DIY vs store-bought aviary: which option is really safer and cheaper?
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
A homemade aviary can cost half as much as an equivalent store-bought model, but only if the mesh used is the right kind: new galvanised mesh, widely available and cheap, exposes birds to a well-documented zinc poisoning risk, a saving that can quickly turn into a hefty vet bill.
Contents · 5 sections
Why is the mesh the most critical part of a DIY aviary?
A landmark veterinary study by R. L. Reece, D. B. Dickson and P. J. Burrowes, published in 1986 in the Australian Veterinary Journal, documented what the authors called "new wire disease": aviary birds poisoned by zinc after gnawing or licking recently installed galvanised wire, whose zinc coating flakes off easily and gets ingested in small repeated amounts (see the study). This risk specifically concerns new mesh, since the zinc coating oxidises and stabilises over time and weathering.
What do the two options actually cost?
- Standard galvanised mesh: around 15 to 25 € a roll, the cheapest but riskiest option when new.
- PVC-coated or stainless-steel mesh: 40 to 70 € a roll, no zinc risk, a modest premium next to an emergency vet visit.
- DIY wood frame and structure kit: 80 to 150 € in materials for a medium-sized aviary, versus 200 to 400 € for an equivalent ready-made model.
- Labour and tools: worth costing in yourself if you don't already own basic tools, an item often left out of DIY budget calculations.
How do you make a DIY aviary safe without blowing the budget?
Choose stainless-steel or PVC-coated mesh from the start rather than new galvanised wire, even on a tight budget: the extra cost is modest next to the health risk. If galvanised mesh has already been in place for several years and looks visibly oxidised, the risk drops sharply, though an inspection is still worthwhile before housing birds on it. Our criteria for a standard outdoor aviary are covered in outdoor garden aviary: budget and safety.
Does a store-bought aviary eliminate all risk?
Not automatically: some entry-level imported models also use new galvanised mesh, which is why it's worth checking the coating type before buying rather than relying on price alone. All our habitat guidance is gathered in the bird bedding and habitat section.
Frequently asked questions
Is long-installed galvanised mesh still dangerous?
Less than new mesh, but waiting is not enough: the powdery white deposit that forms as it ages, known as white rust, also proved toxic in Howard's cockatiel study — see our figures on zinc in cage hardware.
Can new mesh be neutralised without replacing it?
Some breeders leave it to weather outdoors for several weeks without birds, but the only measure the study supports is vigorous wire-brushing followed by inspection; swapping in stainless or PVC-coated mesh remains the most reliable solution.
Is treated wood safe for a DIY aviary frame?
No, wood chemically treated for standard outdoor use isn't designed for contact with birds that gnaw on it; choose untreated raw wood or wood certified safe for animal use instead.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Flexible pastel cotton rope perch, 35 cm, for budgies and cockatiels (€32.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Birds universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
