How Do I Choose the Best Aviary Wire Mesh?

Aviaries aren't just for zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. Sometimes called flight cages, the large enclosures allow bird enthusiasts to keep their exotic flyers safe and healthy with plenty of room to stretch their wings.

Thinking about creating one of your own? Heavy-duty metal wire mesh products are a go-to for DIY aviaries. Read on for tips and insight into choosing the right material.

There are a few things to consider before purchasing aviary mesh panels. The proper material will depend on the size and breed of your birds, how big you'd like the enclosure to be, where you plan on putting it, and any potential predators in your area.

If you're housing canaries, lovebirds, parakeets, or other petite species, you'll want to make sure the mesh opening size is small enough that they can't escape. Larger breeds like macaws, kingfishers, and parrots can be contained with a bigger size. Having said that, you're wise to err on the side of caution, so choose a smaller opening when in doubt.

Next, figure out how big you want your aviary to be. As the name flight cage suggests, the idea is to give the birds enough room to fly around, so larger is generally better.

Unless you're handy with bolt cutters, you'll want to buy panels in the exact height, width, and depth. Our in-house laser cutting services allow us to accommodate custom orders in virtually any size. 

Aviaries are usually placed outside. Outdoor enclosures are good for warmer climates, allowing the birds to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. However, in colder regions and during the winter, an indoor cage might be better.

You can also create an indoor-outdoor hybrid that's covered by a roof but still open, kind of like a sunroom. Wherever you set yours up, be sure to choose a wire mesh that can withstand the temperature, humidity, precipitation, and other environmental conditions.

The best wire for an outdoor aviary will be strong enough to keep various predators and curious pets at bay. As mentioned above, the mesh opening size should be small enough to not only keep the flock in but also to keep lurkers out.

Stainless steel is the best material for a wire mesh aviary. Since minimal chemicals and heavy metals are leached from the material, it's generally considered non-toxic for animals, humans, and the environment.

Also, welded stainless steel mesh is also among the strongest, longest-lasting materials. It's known for its exceptional resistance to corrosion, rust, and extreme temperatures.

Galvanized hardware cloth is more durable than the standard stainless steel variety. However, it gets its resilience from a unique zinc alloy coating. While the mineral is essential to the health of feathered vertebrates, it can be toxic if ingested in high amounts. 

Additionally, poly-coated wire mesh isn't recommended for aviaries, as the birds could chew on it and ingest some of the thermoplastic.

If you have questions about how to keep birds safe in captivity, reach out to the experts at the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

TWP Inc. has been a trusted supplier of industrial-grade wire mesh for over five decades. Our woman-owned company carries welded stainless steel products with varying opening sizes and wire diameters.

If you need sheets or panels in specific dimensions, we can laser-cut the material to a custom size. Order yours today, or request a free estimate.

We'd love to see pictures of your finished aviary. Upload your photos to Instagram with the hashtag #TWPWireMesh to be featured in our gallery.