Aviary Mesh: A Guide to Choosing the Right Mesh Size for Different Birds

The mesh of your aviary is one of the most important components, yet it often doesn’t get a lot of consideration. The aviary mesh is a wire mesh enclosure and it is the one component standing between your beautiful birds and the outside world. This guide will outline the main points to consider when selecting the correct aviary wire whilst taking you through everything you need to know about bird aviaries and how to give your pets the best home possible.

What Makes Aviary Mesh Different From Regular Wire?

Most hardware stores stock a variety of wire mesh products. These products look simple but actually come in all shapes and sizes and are often individually designed for a specific purpose. Most wire mesh is NOT suitable for bird aviaries. Of all the different types of wire mesh stock, there is only one type that has been used for bird aviaries, and that type is chicken wire, which as the name suggests is designed for chickens.

The finish of the wire plays a huge part in the interaction that the birds have with the aviary wire. Small birds will spend most of their time perched on the wires, and larger birds will use the wires to climb up and down within the aviary. A rough edge or a poor weld can cause serious injury to the birds.

In terms of durability, the two best finishes for aviary wire are Hot Dipped Galvanised, and Powder Coated. Both of these provide a smooth surface for birds to interact with whilst also being able to withstand the weather. Hot Dipped Galvanising puts a much thicker layer of zinc on the wire than other methods, and as a result it is far superior for outdoor use in our Australian climate.

Aviary wire is made in two ways. There is Expanded Metal which is folded and formed to make the mesh, and there is Welded Mesh. We only use avian wire that is Welded. This type of aviary mesh has the crossing wires welded or permanently fused together. Welded Mesh is far superior to Expanded Metal aviary mesh as it retains its form better over time and will not work loose. Small gaps that open up in Expanded Metal over time can cause big issues, giving unwanted animals the opportunity to enter your birds environment.

Another very important aspect of bird aviary mesh is its ability to resist corrosion. As the wire goes through the corrosion process, the particles released from the zinc coating are toxic to the birds, and the wire itself will weaken and can cause damages to your aviary.

Why the Opening Size of Aviary Mesh Is More Important Than You May Think

Aviary mesh seems very simple, can my bird fit through that gap? That is a fair starting point, however it doesn’t quite paint the whole picture. There are multiple factors that need consideration when assessing what mesh should be used within your aviary. Mesh should allow for reasonable air and light penetration into the aviary whilst also keeping pests and potential threats out of the aviary. But what mesh is best for my bird?

Finches, Canaries and Budgies

There are many different species of birds which can be housed in an aviary. The smallest of the birds require the smallest apertures in the mesh, and for finches and canaries 12mm x 12mm is a good starting point. Smaller apertures can also be used if required.

The Budgerigar is slightly larger than the above mentioned species and would be more suited to an aviary with openings of 19mm x 19mm and larger. As a general rule with all birds it is better to go with smaller apertures than larger as they offer more protection for your prized birds.

The openings in aviary mesh need to be small enough to stop predators, pests, etc. entering the aviary, but also small enough to stop the birds themselves from getting a toe or foot through the openings, resulting in getting caught and possibly injured in the mesh.

It is surprising just how flexible rats are for their size, and many birds have been lost due to rats entering the aviary through small openings. Snakes can also enter aviaries through small openings and this risk is often overlooked when choosing a suitable mesh. Mice can also enter aviaries through very small openings and fine mesh is the best defence against these pests.

Just because a particular bird does not attempt to escape from an opening does not mean that it will not get hurt. A bird can have a part of its foot, or even its whole foot, stuck in the opening between the wire of the mesh while attempting to climb or even just stand on perches near openings. Injury is often caused by aggressive attempts of the bird to free itself from being stuck. The smaller the openings, the less chance there is for the bird to get stuck in said openings.

Cockatiels and Lorikeets

Medium birds such as the Cockatiel and Lorikeet fall into an interesting category. The typical opening size for these birds is 25mm x 25mm. However, the wire gauge is more of an issue for these birds. As mentioned previously, these birds are very active and love to climb, hang, and even chew on aviary mesh. Therefore, they spend a lot of time on the mesh and require a heavier gauge of wire to prevent distortion over time. A lightweight gauge of wire in a 25mm opening will begin to distort in a relatively short period of time, usually within a couple of years, and can turn the aviary into a dark, dingy prison for the birds.

Lorikeets can be ferocious, especially when it comes to damaging aviary materials. Don’t underestimate their power due to their small size!

Large Parrots, Cockatoos and Macaws

Large parrots such as Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are notorious for picking and eventually pulling apart aviary wire panels. This is because they perceive their aviary as a problem to be solved. They have great power, persistence, and time on their side and, as such, require very sturdy aviary mesh constructed with thick wire.

For the very large parrots, Cockatoos, and Macaws, etc., heavy-duty welded mesh of a thick wire gauge is used. The frame to which the mesh is attached must also be made of sturdy wire or tubing to form a strong and solid enclosure. When selecting aviary mesh for very large birds, consideration must be given to the opening size of the mesh. With these very large birds, the opening size is not so important in terms of preventing them from escaping through the mesh, but rather to prevent their toes, etc. from becoming trapped between the wires of the mesh. Should the birds grip the mesh with all their might and lean against it with their full weight, the mesh must hold its shape completely. Should the mesh flex and then return to its original shape, or if the openings in the mesh distort when subjected to such pressure, the birds’ can become trapped or stuck in the newly formed gap. Extracting the birds from such situations can be extremely difficult and cause considerable stress to the birds.

Mistakes That Keep Coming Up

Other common mistakes we see relating to aviary mesh include:

Choosing aviary mesh on price alone. This is one of the more common mistakes that we have seen. Yes, there is quite a difference in price between inferior mesh/fencing and quality aviary mesh in the short term. However, in the long term, there is almost always a saving with the quality product, considering repair, maintenance, etc., as well as the risks with inferior materials breaking and causing birds to escape or get hurt.

Many people fail to take into account the presence of local predators when selecting mesh. A simple suburban backyard in a quiet street is quite different to a property with bushland nearby, a body of water, or even a large block of farmland. Foxes, goannas, and snakes are just a few of the many potential predators to be found around Australia. When choosing a product for your aviary or enclosure, you must take into consideration the local predators and select a mesh that will be suitable to deter them.

It is crucial to remember that the installation of the aviary mesh is as important as the quality of the product chosen. If the mesh is not properly tensioned, then it will sag. Sagging mesh creates weak points around the edges and corners of the structure, and these are areas that are exploited. When installing aviary mesh, it is crucial to pull it tight and fix it to solid framing. It is also important to check the fixings of the mesh from time to time for signs of wear and tear.

Inspect your aviary up close at least twice a year, paying particular attention to corners, fixings, and where the mesh meets the frame. Corrosion often begins on exposed edges, so check these areas carefully for signs of rust. Also look for bent or separated wires and any movement where the mesh should remain firm.

Picking the Right Product for Your Setup

When selecting materials for making up aviary enclosures, the first consideration should be the type of birds being housed. Based upon the bird species and size, several characteristics can be established for the various aviary mesh products that will enable the most suitable mesh to be selected for the job at hand. This will generally include opening dimensions, wire gauge, and the type of aviary mesh product required.

Aviary Enclosures: Indoor or Outdoor?

Our aviary mesh products are used for both indoor aviary enclosures and free-standing outdoor aviaries. For indoor aviaries, you have a greater degree of flexibility with your aviary design. However, for outdoor aviaries, the major consideration must be the corrosion resistance of the product, and the coating that you choose will depend upon the climate that your aviary will be exposed to. Coastal and high-humidity areas are far harsher on aviary mesh products than the average dry inland area. Hot Dipped Galvanised aviary mesh is our standard outdoor product. We also carry a range of Powder Coated aviary mesh products. These are perfect for someone who requires a product that will last for many years and also looks great.

Remember to take into consideration the amount of time you wish to get out of your aviary enclosure. The mesh chosen for an aviary enclosure should last years with minimal maintenance.

To Conclude

The team at Direct Trades Supply have many years of experience supplying aviary mesh and fencing to bird keepers, breeders, and landowners in Western Australia. We have a vast range of products suitable for small backyard aviaries through to large commercial breeding establishments.