Do Budgies kept indoors do better if they have a UV strip light above their cage? And if yes, can you please post a link to show me what type of light etc they need. Thanks

Edited December 22, 200618 yr by lisa

If your budgies don't get at least 10minutes of natural sunlight (not through glasses) then yes, a full spectrum light will help enormously for their vitamin D source.

 

I don't use them as I make sure all my birds get sunlight at least ten to fifthteen minutes, five days a week, so don't really know what they look like. you can do a search for full spectrum light use for reptile or fish, they work the same.

 

May be another member might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

Cheers

Thanks, I thought it would do them some good...now all I need to know is what kind of light as there are so many different types/strengths etc...don't want to frazzle the poor tweets..

rainbow uses it for her birds you can PM her. I put mine next to the window during any sunny day I have here during the winter.

If you are findig it hard to get them to sunllight. Mix well a teaspoon of Cod liver oil into 500 grams of seed leave for 24 hours. This will give them vitamin A & D. but of cause nothing like the natural sun light.

Edited December 22, 200618 yr by daz

UV light is essential if your birds don't have access to the real outdoors. I use full-spectrum lighting, and do notice a difference in their behavior and activity levels. I have read that the lighting must be within 2-3 feet of the birds, but right now I have bulbs in the ceiling fan (regular 8' ceilings) and can tell a difference from when I had regular bulbs there. I would say the birds are about 5' from the lights. Look for one that has a 5000 K (kelvin) temperature rating. At one time I also used a full-spectrum bulb in a regular lamp, and the birds used to love to sit on the lampshade. Of course, they loved to chew the lampshade up...but I prefer to think they were just occupying themselves while getting some artificial sun instead of just being destructive....:hap:

 

Here is a nice article taken from the Amazona Society that explains in detail about full-spectrum lighting. It should help you make up your mind and also tells you what to look for and why.

 

http://amazonaonline.com/TAS/modules/artic...rticle.php?c9/6

Thanks very much for this post. I will be switching to full spectrum lighting for my flock! I think it will be good for my husband and I too. We don't get enough sunlight in winter either.

:ausb:

Shell

Thankyou all for your help..very much appreciated. Lisa :ausb:

Thanks for posting this question. I was just about to ask the same question. My birds are in a corner near a large bay window, but they do not get direct sunlight. By the time I get home from work now in the winter, it is already dark; and I don't want to leave them in front of the window all day. I am also concerned about drafts. I will look into the UV light also. We have a wonderful bird store here in Westchester County, NY; and I will try them this weekend.