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Winter housing
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:51 am
by 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!
Re: Winter housing
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 7:20 pm
by Dave
Where are you located? And, the type of finch would make a lot of difference.
Re: Winter housing
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:45 pm
by 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.
Re: Winter housing
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 11:14 pm
by 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.
Re: Winter housing
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:21 am
by Flight Feathers
Birdsandstuff wrote:
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.
Re: Winter housing
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 10:47 am
by 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.
Re: Winter housing
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:44 pm
by Flight Feathers
Dave wrote:
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.