How to Build Everything You Need For Your Birds

The author has, himself, personally experienced these early tragedies ----- only because there was simply little or no instructional material to be found anywhere on the subject! There were sporadic bits and pieces of information, to be sure, that one could pick from one or two available experts or out of avicultural publications, but they were usually sketchy at best, and often left the urgent questions unanswered and little for the imagination to work with. To some, this all must surely ring a familiar bell!

Sadly enough, there is still, today, a surprising lack of good, working information on this essential subject. Hence, the purpose of this book!

It is hoped that the reader who proposes to try his hand at constructing any of the designs contained in the following pages --- be it the "Aviary Eleganti" or one of the simple Finch boxes --- will experience the same personal enjoyment and pride in his endeavors as the author has experienced in preparing the basic guidelines for him.

The manual itself comprises several categories of avicultural equipment which might be considered the basic "essentials" required in the practice of good aviculture: housing, nesting, feeding and important miscellaneous equipment. Non-essential discussons have been purposely eliminated to keep the manual to the minimum size for the reader. The one-sided print format leaves room for the builders’ own notes and design modifications, a format requested by many former bird club members and other readers.

The section on housing comprises the first, and, by far, the largest category. And rightly so, since it is usually the adequate and proper confining of his pets that is of utmost concern to the aviculturalist and, by virtue of the many variables to be considered in designing a dwelling-type structure, there is an abundance of material to be offered the reader.

A goodly amount of analysis and final proof-reading was expended to ensure that every drawing, diagram, chart and bit of technical data was presented as clear and concise as possible and that all additive figures and dimensions represented an absolute minimum of cumulative errors. Claiming no infallibility, however, the author wishes to express apologies in advance should, in fact, any dimensional contradiction or miscalculation be discovered.

Before embarking on any one of the projects presented here, it is suggested the reader take pains to carefully study the working drawing thoroughly, paying particular attention to the material callouts, sizes to be measured and cut, and quantities of identical pieces. These are areas of preparation where even slight mistakes can result in unnecessary added expense.

Whenever practical, the builder should keep to the lumber types specified. If, for various reasons, a substitute type is preferred, he should stay away from the redwoods. Aside from Redwood being a soft, and weak wood, the very substances it contains which make it remarkably resistant to decay, disease, and insects can be potentially detrimental to the health of birds, particularly the wood "chewers". The most common working woods, and the best for our purposes, are Pine and Douglas Fir. Clear Pine, although a beautiful wood and a pleasure to work with, is more expensive and, for our needs, is not necessary. All of the laminated woods specified in the material lists are of the exterior type plywood’s which utilize water-proof glues in their manufacture.

Unless pieces of work are laid out accurately, it will be difficult to turn out a satisfactory job. Consistent use of a rule and a square in checking out all measurements as work progresses is a good habit to acquire and will help guarantee proper laying-out and perfect fitting of pieces. Lines and measurements should be marked with a very sharp pencil or metal point; never with a felt-tip pen or marker.

Power tools are not considered a prerequisite for building most of the projects described in this book, although the experienced craftsman or impatient beginner who has access to these tools will find them a great asset.

The only tools to consider essential for most of our needs are a hammer, hand saw, hand drill, an assortment of wood drill bits, several sizes of hole-saws that can be attached to the drill (for cutting nest box entrance holes), screw driver, medium-sized crescent wrench, pair of wire cutters, square, measuring tape and pencil.

Needless to say, the best tools will give the poorest service and results unless they are handled properly. The beginner might profit immensely by picking out one of the more simple projects to start with in order to test his ability to make precise measurements and use his tools correctly. This is particularly important where power tools are to be used for the first time.

As implied earlier, each one of the projects described has been designed and dimensioned according to the most popular notions among the professional breeders. Some ideas will be found to duplicate standard proven equipment of the types found in most pet shops and bird supply houses (at an expensive premium, incidentally). Other ideas stem directly from the personal experiences and considerable experimentation of the author in the raising and breeding of his own birds through the years.

By no means, however, should the reader feel confined to these ideas in totality simply because they are claimed "proven" or because they are widely accepted. In fact, many unique provisions are offered in many of the plans which do allow considerable deviations in size or form to be made at the discretion of the builder without materially affecting the basic design. One of the joys of aviculture, it must be remembered, comes from the ongoing experimentation and discovery of better, success-bearing methods and techniques of keeping birds in captivity so that they may fare as well or better in their artificially created environment --- in terms of their health, happiness, and willingness to procreate --- than they might in their native habitat. In his quest for these kinds of rewards, then, the hobbyist will want to deviate from set plans and implement the kinds of ideas he feels may be more conducive to the welfare of his particular birds. He is encouraged to do so.

Also left to the discretion of the builder is the mode and type of finish to be used on his completed project. An only precaution needing mention here is that any covering that is used on a surface which is accessible to a chewing bird should be of a lead-free, non-toxic formulation, which includes most paint brands found on the market today.