Converting a bird from indoor to outdoor

[flyinverted]

The night time temps in Southern California have been in the upper 30's to low 40s for the past month. This is the coldest I can ever remember it for a sustained period. Anyhow, I've had success converting Owls, Stars, Waxbills from indoor birds to outdoor birds. My next subject is a Gouldian. My method so far is to put them in a room at night and crack the window open 1/2 inch the first night, 1 inch the next, and so on for about a week. I also put the birds outside during the day and bring them in a little bit later each night for the same week. After a week, they're good to go outside permanently.

I do have 2 heat lamps in the aviary and I'm very tempted to let this Gouldian into the aviary but I do have a concern that this still might be too much of a shock for him.

What's your method for converting them to outdoor temps?

Thanks
Steve

[kenny66]

The night time temps in Southern California have been in the upper 30's to low 40s for the past month. This is the coldest I can ever remember it for a sustained period. Anyhow, I've had success converting Owls, Stars, Waxbills from indoor birds to outdoor birds. My next subject is a Gouldian. My method so far is to put them in a room at night and crack the window open 1/2 inch the first night, 1 inch the next, and so on for about a week. I also put the birds outside during the day and bring them in a little bit later each night for the same week. After a week, they're good to go outside permanently.

I do have 2 heat lamps in the aviary and I'm very tempted to let this Gouldian into the aviary but I do have a concern that this still might be too much of a shock for him.

What's your method for converting them to outdoor temps?

Thanks
Steve

The lowest temp here during winter is about 35-50 degrees F or about 10-12 celcius, but that is rare. First year this happened I lost a couple of birds. I am not sure what your outdoor aviary is like-a pic would be good-but I did acclimatised mine in preparation for the second year. My outdoor aviary is fully roofed and I put polyester insulation in the cavity between the wire and the roof supports. One side of the aviary is fully enclosed and the front and one side completely open-I have an enclosed breeding area at one end where there are a number of natural perches. These are the purchase the gouldians prefer (thin) and they always perch in this enclosed area during winter. During summer I put these preferred purches out into the non enclosed area of the aviary because it is cooler. In the enclosed area I hav 2 heat lamps in winter which seem to give plenty of heat to all the birds during the short winter. I have also found that natural tree branches with foliage left on offers some protection.When moving birds from inside to outside I acclimatise them over about 2 months in a way similar to what you describe. The biggest factor I find to be important is to have plenty of foliage in there for cover for them in the form of branches with leaves on them. I use palm leaves which are very successfull. I have very large blinds that can be dropped down the enclosed areas in summer and winter and find thi sis also of help.I hope this is usefull

[debbie276]

When I move birds outside I make sure the outside temp is the same as inside usually around April here, then as the cold weather comes they gradually adjust to it. When the temperatures drop into the low 60's steadily around November, I keep them into the enclosed area of the aviary where I can supply heat so it stays above 55F. Personally I would never let the temps go lower then 55F for gouldians.

[kenny66]

When I move birds outside I make sure the outside temp is the same as inside usually around April here, then as the cold weather comes they gradually adjust to it. When the temperatures drop into the low 60's steadily around November, I keep them into the enclosed area of the aviary where I can supply heat so it stays above 55F. Personally I would never let the temps go lower then 55F for gouldians.

yes i agree-my enclosed area stays about 65F with the lamps and the birds only access the non enclosed area of the flight during the day. Having said all that, our "winter" at these temperatures in never more than a couple of weeks- most of the year it it between 20-35 Celcius

[ac12]

Personally, I think that only 1 week to get used to such drastic temp difference is probably not adequate.
I would wait till the spring when the weather is warmer and the temp difference is much less.

[cindy]

I agree, wait until Spring. The combination of drafting a bird and only giving them a week for their bodies and metabolism to get use to it (the cold) then combining it with the stress of moving them in and out is not a good thing. I would wait until Spring to do this especially with delicate birds or any bird. Let them gradually build up their reserves and tolerance to the chances in weather.

[flyinverted]

Thanks all. I will take it slow(er) with this Gouldian.