‘Antarctic Vortex’

13 Jul 2015, 17:34

How’s everyone coping with the so called Antarctic Vortex? My birds seem to be doing ok. I did have some problems with my fly box. The light just couldn’t keep it warm enough but we are talking about a maximum temperature of just 4 degrees. Apart from that everything else seems to be coping well. It seems that it’s me that’s not coping too well with it. It hasn’t snowed in Bathurst but there is snow in the surrounding areas. We just get the freezing cold winds. Today was supposed to be a bit better than yesterday, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. Even my chickens didn’t want to stay outside today, which is unusual for them. Unfortunately, I missed out on going to the Castle Hill Bird Sale yesterday because the road was closed. I am very disappointed about that.

13 Jul 2015, 17:38

welcome to a Canberra winter

13 Jul 2015, 17:46

paintedfiretail wrote:welcome to a Canberra winter

Bathurst is usually cold, just like Canberra, but not this cold.

13 Jul 2015, 17:52

you thin so

13 Jul 2015, 20:46

Apparently we have had some of our coldest nights on record according to the weather experts. And my frozen fingers and toes concur. Even if they were only between 2 and 3 degrees.
LML

13 Jul 2015, 21:30

Sydney has been chilly, this morning (8am) at home was 6c, real feel 0 degrees. I am lucky, my aviary faces north, against a brick wall, fully protected from any south weather. Have perspex removable shades for night to stop breezes and leave on in daylight in inclement weather. Corrugated suntuff roof, dry all round. Doing ok, plenty of chicks on the perch and more in the nest (Goulds) but had a pleasant surprise today, spotted and heard a painted feeding chicks. Downside is my new mealworm farm is a bit slow because of the temp.

Ken.

13 Jul 2015, 21:34

I already had two pairs living indoors after then hens had become egg-bound and been nursed back to health. To stop this reoccurring I needed to catch everyone up so I could take the brush out of the avairies, so I made the decision i may as well leave them in the cages for a few days and bring them indoors for "the vortex".

but really, Its cold, but not that bad! I'll be putting them all back next weekend. aviaries are fully roofed, have heaters on timers and plastic curtains on open sides so well protected and dry.

in the meantime i wake to the sounds of chirping waxbills....

14 Jul 2015, 06:54

Yep winter is here alright -4 today over here at 8am, no snow just hard frosts. At least after a cold frost you get a nice sunny day for the birds which perks the birds up. I do know of some people down south in central Otago that have had a -15 deg frost yikes!! at that temp some poor birds are getting there feet stuck on the aviary wire because of the such cold temps.
What temps does Canberra get down to?

werty · 14 Jul 2015, 07:20

sdegiorgio wrote:How’s everyone coping with the so called Antarctic Vortex? My birds seem to be doing ok. I did have some problems with my fly box. The light just couldn’t keep it warm enough but we are talking about a maximum temperature of just 4 degrees. Apart from that everything else seems to be coping well. It seems that it’s me that’s not coping too well with it. It hasn’t snowed in Bathurst but there is snow in the surrounding areas. We just get the freezing cold winds. Today was supposed to be a bit better than yesterday, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. Even my chickens didn’t want to stay outside today, which is unusual for them. Unfortunately, I missed out on going to the Castle Hill Bird Sale yesterday because the road was closed. I am very disappointed about that.

Im lucky in sydney it's only dropping to 4 degrees at night

During the day it's around 15, im still taking of the blinds so the birds get 10 hrs of direct sunlight

Gouldians are thriving

14 Jul 2015, 08:25

werty wrote:Im lucky in sydney it's only dropping to 4 degrees at night

During the day it's around 15, im still taking of the blinds so the birds get 10 hrs of direct sunlight

Gouldians are thriving

4 degress at night? That's our maximum daytime temperature. And you have sunlight? You are lucky, Werty!

We have no sunlight.

Looking out from the window I thought the wind had stopped for a minute. Wrong!!! Darwin is looking good at the moment.

Pleased to hear that your Gouldians are doing well.