Pets

Keeping birds is a pleasurable activity, especially in suburban areas where the supply of melodic morning birdsongs can be in short supply! Just hearing birds of a morning can brighten your entire day - it's probably why you often hear a person comment "you're chirpy this morning" about someone who's unusually happy. Perhaps they woke to the sound of birds chirping in their new aviary.

Whether your passion is canaries or cockatoos, Choosing the right aviary will require a little thought and effort. Here are some of the things you'll need to consider when checking out differernt aviaries.

1 First and foremost, you need to take into consideration the size and type of birds you intend to keep, how many of them you're going to have and how much space they'll need to be comfortable. If you're an experienced bird keeper you'll already know how much space is required. If this will be your first aviary, do some research, consult the seller of the birds or find a group of bird enthusiasts online and you'll get a wealth of information!

2 Are you planning to position natural wood perches or other items within the aviary? They'll take up some of the flight space so don't forget to take that into account.

3 Are you planning to increase the number of birds in the aviary or breed them in the future? If you are, then consider buying an aviary big enough to accommodate that number of birds now, rather than having to upsize or buy a second aviary later.

4 Once you've determined this, look at the suitable sizes available. Will it be something modest like the 1.52m x 1.48m or the larger 1.52m x 2.96m flat roofed aviary? The aviary sizes go all the way up to a huge 3m x 6m design. Don't make a final decision yet, there's more to think about!

5 Now that you've decided what you need to make sure the birds are happy, there's your space to consider. If you have only a suburban back yard there'll be limited space and positions available for the aviary. If you've decided what size aviary your birds need but it's going to be an awkward fit in your yard, you might have to revise those numbers!

6 Consider carefully where you'll position the aviary. How much sun will the birds get and will it be the morning or afternoon sun? Also check your local council regulations - you may have to position it a certain distance from the fence you share with your neighbour!

7 If you're placing the aviary into a pretty garden area, the colour and design should add to the beauty of your garden, not detract from it. A hexagonal design with either a flat or gable roof might fit into your garden plans beautifully. Most aviaries come in Zimcalume or Colorbond natural colours like Pale Eucalypt.

Naturally, your budget is going to affect your choice too, but birds need space so if you're on a tight budget and can only afford one of the smaller designs, reduce the number of birds accordingly. They'll thank you for it with their song!

This article by Rob Barron from www.shedspot.com.au, Austalia's leading online retailer of Garden Sheds.