Don Bourke many of us know as a brilliant Horticulturalist - plant grower to us Luddites - but i am not sure how many of us know him as a breeder of great budgerigars. This month in the Budgerigar Society of NSW Magazine Don Bourke wrote an interesting article. In it, he spoke about how we are moving birds away from their most important ingredient to ensure well being - natural sunlight. Don Bourke wrote about how many experienced, and even novice breeders are creating these indoor flights with artificial lighting, and how many birds are developing signs of illness. He stated that he himself was doing this, and even though he fed his birds a healthy diet and kept a clean environment, his birds had regular bouts of illness. Meds were used to treat the illness and these had their own harmful effects.

 

Don Bourke then stumbled upon the solution, and it was as plain as day. SUNLIGHT!!! He found that by giving the birds exposure to sunlight, not through a sky light or artifical lights, but rather sunlight through the wire, that his birds were much better much happier and much healthier. He even said that letting them get exposed to the weather, as in some rain, it was better for them. When you think about it, it makes sense. We have sanitised our birds so much, perhaps we need to take a few steps backwards.

 

Now, in keeping with his ideas, I have moved my birds. Caesar and Wilde were both inside in seperate cages. Caesar has been through a bout of illness, whilst Wilde was just a little off colour. I thought "how can I help these birds recover to the best of their ability, but still keep them inside", and so I did this - I moved them so they would get more natural lighting, be closer to hear and talk to the other birds, but still be protected from any extreme elements.

 

At night time, they move to another room where they get a light on to keep them warm, but during the day, they sit at the window, get natural light and seem a whole lot happier.

 

 

I am not sure what the copyright restrictions are on the article by Don Bourke, but I think that everyone should read it. I will see what I can do in that regard.

It's no surprise, as UV light is required for the production of vitamin D3. Fifteen minutes each day in full sunlight (not through a window) should be enough.

 

Your bird looks happy in the light

Edited March 8, 200916 yr by Chrysocome

I think Daz posted a copy of the article somewhere a while ago for anyone interested... maybe go and do a search for it.

Very good post! Thank you very much Dave. It'd be lovely to read the original article

I found this one which is very good, by don bourke.

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=23756

thats the one I was thinking of... I guess he didn't post the actual article