I need your help about suitable lighting!

[Max]

Good morning from the UK, i'd like to pull on your experience with lighting for my indoor aviary.

I'm a little concerned that the finches are not getting adequate lighting during the winter period and have read that they need to get certain vitimins from sunlight.

You can see the current set up that i have and what you cant see from the picture is it is tucked around the corner of a window that doesnt get direct sunlight through.

Thank you!

[finchmix22]

Finches need vitamin D3 which can only be absorbed through natural sunlight or supplements. Obviously, sunlight is best, but avian bulbs provide the UVA and UVB the finches need for breeding and health of eggs etc. You can buy them online or at some pet stores. Zoomed makes avian bulbs and some people use the UVA and UVB bulbs for reptiles

[Max]

Thanks finchmix22, ill have to do some digging around and see what i can find!

[debbie276]

A very good link about lighting:
http://confluence.mickaboo.org/download ... ummary.pdf

[dutch]

Max....the most important vitamin birds need is vitamin d3...

I use a product called Soluvite d breeder...it contains all the d3 your birds will need....boiled eggs won't cut it

[debbie276]

Dutch...with all due respect I've never given Soluvite D Breeder and only hard boiled eggs. My birds do perfectly, there are several ways to do things and not just one.

[Sally]

IMO, natural sunlight is the best thing you can provide your birds. For those of us who can't keep our birds outdoors, artificial lighting, diet, or supplements provide the D3 they need.

Eggs provide not only D3, but also calcium and protein--the perfect food! Everyone has to adopt the system that works for them and that keeps their birds healthy and happy. As Debbie has said, there are many ways to do things.

[dutch]

debbie276...that's great that your birds will eat boiled eggs....but mine don't eat that much of it...and i have read many posts on here where others birds don't want to eat eggs either...

[Sally]

debbie276...that's great that your birds will eat boiled eggs....but mine don't eat that much of it...and i have read many posts on here where others birds don't want to eat eggs either...

There may be some whose birds won't eat eggfood, but I think the majority of them do. My birds gobble it up, even the wild-caught, who certainly never had hardboiled eggs in the wild! My waxbills eat even more eggfood when they are feeding babies, as it provides the extra protein they need.

[dutch]

My@Sally...my birds prefer greens....my zebras eat a small amount of egg food mostly shell....but the gouldians only eat greens

[Jason in TX]

I did a piss load of lighting research a while back, and after a lot of shopping I found these and am happy with them so far.

http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/fu ... 5_prd1.htm

[Chris103]

I did a piss load of lighting research a while back, and after a lot of shopping I found these and am happy with them so far.

http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/fu ... 5_prd1.htm

Do those lights put off UVB? I Couldn't find Any info about UVB on the website. UVB Is what the avain and reptile bulbs put off. Its what allows the birds to convert and utilize certain vitamins like D3 and others. Can't get too scientific about it right now, on pain pills from surgery, my brain Is in slow motion at the moment.

I use reptile bulbs that give off 2 or 5 percent UVB. My birds have done great under them and I've been using them for years. You just have to change them out every 6-12 months as the UVB levels decrease and the spectrum changes. Also have to make sure Your birds can get close enough to them, UVB rays can only go so far. So if Your Avian or reptile bulb Is in the ceiling and Your cages more than 5 feet away, its doing little or no good.

[Jason in TX]

Yes

[debbie276]

Those bulbs look good, has all that you need.
I wouldn't count on getting any Vitamin D from bulbs, ever. Most experts say not to trust that they will and supplement with another source such as hard boiled eggs or Vitamins. The lights are more for the visual well being and stimulation for your bird then the vitamin D.
good luck

[dutch]

debbie276....that's exactly what the breeder that i bought my gouldians from said..

He said the lights are a waste of time...he now breeds his gouldians in an outdoor avairy ....because the lights did nothing for him...he has been breeding gouldians for 15 years...so i think he knows what he is talking about....