Too Hot?

[Michelle 0]

It's the second time I see Bud do that... She jumps out of the nest and separates her wings from her body a bit... She also seems to be panting (Beak open and breathing quickly)

 

Is it because she's hot? It is a pretty hot day in here...

[Elly 0]

Yes it is you may want to offer her a way to cool down. I am sure some of our breeders from AU can give you some tips too.

[Michelle 0]

Well, I dunno what ways I could use... I put the bath in the cage, but she never uses it. I tried using a bottle spray but whenever I spray one shot she runs back into the nest...

 

And I bet a fan is a bad idea uh? :\

Edited June 16, 2007 by Michelle

[Elly 0]

Bea had this issue, you would have to do a search. I remember her budgies being very hot. I would offer the bath, you can try lettuce or greens in some water and see if she takes to that, a fan directly on her would be a bad idea but a ceiling fan for circulation when she is not out for flight tine would be okay.

[Daz 0]

Michelle our birds can take up to 42deg C. Some the breeders use humidifiers in their aviaries to try to cool them down.

 

Does your nest box have vent holes. I have a slit on the back of mine that allowes ventilation.

 

 

When the back slide is down, there is a 5mm gap at the top for ventilation. Many breeds have holes drilled either side at the top. About three on each side. Mine has a flow through effect from the access hole.

[Michelle 0]

Well there's no ceiling fan... The cage is in the living room. All we have are regular fans there. I did start up the ceiling fan in the kitchen though, there's a big opening in the wall between the two rooms.

 

I put some lettuce in the bath but... she didn't even look at it and went back in the nest still panting. Aaah, my poor babies :\ It must be hot in that box too.

 

 

EDIT: Well it certainly isn't 42C... It's 30C outside (Yes, this is Quebec for real) so I guess it's like 34-35 in here. I thionk I have a thermometer somewhere...

 

And there is a vent on one side. Looks like computer fan slits.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Michelle

[Daz 0]

Birds like humans get accustomed to there inviroment. I say a bird is Cairns being taken to Tasmania would not do well and the same the other way around.

 

Brisbane temps average in the mid 20's most year round. March 27.4Deg C, April 25.3 Deg C, May 24.1 Deg C, June 20 .1 Deg C... These are average temps inside my aviary. I check them every day. Highest temp 44Deg last year.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Daz

[Michelle 0]

Well we certainly don't have heat waves all the time (The cheap thermometer I have says 31C at the cage) but sometimes summer is tricky here... Do you think it is problematic right now?

[Norm 0]

Like Daz says, here in Australia, especially where the birds live in their native habitat, it gets extremely hot. But also like he says your bird is used to Canada & a hot day will make it pant. Do the best you can to make it more comfortable for her, but one thing I wouldn’t do is go too close when she leaves the nest, as that may be her way of cooling the chicks & if you scare her straight back into the nest, you will disturb it. On hot days here near 40c they will stand on the perch with their wings out from their sides & pant, it’s normal, I’m pretty sure they will survive.

[Michelle 0]

I tried looking for Bea's problem and I couldn't find it... This search engine doesn't accept "hot" for a keyword and that doesn't help!

 

Anyway, I'll be sure to leave the poor thing alone. I don't think she had it that bad last summer (Now that I think about it, it might be the first time she experiences overheating)

[KathyW 0]

Panting and wing-spreading are natural ways for the bird to lower it's temperature. Just make sure they have plenty of water so they do not dehydrate, try not to disturb them too much and they should cope just fine.

 

Here in Albury we have days on end of over 40 degrees C, and while the birds do not like it much (lots of panting and spreading of wings) as long as they have shade to retreat to and water they manage okay.

 

With your birds inside, if it's not too uncomfortable for you, then it should not be too uncomfortable for your birds. Just make sure the cage is not in the direct sun, especially in the hottest parts of the day.

 

Cheers,

KathyW.

[Guest Phoebe]

In Canada, the temperatures vary so wildly, today it is a chilly 14 degrees (and my bedding plants aren't doing so well) but two weeks ago it was 32 and everybody was hot and I nearly died! (sorry I can be a drama queen). So best you mist them with a fine mist if bathing doesn't interest them, they may learn to love it!

[Feathers 0]

Earlier this year, when we had a bit of a heatwave Kaz replaced the wooden door to the nestbox with a wire mesh door. She also had a water cooler in the birdroom. She had also drilled a couple of air holes into some of the nests to aid air movement.

 

 

Feathers.

[Michelle 0]

Well I'm the type of person that despises heat, so yesterday was really not a good day for me...

 

But today it's 21... Temperature does fluctuate a lot in Canada! And thanks folks, I'll try my best to keep 'em cool... But it's not easy. Eep.

[Elly 0]

youc can PM Bea and ask here what she did

[Michelle 0]

Now why didn't I think of that first? Consider it done.

[Michelle 0]

Now today isn't that hot, but she keeps her wings open and shaky. Is it because I make her nervous? Cuz she's scared? It's weird...

[Elly 0]

yes she could be nervous

[Norm 0]

Michelle, some Budgies, I think especially hens, when they are in real good condition & feeling great they will stand on the perch with their wings out & sort of shaking & fly from perch to perch, it’s because they are so happy & full of life. Usually they wont do it when they are in the middle of breeding with chicks, but maybe that’s what’s happening with your hen.

Edited June 21, 2007 by Norm