New Young Bird Loft

[Jay3]

You're doing a great job. Helps to be handy.

[hillfamilyloft]

Built my first loft when I was about 13 with my dad. I also worked a summer with a woodworker. The rest is just trial and error. As long as I do not have to plumb or wire, I am good. I am thining a 4x8 or 6x8 loft done in pannels would be a cinch. I am pushing the maximum with this loft. The pannels will be pretty heavy when I get them finished. I will try and move them with a dolly. If that does not work I will burrow a trailer and two strong nephews. I am doing the roof in two 6x8 pannels that I will conned at the mid section with about an 8" x 8' piece of roofing. I will shingle when it is all set up. I will also paint all but the bottom section when I get it put up.

Randy

[Jay3]

Sounds great! Can hardly wait to see it finished.

[hillfamilyloft]

Worked on the perches today. Just going with the 1x4s with 5 1/2" 2x4s attached for now. I may get more inventive in the future, but for time issues they will work. Easy to clean. I will finish them up Sunday and work on the roof.

Randy

[Jay3]

Originally Posted by hillfamilyloft

Worked on the perches today. Just going with the 1x4s with 5 1/2" 2x4s attached for now. I may get more inventive in the future, but for time issues they will work. Easy to clean. I will finish them up Sunday and work on the roof.

Randy

The birds like these perches. They can even lay down on them. Good choice.

[hillfamilyloft]

I have them in one of my lofts already. They are very easy to clean. My only thoughts are that if I raced seriously out of the loft, that I would put nooks and cranies for the birds to both perch and nest. The perches now are kind of uniform and stale. I am a firm believer in motivation. The top perch may not always be enough. Saw a video the other day that showed how a guy picked his pool bird every week. He had a fold down perch that he would put down the day before basketing. The bird that claimed the perch and kept it was his pool bird.

Randy

[hillfamilyloft]

It is also hard to check on droppings with the perches. You just have one big pile at the bottom.

[Jay3]

Well, they don't stand THAT still all night. No.........there are many little poops in close proximaty to each other, but not just one pile. LOL.

[hillfamilyloft]

I finished the perches and started the siding. I am using smart siding with OSB on one side. Makes things really simple. I will work on the roof and siding Monday. I think the siding will be easier if the panels are on the ground. I did one side with it standing and this was a pain.

[Jay3]

You're moving right along. I think you're right about the siding being easier if the panels are on the ground. Dying to see it.

[RodSD]

You work fast!

[hillfamilyloft]

Roof panels are finished. I made each with 4 2x4s and two pieces of OSB. There will also be a wall header that will hold up the roof. The panels hold my weight, so I think they will be fine. It makes them 77" x 8 feet that gives me an overhand of about 5" on each side. The outside 2x4 will act as a trim piece. I have the drop traps designed and will start them after the remaining panels are sided. I also need to start on the two aviaries. They will be about 3x5x4 feet. The tops being the landing boards.

If anyone has suggestions on ventilation let me know. So far the front will have two openings 5' x 4' for the aviaries. The aviaries will start 1 foot off the floor. The front and back will have 1 1/2 ventilation at the peaks the 12 foot length of the loft. I have the one small side window. Not much air mainly for looks. My thoughts are that this should circulate the air pretty well. An option is a few floor vents in the back.

Randy

[hillfamilyloft]

Well the 4th slowed me down and I started working on a flagstone patio and taking out a stump. I have blocks for the foundation and all the panels are ready to put up. I will then do the trim, build the aviaries and the traps. I already have plans for the aviaries and traps. The will also be one piece each and will slip into place. I will try and get some pics Thursday or Friday.

[klondike goldie]

looking real good.

[Kevin]

A job well done! It's really coming along great! Even I'm excited for you, haha.

I would also be happy to give you a helping hand if I lived a bit closer. (I'm quite awful at being a carpenter though. LOL! But for everything else, I can probably handle. Haha.)