Unexpirienced aviary peep asking questions

[ChickyGirl12]

I really, really, really, really would love to have an aviary! I adore birds! Except i already have three dogs, two cats, a goat, and 67 chickens. I was just wanting to ask the people who deal with it all the time, how much time does it take to clean/care for an outdoor aviary? It takes work to keep illnesses out, i would imagine. But what are some easy outdoor birds to put in aviary, and how much time and work and money does it take? Also is there any profit in it? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks!

 

[loftkeeper]

pigeons are ease to keep they need the basic dry place out of drafts but can go out side good feed they like to bath and will even bath in snow doves pretty much the same they should not be mixed with chickens in the same pen but no problems keeping both I raised chickens ducks geese and turkeys no problems you need to select what breeds you want then learn more about them the npausa.com is the national pigeon assn. website

 

[ChickyGirl12]

Oh, wow, thanks!

 

[paramount]

You can put in as much time as you want into cleaning. Some people clean constantly and still seem to have problems. Others (myself included) only do one or two thorough cleans a year. (I use a deep littler system).

The most important thing is that the interior is dry, that the birds get sunlight and that you have good ventilation. What you stock the aviary with will probably have much to do with local availability, unless you have the intention of shipping birds in (not that complex, but it IS getting expensive).

If you choose the right breeds, there is usually a market for the excess which can be sold at a profit.

 

[ChickyGirl12]

What breeds of doves are good?

 

[ChickyGirl12]

And where can you get them?

 

[loftkeeper]

did you go to the npa web site there is a magazine called purebred pigeon some breeds are easy to find others are found in certain areas others just hard to find now is a good tjme to get started breeders starting to cut back for winter and shows comeing up need the room where are you located some shows are starting soon and could make contacts there and see what you like I can tell you that most breeders will help you out with any question just remember there are breeds that require extra care and there fore will cost more

 

[laughingdog]

performance Birmingham rollers, cheapest easiest to keep breed of pigeons, next is flying flights, even than other rollers, tumblers, ferals or homers/racers. they can be pretty and great performers for you, but.. are hawk attractants to most, not to me, but i tease the hawks with my aggressive agile flights till hawks just ignore other pigeons when fly. easiest fancy breeds are capuchines figs and chinese owls, that I've had.