Artistically Combining Edible Landscaping and Aviaculture

Since childhood I have been interested in the animal enclosures at zoos and parks. Much of this interest has been specific to avian enclosures, commonly called aviaries or flights. I have always admired lushly planted aviaries, or flights, and detested the ones that appear utilitarian and barren. Since two of my passions are edible landscaping and aviaculture, this played a role in property selection when my wife and I moved to the country.
After moving to the country and attending exotic animal auctions, and fowl shows, I realized that many other people also move to acreages or hobby farms with dreams of raising ornamental birds as pets, or for profit. I feel that keeping or raising ornamental birds in utilitarian aviaries or flights diminishes their beauty and health as well as making your property resemble a simple factory farm. A much better option is to combine edible landscaping with lushly planted aviaries, to create beautiful garden spaces on your property that benefit both you, and your birds. Lushly planted aviaries that blend with your property's landscaping is much healthier, aesthetically pleasing, and can provide food for your family and birds.

Your Climate?

Your local climate determines what structures you can build, how to build them, what you need to include in their design, what plants you can grow, what type of water features you can include, and what type of species or bird you can house. The only factors that are as important as climate, are the local laws concerning livestock, and building codes. If you live in a colder climate you will want to keep ornamentals that tolerate colder temperatures during the winter, such as pheasants. If you live in the tropics you might consider becoming a part of a captive breeding program for threatened local species. In some climates you may be able to keep everything from pheasants to toucans, provided you give them the right type of shelter. Remember, your plants will provide some wind and sun protection, but they may require additional shelters.

Nuts, Bolts, and Wires

One of the easiest ways to incorporate an aviary within your landscaping is by purchasing a kit. There are no "An Aviary in Box" kits, but you can find basic structure kits that can be turned into an aviary and placed free standing, or built around existing trees or rock formations. I suggest using geodesic framing kits that are available in various geometric shapes. Assembling these kits require only very basic tools and skills. A few companies sell connector kits which can be shipped inexpensively and then purchase the framing material locally.. Stromberg's, a mail order hatchery, sells a system called Starplates, that consists of metal plates that connect wood framing together to create a geodesic structure that is said withstand 10,000 Pounds of downward pressure. With Starplates, you are limited a few specific geometric shapes. Another company, Garden Dome, offer connector kits for numerous geometric shapes that can be used by themselves or combined with other kits to create amazing aviaries.

Once your have the frame of your aviary constructed and in position you will need to cover it with some type of wire. Do not use chicken wire or screening, they will not hold up over time. If you are keeping larger birds, use 2" Stucco Wire, which is fairly inexpensive, strong, and endures over time. If you are keeping smaller birds, you will need to use the smaller size, and more expensive hardware cloth, sometimes called poultry wire. Attach the wire to the frame using U shape nails proportionate to the wire used.

After you have the basic structure in place, you will want to construct shelters for your birds. These shelters can be incorporated with ornamental garden sheds, or covered with faux rock formations. Their construction will be dependent on the birds' requirements and your tastes. Let your imagination run wild.

Toxic Plants?

Many aviaculturists will tell you birds won't eat plants that are bad for them. However, because of concerns of accidental consumption, plants inside or surrounding the aviary will be somewhat dependent on what plants are toxic to specific species kept in the aviary. One may look at toxic plant lists on the Internet, but, most lists circulating are of little use in aviaculture, as they include many natural food sources of avian species because those plants are toxic to equines, reptiles, or humans. It is best to ask older aviaculturists what plants they use in their aviaries.

Strategically Planting In and Around An Aviary

Your goal is to hide the frame of your aviary so that when you look at it from a distance it appears natural, and as if there is no enclosure. Fallen trees and stumps can be used inside and around the aviary as your birds will take care of any pests living in them. Any young plantings inside the aviary will need their roots protected from the birds by placing rocks around them. Some species may be very destructive to any plantings and only the hardiest plants will survive in their aviaries.

Vines, bines, and bushes are going to be your most effective means of making your aviary fade into the landscape. Vines, like grapes, take years to grow, and over time hide the aviary frame. Bines, like hops, grow vigorously in one season then die back, thus hiding the aviary frame in the the summer and fall. Bushes, like Raspberries, that spread through suckering can be planted around an aviary of larger species who will effectively destroy any unprotected suckers inside the aviary, while the original planting outside of the aviary fruits and hinders intrusion by predators. These three types of plants that conceal aviary framing also provide much needed shade in summer, a sense of privacy for your birds, and supply you with food. Vines, bines, and bushes are also the easiest way to naturalize the outside of row style flights. Any other fruit or ornamental plants you chose to naturalize and conceal framing on your aviaries are up to your personal tastes and availability.

But, can you do it?

Even those with limited construction skills can create beautiful garden designs that combine edible landscaping principles with aviaculture. With a little imagination, and smart work, your hobby farm or acreage can begin to rival zoos, wildlife parks, and botanical gardens in artistic beauty.

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