Noise reducing aviary design

[Waterfaery]

Well it has finally happened. We've had peafowl here for 9 years and we got our first complaint today about the noise. We live in a rural area and only have a couple of neighbours. The one who has complained has only lived here for a couple of years so the peafowl were here before him. He was very nice about it and requesting in a friendly way for us to do something about it but I'm not really sure what we can actually do.

Anyway, we have actually been planning to build a new aviary for a while and are just at the start of the design stage so it's a good time to think about it. I'm wondering if anyone has experience of this or has any ideas for features that we can include that will help to block noise? There are already lots of trees between them and the neighbours. I'm wondering if a sound barrier type of fence would work or if it would just be a waste of time and expense?

It was specifically the night time calling that he was concerned about. I don't want to have to shut them in at night because I know how much the peafowl love sleeping outdoors but I'm wondering if that's the only option. Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[Debbie292d]

You can buy soundboard to line one or two sides or more of it. You wouldn't want to line the whole thing as they need the outdoors too, so maybe just half way up to cover the height they are at for the most time.

We bought some to soundproof my home office which has two macaw parrots in it. They don't scream while I'm in it, but once I leave, whoa they start in. We have a solid-core oak door too. That way we can enjoy a meal without hearing them.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

I lock mine into a coop at night, they are yearlings but they still make some noise, but their sound is quite muffled. Hopefully you get some good ideas.

 

[Waterfaery]

You can buy soundboard to line one or two sides or more of it. You wouldn't want to line the whole thing as they need the outdoors too, so maybe just half way up to cover the height they are at for the most time.

We bought some to soundproof my home office which has two macaw parrots in it. They don't scream while I'm in it, but once I leave, whoa they start in. We have a solid-core oak door too. That way we can enjoy a meal without hearing them.

Thanks, I'll look into soundboard. Do you think it's something that would work in an outdoor setting?

 

[KsKingBee]

The most intense time for calling here is April, May, and June, the rest of the year they don't make much noise. Personally I wouldn't go to a lot of expense to appease someone who also lives in a rural area, animals come with the territory.

 

[Waterfaery]

I lock mine into a coop at night, they are yearlings but they still make some noise, but their sound is quite muffled. Hopefully you get some good ideas.

Yeah, I really need some good ideas. I don't want to have to lock them in. Do you have a lot of hassle getting them in every night or have you trained them to go in themselves? Mine are between 3 and 9 years old so it might be hard to change their ways.

 

[KsKingBee]

The only way I have found to get peas to come back to a coop at night is to feed them only once per day and in the coop just before sunset.

 

[Waterfaery]

The most intense time for calling here is April, May, and June, the rest of the year they don't make much noise. Personally I wouldn't go to a lot of expense to appease someone who also lives in a rural area, animals come with the territory.

I know, but it's important to us to keep good relationships with our neighbours. The fact that we're planning a new aviary anyway means if there's a way to incorporate some sound proofing then maybe we can.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks, I'll look into soundboard. Do you think it's something that would work in an outdoor setting?

Soundboard or diffusers do work outdoors. Bands use them, or heavy moving blankets for instance, to keep the music facing forward.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

I just walk mine into their coop, it is 6ftx8ft, I had a much smaller coop that was very hard for them to be locked in, they go in very easily into their shed.
I will always lock mine in, in the night because of predator issues, and would hate for something to happen to them.