass that's left. If you have the resources, I'd cover the bottom with several inches of sand. You could possibly add another species of bird in there. If the whole thing is covered in 1/2 hardware cloth, including the roof, and you live in a warm enough climate, you could have doves, quail and even some finches or parakeets.

[Joe.G]

Maybe I'll add a couple of pigeons, I have thought about sand, I could do that I doubt it'll cost much to add a 4 Inch layer of sand.

[Joe.G]

So should I use 1x2 Welded Wire instead of 1/2x1/2 Hardware cloth? Should I use Netting or Chicken wire for the top ( Ceiling )? I want it to look good and also be safe. Thanks

[nc_mtn]

I've had chicken wire up for a "roof" on one of the pens I made. The pen itself if falling down but the wire is still fine. I used the 4' wide stuff and ran a 1x4" board across the seems.
I did use this for chickens but I don't see an issue with your deal either, especially on the top.
As for the sides, I'd use which ever was cheaper, but I'm cheap myself sooooo

[Joe.G]

I am wondering how well I could see though the 1/2x1/2

[Joe.G]

Ok I picked up two 48" X 100 ft rolls of 1/2X1" Welded Wire, And I picked up a 150 ft roll of 72" Chicken wire for the top with 1 Inch Holes. Hope this is goo, I know it wasn't cheap.

[KSALguy]

while they are young you can keep them all together but as they mature you will need a seccond pen for one of the males, you can plant pampas grass in there, low growing juniper or other ever greens, the male just needs a good open area in the middle to display, several roosts would be good, with a sand bottom and some good plantings the hen will likely hide her nest and hatch her own clutch her seccond adult year or so, the males never botherd the peachicks we had, but they would catch and eat ducklings and chicken chicks and anything else small they could catch, mice had no chance,

[Joe.G]

Well I got the frae up, Once it is done Ill post some pic's, Still not 100% what to do with the top.