Cold weather advice

[PerryDigweed]

I have a pair of Gouldians in my mixed aviary, who I have always believed need heat during the winter. I therefore have an indoor shelter with a radiator, which will generate pretty much as much heat as I want.

However, last winter the Gouldians never went indoors to roost, no matter how cold it got. I therefore used to put them inside and close the hatch when temp. dropped much below zero.

Is this the right thing to do? Do birds not know for themselves that they should go indoors to keep warm?

[debbie276]

My gouldians do fine outside at 50F or above. I also used to lock them in a heated coop during cold months. This year Im leaving the little door open and they do seem to be going in and out so far.

[Perfex]

Most Australian breeders do not have/use auxiliary heating and the birds have adapted well to temps that can drop to freezing or slightly below in winter in many areas. However, the days do warm up fairly quickly. I would think that as long as your aviary gets morning sun, and of course you have heating if they did need a warm up, your birds will be fine especially if they have been accustomed to gradually cooler temps. One thought too, would be wind protection, that would be important on cold nights for outdoor roosting.

[PerryDigweed]

Thanks for replies.

I should have said I am in the UK.

[Sally]

Thanks for replies.

I should have said I am in the UK.

If you put your location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on. But cold weather advice is needed in all but the tropical areas, so this topic can be helpful to many members. Poohbear is just one member from the UK with an inside/outside aviary.