fresh air and temperature

[justread]

Leaving my window open to provide fresh air for my new (wonderful) Society Finches is not feasible in my climate for many months of the year. As well, in the name of energy saving, I usually have the furnace at a slightly lower temperature at night.

In the day time my house is approximately 70 - 73 F and I was dropping the temperature to 68 at night. All OK? And if my chirpy little lovers lay eggs, will there be a demand for more warmth?

There is advice elsewhere about keeping the cage away from heat ducts, (I have a forced air natural gas furnace) which is perhaps too vague. I recognize that as a newbie I may be just "nervous" rather than assuming what should be obvious, but forgive this new parent: Anything more specific on these two topics?

[Dave]

Many finch species can do quite well at temperatures from 50 to over 90 degrees F. I've kept even Gouldians and Waxbills at winter night temperatures of 50 degrees F and they did well enough to breed. They looked great.

Does anyone know if there is any actual research on the temperatures that Society finches actually do best? I know there are a lot of opinions.

If you're worried about a hot air duct, you can just put a towel over the end of the cage near the duct.

[justread]

Hi Dave,

Thanks. They seem happy enough today, I have the window open and the temperature is approximately 70 inside and out. They are zipping back and forth still getting used to, and enjoying, the increased space they have ( I'm only guessing). The pet store display case was quite small and I had been "visiting" them for a month, so they've been cramped fro a while. I'll use the towel idea, thank you.

[Stuart whiting]

Hi there,

For breeding society finches you ideally want to be in the higher temps of say around 70 Fahrenheit and above for best results

However if yer not breeding these are some of the hardest domesticated finch out there as these have been kept to at winter temps of well below zero degrees and don't need heat what so ever same as zebra finches

However I understand that yer birds are near a gas heating duct, I very strongly recommend that you keep yer birds well away from this,
Firstly because of any fumes that could affect the birds and secondly just as important the heat from this could do yer birds more harm than good,

It can actually send them into a false moult and this could easily lead to soft moult which could be long and drawn out and could even become stuck in the moult which wouldn't be doing the birds any favours,

I'd definitely move them at all costs

[justread]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. That's a wee problem, the "near" what's near? If the fumes will get them, then they'll get me, because I'm sensitive to that sort of thing. There are "filters" in the ducts and I keep a fresh filter in the furnace as well. Fumes...it's not gasoline. If there are fumes then I'm on the phone to the gas company.

I'm not specifically breeding, though they are a male and female, and definitely courting. There's a rattan "house" if they wish to use it. I'll have to look up the signs of false moult and soft moult. I've had them about 48 hours, so am definitely a newbie.

"At all costs". Hhm. I do live in the same space as them. I can make sure that the air does not blow in the cage direction, but vent is at least 8 feet away. I believe I can purchase vent covers that change the direction of the air.

Thanks.

[Stuart whiting]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. That's a wee problem, the "near" what's near? If the fumes will get them, then they'll get me, because I'm sensitive to that sort of thing. There are "filters" in the ducts and I keep a fresh filter in the furnace as well. Fumes...it's not gasoline. If there are fumes then I'm on the phone to the gas company.

I'm not specifically breeding, though they are a male and female, and definitely courting. There's a rattan "house" if they wish to use it. I'll have to look up the signs of false moult and soft moult. I've had them about 48 hours, so am definitely a newbie.

"At all costs". Hhm. I do live in the same space as them. I can make sure that the air does not blow in the cage direction, but vent is at least 8 feet away. I believe I can purchase vent covers that change the direction of the air.

Thanks.

Ok so there ain't no fumes, it's mentioned as a safety barrier as I obviously have no idea what gas heater you have and more to the point how old,

It's more so important about keeping them away from it because of the heat, you didn't exactly say how close to it that they are !!!

It's not a case of having the air blown directly at them it's more a case of the hot air that is accumulating in the whole of the room

Yes mate it is basic common sence as you rightly say

The best option would be to keep em in another room

Or if this is not possible then yer only hope and best bet will be to keep em as far away from yer heater as possible

[paul-inAZ]

If you are comfortable, they will be comfortable as well. They are perhaps more tolerant of temperature deviations from your comfort level than you are.
They will keep eggs and chicks warm with their body heat.

'Fresh air'? Never hurts. Where do you live? Maybe put that into your profile so we know what climate you deal with.

Basically, don't worry too much. Just enjoy 'em. They'll be fine.

[justread]

Hi to both,

I live in a four season zone. So, though climate change has made seasons more mysterious, my temperature range through the year can range from (-4 - +100 F) (-20 - +37, C) but in my finished basement office where they keep me company, they have lots of window light, but no direct sun and the temperature doesn't really fluctuate hugely.

It's not a plug in kind of heater, it's a furnace, and the room never gets hotter than I would sit in, definitely, even in the summer. The furnace is brand new, high efficiency.

I have patiently trained my (indoor!) cat that this room is off bounds, that meowing at the door will not permit her entrance. It's taken quite a while. Though I am a newbie, I haven't "rushed down and bought a kitten". I love the sound of finches but the outside neighbourhood cats have eaten almost all of the song birds...grr. I have had a few chickadees this week, in my sunflowers. The cheeps and song of these two are thrilling. (Icon use in training.)

Of course I have dozens of questions, but not in this stream and can't spend the whole day online. Thank you for your suggestions. I'll learn not to fuss, just to pay attention.

[Sally]

It is summer in Texas still, so we deal with hot weather. My air conditioner is set at 78 during the day and 75 at night. However, during winter I keep the furnace set at 70 during the day and 65 at night. I have waxbills that are from warmer climates, and they do absolutely fine with these temps, even when breeding..

With open windows, the only thing you want to watch for in winter is cold drafts. Birds can stand a lot more cold than we think, but they don't do well with drafts.

As far as a gas furnace, I have all electric, so no experience with that, but I would imagine many members have gas furnaces. I would think that the only thing you would have to worry about at all would be a gas leak. Most people with gas furnaces have carbon monoxide detectors, for their own safety as well. I would think if the air duct is 8' away from the birds, that would be just fine.

As paul-inAZ has said, don't worry too much, relax and enjoy your birds. Soccieties are tough little guys, the perfect beginner bird in my opinion! Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at http://www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to answer your questions.

[cindy]

I am in Florida....We keep our house at 77 with air on when it hits 78, during the winter the heat goes on at 68...my birds all do fine.

[lovezebs]

justread

Welcome to birdie parenthood.

My birds have lived all of their lives with a gas furnace, and I have never had any problems with it. Sometimes in the Winter (I'm in Canada btw, where temperatures can range from the -30's to +30's) I have added a small electric heater/fan as well, if I thought that room temperatures were getting too cool.

On nice days, I have open windows throughout the house (without any problems). The birds enjoy the fresh air, and some breeze. They also enjoy sunlight, so if at all possible, I would recommend offering them a bit of direct sun if it's an option.

Good luck and enjoy your new feathered kids.

[Stuart whiting]

Hi to both,

I live in a four season zone. So, though climate change has made seasons more mysterious, my temperature range through the year can range from (-4 - +100 F) (-20 - +37, C) but in my finished basement office where they keep me company, they have lots of window light, but no direct sun and the temperature doesn't really fluctuate hugely.

It's not a plug in kind of heater, it's a furnace, and the room never gets hotter than I would sit in, definitely, even in the summer. The furnace is brand new, high efficiency.

I have patiently trained my (indoor!) cat that this room is off bounds, that meowing at the door will not permit her entrance. It's taken quite a while. Though I am a newbie, I haven't "rushed down and bought a kitten". I love the sound of finches but the outside neighbourhood cats have eaten almost all of the song birds...grr. I have had a few chickadees this week, in my sunflowers. The cheeps and song of these two are thrilling. (Icon use in training.)

Of course I have dozens of questions, but not in this stream and can't spend the whole day online. Thank you for your suggestions. I'll learn not to fuss, just to pay attention.

Hi mate,

After now reading this post you've explained a little more about yer heater an described the type of room that the birds are in, all makes sence now

I've just read back and noticed you stated the birds are some 8 ' away from the heater, this I suppose should be ok and if it doesn't get to hot in the room this should be ok aswell, any available fresh air from opened windows will help aswell whenever yer able to have the Windows open, make sure cage doors are properly shut before opening windows.

A good foreign finch mixture and daily fresh water is all they really need and perhaps a little green food they'd appreciate 1-2 per week

Hope yer birds settle in ok and give you hrs of enjoyment

[debbie276]

Also have a gas furnace and it's no different then any other as far as the health of the birds. If you are comfortable the birds are comfortable. Like was already mentioned the cold drafts are not great for them and they will do just fine in a wide range of temperatures.
Best of luck, enjoy you birds

[justread]

Hi,

Thank you all for your kind advice. I am enjoying their wonderful twittering and funny behaviour. The male decided to sit in the water dish and flutter himself wet (no not in the bath bowl) and the female eyed him as though to say in twitter " Hey, are you nuts?" She's busy taking bits of whatever I offer to build a nest in the rattan "house" and they seem to like cabbage. So the temperature seems OK for them so far. Thank you for the window ideas, and yes, there are screens on the windows, so they should be safe. I'm not letting them out of the cage. I suppose my original question was related to the fact that it's forced air, from vent, but so far no one seems too worried about that, so I'll just make it's sure not blowing on them. It was the subjective interpretation of "near" and temperature fluctuation. I think I've got it now. I'll be heading other streams, if I'm following the rules, to ask other questions.