New pideons owner

[RezChamp]

Weasels are goin 24hrs/day. They are very high energy and need to hunt almost constantly. They sleep very little. They apparently like to drink blood but return to eat flesh when they don't/can't get fresh kill. I had a weasel in my shed where I process my harvested large meat animals. The weasel would gather and horde the trimmings. I was told that many years ago but finally learned it first hand when the weather warmed and a smell started permeating the shed. The little buggers had stashed in the back of the fridge and under the freezer and cupboards/storage units.

 

[RezChamp]

I am so grateful to my brother who is building it [for me his sis] He learned from my Dad who was pretty creative. Mark did some creative framing to maximize my floor space. I'm planning a vent in the ceiling with a sliding panel to adjust. Any suggestion on what size that vent should be - enclosed area is 4 x 6.
Should I have one 1/2 way up as well?

Oh, you're a woman...! So maybe I won't send my son down to work with you.
Joke is on me.

 

[biophiliac]

Oh, you're a woman...! So maybe I won't send my son down to work with you.
Joke is on me.

I'm 64, could use a young helper for the heavy stuff.

 

[biophiliac]

Weasels are goin 24hrs/day. They are very high energy and need to hunt almost constantly. They sleep very little. They apparently like to drink blood but return to eat flesh when they don't/can't get fresh kill. I had a weasel in my shed where I process my harvested large meat animals. The weasel would gather and horde the trimmings. I was told that many years ago but finally learned it first hand when the weather warmed and a smell started permeating the shed. The little buggers had stashed in the back of the fridge and under the freezer and cupboards/storage units.

So I guess I'll go to the 1/4" hardware cloth to cover the vents. I have some of that already.

 

[RezChamp]

I'm 64, could use a young helper for the heavy stuff.

Oh! LOL
You're 5 years older than me. I know what you mean. I could sure use some younger help too. I need to rest now and eat smaller, more nutritious meals more often. Not like before, have a large glass of water, eat an orange, eat a steak and 3 eggs, hash browns with onion, a couple slices of tomato, whole wheat toast, and top it off with nice rich cuppa Java with cream and brown suger would do me till bout 2-2:30. Now I can't even eat half of that. A bowl of porridge fills me up and lasts me only till 9:30-10. Strange how the last 3 years have changed so much.
A tad better than many of the alternatives tho'.

 

[RezChamp]

So I guess I'll go to the 1/4" hardware cloth to cover the vents. I have some of that already.

Oh ya.
That'll even keep out mice. And them darn EnglishHouseSparrow and EuropeanStarling. Filthy kritters them 2.

 

[biophiliac]

Oh ya.
That'll even keep out mice. And them darn EnglishHouseSparrow and EuropeanStarling. Filthy kritters them 2.

Do I need to think about a layer of window screen too - to keep out the mosquitos?? [I'm not sure if I'm kidding...heard mosquitositos carry pox]

Yes, rest assured - some of us are even older than you. You're the same age as my brother Mark. I hear ya on the eating and resting thing.
!!
and @brettshomestead , How are your birds doin'?
Sorry for hijacking your thread.....[NOT!!]

 

[biophiliac]

The roof vent on my loft (roughly 7x7x10'@the peak) doubles as a flight hatch(to let the birds out). It's rough opening is 24"X24" but finished opening is 21"X21". The screen is movable so I can open the hatch without the birds getting out or other critters getting in.

A vent about half way from the floor to the ceiling works great for me. You could consider it. Unless of course you plan to have nest boxes and or perches below that. Oh ya, also unless you plan on screening your door to be used as a vent.
I mentioned earlier that I prefer to have my upper and lower vents on the same wall. I've found it decreases "drafts".
I've found it better to have it so all vents can be opened/closed so you I control air flow.

All my vents will have hinged covers so I can open one or more, partway or all the way open. I was planning to have all the perches and nest boxes starting at about 18" above the floor so they can have all the space on the floor to walk around and flirt. I could squeeze in another vent halfway up. Not sure I understand about the heat bubble you mention....

I would stick with the 1/2"x1/2" mesh wire that is sold in 3'x25' or 4'x25' rolls at Home Depot. Not even rats can get through that. Staple it down well, at least every 6 inches, and maybe even throw a few screws down, because larger predators like coons will push things open.

Thanks, I think that's what I will use for the aviary. That's what you have on your aviary, right? Unfortunately we have all those predators, raccoons were even living in the building above the second floor porch! I managed to keep my chickens safe, so I'm hopeful for the pigeons too.

 

[scottcaddy]

I'm 64, could use a young helper for the heavy stuff.

Ahh, you are younger then I am after all, after seeing a pic of your brother I wondered?
Scott

 

[RezChamp]

Do I need to think about a layer of window screen too - to keep out the mosquitos?? [I'm not sure if I'm kidding...heard mosquitositos carry pox]

Yes, rest assured - some of us are even older than you. You're the same age as my brother Mark. I hear ya on the eating and resting thing.
!!
and @brettshomestead , How are your birds doin'?
Sorry for hijacking your thread.....[NOT!!]

I like using window screen. Apparently mosquitoes in North America are evolving to carry all kinds of diseases and there are many new diseases here now. Avian Flu for one. According to some literature tho' there is very, very little chance of getting it from pigeons. According to the same literature you're morelikely to get "Pigeon Lung" than most other afflictions. Mind you, bug-screen doesn't do much good when I leave the aviary access open.
OMG the mosquitoes are horrible here now. I don't recall this many when I was a kid. I need to use a head-screen now. If I don't they fly into my nose my mouth, my ears.....right thru' the OFF.