Winter housing

[Birdsandstuff]

I recently built a 5’x5’x5’ aviary that is enclosed on 3 1/2 sides. It is made of rough cut lumber, so there are small gaps in the walls, I plan to put a small layer of spray insulation on the inside to solve this issue. This will be situated outside our chicken coop and used to breed a small number of birds mostly for personal enjoyment (possibly finches, I originally built this for pigeons). My question is, can finches toerate cold temperatures as long as the are out of the wind and kept dry? What would this type of aviary be suitable for? I’m worried about winter temps that can reach into the single digit negatives (I don’t mind giving them a heat lamp or something on extremely cold nights such as that). I really want zebra or society finches, but I don’t want them to get too cold. Can I treat them the same as I would my pigeons as far as temperatures? I’ve heard that people keep them outside in much colder climates than mine. Any info would be appreciated!

[Dave]

Where are you located? And, the type of finch would make a lot of difference.

[wildbird]

I wouldn't house finches next to a chicken coop. Chickens can have parasites that they could get. They might also ingest some of that insulation. I don't think finches can tolerate harsh weather as much as pigeons can.

[paul-inAZ]

single digit negatives

Is that temperature in degrees in C. of F.? BIG difference.

As suggested above, put your location into your profile. It will be helpful.

I know that Gouldians will tolerate a light overnight freeze in an outdoor aviary as long as the days warm up above freezing.

[Flight Feathers]

I recently built a 5’x5’x5’ aviary that is enclosed on 3 1/2 sides. It is made of rough cut lumber, so there are small gaps in the walls, I plan to put a small layer of spray insulation on the inside to solve this issue. This will be situated outside our chicken coop and used to breed a small number of birds mostly for personal enjoyment (possibly finches, I originally built this for pigeons). My question is, can finches toerate cold temperatures as long as the are out of the wind and kept dry? What would this type of aviary be suitable for? I’m worried about winter temps that can reach into the single digit negatives (I don’t mind giving them a heat lamp or something on extremely cold nights such as that). I really want zebra or society finches, but I don’t want them to get too cold. Can I treat them the same as I would my pigeons as far as temperatures? I’ve heard that people keep them outside in much colder climates than mine. Any info would be appreciated!

My Zebs survive the cold fine but it depends just how cold it gets. NZ may not get as cold as where you live.

[Dave]

Flight Feathers, what is a low temperature where you are? I look at average temperature and record low, but New Zealand is hard to pin down--lots of climates there.

[Flight Feathers]

Flight Feathers, what is a low temperature where you are? I look at average temperature and record low, but New Zealand is hard to pin down--lots of climates there.

Maybe just below 0 degrees Celsius? Like -2 maybe? Or even below that? I don’t really keep track but I know that it does get very cold sometimes.