Window covers.

[marie83]

Ok I've been on about making some sort of protective cover for our windows for absolutely ages and still haven't got around to it. Basicly a precaution against accidental escapes (I've never forgot to shut the windows yet but I'm only human) and so we can have the windows open without restricting the birds out time. It's sweltering here today and with the windows shut we feel like we're cooking alive lol. We don't get many really hot days but when we do it's a shock to the system.

I don't have much money so I need it to be cheap, secure but easily removed, allow airflow and light in, preferable lightweight but sturdy.

I'm not too bothered if it looks unsightly as we don't have many guests and aren't on the ground floor, is made with a wooden frame because my current two dont chew (I can upgrade it in the future if need be).

My initial idea was a wooden frame with chicken wire but I have no idea to secure it and stainless chicken wire doesn't seem readily available round here.

Does anyone have any alternative ideas?

Also how about securing it so it doesn't topple over but can easily be removed? We are in rented housing so can't drill too many holes or risk causing damage.

[Michael]

You don't have screens on the windows?

I guess the chicken wire on a wooden frame is your next best bet. As long as the bird isn't regularly hanging out on it, it's not a big deal that it isn't stainless. You can soak it in vinegar for a bit to get some of the loose zinc off just in case.

You could also consider those see-through sort of blinds that have big holes in them. They'll still let some air/light through but obviously not bird.

[marie83]

Nopes, I don't think many UK houses do have screens tbh, at least none that I have been in.
I do however think they are a good idea though, regardless of whether you are a bird owner, if only to keep the insects out..

I'm not 100% what you mean by blinds with big holes but I shall have a quick google later and see if I can find what you mean. Thank you for your suggestion.

I should think your correct in that it won't matter about the zinc on the chicken wire as I wouldn't think either of my birds will go climbing all over it. I over think things alot lol.

[laducockatiel]

Yeah, pretty much no one has screens on their windows in the uk.

[Michael]

Kind of like the inner curtain of this: http://www.designemo.com/wp-content/upl ... ign-10.jpg

I still would prefer a screen or your frame idea with a screen cause then the mesh is too fine for the bird to land on and prevents bugs.

[marie83]

Ahh got you, We call them Net curtains or Voiles here.

I think I'll go with the chicken wire or something similar with a frame round. My parents used to have nets and they tend to rip quite easily, althought the ones my parents had were only cheap ones so probably not the best quality.

Thank you for your help.

[cml]

Ahh got you, We call them Net curtains or Voiles here.

I think I'll go with the chicken wire or something similar with a frame round.

I've been thinking the exact same thing, although with the aviary mesh I still have since building Stitch's and Leroy's old cage.

A wooden frame would work,and it would be easy to put the mesh onto it, what I am struggling with is how to mount it to the window frame (or actually on the outside-ish of the window frame, as our windows open inwards). We live on floor 5 of a very old building, built 1894 or there abouts with floors that are roughly 4m or 13.5feet each, so at 20m, using a ladder is impossible ^^.

Let me know if you figure out some smart solution, I love the idea as I would hate myself if I forgot the window open sometime! A safety barrier would be great, because we are really being cooked alive in here ^^!

[marie83]

Ahh got you, We call them Net curtains or Voiles here.

I think I'll go with the chicken wire or something similar with a frame round.

I've been thinking the exact same thing, although with the aviary mesh I still have since building Stitch's and Leroy's old cage.

A wooden frame would work,and it would be easy to put the mesh onto it, what I am struggling with is how to mount it to the window frame (or actually on the outside-ish of the window frame, as our windows open inwards). We live on floor 5 of a very old building, built 1894 or there abouts with floors that are roughly 4m or 13.5feet each, so at 20m, using a ladder is impossible ^^.

Let me know if you figure out some smart solution, I love the idea as I would hate myself if I forgot the window open sometime! A safety barrier would be great, because we are really being cooked alive in here ^^!

Yea I'm not sure how to mount it really, the windows aren't high but we rent so we have to be careful. We are allowed to decorate and put picture hooks up but I think anything else we need permission for.

An idea has just come to me as I was typing that. We do have a little vent thing directly above the windows, built into the frame so I'm thinking if its strong enough, using some sort hook to attatch the top end of the screen and using a couple of paper weights to push against the bottom so there is no gaps. That way we can remove it easily when we have guests or need to clean. Do you have anything similar? Could it work?

For you I have no real suggestion but maybe some sort of box you can fit on the window cill (if it's deep enough to support a box large enough to allow window opening) You could fit some sort of door on it big enough to get your hand through to reach the handle on the window perhaps so you don't need to remove it every single time? I reckon your going to be pretty handy with stuff like that if you built a cage.

[terri]

Marie today at work I ran into a woman who was from England.I asked her about there not being screens on the windows [strange idea to us in the states] .She wanted to know why I was asking and I told her about the birds.She said a relative had ringnecks that used some sort of netting material that covered the window and used thumbtacks around it to secure it.When he had his birds out.

[liz]

If you have wood frame windows you can use staples.

We all have screens on all windows. How do you keep bugs out?