First of all, it feels natural to us, we've had birds all our lives. Father was 'birdcrazy' and I was raised in an aviary. The only place they could keep me from running away? Or the safest place near a big farm where I would wander among the dangers? The aviary was my favourite place in the garden. I remember to have my feathered friends there. They came close to me when I cleaned the water bowls, sang songs without fearing my presence.
All my life I've tried to give enough space and a natural environment to the birds we kept. The rare occasions we keep birds in small cages do have a reason, somewhere on this site I hope to elaborate on that.
The question often posed is the happyness of our birds. They get the best food we can find, and we're constantly looking to improve. Good food is a way to see what is happening in the aviary. All gone? Visitor! Much left? Problem.
For a huge part they dicide the food they like, we only make sure it is well balanced. But what they prefer to eat is not always what's best for them, if so I would eat ice cream all day.
Birds know what to do to cure illnesses, if the cure is availible. Some eat insects where the poison cures. Some eat plants they would normaly not touch. But we still play an important role in providing these solutions in the area's they spend their days. Through good observation we decide what medicine they need, therefor keeping an eye on all the bidrs is important. I don't believe in scheduals, regular worming etc on a clock. If a bird is ill it will get treatement, if not the cure may do more harm than a desease might do.
Our birds live a happy, easy life. No work all day to find the food, fly just to have fun, not escaping a preditor. The human, the doggs around the aviary, all becomes so assuring. The instinct are still there, an overflying bird, a strange sound, an accidental cat visiting. But real comforting as soon realized these things cannot get into their zone.
This situation did not happen in our garden, our magpie geese have nothing to fear. They can safely swim if they want to, the goldfish in our pond will never harm them.
Apart form the everlasting discussion (keeps on going when some do not accept your arguments) where the distinction is between using and living with birds, we personally enjoy our life with birds. Our life quality would not be the same without them. We share this joy with friends, visitors and many birdpeople all over the world.
If I was a bird and able to choose, I think I would like to live at Aqualon.