Need ideas for a Aviary for my Peafowl, bunch of questions,I picked up most of the Lumber today.

[frenchblackcopper]

E-bay for the top netting.

 

[Joe.G]

Do you have a link to who you used?

 

[Trefoil]

I got mine at cutlers poultry supply at a meet. For ebay just do a search for poultry netting and then go to their website, most of the sellers are companies.

 

[BYC-user-174785]

Here is where I got mine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-x-50-Hea...265?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ead948c71

I also live in New York, and I was the one who contacted you about peafowl. If you want, you could come over if you are not too far away to look at my setup and perhaps buy peafowl or pheasants. PM if you are interested.

 

[Joe.G]

So should I use 1x2 Welded Wire instead of 1/2x1/2 Hardware cloth? Should I use Netting or Chicken wire for the top ( Ceiling )? I want it to look good and also be safe. Thanks

 

[frenchblackcopper]

With some of the snowfall amounts just dumped all in NY State if your aviary had hardware cloth over the top it would all be on the ground now.I think you should seriously forget about how things looks and concentrate more on what is functional,cost effective,and in the best interest of the inhabitants of your aviary.
We have built a dog kennel here many years ago.That being said my main goal for that project was keeping all dogs within their respective runs,keeping them from digging under a fence to get into the next pen(***** german shepherds will kill competition females when in heat) and lastly looks because we built it just behind our home and have many people come here throughout the year to buy and look at dogs.
A peafowl aviary does not require preventative measures for digging,or strength of wire to keep from getting to the next run inhabitants.But Peafowl pens needs to restrict the birds from flying out.They must be protected from predators wanting to get inside their pens.
If you have no predators,use chickenwire. If your not going to breed by color or keep some birds seperate a sight barrier is not needed.If you constantly clip their flight feathers off,no need for netting over the top.
Hardware cloth has a purpose but using over the top of an aviary is not one of them.It is as easy to rip as chicken wire.And since you say 2x4 welded wire will allow some predators to get thru the wire it is not predator proof.My idea to that is running a low impedence hot wire around the base and top of the pen.After all,6000 volts lighting up a racoon or weasal will get them medium rare in no time

 

[Joe.G]

I just went out to my Coop and ,My 1/2x1/2 Hardware cloth feels pretty tough, So how about Hardware cloth on the sides and Chicken wire either 1 inch or 2 inch for the top? If I have to go out there and brush the top off during a storm that is ok. I appreciate all of the comments, not trying to argue just trying to learn.

 

[pedda munnangi]

Hi, Joe. If you use poultry fence to cover the top, the snow is not going to pass through , instead , will pile up on the top and when it becomes heavier, total collapses. Therefore, my suggestion is use some kind of a mesh with bigger holes, 1 x 2 inch rectangular holes . It has been my experience. I ripped off all the poultry fence the following year and replaced with the right one.

 

[Joe.G]

That is why I am thinking about using the 1 inch or 2 inch Chicken wire, this way it is more flexible also so the birds won't break there necks if they fly up into it, I am just worried about a weasel climbing down into it.

I just want the birds to be safe and at the same time I want it to look good, I have put a lot of effort into my home, I want to be proud of my aviary, and I want to be able to enjoy and have others enjoy this beautiful bird.

 

[destinduck]

As for the top in my opinion you cant beat 2in knotted netting. Pacific and toprite are both good brands. Flying peafowl hit the top HARD not to mention that you will have snow as well. I dont like wire on tops for peafowl. I dont have just all peafowl in my pens but if I did I would go with ALL chainlink just cause it last better than all the others. If you have hotwire use whatever side wire is cheaper or what you already have. Again this is just my opinion and what I would do. As FBC and others pointed out. LOTS of ways to go here no doubt. Edited to say hotwire means no weasals no nothing.