Boarding up a bird cage

[finchandlovebird]

I am planning on moving my 4 young Goulds into my new 30 wide cage; this cage will sit in front of a window with west exposure. So I have a 30w x 24h board I am going to affix to the back of the cage to prevent them cooking in the sunshine. They still will be getting plenty of light. Is this a good idea? It is necessary to protect them from direct sunlight, isn't it?
I will then take the divider out of my 61w cage & let Mom & Dad Gouldians & their 4 fledglings have the whole cage to fly in. 6 Goulds in the 61w cage, and 4 Goulds in the 30w x 35h cage. Is this a good plan to let the "young 'uns" grow & color up?

[Dayna]

I think you should be able to get away with having the birds in those size cages but I would not add anymore birds to either of the cages or it will be way to overcrowded. As far as protecting them from the direct sun you don't have to do that. All they need is part of the cage covered in shade so that they can get out of the sun if they get too hot. Otherwise direct sun light is very good for them.

[debbie276]

I would only worry if you think the cage would get too hot with direct sun. The glass is going to block the suns rays anyway so any danger from direct sunlight is eliminated. I would only block half the cage because I find birds love to bask in the sun and then if it gets too hot they can go to the shaded side.
30w sounds good for 4 youngsters, of course bigger is always better.
good luck

[finchandlovebird]

Interesting. Sun is blocked just by going through the window. I really thought being directly in front of the window would be too much for them. So I don't need that board? I was kind of thinking it would help keep the seed chaff inside the cage; I had my son-in-law cut it to the exact size I needed it.
If I have the cage directly in front of the window, would I not need an overhead flourescent light on top of the cage? They would surely be in a bright place, even without sunshine on overcast days, from sunup to sundown. Is that enough light for young ones just growing up? The extra light is just for getting/keeping them in breeding condition .... right?
I'm guessing that silk greens clumped on top of the cage would give them adequate shade?
I rely so much on the advice of the Finch Forum, as you folks are always right with your experience
And no, I don't plan on getting any more Goulds. I took the nest out of Mom & Dad's cage today & they have been told to just concentrate on feeding their fledglings.

[mitch]

For the longest time i never realized what gawkers birds really are---then i started letting my parot have an open window to look out and i was amazed at how much he enjoys this, then i started letting my finches have a window of their own and they just love looking out at the world---but i always make sure that they have a good sized shaded area to retreat to should they need it---we don't want our little friends getting cooked from to much sun and heat---but it has been my experience that they truely love looking out the windows---but i would never, never put them in a very sunny window with nowhere to go should they need it--also i would not keep they birds near a draft from an open window if they could not get out of the draft should they desire as a matter of fact i do not open the windows that i have my birds near--if i need to i will ventilate with other windows away from the birds---others may differ on this but this is what i do.

It is well worth it to see the joy that the birds get--i dont no if plants on top would provide enough shade, i prefer to maybe put half the cage in window and other half away to the side somehow in the shade.

[kenny66]

Interesting. Sun is blocked just by going through the window. I really thought being directly in front of the window would be too much for them. So I don't need that board? I was kind of thinking it would help keep the seed chaff inside the cage; I had my son-in-law cut it to the exact size I needed it.
If I have the cage directly in front of the window, would I not need an overhead flourescent light on top of the cage? They would surely be in a bright place, even without sunshine on overcast days, from sunup to sundown. Is that enough light for young ones just growing up? The extra light is just for getting/keeping them in breeding condition .... right?
I'm guessing that silk greens clumped on top of the cage would give them adequate shade?
I rely so much on the advice of the Finch Forum, as you folks are always right with your experience
And no, I don't plan on getting any more Goulds. I took the nest out of Mom & Dad's cage today & they have been told to just concentrate on feeding their fledglings.

direct sunlight going through the window will still cook them. Sunlight is not filtered by glass and in some cases can magnify it. I agree that you should ensure that part of the cage is shaded. More birds have died of heat stroke than being too shaded.If they have natural lighting they dont need fluresent lighting as well. The artificial lighting is not to bring them into condition, it is to supplement their lighting needs when they lack natural lighting. The board sounds a good idea providing it does not eliminate all sunlight. Your cage sizes are fine but probably about the smallest size you should keep your birds in, so if you intend to get other birds you should consider another cage. Generally the bigger the size you can give them the better. Hope this helps

[debbie276]

According to experts, birds will not benefit from the sun because the window acts as a filter preventing the bird from absorbing the benefits of the sun such as Vitamin D3. Here's an article about it for those interested:
http://www.avianweb.com/lighting.html

[kenny66]

the issue i was more worried about is that the birds will get too hot

[debbie276]

the issue i was more worried about is that the birds will get too hot

Totally agree, sorry misunderstood.

[kenny66]

the issue i was more worried about is that the birds will get too hot

Totally agree, sorry misunderstood.

Hi Debbie
I have read a number of articles about D3 deficiency in birds enclosed by glass. I read an article only yesterday from a budgerigar breeder who demolished all of his internal glass and perspex sides on aviaries and installed various combinations of different lighting within the now opened up enclosures.He claims remarkable breeding and health responses in 6 months as a result of the now increased D3, which is difficult to replicate by supplementation. That's why my earlier post talks about natural sunlight. Its not such and issue for me here up north-37C degrees today ( about 100+F), but the birds, particularly the Goulds and African Waxbills love it. Nice communicating with you

Kenny

[Chichireeo]

You may need to reposition the cage as the seasons change and the angle of the sunlight changes. I have mine sometimes near an open window. The sunlight comes in at a 45 degree angle, while the fresh air comes in straight. So the cage being next to, but away from the open window gets both sun and air.
How about a little curtain?
Glass filters out UV rays and distorts the bird's vision. I read that birds can see the UV part of the spectrum. They can see things we can't see, such as grease stains that reflect UV. Since then I clean my bird's cage extra thoroughly. Don't want him to see that I've missed a spot