At the request of the Editor of Budgerigar World I submit notes on security of caged birds for the information of all owners of birds and aviary keepers. These notes and advice were compiled by the Home Office Crime Prevention Centre at Stafford. They have to serve bird owners in different regions of the Country, all with varying local problems relating to crime risks.
Because of this variety, the notes are of a generalised nature and any bird owner with an aviary or setting up a new one would be well advised to consult the Police Crime Prevention Officer at a local police station. His advice is free and will cover all aspects of security, in relation to risks in the area.
The following general points are given for bird owners to consider:
Before acquiring or building an aviary, consider the security aspect. Older aviaries, and many proprietary models, are basically flimsy structures and experience has shown it is often cheaper to build in security at the start, rather than have to rectify faults later.
Consider the siting of the aviary very carefully and as far as possible ensure it is out of sight of the public, but with an unobstructed view from your home. It should at least be visible from bedroom windows. Doors and windows of the aviary should if possible be fitted to be seen from your house.
Many thefts of birds occur at night, therefore consider having the strongest protection in the nesting and sleeping areas of the aviary.
Consider some form of lighting in the garden area surrounding the aviary. Suspicious noises after dark can then be investigated in comparative safety and the sudden lighting of an area will deter many a thief.
Wire netting has been used in the keeping of birds for many years. It is cheap and serves its purpose, but with the increase in bird thefts, the use of a much stronger mesh is desirable, and Weldmesh would be preferable, to cover glass and ventilators.
Locks, security bars, hinges and bolts on windows, doors and ventilators should all be maintained at a comparable standard bearing in mind the structure of walls and roof. It certainly would not be cost effective to buy and fit an expensive sophisticated lock if entry can be gained easily through the walls or roof. All items of physical security are inter-related and must be balanced accordingly.
With the increase in the theft of stock and the high value of particular birds, some consideration should be given to a burglar alarm. The need for this must be balanced against the type of area in which the aviary is situated, the proximity of other residents, the level of physical security and general crime risk. Alarm protection can be achieved in many ways, such as pressure mats, door and window contacts, trip wires and electronic devices.
Dependent on the wishes of the owner, they may activate security lighting, audible alarms, or signals, to the police, the owner, or any other designated person. Use of alarms must be discussed in detail with an expert, as they can give trouble with false alarms and cause inconvenience to neighbours, police and the owner. In particular various types of electronic devices may be triggered by excessive heat, noise, air currents or other movement. This necessitates careful choice to ensure the most suitable device is used in a particular location.
Consider the elements of a Good Neighbour Scheme. Although police have advocated this for house owners for a long time, it could well be sued and help in the security of aviaries and stock.
Many breeders spend a lot of time and effort documenting their birds and breeding results. These papers can be invaluable with registers, card indexes and veterinary records, being well worth taking care of. Ideally they should be kept in the safety of your home, although this may not be desirable for practical purposes. If they have to be kept in the aviary, consider the use of strong, fire-proof container. It could be a good investment.
Please be cautious when dealing with unknown visitors to your aviary and cultivate the habit of noting their personal descriptions and vehicle registration numbers. If you have suspicions about a visitor please inform your local police immediately.
Despite many warnings, a lot of people still tend to be too kind to casual visitors selling property or stock. Do not release stock on credit to casual visitors, and do not despatch stock before you receive cash. Be wary of bargains and check with your official magazines regarding advertisements.
It is tempting to see as much as possible at shows with many items of interest there, but before viewing stock at the show make sure your own is safe. It should not be left unattended. Also remember the security of your vehicle, your personal property and hopefully, your prizes. In addition to dealing with security at the show where you are exhibiting, do not forget the security of your home, and stock left in your aviary, whilst at the show. Thieves do read trade and hobby magazines and can guess very shrewdly which shows a breeder is likely to attend.
In conclusion, please check all the points mentioned, against the security of your aviary. Do have a really critical look at the aviary to see if you can improve that security. it may well save you trouble and disappointment at a later date.
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