Heating in Melbourne

[Abarratt]

The winters seem to be getting colder. I have a large hexagonal aviary with flight from Classic aviaries. I am thinking of putting Perspex over the sides and on the section connected to the flight with a hole to get in and out. Should then be draught free. Would I also need some sort of heater?

AB

[Myzomela]

Depending on the location of the aviary you shouldn't need any heating. If you line the walls with brush that will also help.
If you decide to place perspex between the shelter & the flight I'd make it removable so it doesn't get too hot in the summer.
There are many good translucent and transparent roofing products available.

[djb78]

Most people will not place heaters in the aviery but some do so it will be hard to say yes or no. If your birds don't look to well in the winter then a heat source will be a good choice. There are many views about this topic and there isn't a right or wrong answer in my book but only personal choice. If you do decide to do this any bird which you sell you should tell the purchaser that they had heat through winter so they may do the same. If you have persex to stop drafts and as myzo said line the inside walls this alone can have a great affect on not needing heat.

[TomDeGraaff]

If you use clear perspex as a windbreak inside the aviary, put some branches in front of it for a while. Birds when they panic, may not see it. Also, youngsters may take flight and hit it. Just a thought.
Perspex, I think, will become more visible as time goes by. Dust and scatches do this.

[Niki_K]

I have a rectangular display aviary; 2 sides are colourbond, the others are wire. I've put up some perspex sheeting to cover about a third of the long wire front, and used a plastic type fabric that I can roll up and down on the smaller wire side. I find that works fine for my birds.
However, I provide a heat lamp in one of my large breeding aviaries (as I can't get rid of draughts) as a 'just in case' measure. I rarely see birds sitting near it though- they prefer huddling together or getting in their nestboxes.

[arul]

Hi Niki,

I am thinking to buy a lamp for my aviary. Is really useful for Melbourne winter. Could you guide me, where I can buy a good one?
Regards.

[Niki_K]

Hi Arul,
sadly, mine is about 30 years old, and was given to me! I only really use it if there is a sudden cold snap when I have young ones in the aviaries. You would be able to buy a good quality one at reptile stores (or at most pet stores).
Hope this helps.

[Sime]

Buy reptile ceramic heaters at any good pet store.


image by simonsgouldians, on Flickr