"My brother and I recently built a large flight cage, 6'L x 7'T x 3'D, using 4 pre-fab screen doors. I got the idea from, "how to build your own flight or aviary," on FinchInfo.com.

I think the design has worked out well as there isn't anything I would change if I were to do the project over. It's easily maintained. I replaced the mesh screen in each door. The top half with vinyl coated hardware cloth and the bottom half with plexi-glass, so the birdy mess is well contained. I staple brown craft paper to the floor to protect the plywood. Once a week I vacuum up the loose debris and then roll up the paper and replace with fresh.

We used 1/2" plywood for the floor, back wall and top and 2" X 2" pine lumber for the framing of small access doors. I attached a vinyl lattice panel to the back wall to hang the seed hoppers from. Small branches can also be wedged behind the lattice for perches that are easy to remove for cleaning or to replace.

I had a 4' two-bulb shop light in the basement so only had to buy the full spectrum bulbs and a second timer to provide lighting for the 12 birds housed in this flight.

The stickers on the plexi are window clings. I found some really nice ones on e-bay that look like stained glass and bought several sets. I can remove and reuse them as much as I like. I was concerened the birds would crash into the plexi when first placed in the flight. During the 15 weeks I've had the flight in use, a couple birds have been startled when I entered the birdroom and bumped into the plexi. But ... they can't get up enough speed to do themselves harm. I like the look of the ivy clings so have kept them in place even though I feel it would be safe to remove the visual reminder at this point."

"First [I] looked for an unused location.

Aviary dimensions: 7 feet x 9 feet x 5.5 feet

Materials:

• Cement around the perimeter (8 inches deep and 6 inches over the ground against predators).
• 2 x 2 lumber for frame.
• Hinges for two doors.
• Night Latches for locks.
• [Mesh] wire over frame.
• Two feeding windows with piano hinges and hook and eye locks.
• Double door in case a bird slips by.
• Gravel flooring.
• Faucet.

The hardest parts were digging for the hollow block perimeter and connecting the [mesh] wires together.

I pre-painted the frames with water-based paint before nailing them together.

[I] erected an old tree trunk and hung another. Installed decorative (for us) and functional (for the birds) vines around. Then planted unfriendly (to the finches) plants and vines. They love to destroy plants.

Planted vines outside and [trained them to] crawl on the wire roof for naural shelter and sunlight. I also included a foot of [corrugated] roofing for harsh weather shelter.

Gave them nesting options - rattan nests tied atop each other on to a huge hanging vine, a little birdhouse, and a hollowed coconut.

I plant bird seeds and transplant them in the aviary when it's harvest time (seedlings won't stand a survival chance with the finches) so that they can eat from the real stuff. I also put in old basil plants that look like miniature old trees for them to perch on.

My favorite aspect:
Brings [the birds] close to nature and brings me there every morning for feeding and good coffee.

What I would have changed:
Lighting. But then again, they don't have that in the wild. I would not have put Philippine Cuckoo Doves and rock doves in it with the finches. Looking for foster parents.

Building tips:
Concentrate on predator protection, then put nature into the aviary. Looks are a plus, but looks are for humans. Presentable is okay as long as the birds are happy.

Other comments:
You don't have to spend so much for an aviary that will turn unused space into an avian soap-opera favorite nook."

"Enclosure is 4' × 8' × 2.5' with 1/4" mesh."

"[I use] my set-up for breeding (and keeping!)

This has worked great for me. As you can see in the picture I have added plants, though real ones. Just make sure they are not toxic to birds... I have also added lighting, in the form of aquarium strip lights; I replaced the original flourescent bulbs with full spectrum bulbs.

The cage dimensions are as follows:

• Exterior Dimensions: Width 64¾" Depth 21½" Height 60"
• Interior Dimensions: Width 64" (32" each side) Depth 21" Height 35"
• Bar Spacing: ½"
• Bar Thickness 2½ mm
• Stand Height 24"

"I've wanted to build my birds a much larger cage for a while now, but wasn't quite sure how to go about it or what I could use as a tray. Then, at work this summer, they dismantled one of the rolling carts and were going to throw the tray away... Instead, it went home with me and at that point, I just kind of jumped in and built the thing (with some help and lots of advice from my roommate.)

I put all my pictures on a slideshow ... for anyone who cares to see.

If I was going to build it again, I would probably consider building a stand to cut the height in half (and so I wouldn't always have to break it down everytime I move.) However, I don't regret anything I did. It's the first thing of this proportion that I've ever built and I learned A LOT in the process. It's a very rewarding feeling. "