Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone know where I can get a large Aviary to keep monitors in. Looking for one atleast 15X10X6. I am in South East TX area, and it will be housing 2 Ornate Niles. I went to all the pet stores around here and even the Bird Specialty stores but not one has any info to where I can get one. The bird specialty place said only way is to build it. I would like to have a decent sized water feature, I also have some X-tra large pieces of slate for basking, and a lot of shrubs for aesthetics. Any info would be great guys.

>>Anyone know where I can get a large Aviary to keep monitors in. Looking for one atleast 15X10X6. I am in South East TX area, and it will be housing 2 Ornate Niles. I went to all the pet stores around here and even the Bird Specialty stores but not one has any info to where I can get one. The bird specialty place said only way is to build it. I would like to have a decent sized water feature, I also have some X-tra large pieces of slate for basking, and a lot of shrubs for aesthetics. Any info would be great guys.

That is my thoughts. Especially for Niles you don't want escapes so you want heavy duty and I don't think that is something you are gonna get off the shelf.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

I'm doing the chain link for my blackthroat. I researched it and considered all options. It really is a great way to house outdoors inexpensively.

No offense, but shouldn't you reserve your opinion until after you have used your chain link kennel for a while.

I understand you have decided to go that direction, but how well it works is still to be determined. Cheers

Frank,
I know you've been around long enough to pretty much see/hear it all and out of curiosity, have you ever heard of it being done, and the results?

Knowing you, I believe that you would've already said so if you had, but I'm just curious, that's all.

Have a good one!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

I think chain link would not be suitable for monitors and their management.

If you have ever worked with chain link, you will notice it has sharp areas, I believe its the galvanizing. Also, It has pretty large holes, I hope no smaller monitors will go in there. Also, rodents of all manner can get in, as well as other vermin. That also means, mice and rats can get out, or baby birds, etc. So it limits your husbandry.

It appears to be a case of limited research and thinking about something easy, but most likely will not work very well.

You must consider, CONTROL, is important with husbandry. Chain link, does not offer so much control. Oh, it will keep larger monitors IN. But thats about it. And that can be done with many many other products that offer more control.

Also, the boat is missed when folks ask me. As I think the "in" is far more important then the "out". So even with outdoor cages, what consideration is taken for their homes. Cheers

So with all your cage building experience FR, do you have any suggestions for outdoor cage material that would be cost efficient?

Did I ever say monitors are cost efficient?

First, the best way to make decisions is to start with something that works, then find the most cost efficient materials that fit that criteria. Not to find something cheap and hope it works.

Kinda reminding me of the fella with all the buildings.

So with that asked and answerd, why do you ask, it appears to be more along the lines of argumentative, then actual help. To contribute, all you have to do is suggest a better material or give reasons for YOUR thoughts. Not worry about mine. Cheers

Man, my daddy could've kept 'em in a pen with duct tape & bailin' wire. Now, that's cost efficient.

They say roses are red and violets are purple
Sugar is sweet and so is maple surple
Well I'm the seventh out of seven sons
My pappy was a pistol
I'm a son of a gun.

Dang me, dang me
They oughta take a rope and hang me
High from the highest treeeeeee
Woman would you weep for me.

Later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

I could suggest material, but it wouldn't fit the needs of the original poster because of its locality. Another poster suggested something that was inexpensive, and again the material I'm thinking of is not cheap so it wouldn't benefit their needs either

the question to you was the next logical question. You provided good points as to why chain link isn't any good, but you didn't provide examples of caging material you feel are superior and relatively cost efficient. Not being argumentative. But seeing as you have lots of experience with outdoor enclosures, I figured you may have some ideas that would benefit others.
cheers

Well, if I wanted to answer that, I would have. I do not need or want you to constantly bring me up.

I did not offer any suggestions for the very same reasons you decline to. The answer really depends on the person building the cage, and where they live, and what they have access too, what the heck their doing, etc.

As I mentioned, cost effecient is most likely out of the question.

Hopfully the reasons I gave for chainlink being a poor choice will lead the builder to make a better choice. After all, is that not what we are suppose to do. Give them reason to think, and not make all decisions for them. Cheers

n/p

>>No offense, but shouldn't you reserve your opinion until after you have used your chain link kennel for a while.
>>
>> I understand you have decided to go that direction, but how well it works is still to be determined. Cheers

I agree with this but also made my comment based on strength of materials. I live in NY. Not like it is warm enough to think outdoor enclosures.
But I was thinking of the damage to the hobby for every large monitor that escapes and roams long enough to be spotted. I can't see an affordable bird aviary that would work.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

I have spent a long time pondering this question. So long, I have not yet built a cage.

I settled on building a timber frame with 1 by 1 inch heavy duty epoxy coated galvinized mesh. I will do this in the spring.

The only pre-fab option I found was Corners Unlimited. They build cages to spec for zoos and so on. Given they can build stainless steel aviaries for cockatoos, I figured they could build a cage to hold a monitor. This would also cost a lot.

I also looked at steel mesh panels made for building industrial enclosures (e.g., for keeping people away from machinery). This looked good. You can by the panels individually and bolt them together. However I could see rust would eventually be an issue.

When I get a cage built I will post pics.

Sam