A day to forget

[branchez]

Today it got up to 38c here in Geelong and unfortuately 2 birds had built nests up near the roof.
Well the first nest of 3 young Cordons jumped ship and I found them huddled together on the
aviary floor with dad feeding them, so I have left them there, no even going to attempt
putting them back into the nest. Disaster with the other nest as when I got home to find
a young Siskin hanging down dead with one foot tangled in some nest material. I suppose
this is the heartache we get when losing young birds and beating yourself up thinking
I should of done this or that, if I was home things might of been different.
At least they had fun when I turned the sprinklers on.
Jack

[Canary]

Jack

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I am not looking forward to Saturday in Western Sydney where it is forecast to reach 41C on Sarurday.

I can still remember 1997 when it reached 45, and I was watching canaries falling of the perch dead. I was trying to spray them with water at room temperature. and it was not makinmg any difference.

Canaries were dropping dead in front of me.

[Diane]

So sorry to hear of your losses, Ive had the same worries over the last few days even with having shade and misting the aviaries but Ive been lucky this time.

[gouldianpaul]

Hi Jack,

Sorry to hear about your Siskin. Inside my avairy (@ 5:30PM) it was 42 degrees....my Goulds were coping OK, but definately feeling the heat...I can't imagine how it would have been for birds on a nest.

I don't think there is too much you could have done....I cannot remember the last time it almost reached 40 degrees in November.

The only good thing about yesterday's heat is that it will definately help push the Gouldians through that last stage of their molt quickly.

Yesterdays heat, and the predicted hot summer, helped me confirm that I will hold off on letting my Goulds go to nest until early/mid Feb at the earliest.

Cheers
Paul

[E Orix]

I learnt that lesson years ago when we had a run of 40+c days. Now I do not brush near outside bare metal surfaces and I try and line the areas with conflute board(old real estate boards) and if possible the ceiling as well.
Sadly most aviaries purchased are not lined and can become like ovens. If possible to assist on very hot days by just throwing over or hanging down
a piece of old shade cloth.This will keep the sun off and dramatically drop the internal temperature.You don't need to totally cover the aviary any little bit will help .

[casehulsebosch]

Fortunately for the birds it does not get this hot in little old NZ. I myself love the heat but I must clarify that I am in it by choice and never to work in.

The first time I visited Africa I saw misting systems in pubs. I brought a full set back to N Z and have had this running in my outdoor planted aviaries. It is said to lower the temperature by some 6/7 degrees C.

I now see them readily for sale on Ebay. Maybe an idea?

\http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trks ... &_from=R40

cheers, Case

[kimberley breeder]

Oh I feel your pain! I recently lost some birds to a snake! Its always horrible to lose a bird whatever the circumstances regardless if its a zebra finch or a more expensive bird!

I try and find positives and learn from any fatalities, be sad for a few days and move on to better myself in my hobby.

Good luck with the rest of your birds

[finchbreeder]

Big shady trees, auto mist systems, auto water systems, vines growing over the avairy. All are a great asset to the birdo. Sorry to hear of your losses.
LML

[finches247]

Sorry to hear of your losses Better luck next time.

[Myzomela]

You can also combine the misting with a fan so that the air movement helps with evaporation and dispersal of heat.
There are even commercial units that combine both in one unit ie misting fans.