Safe Winter Temperature

[Emily]

This was posted on the caique google list I am a part of and I wanted to cross post. The original question was, what is a safe winter temperature (indoors) for caiques. This was a response by Gloria Balaban and I bookmarked it for future reference.

"From the web:

The Brazilian winter is from June to August, with the coldest southern states receiving average winter temperatures of between 13°C and 18°C (55°F and 64°F)

My Caiques are in a building, solid trussed roof, subject to outside temperatures year round. In the coldest part of south Florida winter, it may go down as low as high 30's just before dawn then warms up quickly to 40's or 50's. All birds have cozy nestboxes to go into to get out of the temps and wind. Often on the coldest morning I will find them splashing in their waterbowls. If allowed to acclimated, they do real well in cooler temps. No reason to keep your heat higher than normal or on while you are gone for the day. You can easily turn it down to 60 or 65 and he will do just fine and you will save a bundle of $$.

Obviously, sick birds are a different story, they are unable to regulate their body temps and must have supplemental heat."

[Holly-Noelle]

Thanks for that info Emily! I wondered what is a "safe" temperature for my birds. I usually keep the room around 70-72 with non-teflon heaters. Sometimes it might get cooler overnight if the outside temp drops quickly but never lower than the mid 60's. The room is very well insulated so there's never a risk of drafts.

[LeRoy's owner]

That is great information. I keep the house at 62 degrees all winter here in Michigan. I have been told that is too cold but it must not be. I do, however, make sure the birds are away from the windows and doors where they could get a draft this time of year.

[Sillypup5]

It is virutally impossible to avoid drafts in my house. It is over 100 years old, so there is likely no insulation in the walls at all. The walls get COLD. My windows leak a ton of air. I put plastic on them, but it is still quite chilly in here in the winter. But everyone seems to do just fine. On the real cold days I get the space heaters out for the birds. I noticed yesterday that Kiwi has quite a thick layer of down on her now. So she is growing her 'winter coat'.

[2goldens]

Ky never has to worry about freezing. In Vegas in never gets colder than abut 65 in the house. I had the heating system checked this past Monday and we are ready.

Anthony

[LeRoy's owner]

Do birds grow a winter coat or are you just kidding around? I guess it would make sense. I know my dogs get a winter coat. Just curious in Michigan.

[jinx1764]

Even on the coldest nights in Texas our house isn't below 65 because my husband would freeze! At night we also wrap both of their cages with a blanket to make it nice a dark and warm for them. Royal goes into his hanging 'sleeping bag' and snuggles down for the night.

[Sillypup5]

Yes, birds will grow a winter coat. Just an extra thick layer of down. But they will only do this if they have time to acclimate themselves. So in the fall when it starts getting colder at night, I keep the heat down so the birds know that cooler weather is coming. I try to keep the heat down a bit at night anyway, because I can't sleep when I'm hot and my gas bill doesn't like it much either! lol The cooler inside temps in winter, even the coldest days, don't seem to affect the fids too much. But like I said, when it gets real cold in here, the birds get the space heaters, and I get a blanket! Also, I be careful when I bathe them in winter.. Being in a cool room when you're all fluffy and fuzzy is one thing, but not when you're wet! They get the heaters on them until they're fully dry as well. Gotta love Canadian winters!! LOL Last winter we had about a 3 week stretch I think it was that we were -50 to -60C in the middle of the day. It was awful!

[LeRoy's owner]

I LOVE cold weather but that is CRAZY cold-even for me. LOL!!! Bundle up!!!!
You're so sweet to give the birds a heater while you get a blanket. You are a true bird owner.