by Mona » Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:49 pm
Good question and there are many things that you can do.
My backyard aviary has trees in it so the birds can hide in the trees. It is also quite large (16 feet X 7 feet X 7 feet I think). Eb Cravens counseled me to let the trees grow through the top so that it the branches provide cover in the event of a hawk attack.
I do not keep food in the aviary. I do not want to attract predators. I also use very small wire. I think it's 1 inch by 1/2 inch. Raccoons are DEFINITELY a big worry because they will reach into the bars and grab birds. They use the animal's innate curiousity to lure them close enough to grab.
I encourage my birds to be predator savvy. I want them to be nervous around cats, dogs and any thing that would be a predator. This way, they will be more likely to fly away from a threat rather than come close to investigate it. They are all flighted.
Finally, my birds are only out when I'm home with time to keep an eye on them. Raccoons do visit during the day so I watch. I don't think they can get in but I just never under-estimate what a raccoon can do.
Some people bury the wire under the aviary about a foot or so. This way burrowing animals cannot dig under. Some people also double wire their aviaries. This way a predator cannot reach in. Since mine are not outside unless they are supervised, I have not gone quite to those lengths.
I am a HUGE believer in fresh air and good sun for health.
Mona in Seattle
Phinneous Fowl (aka Phinney) TAG
Babylon Sengal
Doug (spousal unit)
Jack and Bailey (Gremlins)
Kiri (CAG)
http://www.flyingparrotsinside.comyoutube: Avian Flyers