RE-post, correct link: Simple Ways to Heat Your Bird's Cage

03 Dec 2014, 03:48

Hi All,
Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a zoologist and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.
This winter’s severe weather has many bird owners re-thinking the ways in which they provide heat to their pets (and to themselves!). Late winter, spring and autumn can be even trickier than mid-winter, as warm days and frigid nights often arrive back-to-back.
Read the rest of the article here http://bit.ly/1rSzEkI
Please also check out my posts on Twitter https://twitter.com/findiviglio and Face Book http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

Thanks, Frank

BluJay · 05 Dec 2014, 08:17

Thank you Findi, for the new link. As I said I really enjoy reading your writings. What is also good about this link, not only does it offer ways of keeping warm, but great suggestions on lighting options for birds. Which is a common question by lots of forum members. Thanks for the share. Regards.

05 Dec 2014, 08:43

BluJay wrote:Thank you Findi, for the new link. As I said I really enjoy reading your writings. What is also good about this link, not only does it offer ways of keeping warm, but great suggestions on lighting options for birds. Which is a common question by lots of forum members. Thanks for the share. Regards.

I appreciate the kind words, thanks. I get many questions re light as well, thought a note would be useful, glad you enjoyed, best, Frank

BluJay · 08 Dec 2014, 07:12

Hi findi, I thought I would share a some pics with you as to what I did with full spectrum flourescent from both Home Depot and/or Lowes. I had to do it this way because of the area I lived at the time, aviaries were strictly prohibited. However, there were no limitations to the number of pet birds one was allowed to have. So, hehe haha, I bought old 14x70 manufactured homes, and lined the walls with birds.

This is how I lined the walls. The lighting is on timers. I did all that was required after light on and before lights out. The second pic is a close up a pair of Gouldians. I crossed the colours so that way I would get some chicks of each. And I had a pair of strawberries in with each pair of Gouldians. It has been an adjustment going from them using cane basket nest and thread in a box to line the nest, to a wood box and stiff prickly grass for them to breed in. The third pic is one of my Canary chicks all feathered up. All birds in pics were bred by me under artificial lighting. Kind Regards.

Ps: the lower right cage is young orange bishop weaver bred by me, he's starting to clour up.

08 Dec 2014, 09:40

The orange bishop was cage bred, was it?

BluJay · 08 Dec 2014, 10:09

Uraeginthus wrote:The orange bishop was cage bred, was it?

Yes, in a shower stall, turned into cage. Also, if you leave them alone they have no issues in parrot sized cages. I believe it a matter of how they're accustomed to living.

08 Dec 2014, 10:32

I am not normally so dogmatic but I would be absolutely staggered that an Orange Bishop could be bred in such a restrictive
space. The extra space is needed to display and drive the hen into fitness. If I am wrong and it did happen it is one spectacular feat.

08 Dec 2014, 10:52

in a shower stall, turned into cage
Was it up and down flight? Or placed lengthways for slightly longer flight? You really have got me curious now.
LML

BluJay · 08 Dec 2014, 11:11

Firstly, I'm going to say the truth does not need confirmation. Secondly, this was about lighting, and sharing what I bred using artificial lighting. Thirdly, I'm not going to have the "Mickey" or "Piss" taken out of me because I accomplished something in a way differently than what you are used to doing. It was the same reception with Gouldians using cane nest and thread out of a box. Strawberries will do the same. Capped cordon blu's will breed in artificial Christmas trees. Back to the Orange weaver, the males in a cage the size you see the young one in will even start weaving their nest. If you want to believe it is an exaggeration on my behalf, do so, but don't flame me.
Thanks E Orix for giving me the benefit of a doubt. Again these birds are a dime a dozen in the states. I had time and patience to wait for them to do their thing.
To answer your question finchbreeder, I left the shower perpendicular. Before you say anything, you did not believe scarlets would breed in cabinets either.

BluJay · 08 Dec 2014, 11:48

PS: I would also like to add, I was not a bird breeder, rather I enjoyed the birds, and bought in pairs. One pair or type of bird was never enough. I bought them in pairs so they wouldn't be lonely. Little and behold I ended up with babies all over the place, two years after my first purchase. Guess it took them that long to adjust to being kept in near labatory conditions. Regards.