| By :
Michel Maling
Although cockatiels are hardy birds, it is a good idea to plan some sort of shelter for them in an outdoor aviary. They will appreciate somewhere dry and sheltered where they can escape from bad weather. Traditionally, shed like structures served this purpose that attached directly to the rear of the aviary. In fact if you have a spare shed in your garden, it can be easily converted into a shelter for your cockatiels, and the flight area can be built around an outside window. Don't forget to take the glass out so that the birds can fly in and out freely. If you would like to go down this route, you can also buy second hand sheds at reasonable prices at a bargain or garden centre. Look to purchase at the beginning of winter when the display models are usually sold at discount. It is somewhat more complicated if you build the shelter yourself, and you will need to allow for the sloping of the roof. The simplest method would be to build a flat roofed shelter made from a tough marine plywood, and the highest part of the roof should be attached to the flight area. Slope the roof towards the rear to allow excess water to run off. If the enclosure is well lit, it will encourage the birds to roost there. To do this you will need to have some windows covered with wire mesh which can be fixed carefully with netting staples. Flatten down the cut ends, or the cockatiels could fly into them and injure themselves. Insulating the shelter should be worthwhile. Try using insulation materials that you would use in your house, as these will be less of a fire hazard than the cheaper forms of insulation. Follow all the precautions carefully when installing the insulation, and then cover it completely with hardboard or thin plywood. Cover all accessible edges with battening or the cockatiels will be tempted to nibble at the edges of the wood, and it will not be very beak resistant. Insulation should be thought about before your shelter is finished, as it will be easier to put it in before doing the finishing touches. The roof unit will definitely be easier to insulate before the structure is fully assembled. The doors to the shelter will come on last, or they will just get in the way of the building process. A connecting door, opening outwards from the shelter into the light is a must, regardless of any other entrances to the aviary itself. Separate doors to the external aviary and the shelter are not necessary. Remember to allow for a safety porch that allows you to enter the aviary without your precious birds escaping. It is best to have a door on the shelter, as this is where you will have the easiest access for the feeding of the birds.
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