Somewhat portable dove aviary?

We have two doves that we own and two pigeons that we are taking care of for our older sister at the moment, while she finds a new apartment.

We ourselves will also be moving, but within a few years. I really want an outside aviary for our doves (and future doves).

Right now they are in a makeshift cage made from "Design A Cube" from "Bed Bath and Beyond". It's over two feet wide and three feet tall, held together by zip ties. It's a much better upgrade from their last cage. But I can't wait two, three years to move to get them a better enclosure!

My plan was to build a sort of "Puzzle Doviary". Something that isn't a permanent fixture to the land and something that I can easily be taken apart and reassemble when we move.

I'll explain my plans as best I can and maybe someone here can help me make sure it'll actually work? Or come up with other solutions...




Okay, before anything goes up, we would place a 10 by 10 foot tarp on the ground (after kind of clearing the area). Then, the 4 by 8 foot wall pannels would go up, being centered on the tarp. The walls would be made up of two wood boards but they wouldn't overlap each other exactly, they would be one foot off to the side of each other and when lined up side by side we could put bolts or something to keep them together. I hope this makes sense so far? But after the walls and roof are put into place, I was thinking about pouring sand on the floor of the actual cage part where the birds would be so it'd be easy to scoop their poop up with a cat litter scooper thing. We would steam the sand every so often to rid it of bacteria. The outside wall panels would have wired windows that also have folding window covers (with vents) for when we lock it up at night.

I was also thinking about placing bricks on the outside perimeter of the aviary on the tarp thats hanging out to not only look decent but to hopefully keep things from digging.

On the shed (the smaller room, where we would store all of their supplies and stuff) wall their would be a total of four nest boxes with a door in the back so we can check on the young from the shed part.

And as for their perches, I was thinking about hanging bonzi plants in the shape of horizonal branches. Too much, I know, but that would be eventually, as well as a filtering water feature and bird bath.

I don't have a plan yet for connecting the corners of the aviary or a plan for the room yet?

Any comments, questions, concerns, ideas?

I love seeing birds in aviaries! They are so happy and beautiful when outdoors in the sunlight and fresh air.

I have never built an aviary, but I have done research on it since I plan to keep an aviary in the future (with doves and finches, ect). The doves should have a box or room for them to enter to get away from rain, wind, cold, and to perch in at night. This box can include some perches and you can make it so you can close it at night if you wish. Make sure you can access the box for cleaning, ect.
The aviary should have strong wire of small gauge, since predators can unwind chicken wire or break through thin wire that wasn't built in a strong manner. Bricks around the outside are smart. If you don't want predators digging in, you could also build on a wire floor. The birds won't be walking on this, it will rest on the grass and the sand can be placed on top of this.
Some branches and platforms are great perching spots. Make sure there is an area of shade, rain and wind protection in the outdoor area as well as a section where they can get sunlight.

Sand is heavy, so can be difficult to use, but it also looks good, is easy on the doves feet, and can be reused. You could also use rubber matting which is easy to clean, even if not eye appealing, and provides grip for the birds when on the ground.

Like I said, I'm not an expert, but I love your ideas! Remember, doves often aren't as hardy in cold, wintery regions and may need heating. They should have a box to enter for protection during storms and a shaded area where they can escape rain, sun, win but still be outdoors.

Another hint, be careful wild birds don't roost on top of the cage and poop inside of it. You could put some netting over that catches droppings but lets in sunlight. This will prevent disease spreading from the wild birds.


Best of luck!