My manager wants to build a new aviary, it is going to be indoors, fairly big (enough for a large group of finches), and six-sided - the problem ?....
He is refusing to have any other design than these 6 panels, so won't let us incorporate a safety double-door system. I suggested a half door, but our health & safety guy won't allow it due to the risk of bumping your head.
We can't risk letting birds out whenever I need to enter the aviary, but can't think of a way of solving this problem .. whilst keeping the (stubborn) boss happy. Any ideas? Any input would be greatly appreciated:)
You need double doors there is nothing else you can use for the safe of the birds. Without them the birds wll get out when someone goes in. You boss need to stop being so stupid and face that.
Your manager is daft. If the food and water dishes are attached so you can get to them from outside the cage - that will solve most of the problem - and cleaning the cage can be solved. Just clip or pin a cloth - such as a sheet, over the doorway before entering. Enter around the cloth so there are no openings for the birds to see and you will be in and out with no escapees. That should to it. Best to you and the birds.
why dont you do a simple box shape and have the door wide enough just so u can barely get in and have it at your hight ... that way it will be a tight fight and the birds wont be able to get through past your body or your head
Better yet, why not have the food and water dished accessible from the outside. All my cages are that way. There are various designs for that.
you could put mesh over the door and then when you go in, go under the mesh and open the door, that way if a bird comes out of the door it will hit the mesh like a net and there is less of a chance of the bird escaping. there is no real solution if he doesnt want a safety door , i dont have on on 2 of my aviaries with finches in and i have never had an escaped bird. you could put the safety door on the inside which would keep the outside shape and size the same but that would reduce the amount of room the birds have. if your carefull when going in and out the mesh should be fine. if that doesnt help all i can say is convimce the boss!;)
