Is my aviary opening too large?

[biophiliac]

First draft? 4 x 6 footprint. Enlarge for detail.

lWest wall w/door 20" x 48"(I'm smallish) and ventilation hatch above.


East wall with bob-trap door above and Aviary door below. Hooks to hold aviary(really more of a sun-porch) ;D Un decided on roof

 

[Hokum Coco]

Is there any reason to have more than one bob door on a small loft?

No not really what you have planned will work fine. One is all I have personally. It is just an option I thought I throw out there.

 

[LamarshFish]

No not really what you have planned will work fine. One is all I have personally. It is just an option I thought I throw out there.

That's what I thought, thank you!

 

[LamarshFish]

First draft? 4 x 6 footprint. Enlarge for detail.

lWest wall w/door 20" x 48"(I'm smallish) and ventilation hatch above.


East wall with bob-trap door above and Aviary door below. Hooks to hold aviary(really more of a sun-porch) ;D Un decided on roof

That is fantastic that you are doing plans like this yourself. I realized in hindsight that this is very rewarding, after I sort of re-designed the plans I bought, and ended up with a loft that was in part my own design, I can only imagine how rewarding it would be to design and build one from scratch. Keep us posted with the progress.

A few things I learned that might help you: (1) use high quality deck screws with the "torx" heads, not philips, they will work much better than normal screws, and will last longer and hold things together better than nails. (2) use pressure treated wood on any parts that will touch the elements. (3) have the inside design of your loft well thought out before beginning construction and finalizing the design, taking things into account such as the size, number and spacing of your perches, nest boxes, where food and water will go (you want it covered by something so they can't stand on it and poop in it), etc--this way you won't run into problems once it is built. (4) use thin, trim screws any time you are fastening 2x2 pieces of lumber, as normal screws tend to split that sized lumber. (5) Any hardware you use, such as hinges, door handles, latches, etc, try to get stainless steel rather than other materials.

 

[biophiliac]

Thanks! re #3. I attempted to show some of the interior layout in the 1st drawing(footprint) but you have to be able to enlarge it or open in a new tab to see it well, sorry. Planing for about a dozen like you, starting with a few and building. I want to be able to get inside during bad weather to inspect and tame the birds. It will be a little cramped with me inside LOL, but Better than standing outside in winter or pouring rain. Planning for a sliding panel to divide the space if necessary, or leave open. Your further comments very welcome! and anyone else too

You are right, its kinda fun being a pigeon architect.

 

[LamarshFish]

Thanks! re #3. I attempted to show some of the interior layout in the 1st drawing(footprint) but you have to be able to enlarge it or open in a new tab to see it well, sorry. Planing for about a dozen like you, starting with a few and building. I want to be able to get inside during bad weather to inspect and tame the birds. It will be a little cramped with me inside LOL, but Better than standing outside in winter or pouring rain. Planning for a sliding panel to divide the space if necessary, or leave open. Your further comments very welcome! and anyone else too

You are right, its kinda fun being a pigeon architect.

Re the roof, I used 1/2" particle board (aka chipboard), and cut it so it had some overhang over all sides. I then simply put shingles on it. I let the shingles hang over the edge of the particle board about 1/2". I just thought shingles looked better than one of those large pieces of plastic or metal. I supposed you could make a roof out of pretty much anything you want.

Buy a roll of that 1/2" mesh wire (in the garden fencing department of Home Depot), and you will learn with a good pair of wire cutting shears it is very easy to cut and work with, it fastens VERY easily to wood using a heavy duty staple gun. Once you sort of get the hang of working with cutting this wire mesh and stapling it to things, the possibilities of things you can make for pigeons and other birds are endless.

 

[biophiliac]

Quote:
Buy a roll of that 1/2" mesh wire (in the garden fencing department of Home Depot), and you will learn with a good pair of wire cutting shears it is very easy to cut and work with, it fastens VERY easily to wood using a heavy duty staple gun. Once you sort of get the hang of working with cutting this wire mesh and stapling it to things, the possibilities of things you can make for pigeons and other birds are endless.


Yesss! That is exactly right! I used to have pet rats and my first cage I made myself in just that way. For many things you don't even need the wood frame. Just cut and clamp together with J-clips(cage clips) or even 'sew' it together with steel wire.