The weather in NSW is going to go nuts this weekend. In that regard waht are you doing to keep your birds cool?

 

I have put a sprinkler hose on my aviary roof (outside of course), upside down so when turned on, it runs down the roof, cooling the roof.

 

I have used one of those big shade umbrellas to partially cover the roof of the aviary.

 

I have put shadecloth over the front to reduce direct sunlight in the mid afternoon.

 

Water is at a low level, so the birds can access it when they are down low.

 

Ice cubes are frozen, so they can go in the drinking water of the birds.

 

All is in readiness for the predicted 42 degrees today and 44 degrees tomorrow.

 

I will take some photos later today.

 

Here are some do's and don't's a lot of people were told by Nigel Tonkin

 

WATER

 

DO water in the early part of the day - I try to around 6 - 7 a.m. and then again later in the evening - I try around 7.30 - 8.30 p.m (I have lights on timers so the birds can see until 11 p.m. and the light commence again at 5 a.m. in this weather - if not already light).

 

Do add ice to the water to keep it cool for a longer part of the day

 

DO check the water later in the day - early evening to ensure all containers have water

 

DO change the water daily TWICE if you can

 

DO use OPEN trays, glass or enamel - not galvanised. I am not one for upturned bottles as they DO NOT ALLOW all of the birds access to the drinking water when they need it, only permits one at a time v's a flock situation

 

DO NOT add vitamins as these can 'go off'

 

DO add aviclens or similar to the water

 

DO NOT spray the birds in the aviary during the day as this increases humidity and puts more stress on the birds

 

 

AIRFLOW and AVIARY ACTIVITY

 

If able, have fans on to creat air movement.

 

Air-conditioning can be dangerous as if at 20 degrees and the power goes off, then major issues with a potential + 20 degrees jump in temp over a short period of time

 

Get in to the aviaries early and get out and stay out to prevent disturbance of the birds

 

Let the birds attempt to control their own day without interruption once you have fed, watered and turned on any items you might use

 

Insulate if you are able, but only when cool

 

Shade cloth is good to take some of the heat off the aviary

 

 

GREENS

 

None to be given, unless in the early morning or late p.m and it can be consumed totally in a short period of time

 

 

SOFTFOODS and SOAKED / SPROUTED SEED

 

I ceased the add ins once warmed up

 

I feed Sprouts 25% of normal in the early hours of the morning and now a similar amount when I rewater the birds in the evening. Can be a treat if done properly, can be a disaster if overdone and or seeds are not thoroughly rinsed.

 

 

CHECKING BIRDS

 

Check both in the a.m. and p.m for issues - I have just found a hen with a clogged bum, normal looking faeces, but because some of our birds have longer feather around the vent, there can be times when the faeces attach and then a blockage and then potential death.

 

As I stated at the outset, fanciers might not agree with what I present above and that is okay as long as we are all aware of the need to use best practice in preventing disasters with our livestock then I will be happy

 

One can only trust that this weather might get lost soon

 

Have a great day

Cheers

 

Nigel T

Nigel Tonkin (BCSA President)

 

 

So there we have. Preparation is the key, but if there is poor or no preparation, it is not too late to make out little friends more comfortable.

Sounds mostly what I do, pretty good advise in all. Personally though I do spray my birds as I have good airflow through my avairies and have found they really appreciate it. Also I do go out quite a few times a day to check on my birds but they are all very used to my presence so it doesn't upset them, those that are still at ground stay there and those feeding or drinking continue to do so but I can see the sense in it if your birds aren't as used to your presence.

I do the same on really hot days, except I hang wet sheets over the windows.

I do similar too. We have a shocker of 44 today, but with a cool change we have half of that tomorrow... 22! I hope all your birds make it through Dave!

as promised, here are some pics of my anti-heat set-up

 

Some shots of the aviary - note the shadecloth on the front, the shade umbrella over the top, and the hose going up to the roof, where the water is turned on and cools down the aviary

 

 

When the water runs down the roof, it can be seen opn the outside through the clear plastic. If you look carefully at the first picture, you can see it. If you don't believe me, what do you think the birds are watching in the second picture?

 

When the water runs down the roof, there is some spray at the front, wetting the shadecloth, and there is also a point on one wall where water leaks in, the birds quite like it.

 

All up, they are staying cool. My quarantine birds in cages in the garage are great. Double drick, concrete floor, only morning sun, they have possible the best room in the house.

Edited February 7, 200916 yr by Dave_McMinn

Great set up and advice.

Its 47 here again today and i have been doing pretty much the same. I do spray my birds however, as they REALLY like it and i feel they are not stressed by it

Everybody has their different ideas. I often spray my birds and they appear to enjoy it, so I am happy to continue to do it. There is a difference between spraying and drowning.

I spray my birds too on the hot days. BUT if the birds are so hot they have gone to ground, its best not to disturb them. Its their way of coping. If they are perching and obviously hot then I spray them ...they do like it and act much better afterwards for the cooling down.

I finally finished the polystyrene sheeting on the inside if my birdroom roof. There is 2 inch thick polystyrene sheets on the ceiling. The difference in temperature is amazing to say the least. I have spongy polyester batts and wall panelling on the walls and that helps a lot too. The polystyrene on the ceiling is by far the best thing I have done. I ended up with quite a bit left over and may even do a second layer on top of the first layer.

Also my thoughts now are, when I build the new flights, I may well use polystyrene on the inside ceiling of the flights as well. It can be covered with shadecloth, or wood panelling or chicken mesh or something like it to keep the birds away from it.

You can get those polystyrene vegetable boxes from the fruit and vegie shops and use that if you are cost cutting. I got my polystyrene from the local newspaper adverts......enough to do 2 birdrooms 5 metres by 4 metres.....for $50. A bargain. I also picked up yesterday from the bulk refuse throwout ( where householders throwout large items on the street verges for council collections ) ........a water filled air cooler for the birdroom ....free and it works. My birds did not feel the heat yesterday in the slightest, and today they are happy also.

Edited February 11, 200916 yr by KAZ