Cat Yassin on fri 13 dec 02
For the life of me I can't find Bird Houses on the Clayart Archives, am I
having a "blond moment"? So I'll pose my question here. I am making bird
houses for Christmas gifts and have never made them before. I am ready to
glaze them, but I'm not sure if I should glaze just the outside (but not the
outside bottom) so water won't sit inside the house if it rains or should I
have put some small holes in the bottom so it can drain? If I make them with
little holes in the bottom then I can glaze the whole thing and water can
drain - don't want to contribute to the drowning of little birds.
I threw them on the wheel starting with a bowl shape and brought the sides up
and in so it sealed making an enclosed egg shape. When leather hard I made
holes at the top for hanging, a larger hole for an opening and a smaller hole
under the opening to add a stick for a perch. Did I think of everything?
Thanks in Advance!
Cat Yassin
San Antonio (Where the Christmas lights on the Riverwalk are absolutely
beautiful!)
J. B. Clauson on mon 16 dec 02
I agree with the others that you should glaze the outside and not the
inside, Also, I would not glaze the lip of the entry hole so the birds can
get a good purchase when they perch there. Check your local library on
birdhouses. The size of the house and size and placement of the access hole
is critical to the type of bird you want in your house. Some birds even
prefer condominiums! It's fascinating. The book I read also suggested
roughing the wall inside the birdhouse just under the hole in order to give
the birds purchase for climbing out. In wooden houses they recommend
attaching a section of 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth. I'm not sure how you
would accomplish this in clay. Maybe a slight ramp to the hole or a
slightly cone shaped house with a little texture to allow purchase for their
claws.
Good Luck,
Jan C.
Ingeborg Foco on mon 16 dec 02
Hi Cat,
It is not a good idea to put a perch in front of the "door". Birds don't
need one and it is more of an aid for predators. Birds are very particular
about their homes. It's good to have an idea of the type of bird your house
will provide shelter. If the opening is too large, they won't use it and it
makes it easier for predators to get the eggs or the chicks. If it is too
far from the floor some species won't use them.
I glaze the outside with a gloss in hopes of discouraging predators and
leave the inside unglazed. I also put small holes on the top to allow for
ventilation in the summer. Small holes drilled under a loop handle prevents
rain from getting in but still provides some ventilation.
Ingeborg
the Potter's Workshop & Gallery
P.O. Box 510
3058 Stringfellow Road
St. James City, Florida 33956
>> I threw them on the wheel starting with a bowl shape and brought the
sides up
> and in so it sealed making an enclosed egg shape. When leather hard I made
> holes at the top for hanging, a larger hole for an opening and a smaller
hole
> under the opening to add a stick for a perch. Did I think of everything?
>
>
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Ababi on tue 17 dec 02
When I worked in small zoo we had I painted the wooden houses for the birds. I think
glazing, especially inside - outside too - is a great idea to avoid diseases. This way it
is washable. I will try to remember to see in the studio the name of the excellent book
I still have. How would they get in, a small round hole, you stick to it a rounded piece
of wood. The wood comes out from both sides in and out.
Ababi Sharon
Glaze addict
Kibbutz Shoval Israel
ababisha@shoval.org.il
http://members4.clubphoto.com/ababi306910/
http://www.milkywayceramics.com/cgallery/asharon.htm
and also
http://www.israel-ceramics.org/membersGallery/personalpage.asp?MID=507
---------- Original Message ----------
>I agree with the others that you should glaze the outside and not the
>inside, Also, I would not glaze the lip of the entry hole so the birds can
>get a good purchase when they perch there.
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