FINCHforum

Does anyone use black-light(s) for their finches?

L in Ontario wrote:Does anyone use black-light(s) for their finches?

I am also interested to know that. I purchased a reptile heat light to put on the top of the cage I keep at school in my classroom. There are two shaftails in there. When no one is in the room sometimes the heat doesn't come on so I wanted something to keep them warm. It gives off a red glow. I wondered if a black light would do the same......

I've been reading further about black-lights and I don't think it will work for my situation. Apparently the black-lights' long UV wavelength will increase the % of female offspring for Gouldians I'm already at about 90% or more female babies!! I guess I better not use any black-lights.

Maybe I should remove the "daylight" lights from half of my breeding cages...?

Donna - I do not know whether black-lights give off any heat whatsoever.

Another article I was reading Today,suggested that older hens or hens in poorer condition then others,Were more likely to produce hens.And young Hens or hens in excellent condition before breeding would produce more cocks.

I don't think the black lights give off any more heat than a regular fluorescent bulb. Ceramic heat lamps are excellent for providing heat without light.

Liz - I was once told that if I replace one of the full-spectrum lights on a double shop light with a 'normal' fluorescent light, I would get more males. Haven't tried it, so have no idea if it works. I seem to have a bit of everything--some hens produce more males than females, some hens produce more females than males.

gomer wrote:Another article I was reading Today,suggested that older hens or hens in poorer condition then others,Were more likely to produce hens.And young Hens or hens in excellent condition before breeding would produce more cocks.

Can you provide a link to that article? I'm really not worried about my birds being in poorer condition and all my birds are young but as I'd never heard either of those I'd like to read it. Thanks for letting us know.

Sally wrote:I don't think the black lights give off any more heat than a regular fluorescent bulb. Ceramic heat lamps are excellent for providing heat without light.

Liz - I was once told that if I replace one of the full-spectrum lights on a double shop light with a 'normal' fluorescent light, I would get more males. Haven't tried it, so have no idea if it works. I seem to have a bit of everything--some hens produce more males than females, some hens produce more females than males.

I agree Ceramic leat lamps are great for giving off warmth without light so it won't keep them awake at night.

Sally - thanks for that tip! I will try it tonight - replacing 1 full spectrum tube with a regular light tube. Cross your fingers (although eggs are already laid in 2 cages - hoping for other cages to WAKE UP)! It kinda makes sense from what I've been reading recently... I have too much UV lights! Go figure!

Where can you get a ceramic heat lamp? Hate to appear ignorant...
I think this reptile lamp is working, but it gives off a red glow.

Donna - I got my ceramic heat emitters from PetsMart in the reptile section, they are about $40 each. They last a long time, but that is still expensive. At the time, I was able to price-match with PetsMart's online store and got them for about $24 each. My PetsMart will only pricematch their own online store, but some PetsMarts will pricematch anyone.

I did a search, and there is an online store at www.futurepets.com/ that has the 100w ZooMed ceramic heat emitter for $17.95 plus $7.95 shipping. Haven't done business with them, but if your local PetsMart would pricematch, that would be a great deal!

With these ceramic heat emitters, you can use a clamp-on reflector lamp. For safety's sake, get the ones that are rated for something like 300w, they are sold at Tractor Supply as brooder lamps, and have a ceramic or porcelain screw-in base. The typical ones you find at Home Depot are not designed for the heat these emitters can put out.

Thanks Sally for that info. I think I bought the wrong thing......
I will order one and try it. Thanks again.

Vol 21 Issue 5 Oct-Nov 2008,Issue of Australian bird keeper,It is supplied to 60 countries around the world,great reading,for the parrot and finch enthusiast.

Thanks, Gomer!!

Donna
here is a link for the ceramic heat emmiter

http://www.justbirdstuff.com/Ceramic-He ... 16333.html