Fortunately, although most exotic birds come from warm
tropical climates, healthy birds are very capable of adapting to the cooler
temperatures we experience in winter. Sudden changes in temperature and
drafts are more dangerous than a bird's gradual acclimation to cooler
temperatures.
Feathers are a bird's built-in insulators and are the key to
their ability to regulate body temperature. Contour feathers overlap like
shingles to hold nature's elements at bay and a bird's downy feathers trap air
and heat close to their body. Birds who are pluckers are extremely
challenged when it comes to regulating their body temperature so extra care must
be taken to ensure their environment is controlled. Exposure to extreme
temperatures can stress a bird's immune system and make them more susceptible
to illness.
Winter also presents the challenge of low humidity,
especially in homes with forced air heating systems. Low humidity can lead
to dry nasal and breathing passages as well as an increase in dust and
dander in the home environment.
1) Reduce your bird's exposure to drafts by
insulating your windows and relocating your bird's cages away from
windows, doors and heating ducts.
2) Utilize a cage cover or well fitting blanket over
the cage at bedtime.
3) In the wild, many birds will roost in flocks in
part to share body heat. Pet birds often enjoy the opportunity to
climb into a snuggly tent for shelter and warmth.
4) Birds lose a lot of body heat through their
feet. Thermal perches are available to keep your bird's feet
comfortably warm.
5) Use a bird safe space heater to keep your bird
room warm. Be sure to avoid using fuel burning heaters due to the
potential for fire as well as heaters with toxic Teflon coatings.
6) Bird safe heat lamps are a great way to focus
heat on your bird's cage but be sure to keep them out of your bird's
reach.
7) Fireplaces can pose a smoke hazard which is
especially dangerous for a bird's very sensitive respiratory system.
Never leave fires unattended and utilize smoke detectors in your house.
8) To combat the effect of lower humidity we
suggest you utilize a humidifier and give your bird daily misting baths
or showers each morning so that they have the warmth of the day to dry.
9) Daylight hours are much shorter in the winter
months and this has an impact on the biological cycles of our birds. We
recommend using full spectrum lighting in your bird room to maintain and
promote your bird's health.
10) In the winter we typically keep all of our doors
and windows shut which means our houses are poorly ventilated. As a
result fumes from cleaners, candles and body care products have no where
to go. Be sure to limit the use of unnecessary chemicals and choose
only bird safe cleaners and candles for use in your house.
