galvanized wire?

I'm still in the planning stages of getting some coturnix quail and was hoping to keep them in an outdoor aviary rather than a coop. I might have some dove and finches in there also.

As I've been browsing the web, I keep coming across warnings about the dangers of galvanized wire. That it is toxic to birds. But in an aviary situation, are the birds really bothering the wire?

Is it best to avoid the galvanized mesh? If so, what reasonably priced alternatives are there?

I don't raise quail, but for an aviary situation I would definitely consider either 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth.

iwiw60 said:

I don't raise quail, but for an aviary situation I would definitely consider either 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth.

Click to expand...

Yes, the hardware cloth is made of galvanized steel. That is what I meant, though I do see that I just said 'galvanized wire.'
I was wondering about the cautions/warnings I saw about using anything galvanized.

Most fencing or wire that is meant for outdoors will be galvanized. Chicken fence is and is a industry standard. I don't see a of of dead chickens laying in my yard. I also know of many peoole using galvanized feeders or waterers. Also a home poultry standard.

As far as I recall, galvanized items are fine as long as they are not heated to high temps. Not used for cooking and such. When its heated to high temps it off gasses toxic fumes.

Some of My quail are in welded wire cages and some are in chicken wire cages. I have notice no health difference in either. Actually I like the chicken wire better. Its cheaper easier to work with and lighter.

Apparently what I'm reading is that galvanized wire is coated with zinc. Zinc is toxic to birds if ingested. So birds that use their beak to climb the mesh (like in the parrot family) may break off and ingest some of the poison zinc.

I assumed chickens didn't bother the mesh (like you said, it is "chicken wire") but I didn't know if it was an issue at all for quail or doves or finches.

It sounds like you don't have any issues with your quail.

I assumed I would have to go with the 1/2" hardware cloth for the upper portion and the 1/4" for the lower. It has to be strong enough to keep out coyotes.

Quail and chickens and any straight beaked type bird, aren't really a climbing bird. Or a chewing bird. Chickens roost some. Quail are pretty much ground birds. Even when they get out(my fault) they don't get off the ground. I mean they can fly....just don't much. They prefer to hide in the grass.

I'm in Michigan. I live in the country with coyotes all around. I haven't lost anything yet out of my chicken wire stuff. The biggest thing is quail are dumb. They will sleep and not move while something reaches through the wire and pulls them apart. Something like coons. I think if you want a walk in aviary type enclosure, I'd use 2x6 stacked 2 or 3 high to make a solid bottom all the way around. Then do the wire above that. You could use 1/4" and be fine. I'm cheap and use the 1" chicken wire. They don't fit through. But I'm not putting finches in either. And like I've said I've not lost anything yet.

For my chicken yard, I lay 24" chicken wire flat on the ground, I lay they out around what will be my yard perimeter. I then put my yard frame right on top of that flat wire. 1 foot on outside 1 foot on the inside. It keeps things from digging in and my stuff from digging out. I also use PVC to make my frames and not wood. It doesn't rot and is very light.

Something like this. But set on top of that flat chicken wire all the way around.

I like the idea of the boards across the lower portion of the walls. The mesh on the ground around the perimeter makes sense too. I would just have to weigh it down with something so it doesn't curl up and allow digging. (we are in the sonoran desert, so we have hard 'dirt' -- more like compacted dust and sand!)

I would have to keep the mesh opening probably no larger than 1/2" since I have to keep finches in and keep out small ground squirrels and kangaroo rats. Though I wish I could use a wider mesh.

Thanks for the ideas.

Tent stakes.