Not having much luck

[serz]

Well went in the aviary tonight to turn the birds lights out and check on them ect and found one dead on the floor of the aviary. I was very shocked and upset so my husband had to come and sort it out. He said that it was kind of jammed into the corner on the floor and was in a strange position. He has checked the aviary for any signs that anything could have gotten in but all is ok. The bird in question is that one that had lost a bit of weight recently so don't no if that was why.

So any ideas on how she could have died. She was eating and drinking, tail bobbing slightly but nothing excessive and she was interacting with the other birds ok.

They were all treated with ivermectin a few weeks ago as a precaution and they have been having iodine in there water for a few days. They get fed seed daily, emp egg food daily, grit available at all times, fresh fruit and veg or egg daily, millet spray twice weekly, cuttlefish fish at all times, meal worms every other day and they get a calcium supplement for the last 7 days of the month. They had some ulitmate today also. Is there anything that I am missing or doing wrong please tell me.

The temp in the aviary drops to about 7 at the lowest (I do want to get some tubular heating and Inuslation which I will start a new thread about).

The bird in question was given to me with another budgie around 3 months ago. They had been in a cage for all of there lives and never let out. They are/were 6 years old and as far as I no lead a happy healthy life syle. The other budgie this one came with has bonded with one of mine but the one that passed away was quite a loner. Could this be stress that killed the little in your opinions or something more sinister?

I'm just worried about my other birds now. This has all seemed to happen since the nest boxes were removed.

Sorry for the Long post and thanks for reading

[Hezz]

I can't shed any light on your question, Serz, but just want to say sorry! Hopefully she is going to be the only casualty this time round. Very frustrating when you don't know what the cause may be, I am sure.

[Deleted]

so sorry serz for your lose.
it might have been a heart attack or stroke...
you no as budgies they are prone to both...

[barrieshutt]

It appears you may have draughts Serz, these kill where the warmth of the nest box will have protected them ..............i do advise that your lagging and heater are installed asap

[serz]

What heater would you reccomend and were can I get a thermostat that is easy to use please and I will go and get them
Right away. And also what do I use to
Insulation? Thanks

[barrieshutt]

Dec 2, 2011 7:43:46 GMT serz said:

What heater would you reccomend and were can I get a thermostat that is easy to use please and I will go and get them
Right away. And also what do I use to
Insulation? Thanks

Visit someone like a builders merchants or B&Q , YOU WILL NEED one inch sheets of polystyreene to sit in the cavitys , 6 mm ply wood to line over the insulation, fill joints with decorators caulk, two coats of eggshell white or magnolia to brighten things up.

A tubular heater 4 or 5 feet long , fastened just above floor level , a guard to prevent them getting burnt and a plug in thermostat, available online or any good electrical supplier.......try screwfix online

[serz]

thanks barrie. What about hard board would that be any good at all as its a lot cheaper than plywood?

What site would you reccomend me to get the tubular heater from please? And can you get th guards from the same place as the heaters please?

thanks

[serz]

im a bit confused as ive found heaters and a 4ft one in one place is a certain wattage and in another place its a higher wattage. Does it matter what wattage i get?

[barrieshutt]

Dec 2, 2011 20:52:34 GMT serz said:

thanks barrie. What about hard board would that be any good at all as its a lot cheaper than plywood? hardboard warps Serz

What site would you reccomend me to get the tubular heater from please? And can you get th guards from the same place as the heaters please?

thanks

[barrieshutt]

Dec 3, 2011 16:18:32 GMT serz said:

im a bit confused as ive found heaters and a 4ft one in one place is a certain wattage and in another place its a higher wattage. Does it matter what wattage i get?

The bigger the wattage the more certain you are of maintaning 10c over winter

[serz]

Ok thanks Barrie. The cheapest I've found is £22.80 for a 3ft and £17.38 for the guard. The dearest thing I've found so far is the plug in thermo stat. I can't find it cheaper than £20 grrr

[serz]

I'm stuck between the 135 watt and the 185 watt heater. Would the 135 heater still do the same job? Thanks

[Hezz]

It probably would, but would have to work harder to maintain the temp at 10C, whereas the bigger motor would cope much more easily. It could work out to be false economy to go for the cheaper, lower wattage rather than the bigger one. Common sense says the larger one should last longer.

[barrieshutt]

I agree with Hezz

[serz]

Thanks guys larger one it is then