Each aviary is planned and built to meet a combination of highly individual requirements. Available space, possible locations, financial limitations, the numbers and varieties of birds to be housed, whether facilities for breeding are required, and local climate are only some of the special requirements of each owner. If standard sizes and plans could be devised, some enterprising manufacturer would long ago have offered pre-constructed aviaries to be purchased like cages. The endless variations make each aviary as unique to you as your fingerprints.
Detailed planning is then of primary importance.
Before putting a pencil to paper as definite a decision as possible must be made as to how many and what varieties of birds are to be housed. As it is a rare bird lover who does not add to his collection quite regularly it is wise to plan more space than seems needed, or at least plan for possible additions in the future. Many have started out modestly with a small, cramped aviary only to realize in a short time that it is completely inadequate for a growing collection. Since providing facilities for the health and welfare of our birds is our chief objective, overcrowding and inadequate space negates the entire purpose of the project. Before becoming too involved in the details of your plan it is wise to investigate the zoning regulations in your community and other local laws that may limit the number of birds you are allowed to house.