Cold Weather, what do you do for your birds

[Mickp]

seeing as everyone is discussing what they do to try and keep their birds cool.
I thought it would be a good time to ask what you all do during the cold weather.
do you cover your aviary with extra partitions or plastic sheeting, do you put something in the aviary for extra warmth?

[Diane]

The canvas shade I use all year round. It keeps out a lot of the wind and driving rain during winter and makes it significantly warmer on that side of the aviary. However I do have a heat lamp just in case of a really cold snap.

[gomer]

Mine aviarys stay the same all year.The only thing i change is thier diet.I give them a spray with the hose on 40 degree days.

[finchbreeder]

Extra nests to roost in and extra perching up in the most protected corners.
But this is the Midwest of W.A. only the wind is cold not the temperature.
LML

[jusdeb]

No all are local bred and should be able to take the weather here,except the goulds are on wheels and are put in the garage overnight then back out side under the back verandah.
Theres plenty of nests available for each bird and as you can see from my ol faithful double bar photo finches find ways to cope with the cold .

finches002.jpg

[jusdeb]

ooops i fibbed I do add niger seed to boost the omega 3s and plump the birds up a tad.Apart from that luckily I dont have to do anything else .

[Pooky]

I board up my averies it seems to work, I haven't had any Gouldians die from the cold in nearly 3 years.

[Suerus]

In winter I use clear plastic sheeting ( clear vinyl shower curtains from Bunnings ) clipped to the wire - it excludes wind / rain and lets in the sun -(one aviary almost fully covered but the other two only partially )
I do have to make sure I uncover them on warm winter days though or they would cook ! It probably isnt necessary really in this area as the weather is comparatively mild - but we do get cold southerlies

[Diane]

In winter I use clear plastic sheeting ( clear vinyl shower curtains from Bunnings )

Thats a great idea, bird people tend to have very novel ways of using everyday household items.

[JohnP]

My aviary faces east (I know, all the experts say it should face north but you work with what you have) and backs onto two sheds which block most if not all of the westerlies and as anyone in Canberra knows that is where the weather comes from. On the south side it sits close enough to the covered entertainment area not to be an issue as there is a wall between the icy winter south westerlies and the aviary. That just leaves the north for which I have three clear perspex sheets that I put on in winter to reduce drafts so affectivly it is only the east open and not much bad weather comes from this direction. I also have enough wicker hutches from the pet shop to allow each pair a roost as I, as yet, do not have that many birds. Also I planned to be smart in selecting species that can handle the fluctuating temps, its more the darfts I am challenging as I will be getting a pair of Gouls in September.

Based on a note from a more experience member than me (thanks D) I have over the last two days placed a block of ice (1 litre icecream container frozen solid) in a low dish in the aviary which seems to have helped with the 38+ temps. If I can get my act together I will take a snap shot to help clarify and post.