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Is Galvanised Mesh Safe for Birds?

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:08:59 GMT

When setting up an enclosure for your feathered friends, ensuring their safety and well-being is of utmost importance. One common material used for bird enclosures is galvanized mesh. However, a critical question arises: is galvanized mesh safe for birds? Let's delve into the facts and explore why ClearMesh might be the safer and more cost-effective option.

The Composition of Galvanized Mesh

We all know what animals and birds do when they have mesh in front of them, they try to get out by biting and chewing the mesh. The trouble with conventional mesh is that it's hot dipped galvanised after manufacture, meaning that once it has been spot welded it is then dipped in zinc galvanising fluid that sticks to the mesh.

This process may protect the mesh against corrosion and rust, however your birds may end up ingesting the zinc coating that comes off when they gnaw at the mesh.

The Dangers of Zinc Toxicity

Birds are known for their curious nature. They often peck and chew on their enclosure materials. If your bird ingests flakes or dust from galvanized mesh, it can lead to zinc poisoning. Symptoms of zinc toxicity in birds include:

Lethargy: Birds may become unusually tired and inactive.
Loss of Appetite: Affected birds often eat less or refuse food entirely.
Vomiting: Regurgitation or vomiting can be a sign of ingestion of toxic substances.
Diarrhea: Changes in droppings, such as diarrhea, can indicate poisoning.
Feather Plucking: Birds might start plucking their feathers due to discomfort or pain.
Seizures: In severe cases, zinc poisoning can lead to seizures and even death.

Given these serious health risks, it's clear that galvanized mesh poses a significant threat to your bird's health and well-being.

The Dangers of Plastic-Coated Mesh

Plastic-coated mesh is another material sometimes used in bird enclosures. While it may initially appear safe, this coating can degrade over time, especially when exposed to harsh weather conditions. As the plastic deteriorates, it can crack and flake off, becoming a choking hazard or an ingestion risk for birds. Additionally, some plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach out and pose toxicity risks, further endangering your bird’s health.

ClearMesh: A Safer Alternative

ClearMesh offers a superior alternative to both galvanized and plastic-coated mesh. Made from stainless steel, ClearMesh is free from harmful coatings and chemicals, ensuring a safer environment for your birds. ClearMesh is also softer against birds compared to welded mesh, preventing damage to a bird's feathers and cere due to its flexible properties.

Keeping Parrots Outside

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:09:05 GMT

Keeping parrots outside in the UK can easily be done, however you will need to make some adjustments to a standard aviary to keep them safe and protected. Parrots are an exotic bird species and are therefore not acclimatised to the English weather, so you must ensure you have methods of keeping them cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.

Best Temperature for Parrots

You should always do research into the most ideal temperature for the parrot species that you have, however most parrot species are comfortable within a temperature range of around 19-22°C . If you want to keep your parrots outside full time then you will need to invest in some temperature measuring and alteration equipment, which can be found in almost any pet shop and set up fairly easily.

If you're unsure about keeping parrots outside permanently, the alternative course of action is to build a flight, rather than an aviary, to give your parrots some outdoor flying time when the weather is suitable.

Keeping Parrots Safe Outside

Keeping parrots outside all day and night can be scary, especially if they have become more like feathered family members, but there are things you can do to keep your parrots safe and secure.

Pests

Pests can be a potential threat to your parrots by causing stress, injury and disease. There are multiple pest control products on the market, but be wary of using poisons if you have other pets or children that use the space around your aviary. More humane options include using pest control mesh or an aviary mesh with an aperture small enough to prevent pests, such as ClearMesh .

Predators

Predators are the biggest threat when keeping parrots outside. Before building your aviary you should conduct some research into the local predators that can be found in your area and ensure that your choice of aviary mesh is capable of deterring them.

Disease

Being out in the open leaves your parrot at risk of catching disease, such as Avian Flu, from local wildlife and pests. Practicing good hygiene, such as regularly washing your hands and covering or changing your shoes when inside the aviary, can help to prevent diseases from being carried into your aviary from outside.

Weather

Depending on where you live, weather conditions may be a concern for the structural integrity of your aviary. In the event of extreme weather conditions, such as extreme flooding, hurricanes or high force winds, it might be a good idea to prepare an indoor area for your bird. Having an emergency cage on hand could help in these instances.

The Benefits of Keeping Parrots Outside

Despite the concerns of keeping parrots outside, there are also plenty of benefits:

Physical exercise.
Mental stimulus.
improved mental and physical health.
Less obstacles when out of their cage.
Bond strengthening between bird and owner.

Interested in keeping your parrot outside? Get started on your aviary build today by ordering a FREE sample pack of ClearMesh! ClearMesh is capable of keeping out pests and predators whilst fitting effortlessly to any shape and size aviary that you want.

Aviary Mesh - RSPB

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 11:53:58 GMT

We have been supplying our aviary mesh to the RSPB to help protect the seabirds of Gough Island.

Gough Island is a volcanic island located in the South Atlantic Ocean, more than 1,500 miles off the shore of Cape Town, South Africa. The island acts as a nesting ground to seabirds such as various types of Albatrosses, Petrels and Moorhens.

Mice have been accidentally introduced to the island and have been feeding on all species of the seabird chicks, devastating the number of eggs and chicks being raised. Several species of seabird are now facing extinction as a direct result.

With our aviary mesh, the RSPB are doing all that they can to protect the seabirds and their chicks from extinction. ClearMesh is extremely robust against rodents. The RSPB have made some fantastic aviaries for the Moorhens to safeguard their population until the eradication of the invasive mice, after which the Moorhens will be released.

Considering the islands rough terrain, the RSPB have had to fly in their equipment via helicopter, our aviary mesh is very lightweight making it ideal for navigating harsh terrains.New paragraph

This project has been completed previously on the South Georgia Island by the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT). This project was a massive success and the island is now completely rodent free, giving great hope for the future of Gough Island.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits and uses of our ClearMesh, or you would like to see how our ClearMesh can help your conservation project, then please feel free to contact us.

How to Install ClearMesh

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 11:49:53 GMT

ClearMesh is easy to install, lightweight and flexible, giving you creative freedom when designing and building your aviary.

The best process for installing ClearMesh is dependant upon the structure that you plan on using. Different installation methods can be used for metal and wooden structures. There are also some installation tips that you should be aware of.

Tips for ClearMesh Installation

Due to its knitted pattern, you should fold over the edge of the mesh when installing and joining it to prevent it from unravelling. Alternatively to folding the mesh, overlapping will also work for joining the mesh together.

You may want to paint the mesh black to further increase visibility into the aviary/exhibit. To achieve this, most customers use a paint roller and apply the paint after the mesh has been installed. Be sure to use a paint that will not harm your animals and ensure that the paint is dry before allowing them into the aviary/exhibit.

Ensuring that the mesh is pulled tightly during installation can prevent it from being stretched under the weight of snow, predators or your animals.

Installing onto Wood

When installing ClearMesh onto a wooden structure, the most secure method is to sandwich the edges in-between two pieces of wood. Most customers choose to use staples to secure the mesh onto the wood.

As mentioned above, ensure that you fold over the edges of the mesh, or place the staples a few stitches in from the edge to prevent the mesh from unravelling.

Installing onto Metal

ClearMesh can be installed onto metal poles using either tie wire, cable ties or we can provide some of our wire for an added cost. It is best to use stainless steel wire for installing the mesh against other metals to prevent the mesh from rusting.

Welding the mesh to a metal structure should be avoided, as the weld can begin to rust and affect the integrity of the mesh.

Spacing the metal poles out by 2 metres will prevent you from having to join the mesh together.

If you are still unsure how to install ClearMesh or have any questions regarding this article, then please feel free to contact us for further clarification.

Joining Aviary Mesh

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:55:14 GMT

We have had many enquiries about joining bird aviary mesh together, so we thought that we would compile all of the different ways to join our mesh into one article!

The process of joining the mesh together is not actually as complex as some may believe, it is extremely simple, inexpensive and will not negatively impact the strength of the mesh.

Hog Rings

The most common methods of joining our mesh together is using hog rings . This is a quick and easy method of joining, however it is important to ensure that the hog rings are made of stainless steel, as galvanised hog rings will corrode and break.

You should also ensure that you fold over the edges of the mesh before joining to prevent the mesh from unravelling. To see a short tutorial for this method you can watch our YouTube video .

Twizzing

Twizzing is a method of joining two pieces of knitted wire mesh together. The method involves using a crochet style hook to grab wire from either side and twist them together.

It is important to make sure you twist for 3 full rotations, as 2 could cause the wires to come undone and 4 could cause the wires to snap.

It is important to ensure that you do not twiz the raw edge of the mesh otherwise this could cause the mesh to unravel.

Stitching

An alternative method of joining 2 pieces of mesh is to stitch them together using wire, which we can supply to you at an added cost.

We recommend using stainless steel as this is resistant to corrosion and conforms to the long lasting quality of the mesh.

This method involves lining up the edges of both pieces of mesh and using a 'dog stitch' to thread wire through the stitches and create a join.

Non-joining

If you would like to avoid having to join the mesh together entirely, then you should consider.

This is a great way to produce a seamless joint without obstructing too much of the view into the enclosure.

If you would like to learn more about our Bird Aviary Mesh or would like to receive a quote then please feel free to contact us today.

Keeping Budgies Outdoors

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:25:38 GMT

Best Temperature for Budgies

Budgies are native to Australia and are most comfortable at a temperature of around 21°C – 23°C, however they can withstand between 16°C – 26°C. Budgies should not be subjected to drastic changes in temperature as they do not cope very well, if you are planning on moving them from a cool indoor area to a hot outdoor aviary, you should gradually increase the heat first before moving them outside, and vice versa.

When outdoors, you should continuously check on your birds to ensure that they are not overheating or too cold.

Managing The Cold

There are ways of managing the cold weather when keeping your budgies outdoors, although, if possible, you should ideally bring your budgies indoors during the winter months. If this is not possible, then the easiest way to keep your budgies warm is a bird safe heater.

Using a heater can get tricky, as you do not want to increase the temperature of the aviary too much and cause the birds to overheat, so you want to ensure that the heater you purchase comes with a thermostat and thermometer to measure and adjust the heat within the aviary.

You should be able to keep your aviary completely closed off during the winter to prevent any draughts and prevent heat from escaping. Our section on setting up an aviary below will offer guidance on how to achieve this.

Managing The Heat

Similar to the cold, the best way to protect your bird against extremely high temperatures is to bring them indoors if possible, if not, then a fan can be used (ensure the fan is set low and not directly facing them) on non-humid days. An air conditioning unit would be most ideal for more humid days (as a fan would just begin blowing around warm air) in the midst of summer, and a bird bath is a must to prevent the birds feet, legs and beak from drying out.

It is also recommended to regularly and lightly mist your budgies, however you should ensure that the water is not extremely cold as this can send them into shock. You could install an automatic misting system on a timer to help keep the birds cool.

Aviary Set Up

If you are planning on keeping budgies outdoors you should ensure that your aviary is equipped to deal with their needs. The size of the aviary should be dependent upon the number of budgies you plan on keeping and how much room you would like them to have to fly around. According to Omlet : "you need at least 13cm aviary length per budgie, with a width measuring at least half the length. So, in a cage measuring 130x130x65cm you can house 10 budgies."

The aviary should have both an outdoor area for flying and keeping cool, and an indoor area for safety and keeping warm in the winter. It is a good idea to house your budgies during the night to protect them against predators and low temperatures.

Leaving the door open to the indoor area of the aviary will also give the birds the option of going inside for shade during summer, or heat during winter.

In order to accurately measure the temperature of your aviary, you should place a thermometer in both the indoor and outdoor area to ensure that your budgies will not freeze or overheat.

As discussed above, heating and cooling systems should be installed to protect your birds against the weather. If you feel you would struggle to provide this, then you can adapt a spare room in your house or a conservatory into an aviary, like the image to the right provided by one of our customers.

Building your own aviary, whether it be indoors or outdoors, allows you to be creative. You should ensure that your aviary is big enough for your birds, or if not, then you should allow your birds plenty of flight time outside of the aviary.

As you can see in the images to the right, one of our customers had the creative idea of turning a cabinet into an indoor aviary for her budgies. It allows enough room for 2 budgies to perch and fly.

If you are thinking of keeping budgies outdoors, you can order a FREE sample pack . Alternatively, you can contact us for more details.

Tips for Building a Secure Aviary for Your Birds

183:916911976 (Steph Bromilow) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:21:38 GMT

When building an aviary for your bird, it is important to ensure its security to keep your birds safe and prevent any great escapes! There are several things you can do to improve the safety and security of your birds and prevent anything from getting in or out, or to prevent your bird from getting injured, sick or stolen.

Weather Proofing

Depending upon what bird species you have and where you are located, you may need to take measures to ensure that your birds are not exposed to certain weather conditions such as high or low temperatures. Building a roof over your aviary and offering indoor spaces is the easiest way to regulate how the weather will affect your birds.

Indoor areas will keep your birds warm during winter and provide shade from the sun in the warmer weather. It is also much easier to control the temperature within an enclosed area using thermometers, heaters and cooling systems.

Pest & Predator Proofing

You should consider what pests and predators you may encounter within your surrounding natural environment in order to fully proof your aviary and protect your birds.

The most common pests are rats and mice which can be difficult to deter, especially without causing harm to wildlife and the environment. Using methods such as rat poison or other pesticides can have a damaging effect on local birds, foxes and domestic cats who might end up eating it and they are the leading cause of the declining numbers of several Bird of Prey species. Many people also consider rat traps to be inhumane and cruel.New paragraph

The best way to protect your birds against rodents is to use an aviary mesh that has a very small aperture, as mice can climb through holes as small as 6-7mm in diameter. Using metallic meshes as opposed to plastics and textiles will ensure that rodents cannot chew through the mesh either.

Your aviary mesh should also be strong enough to keep out any predators such as cats, foxes and birds of prey, and you can protect your birds against nocturnal predators by securing them in an indoor area overnight.

You should also proof the flooring of your aviary against pests and predators to prevent them from digging under your mesh to get through. You can proof your flooring by using a solid base structure such as concrete, or by reinforcing your current flooring with a suitable mesh.

Theft Proofing

If you have a desirable and expensive bird collection then you may want to consider protecting your aviary from potential theft attempts. There are a few security measures that you can take to deter thieves from targeting your aviary.

Using a double door system will give thieves an extra barrier to get through, slowing them down and making them less likely to target your aviary.

Using a mesh with a very fine aperture will also make it more difficult for thieves to use cutting tools to gain access to your aviary. Anything that provides an extra barrier or slows down a theft attempt will prevent thieves from targeting your collection.

Setting up CCTV cameras can also prevent your aviary from being targeted, as well as helping you to monitor any break in attempts from pests and predators.

The Ultimate Solution

ClearMesh aviary mesh can prevent pests, predators and thieves from getting into your aviary, and has a myriad of other benefits too! With an aperture of 4-5mm, it is too small for rodents to climb through and would give thieves a hard time cutting through it. We also have a range of humane pest control solutions to choose from.

Order your FREE samples today, or get in touch for further information.