Wire Mesh Products for Aviaries
Did you know that Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world and birds are one of the most popular choices of pet?
In fact, 12% of Australian homes have pet birds and with an estimated total of 4.2 million birds that means’s 18 birds for every 100 people.
In the past, many pet birds lived solitary, miserable lives in tiny restricted cages.
This is no longer acceptable. The growing awareness of better bird care requirements means that 36% of bird owners now house their birds in more appropriate outdoor aviaries.
Protective Fencing supports animal welfare in Australia and we encourage pet owners to think of the welfare of their pets. That’s why we supply a wide range of aviary mesh for custom-build high-quality bird aviaries.
Pet birds need the freedom to spread their wings and Protective Fencing gives you the ability to build an aviary worthy of your precious birds.
Whether you’ve got Lovebirds, Budgerigars, Finches, Canaries or Cockatiels, Chickens, Peacocks, and Turkeys, Protective Fencing wire mesh will make the perfect partner for the aviary of your dreams.
Protective Fencing is one of Australasia’s largest and best-known aviary mesh suppliers and can manufacture custom sized wire diameters, mesh sizes, and roll widths and lengths.
We use the latest computer-controlled technology for superior precision throughout the manufacturing process including welds, aperture dimensions, wire diameters, and wire mesh panel sizes.
Custom Sized Wire Aviary Mesh
Standard welded wire mesh sizes in both panels and rolls include:
- Aviary mesh—0.6mm wire diameter, 12.5mm x 12.5mm aperture size, roll width 900 or 1200mm, and roll lengths 30m
- Rodent and snake mesh–0.6mm wire diameter, 6.5mm x 6.5mm aperture size, roll width 600 or 900mm, and roll lengths of 30m
- 2mm wire diameter, 75, 100, 125, 150 x 150mm aperture size, roll width 1200 or 1800mm, and roll lengths of 10 or 30m
- General mesh–2mm wire diameter, 75mm x 50mm to 150 x 150mm aperture size, roll width 900,1200 or 1800mm, and roll lengths of 10, 20 or 30m
Panel sizes are generally 2.4m x 1.2m or 2.4 x 3.0m.
Guidelines for Building an Aviary
The RSPCA give some clear guidelines about how much space birds need in order to lead happy healthy lives in captivity. Whether you are building a commercial or residential aviary the following guidelines from the RSPCA indicate the minimum size of aviary for your pet birds:
- The width of a cage for a pair of birds needs to be at least three times their combined wing span.
- The minimum length of a cage needs to allow at least 2 wing beats (the more the better) between perches. Perches should have enough space to allow the birds to turn around on the perches without scraping their tail feathers against the cage.
- The minimum height of a cage should be three times the length from head to tip of tail of the largest bird to be confined in it, and needs to be increased accordingly if more than one pair or more than one species is kept in the cage.
- There should be sufficient room for the bird to fully extend its wings and to fly without damaging wings or feathers on the walls or ceiling of the cage.
Remember, these are minimum requirements, and commercial aviaries, such as zoos or wildlife sanctuaries, should allow their birds to have considerably more space.
You also need to know that the keeping of native Australian birds in captivity or as pets is strictly controlled.
Regulations vary from State to State, so you need to check these first and obtain the appropriate licences if you wish to set up a native bird sanctuary, for example.
What Other Things Make for a Good Aviary Design?
Birds are generally social creatures and the RSPCA recommends that you should keep birds in pairs or larger groupings of compatible species. This ensures their needs for interaction are met.
Using Protective Fencing aviary mesh will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in the aviary.
This is important because birds can quickly and easily succumb to heat exhaustion. When you are designing larger aviaries think about creating a natural environment for your birds with plants or trees and areas where they can seek shelter from the weather.
The security of your birds is also a critical issue. You need to choose mesh that is strong enough to prevent your birds escaping and predators gaining entry.
Mesh aperture size also plays an important role in maximising your viewing pleasure.
Stainless Steel or Galvanised?
There is some evidence that birds can ingest potentially harmful heavy metals such as zinc from galvanised coated wire. Stainless steel is considered a safer alternative but is more expensive.
Stainless steel is the ultimate mesh material for your aviary especially in places where the wire mesh will be exposed to frequent scratching or biting behaviours.
Galvanised is a little cheaper but is tough and long-lasting. The galvanised coating will continue to protect the steel from corrosion even when scratched or damaged by inquisitive birds.
You can minimize the possibility of zinc poisoning by removing any coating imperfections with a sharp knife and washing the mesh with vinegar.
Protective Fencing can supply a wide range of aviary mesh including:
- Stainless steel wire mesh –304 and 316 grade stainless steel
- Galvanised—in a choice of standard or heavy duty coatings
Should I Use Wire Mesh or Netting?
The choice to use wire netting or steel mesh will depend on the size and type of birds that you intend to keep. Birds, especially the larger birds such as Cockatoos and other large Australian parrots, have surprisingly powerful beaks and can easily chew through wire netting.
We strongly recommend steel mesh for larger birds.
When choosing your aviary netting or mesh you will also want to think about how mesh aperture size will affect the ease of viewing, ventilation, and protection from rodents or snakes.
Protective Fencing is committed to animal welfare. Protective Fencing products have played an important role in the Federal government’s “Building Our Future” programme to make Australia’s roads safer for our precious native animals.
Protective wire mesh is made from tough Australian made steel. It’s built to last and designed to protect your birds.
Further information:
Source Attribution
- https://i.ytimg.com/
- https://www.allbirdcage.com/
- http://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/