Bird Watching

Small tropical pet birds – How to ensure suitable protection during Winter

It’s already the middle of September.  Autumn will be upon us before we know it, soon followed by winter.  You need to be sure your so called tropical pet birds are protected from the worst that winter can throw at us.  If last winter is anything to go by, we’re in for a lot of snow.  How can you be sure your small pet birds can survive the harsh conditions?

Small pet birds are more vulnerable because of their small size so their metabolisms will cool down more quickly.  With larger pet birds this is less of a problem but even they are vulnerable in harsh winter conditions.  However you’d be surprised at how hardy your tropical pet birds are; for example, many small tropical pet birds originate from Australia and it does get mighty cold at night in certain areas of the country but they survive OK.  This doesn’t mean you should skimp on giving your small pet birds adequate protection for the winter time though.

Yes your small pet birds are quite hardy, but don’t risk it.  I’m sure you’ve noticed that when the weather is freezing you are usually quite comfortable as long as you’re not wet or there’s no wind.  It’s the same with your tropical pet birds, as long as they are dry and free from draughts they will usually be fine.  Just make sure they’ve got their stomachs filled, so a generous and continuous supply of food is essential.  Your tropical pet birds will need plenty of food to build up their fat reserves to help protect them from the cold.

Please note also that small pet birds like finches do need to eat more often to keep up their fat and energy levels.  Unfortunately these types of birds will only eat if there is light enough for them to see what they are doing.  Don’t let them go for more than eight hours at a time maximum without light.  Incorporating some type of artificial lighting into their aviary will ensure they are able to eat as they should.  A timed switch that turns the light on or off at set times is an excellent idea.

If your tropical pet birds are housed in an outdoor aviary and have been breeding you must prevent them from breeding more into the winter.  Raising chicks wears your birds down and uses up a lot of their food supply.  So once they have raised a couple of clutches during the Summer you need to remove their nest boxes once the chicks have flown the nest to prevent your small pet birds from laying again.  This then gives them time to build up their reserves in time for the onslaught of cold weather that is sure to come their way.  Also young chicks would certainly not survive the cold.

You can incorporate some type of artificial heating into your tropical pet birds’ aviary but it must be safe for them, so no fossil fuels like gas, coal, or paraffin for example.  However this is not necessary as long as the aviary is dry and free from cold draughts.

During late summer or early autumn you must inspect your aviary for any signs of wear or damage; this gives you time to make any necessary repairs before it’s too late, plus it’ll save you having to work on your aviary in the cold.  Ensure your aviary is secure, draught free, and water tight and your small pet birds will be fine.

 

About the Author

‘Stanton Birdman’

Keeper and breeder of small pet birds for over a decade.

Get your free pet bird eBook by visiting http://stantonbirdman.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/survival-manual-2nd-draft.pdf

For more information about pet birds please visit my pet bird blog site at http://www.StantonBirdman.wordpress.com/

Pick up my pet bird keeping eBook at http://www.birdkeepingsecrets.com/

To your pet bird keeping success!

 

Music Pets Love: While You Are Gone (Dogs Cats Birds)

LORIES & LORIKEETS Keep Breed Care Pet & Aviary Birds Parrot Budgerigar type $0.00

1887 Pet Birds Caged Birds Types vintage article $0.00

Groomax Scissor Type Pet Nail Clipper – For Cats, Birds & Small Dogs $0.00

BEACH BRANCH CALCIUM PERCH SMALL, BIRD PERCHES-BOLT ON TYPE, PREVUE PET PRODUCTS $0.00

BEACHWALK CALCIUM PERCH MEDIUM, BIRD PERCHES-BOLT ON TYPE, PREVUE PET PRODUCTS, $0.00

BEACHWALK CALCIUM PERCH LARGE, BIRD PERCHES-BOLT ON TYPE, PREVUE PET PRODUCTS, B $0.00

BEACHWALK CALCIUM PERCH X-LARGE, BIRD PERCHES-BOLT ON TYPE, PREVUE PET PRODUCTS, $0.00

Bird-X OWL Prowler Owl with Moving Wings $30.98 The great horned owl is one of nature’s ultimate hunters; an aerial predator that strikes fear into the hearts of pigeons, crows, sparrows, seagulls, grackles, cormorants, vultures, rodents and other small animals. This decoy’s lightweight wings use patented airfoil technology that create dynamic movement: the wings constantly move in the wind. Common Usage: Pest repellant, Material Type: Hard res…

Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide $18.95 This book is the first ever, comprehensive photographic guide to the identification of all 24 species of hummingbirds to be seen as breeders or vagrants in North America. For all their startling colors, the speed of hummingbird flight and the often drab coloration of females and immatures make this group especially difficult to deal with in the field. The simple field marks are often poorly lit, h…

The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States $11.89 A noted outdoors expert and an acclaimed illustrator have banded together to create a stunning picture of the wildlife in the eastern half of the United States. Complete with observation tips. 75 illustrations….

The Encyclopedia of Macaws $35.95 …

The Sims 2 Pets $27.99 Create new companions for your Sims to love throughout their lifetime. It’s fun and easy to play with the Wii controls, but expect the unexpected with your furry friends. Choose from popular dog and cat breeds or customize their features to create a unique pet for your Sim to raise as one of the Family. Whether Sims are romping with their pets in the central town park or searching the shops for th…

Sims 2 Pets $14.59 In Sims 2: Pets, you’ll create the perfect pet for your Sims to train, play with, and love throughout a lifetime. Choose from dozens of popular dog and cat breeds like Schnauzer and Siamese, or create a unique cat or dog by modifying their features and body type. Teach the pets tricks, take them for a romp in the park to meet other furry friends, or buy them toys, beds, and much more. But pets hav…

Prevue Pet Products Cosmic Crunch Quasar Bird Toy $13.51 Cosmic Crunch bird toy is made from 100-percent natural, digestible ground calcium with real sea shellsYour bird will ’shave away’ the toys, keeping beaks and nails trimmed Designed to last longer than other types of toys

Keeping Parrots (Hardcover) $23.37 Parrots are considered to be one of the most intelligent types of bird and it is their innate characteristics that have made them popular to keep as pets since the Roman times, although parrot-keeping reached its peak only in the last century. The…

Petting Zoo (Paperback) $3.95 Shows children petting, brushing, and feeding types of animals, including mammals, insects, amphibians, and birds.

Dogtra Field Star Series 1900NCP Remote Trainer $223.99 The Field Master has you covered with low to high power range for the most aggressive bird dog. An illuminated LCD screen allows you to see correct setting levels and the receiver is rechargeable with nick, continuous, and pager vibration modes.

Cockatiels $9.85 255 characters or less!

All Sorts of Pet Birds $49.99 All Sorts of Pet Birds – Giclee Print

Various Types of Birds, Japanese Wood-Cut Print $49.99 Various Types of Birds, Japanese Wood-Cut Print – Framed Art Print

100 Watt Infrared Inc Nocturnal Bulb $10.49 ZZD1140: Features: -Bulbs.-Material: Glass.-Heat source with little visible light for nocturnal viewing.-Ideal 24 hour heat source for all types of reptile, amphibians, birds or small animals.-True red glass, not painted or coated.-Focuses more heat into your enclosure and minimizes nighttime glare.-Little visible light.-Not to disturb your animals sleep patterns.-Excellent for nocturnal viewing of all types of captive animals. Specifications: -Available in 50W, 75W, 100W, 150W and 250W. Dimensions: -50W dimensions: 0.71” H x 0.17” W x 0.38” D.-75W dimensions: 0.71” H x 0.17” W x 0.38” D.-100W dimensions: 0.71” H x 0.17” W x 0.38” D.-150W dimensions: 0.71” H x 0.17” W x 0.38” D.-250W dimensions: 0.5” H x 0.5” W x 0.58” D. Warranty: -3 Month warranty.

100 Watt Nightlight Red Inc Reptile Bulb $6.49 ZZD1135: Features: -Bulbs.-Material: Glass.-True red glass (not painted or coated) for better heat transfer.-Ideal 24 hour heat source.-For all types of reptile amphibians, birds or small animals.-For viewing the nocturnal behavior of your animals.-Perfect for use in hoods with horizon sockets.-Provides very little visible light.-European quality for long burn life. Color/Finish: -Color: Red. Specifications: -Available in 15W, 25W, 40W, 60W and 100W. Dimensions: -15W dimensions: 1.5” H x 1.25” W x 5.25” D.-25W dimensions: 1.5” H x 1.25” W x 5.25” D.-40W dimensions: 1.5” H x 1.25” W x 5.25” D.-60W dimensions: 6” H x 3” W x 7” D.-100W dimensions: 6” H x 3” W x 7” D. Warranty: -3 Month warranty.

15 Watt Nightlight Red Inc Reptile Bulb $6.51 ZZD1135: Features: -Bulbs.-Material: Glass.-True red glass (not painted or coated) for better heat transfer.-Ideal 24 hour heat source.-For all types of reptile amphibians, birds or small animals.-For viewing the nocturnal behavior of your animals.-Perfect for use in hoods with horizon sockets.-Provides very little visible light.-European quality for long burn life. Color/Finish: -Color: Red. Specifications: -Available in 15W, 25W, 40W, 60W and 100W. Dimensions: -15W dimensions: 1.5” H x 1.25” W x 5.25” D.-25W dimensions: 1.5” H x 1.25” W x 5.25” D.-40W dimensions: 1.5” H x 1.25” W x 5.25” D.-60W dimensions: 6” H x 3” W x 7” D.-100W dimensions: 6” H x 3” W x 7” D. Warranty: -3 Month warranty.