Building a cage... advice, please

[lowlead]

I'm a new budgie owner, and I'm very fond of my little friend. I've decided to build a much larger cage/indoor aviary and would like some advice on materials and design...

I've decided the footprint will be 4' deep by 8' long... and about 6' high...

I will build the frame out of hardwood studs... I was thinking about using grade A interior or cabinet grade plywood for the sides, top and back, but I'm unsure if plywood is ok for birds

for access I was thinking about a screen (or glass) door on one side of the cage

I figure I could use a strip of aluminum gutter screen around the top and bottom of the cage for ventilation and put a plexiglass front on it with 3/8" holes about 1" apart all around the outside edge for added ventilation

Or

I could use some kind of aluminum insect screen for the front and just replace it as it's damaged (it's cheap enough to be expendable)... however I'm concerned that Zazu's toes could become trapped in the fine mesh of the screen

has anybody else used plexi or acrylic for a cage?... how about interior grade plywood? (I know that the glues used in exterior grade and marine plywood are toxic)...

also what is a good material for the substrate on the floor that will be safe for birds and fairly easy to clean? (I don't want to use newspaper for a cage this size)

thanks for your input

ps... I have considered using metal (would be easy because I'm a professional welder and custom metal fabricator) but I decided against it due to cost and having to use flux and acetone would be a bad idea

Ed

[Kerry C]

Have you seen this web site for ideas and patterns?

http://www.backyardaviary.com/

[lowlead]

thanks for the link... I checked it out and it provoked some thought... I'm going to a local plastics dealer tomorrow to see what they have in the way of large panels of plexi and acrylic... it looks like many people have used acrylic for bird cages

Ed

[Meghanxx4]

I think alot of people use shed plans/kits and just change it from there. if that helps the tiniest bit.

[lowlead]

yeah... I think starting from a shed would be great for an outdoor aviary, but I'm building an indoor one... kind of like a big flight cage... I just want to make sure I use non-toxic materials and make it as comfortable as possible for the bird(s).

My only concerns with plexiglass for the front are that my budgie would fly into the plexiglass and get injured, and I also want to make sure that I provide enough ventilation to prevent any kind of "greenhouse" effect

Ed