Building A Proper Aviary
Size
Build it as large as your space and budget allow. No one has ever wished for a smaller aviary. Because king pigeons can’t be free-flown, they will spend all their time inside the aviary. Space is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a captive bird. For your own convenience, you’ll want something big enough to walk into (easier to maintain) but, if you really want to enjoy your birds, build it large enough so that you can sit down on a chair or a bench inside the aviary and be a member of the flock. The minimum size that I recommend is 7′ long by 4′ wide by 6′ high for 4 king pigeons. An aviary 12′ long by 6′ wide by 6′ tall or more will house about 10 pigeons and you and your birds will have a lot more fun.
Size
Build it as large as your space and budget allow. No one has ever wished for a smaller aviary. Because king pigeons can’t be free-flown, they will spend all their time inside the aviary. Space is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a captive bird. For your own convenience, you’ll want something big enough to walk into (easier to maintain) but, if you really want to enjoy your birds, build it large enough so that you can sit down on a chair or a bench inside the aviary and be a member of the flock. The minimum size that I recommend is 7′ long by 4′ wide by 6′ high for 4 king pigeons. An aviary 12′ long by 6′ wide by 6′ tall or more will house about 10 pigeons and you and your birds will have a lot more fun.
Never say you don’t have room for an aviary
This covered patio was modified to be a 10′ x 13′ pigeon aviary.
This big, beautiful aviary houses 24 rescued pigeons
Design
Horizontal space is most important. Even birds that can’t fly well enough to survive in the wild like to stretch their wings and fly a bit so design your aviary to be as long as possible. I recommend a minimum length of 7′ (longer is better) and rectangular shaped-aviaries offer maximum opportunity to fly a few wingbeats. Round or hexagonal shapes, while pleasing to look at, have to be very large to offer the same opportunity. Pigeons are ground feeders and will forage (and strut and flirt and bathe and socialize) on the ground but they also will fly to and perch in the middle and upper reaches. I recommend a peaked or sloped roof to prevent rain from pooling on top and because the birds will enjoy roosting up in the “attic”. Leave at least some of the roof as mesh rather than solid to let in sunshine, rain, moonlight and air circulation.
Horizontal space is most important. Even birds that can’t fly well enough to survive in the wild like to stretch their wings and fly a bit so design your aviary to be as long as possible. I recommend a minimum length of 7′ (longer is better) and rectangular shaped-aviaries offer maximum opportunity to fly a few wingbeats. Round or hexagonal shapes, while pleasing to look at, have to be very large to offer the same opportunity. Pigeons are ground feeders and will forage (and strut and flirt and bathe and socialize) on the ground but they also will fly to and perch in the middle and upper reaches. I recommend a peaked or sloped roof to prevent rain from pooling on top and because the birds will enjoy roosting up in the “attic”. Leave at least some of the roof as mesh rather than solid to let in sunshine, rain, moonlight and air circulation.
An aviary can be built by a do-it-yourselfer or with the help of a hired handy person
A lost racing pigeon inspired this lovely aviary (big enough for 4 birds)
Location
When locating your aviary, I suggest choosing the site that offers you the best view of it while also balancing the needs of the birds and your neighbors too. Pigeons are quiet but they do coo and so you’ll want to consider the sounds they make when locating the aviary. Pigeons have poor low-light vision so a bright location is preferable. They enjoy sunshine as well as rain and so I like aviaries that get both. (It is important that their nest boxes stay dry.)
When locating your aviary, I suggest choosing the site that offers you the best view of it while also balancing the needs of the birds and your neighbors too. Pigeons are quiet but they do coo and so you’ll want to consider the sounds they make when locating the aviary. Pigeons have poor low-light vision so a bright location is preferable. They enjoy sunshine as well as rain and so I like aviaries that get both. (It is important that their nest boxes stay dry.)
|
|
Designed to share a window for maximum fun
An aviary can be built onto a cement pad, pavers, a wooden floor or on earth. It should be easy to keep clean, provide good drainage, and protect against rodents and predators that will try to dig or chew their way in. Unless the floor is cement, the entire bottom of the aviary should be lined with hardware mesh (half inch openings or less) to keep rodents and predators out. The mesh should be covered by wood, earth or drain rock as standing on wire is harmful to their feet.
The drain rock is fine for the birds’ feet, is clean (no mud) and acts as a natural filter for waste. (Pea gravel is sometimes used but it isn’t recommended because some birds will over-indulge their desire for grit and eat too many pebbles.)
The drain rock is fine for the birds’ feet, is clean (no mud) and acts as a natural filter for waste. (Pea gravel is sometimes used but it isn’t recommended because some birds will over-indulge their desire for grit and eat too many pebbles.)
Eight inches of 1.5″ drain rock over wire makes a great aviary floor
Construction
An aviary must be rodent and predator-proof and even the most urban or suburban of neighborhoods have at minimum cats, birds of prey, rats and raccoons that will have to be kept out. (Some environments have lots more wildlife to guard against.) The aviary needs to be built sturdily. Raccoons are incredibly strong and tenacious and, if they locate a weak spot in the design, they will work on it night after night until they get in. On the other hand, if the aviary is well-built, predators will stop testing it and leave your birds to live in peace. And your aviary needs to be sealed completely with wildlife-proof hardware cloth mesh with openings .5″ or smaller. The size (and strength) of the mesh is important. If the openings are bigger, you’ll attract mice and put your birds within claw’s reach of all sorts of animals. Online searches of aviaries will show pictures of aviaries made with chickenwire or chain link but they don’t show the carnage that predators cause by reaching through those too-big openings and tearing birds apart while still “safely” inside. Also, mesh openings bigger than half an inch is inviting every mouse in the world (plus any petite rats) to move in make themselves at home forever. It’s much easier to build the aviary rodent and predator-proof than it is to go back and patch one that wasn’t
An aviary must be rodent and predator-proof and even the most urban or suburban of neighborhoods have at minimum cats, birds of prey, rats and raccoons that will have to be kept out. (Some environments have lots more wildlife to guard against.) The aviary needs to be built sturdily. Raccoons are incredibly strong and tenacious and, if they locate a weak spot in the design, they will work on it night after night until they get in. On the other hand, if the aviary is well-built, predators will stop testing it and leave your birds to live in peace. And your aviary needs to be sealed completely with wildlife-proof hardware cloth mesh with openings .5″ or smaller. The size (and strength) of the mesh is important. If the openings are bigger, you’ll attract mice and put your birds within claw’s reach of all sorts of animals. Online searches of aviaries will show pictures of aviaries made with chickenwire or chain link but they don’t show the carnage that predators cause by reaching through those too-big openings and tearing birds apart while still “safely” inside. Also, mesh openings bigger than half an inch is inviting every mouse in the world (plus any petite rats) to move in make themselves at home forever. It’s much easier to build the aviary rodent and predator-proof than it is to go back and patch one that wasn’t
Only use hardware cloth mesh with openings half an inch or smaller! 16 gauge half inch hardware cloth is recommended
Always secure every lock and latch. Raccoons are very clever and deadly
Weather & Shelter
The pigeons’ aviaries need to provide a sheltered corner that offers access to deep shade (to guard against overheating) and protection from driving winter rains. They love the rain and not all of it needs to be kept out but their nest boxes must stay dry. Depending on where you live, you may need to provide extra protection from weather conditions.
The pigeons’ aviaries need to provide a sheltered corner that offers access to deep shade (to guard against overheating) and protection from driving winter rains. They love the rain and not all of it needs to be kept out but their nest boxes must stay dry. Depending on where you live, you may need to provide extra protection from weather conditions.
|
|
Nest Boxes
Your pigeon aviary will need nest boxes. These are for nesting and being cozy rather than nesting to breed babies. We do not support breeding because there are “surplus” pigeons being euthanized every day for lack of homes. Nest boxes are provided because pigeons are cavity nesters and they love and need a cubby-hole type nest area. A nest box can be as simple as a basket or wooden box. Nest boxes can be purchased ready made or built along with the aviary.
When pigeons become mature (between 4 and 6 months of age), they court, choose a mate and select a nest box in which they’ll build a loosely constructed nest. The hen will lay a pair of eggs and the couple will take turns sitting on them. We provide fake eggs which are substituted for the real eggs (for pigeon birth control)
Your pigeon aviary will need nest boxes. These are for nesting and being cozy rather than nesting to breed babies. We do not support breeding because there are “surplus” pigeons being euthanized every day for lack of homes. Nest boxes are provided because pigeons are cavity nesters and they love and need a cubby-hole type nest area. A nest box can be as simple as a basket or wooden box. Nest boxes can be purchased ready made or built along with the aviary.
When pigeons become mature (between 4 and 6 months of age), they court, choose a mate and select a nest box in which they’ll build a loosely constructed nest. The hen will lay a pair of eggs and the couple will take turns sitting on them. We provide fake eggs which are substituted for the real eggs (for pigeon birth control)
|
|
Plastic dummy eggs in assorted sizes easily bought online
Perches
Pigeons don’t climb like parrots do (and they’re fine with galvanized wire). They need open space to jump or fly up and down from perches. They also really enjoy shelves to lounge on. Situating perches near the aviary’s mesh walls will give the birds an easy view out and allow you a close look at their beauty and personality. I recommend using natural branches (approximately 1-2″ diameter) because their size usually varies from tip to trunk and it is good for bird to be able to vary the grip of their feet.
Food & Water
Pigeons love water and will need fresh, clean water every day for drinking and for bathing. I use clear, plastic containers because I love to watch their happy pink bathing feet dancing in the water but you can use ceramic casserole dishes or large plant saucers. The water should be between 2-4″ deep and changed daily. It’s best to provide two water sources and I recommend getting duplicates of whatever containers you use so that one set can be cleaned and dried while the other is being used. Pigeons are ground foragers and their food dishes should be on the ground. I recommend one dinner-plate size dish (with ~1 cup of pigeon feed) for every four pigeons each day. Feed can be purchased at feed stores and is a mix of different types of peas, corn, oats, safflower, milo and other grains. It can be stored in a rodent-proof, moisture-proof container. An extra treat of a planter of lettuces or parsley or dandelion greens or spinach or wheat grass will be appreciated. Whatever type container you use, make it something non-toxic.
Mirrors
Pigeons have been proven to self-recognize in mirrors (along with elephants, dolphins and chimpanzees) and they enjoy them very much. I think they use them like we use TV. We know TV isn’t real but we still get emotionally engaged in what we see and are entertained by the experience. I recommend securing a full-length mirror horizontal to the ground and enjoying the show.
Maintenance
The birds need clean food and water dishes every day. Once a week, a poop scrape of flat surfaces and hose-down will keep your aviary clean and your birds happy. I use a paint scraper and a dust bin. (The poop is world class for composting.) Keeping your aviary uncrowded will help keep it clean and healthy too.
repurpose a shed or play gym into a wonderful aviary. And, if you’d rather rescue doves or homers or rollers, you can still use this same design to create your aviary. Doves, homers and rollers are smaller and so you can scale down the size of perches and nest boxes but they’re better and more active flyers so they’ll appreciate the fly space. And you don’t need a “trap” (the door that free-flying pigeons use to exit and enter a pigeon loft) because rescued pigeons and doves can’t be safely free-flown. That’s why they need you to create them a lovely, charming and life-saving aviary
Pigeons don’t climb like parrots do (and they’re fine with galvanized wire). They need open space to jump or fly up and down from perches. They also really enjoy shelves to lounge on. Situating perches near the aviary’s mesh walls will give the birds an easy view out and allow you a close look at their beauty and personality. I recommend using natural branches (approximately 1-2″ diameter) because their size usually varies from tip to trunk and it is good for bird to be able to vary the grip of their feet.
Food & Water
Pigeons love water and will need fresh, clean water every day for drinking and for bathing. I use clear, plastic containers because I love to watch their happy pink bathing feet dancing in the water but you can use ceramic casserole dishes or large plant saucers. The water should be between 2-4″ deep and changed daily. It’s best to provide two water sources and I recommend getting duplicates of whatever containers you use so that one set can be cleaned and dried while the other is being used. Pigeons are ground foragers and their food dishes should be on the ground. I recommend one dinner-plate size dish (with ~1 cup of pigeon feed) for every four pigeons each day. Feed can be purchased at feed stores and is a mix of different types of peas, corn, oats, safflower, milo and other grains. It can be stored in a rodent-proof, moisture-proof container. An extra treat of a planter of lettuces or parsley or dandelion greens or spinach or wheat grass will be appreciated. Whatever type container you use, make it something non-toxic.
Mirrors
Pigeons have been proven to self-recognize in mirrors (along with elephants, dolphins and chimpanzees) and they enjoy them very much. I think they use them like we use TV. We know TV isn’t real but we still get emotionally engaged in what we see and are entertained by the experience. I recommend securing a full-length mirror horizontal to the ground and enjoying the show.
Maintenance
The birds need clean food and water dishes every day. Once a week, a poop scrape of flat surfaces and hose-down will keep your aviary clean and your birds happy. I use a paint scraper and a dust bin. (The poop is world class for composting.) Keeping your aviary uncrowded will help keep it clean and healthy too.
repurpose a shed or play gym into a wonderful aviary. And, if you’d rather rescue doves or homers or rollers, you can still use this same design to create your aviary. Doves, homers and rollers are smaller and so you can scale down the size of perches and nest boxes but they’re better and more active flyers so they’ll appreciate the fly space. And you don’t need a “trap” (the door that free-flying pigeons use to exit and enter a pigeon loft) because rescued pigeons and doves can’t be safely free-flown. That’s why they need you to create them a lovely, charming and life-saving aviary