Humidifiers in the winter

[suninthewinter]

How many of you supply a humidifier for your birds during the winter? Which brand/model are you using? I've searched for several hours for a humidifier that is safe, reliable and cost-effective, but to no avail. The closest thing I found to any of those is the Vicks V745A, but after a bit of research, found that it's actually made with Teflon, an extreme hazard to birds.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[kathmcm]

I don't use a humidifier, but I placed a lot of plants in saucers on top of their flight, and also have live plants inside the flight.

IMG_1378.JPG (43.97 KiB) Viewed 1446 times

There's many more plants on top since the time I took this picture. This helps increase the humidity in their environment.

The risks associated with Teflon (real, very hazardous to humans, extremely lethal to birds) come when the Teflon gets hot enough to melt and burn. I should think the humidifier would be safe.

[waxbill lover]

How many of you supply a humidifier for your birds during the winter? Which brand/model are you using? I've searched for several hours for a humidifier that is safe, reliable and cost-effective, but to no avail. The closest thing I found to any of those is the Vicks V745A, but after a bit of research, found that it's actually made with Teflon, an extreme hazard to birds.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Plants are great for this. If you're really concerned about your birds, I found a link here:

http://www.sunbeam.com/ca/productdetail ... 4&pid=6393

Its the same one I have, however I only used it when I had parrotlets, because they are from a more tropical pacific environment.

What kind of finches do you have? Most likely if they are from africa or australia, they aren't going to need much humidity, as they are from very dry desert countries. If you're worried about their eggs drying out during incubation, put a dish for the parents to bath in, and they then well bring moisture back to their eggs when they bath and go back to the nest.

[Sharona]

The closest thing I found to any of those is the Vicks V745A, but after a bit of research, found that it's actually made with Teflon, an extreme hazard to birds.

Wow! I never wouldn't have considered Teflon being used in something like this.

[suninthewinter]

@Sharona, I was shocked to find this too! Perhaps they implemented teflon to make mineral build up easier to clean... However, still seems really unsafe for health considering the amount of time you'd be running it.

@Kathmcm, what kind of plants do you recommend? Anything specific?

Thank you all for the plant idea! It would definitely save me a lot of money, and likely make my birds a lot more happy than the noise of a humidifier.

[debbie276]

Teflon is in all kinds of things like Cookware Products, Apparel & Accessories, Contract & Technical Fabrics, Home & Garden Products, Paint Products & Accessories, Personal Care Products, Recreation Products and Transportation Products.

check out their website:
http://www2.dupont.com/Teflon/en_US/products/index.html

[suninthewinter]

@Debbie276, thanks for the info!

[kathmcm]

I have put umbrella plants, baby's breath, button fern, and african violets with my GS. The birds like the ones with the thicker juicier leaves (african violets, with umbrella plants in second place). They like the african violets so much that I only leave the plants in with them for a short while, so they don't overdo it. Maybe it's a "taste of home"? The others stay in all the time.

There's a list of safe plants in the Finch Information Center on this site, in case you hadn't seen it.

Just one additional note, at first I was putting just any kind of plant on top of their flight, but finches being finches would hop to the top bars and try to reach any low leaves and pull them in, so even those plants need to be nontoxic.

[kathmcm]

Just one last thing about plants - you can arrange them so that they don't get pooped on from above. I get the little wicker baskets and tie them t the sides of the flight. Plants in plastic pots then can be easily taken in and out for watering or just finch-free recouperation.

[alexmom]

On the subject of humidity, what is the best humidity level for indoor finches? Here in SW Missouri, we are soaked with humidity in the summer, but dry up very quickly in the winter. The humidity has been running about 25% this winter where the birds are. Is that too much or too little? I only have silk plants in with them.

Thanks.
Kelly

[debbie276]

what is the best humidity level for indoor finches?

I think that will depend on what type of finches you keep.
Gouldians like it around 50% humidity or higher at my house.
It is late summer where the goulds come from and it's around 93F (34C) and 82% humidity.

[DCbeachboy]

How many of you supply a humidifier for your birds during the winter? Which brand/model are you using? I've searched for several hours for a humidifier that is safe, reliable and cost-effective, but to no avail.

I've been using the Venta Airwasher for about 5 years -- long before I added birds to my home -- and it seems much more effective at humidifying the air than any of the various humidifiers I had used in the past. I got mine from Bed, Bath and Beyond for slightly less than buying it directly from the manufacturer.

http://www.venta-airwasher.com

In addition to humidifying the home during winter heating months, it also helps to cleanse the air. I do also use a separate Austin Air HEPA air purifier beside the birdcage, however....which I'm equally happy with. Austin even makes a version designed specifically for filtering pet dander, including bird dust, from the air -- though I got the smaller "junior" version instead since it's used strictly for my small bird area. They're made right here in the U-S-of-A, and unlike most purifiers, their filters last for 5 years with normal use.

http://www.austinair.com

The Venta is not cheap -- definitely more than they typical humidifier -- but to me the benefits have been worth it. Before I got mine, I used to get sinus infections regularly throughout the winter, and even an occasional cold. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but now I almost never get a sinus infection anymore in winter while my Venta is running, and I haven't had a single cold since I've had it. I even seem to sleep much better now, and don't awaken with that "dried-out" feeling.

With birds in the home, however, I'd definitely avoid the various optional liquid scents (vanilla, etc.) they offer. I've also been wary of using the "Water Treatment Additive" they recommend using regularly to prevent mineral deposits, although I've spoken with the company and they do insist there's nothing in that treatment that would evaporate into the air. So supposedly it is 100 percent "bird safe". I just haven't risked it yet.

[ac12]

I picked up an ultrasonic humidifier.
No heat to worry about.
I just have not used it yet, as the humidity has not dropped low enough to make me take it out.

[alexmom]

We have a whole house cabinet unit from Sears. I don't use any of the scents in it.

I'll check out the venta airwasher. My humidifier is getting some age on it and it didn't help when a plant got knocked off on top of it. We use an air cleaner in our bedroom. It's just a single room unit and we run it at night for the white noise.

I have Green Singers, Societies, Spice, Orange Cheeked Waxbills and a Star. I need to update my signature line.

[suninthewinter]

@Kathmcm, thanks very much! Very helpful! I'll be sure to check out the list of plants on the website. To be honest, I wasn't aware it existed, being quite new here. You were a tremendous help, thank you again!