Buying an aviary

Last week on Burke's Backyard we showed you how to build an aviary in your backyard. However, some people may not be inclined to attempt constructing something themselves. Well there are ready-made aviaries in a range of colours, styles and sizes available from a variety of pet shops and aviary specialist throughout Australia. There are prefabricated aviaries or aviary do-it-yourself kits that are easy to put together in your backyard. Alternatively, for an extra charge, it is possible to have them installed.

What's on the market

When looking for an aviary for your backyard there are certain considerations to make so that you select the most functional and attractive aviary for the backyard.

Size and shape - The size and shape of the aviary required will depend on the size of your backyard and where you want to put it. The larger the aviary the better the conditions for the birds and the more landscaping which can be done inside the aviary. The more birds you have the more separate aviaries you will need. Landscaping inside an aviary is suitable for finches, doves and softbills (small non-seedeaters).

Note: If you are keeping parrots they will destroy any landscaping inside an aviary so landscape around the outside of the aviary instead.

Material - The material selected for your aviary should fit in with the rest of the landscaping in your backyard. There are a range of different materials available for aviaries including;

Standard Zincalume or Colorbond aviaries which comes in a variety of colours.

Treated pine timber frames which are much cooler in summer than the metal frames. But still provide the necessary protection from the rain.

Cost - The price of the aviary will vary depending on the other factors. In general the smaller and more basic the shape and materials used the cheaper the aviary will be. Prices range from as little as $284 for a simple flat roof aviary up to over $2000 for two octagonal modules joined by a runway.

Further information

Prefabricated aviaries are available from good pet shops, aviary suppliers and bird dealers throughout Australia. Our segment was filmed at Kellyville Pets, 106B Windsor Road, Kellyville, NSW, 2155. Phone: (02) 9629 3282.

Copyright CTC Productions 2006