Pics of my new aviary!

14 years ago

Well, I finally got it built. I still have to "trim" the inside which is why there are two loose cedar boards in there, but you get the point. Once I get the trim up, I'll be moving it off of my patio and into the yard next to a fence. The dimensions ended up being 5.5' high x 4.5' wide x 2.5' deep.

It's nice because being short I can walk around inside without hitting my head. The entire side facing away from the camera is a double screened door for easy access. I currently have 2 dill, 2 parsley and 1 bronze fennel in there and this weekend I'll be adding nectar sources as well. Right now I have 4 chrysalis, 2 wandering, another 3 about to wander and around 10 more babies. All are black swallowtail cats. :D

Outside:

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Inside:

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Comments (10)

tamgirl99
Original Author
14 years ago
Correction! I went out just now to get my mail and found two large QM cats on an elm that's managed to grow in my front flower bed so I brought them into the aviary. Looks like they're close to pupating as well.
mechelle_m
14 years ago
Very Nice!

Mechelle
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butterflymomok
14 years ago
Nice job. I know you'll enjoy it, and the butterflies will enjoy it too!

Sandy
michaelz9
14 years ago
That looks really nice Tamgirl, congratulations. Where in the US are you located?

One word of advice though with putting that out in the yard, watch for ants in the aviary. With my aviary that I had, I always baited with Amdro around the outside of the cage. Here in Florida they were a constant problem if I didn't keep an close eye out and stayed on top of my prevention.
susanlynne48
14 years ago
Looking good, girl, very very good! Watch that the "no good" wasps and other predators don't find their way inside and get your precious babies!

I love the QMs - easy to raise. Have fun!

Susan
lindacatherine
14 years ago
Wicked nice! You're giving me thoughts for next season. Just what my husband will want to hear...heh heh.
tamgirl99
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone!

Michael - I'm in Dallas and the ants I have the hardest time with are fire ants. While I try to always go the natural route, I had to resort to Over & Out twice this year to get rid of them. That stuff is supposed to get rid of them for a year but it was so bad I had to treat twice! I have a dog and a little kitty that like to "garden" with me so I had to make sure they were protected. Fortunately neither of them are very interested in all the birds and butterflies other than watching at a distance. They seem to just enjoy watching them with me. :)

Yep, I'm doing my best to make sure no predators get in. When I go in to attend to the cats/plants I always keep an eye out and double check before I shut the door.

Something I added last night is a realistic looking terrarium vine (on clearance at Petco). I hung it up on one side about 1/2 foot down from the ceiling for the BF's to have something to perch on if needed. I knew the cats wouldn't pupate on it, but they do seem to enjoy using it as a bridge when they're walking around. :)
mboston_gw
14 years ago
You'll be surprised, they might pupate on it. I use artifical flowers all the time in my cage and they make they chrysalis on it all the time. I have no problems with them being able to eclose either. Plus it is easy to take them out and wash and sanitize them when needed.
october17
14 years ago
Wow! That is awesome! I want one!
tamgirl99
Original Author
14 years ago
Apparently I have a hole somewhere. I noticed my cat (as in kitty!) staring at the ground right outside my patio door and one of the wanderers had made his way all the way across the patio. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was working his way inside the house! LOL.

I think the hole is underneath by the door. I saw one earlier just outside that area but thought it was because I was in there with the door open and he had made a run for it. I have since put a paver stone on the outside right there to block it. Once I get this moved to it's permanent area, I'll address it better then.

By the way, today I actually tried to count them all and came up with 31 BST cats, 3 QM's and 5 Hackberry Emperor cats. And those are just the ones I could find! :D

Pics of my new aviary!

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tamgirl99
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Pics of my new aviary!

Comments (10)

tamgirl99Original Author

mechelle_m

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