Worried about the heat in the aviary

[Rachael Kellett]

The title says it all really It is getting hotter and hotter in England and I am concerned about the temperature in the aviary because of the two breeding pairs that have babies in the nestboxes. Its very warm in the aviary and when I just went in to check on them I noticed that the nestboxes are getting quite hot too! I want to put a fan in there, just the ordinary house type, but I know that drafts can be a killer for budgies so I want to know if it is safe to have a fan on in there and what other aviary owners do on a hot day.

I didn't have this issue last year because all the budgies could go into the outdoor flight to cool down but obviously the babies are too young to even leave the nestbox yet let alone go outside.

[barrieshutt]

You need to know the heat and humidity in your birdroom at all times , my humidity level was down to 32% today with a temperature of 25 c , below 30% and eggs will dry out , above 47% and embryos drown.

you need a fan , a fan blows and circulates the air , it does not cause a draught

Spray the birds 2/3 times daily when its hot and wet the floor

[skysmum]

Could you not leave the door to the inside open Rachael, this is what ive been doing. The only other thing, and it sounds a bit tedious would be to freeze a couple of large bottles of water and stand them inside, it may bring the temperature down a bit. The best thing would prob be to move the breeding cages indoors until babies are out and about but i know this isn't always possible.

[Rachael Kellett]

Aug 10, 2012 19:37:11 GMT barrieshutt said:

You need to know the heat and humidity in your birdroom at all times , my humidity level was down to 32% today with a temperature of 25 c , below 30% and eggs will dry out , above 47% and embryos drown.

you need a fan , a fan blows and circulates the air , it does not cause a draught

Spray the birds 2/3 times daily when its hot and wet the floor

I have no eggs now, they have all hatched and the youngest baby is 11 days old, the oldest is about 23 days old. I will put a fan in there first thing in the morning, thank you Barrie I will also be misting the birds several times tomorrow. There shouldn't be an issue with misting the babies should there?

[Rachael Kellett]

Aug 10, 2012 19:38:08 GMT skysmum said:

Could you not leave the door to the inside open Rachael, this is what ive been doing. The only other thing, and it sounds a bit tedious would be to freeze a couple of large bottles of water and stand them inside, it may bring the temperature down a bit. The best thing would prob be to move the breeding cages indoors until babies are out and about but i know this isn't always possible.

I was out until about lunchtime today but since getting home the shed door has been wide open, with the safety porch door closed of course. I'm afraid moving the breeding cages isn't an option, they are used to the aviary and I have three dogs so they would terrify the birds and I'd be worried about it causing them to abandon the babies. The bottles of water idea sounds an interesting one

[kakhan]

We here have a temperature around 40 *C these days and its a pitty to watch the birds with their wings out.I mist them with a spray and on very hot days place a fan near the cages.This will work for you.Also add extra large bowls of water in the cage.The birds if want can also bath in it.