Babies in rainy cold weather.

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 7:47 am

Hey guys... It's been a while since I've last been here... Well my zebra finch pair with the tow babies layed an egg when the babies where one month old, and that day even the female stopped feeding them and was protective to the nest... So i removed the young birds to a cage of their own and made sure they were eating and drinking.... So yep they weaned very quickly given they grew up a bit faster than average... Anyways the female kept laying eggs until there were 6 in total, she started incubation when the third egg was laid and now it's day 14 and there are two newly hatched babies under her and they are fed! It's late October and today was a little colder than previously and it rained all morning... As some know they stay hanged up to the wall on our curtained veranda with other bird cages they get covered at night and partially covered on windy days... I'm not too worried as our winters are mild with temperatures usually averaging 15-20 degrees Celsius in deep winter.... But I just wanted to hear your thoughts and to update with you guys... Especially those with outdoor aviary birds I wanted to hear from them the winter preparations.
Thanks guys!

mohum · Post by **mohum** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 1:47 pm

We have wet and windy weather with temperatures down to 5c at the moment. I have been told that my birds will be ok in minus temperatures but I have already rigged up some removable covering and will monitor the situation if it becomes extreme. I am trying to locate some form of heat lamp but have not been successful yet.

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:26 pm

Woo that's cold and it's still autumn... I guess you're in the UK? Good luck with your birdies... you can fix a secured heating lamp inside the aviary near some perches and make sure to wrap the lap with a circle of wire mash big enough so that the birds don't get too close from the lamp... I've seen lots of people do it with chickens and other birds... And I think I've reason a thread somewhere that a heater specialized for birds can be purchased?

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 3:46 am

5 babies so far, all being fed and kept warm 24/7... Baby number 6 should hatch anytime today...

Derk · Post by **Derk** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 5:06 am

Majd
Congratulations! Sorry but I don't have an outdoor aviary so can't help you there.

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:53 am

Thanks Derk ! They're doing great and it's not too cold quite frankly, the lowest this week was 21degrees celcius.

monotwine · Post by **monotwine** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 7:10 am

Majd your birds should be fine in temperatures like that. I'd not worry about it unless they are in major drafts. Luckily Zebra incubate and feed their babies well, which will fledge with quite a bit of feather. They should be fine. Only cover the cages if they are getting wet. The birds should have shelter from rain.

We have similar temperatures with strong driving wind and rain. Our coldest weather can go down to 5deg C. My birds only have a sheltered area they can go to and I have a very low wattage lamp in there they can use to dry off or warm up next to. Otherwise they do their own thing. My birds will bathe in the rain even on a cold day. Your conditions sound quite moderate. Due to them not being in an aviary and being in a microclimate of a cage, you only need to make sure they don't sit in a draft, which it seems you already doing.

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 3:53 pm

monotwine thanks for the input...
Yes our terrace is curtained with special curtains to limit draft/rain/sun.... We opened them on good days... And yes i cover the sides and top of the cages at all times with a cover, and i cover the whole cage on cold nights. So yeah they should be good... Everyone is being fed well and kept warm 24/7, i'm still providing the same diet as usual, millet, hard boiled eggs with shell, sprouts, veggies and fruit.
The 6th egg did not hatch yet, i'll leave it just in case it's still viable.

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:27 am

6 babies!

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:38 am

Congratulations and best of luck

Post by **Babs _Owner** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 8:46 am

Majd

Woo hoo! Every egg hatched! Fertile momma!

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 1:42 pm

Thanks debbie276 !

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 1:45 pm

Lol Babs ! Yep very fertile! And they're pumping them with food! So happy and releived this time! But no more breeding that's it! I enjoyed the experience and was thrilled by the miracles of nature but that's enough... Because this is their second clutch, a big clutch as well, and it's getting colder and colder, and i will be leaving any time next late november...

Post by **Babs _Owner** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 3:13 pm

Majd

The birds do all the work, and we get exhausted worrying about 'em.
Yep sounds about right.

Majd · Post by **Majd** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 4:11 pm

FINCHforum

Babies in rainy cold weather.

Babies in rainy cold weather.

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