Housing outside in Florida?

[ladyz8]

Hi, this question is for those whom live in a semi tropical area.

I live in south Florida and wanted to know if anyone housed their finches outside and what species are they?

And what time of year do you take outside and bring inside?

Is it too hot to put them outside in the summer?

Sorry for all the Q's I just wanted to give them some real sun for a bit, my house is a bit small and there isnt any windows that I can put their cages next to. I know I can get some lights but I cant right now.

Thanks

[CandoAviary]

I am in the north west of Florida on the gulf and I leave some finches outdoors year round. I do cover the aviaries in plastic sheeting and if it dips below 50 I have oil filled radiators that turn on. Heat lights would work just as well. The birds will move close to the heat source if chilled.

[Firingo]

Hi.
I live in Homestead, my aviary is outside and I’m don’t see any problem with my birds.

[ladyz8]

Thanks, what kind of finches do you keep outside?

[B CAMP]

I also keep finches outside all year i have two small aviary's with societies i just cover with plastic in winter and use the heat bulbs.

[CandoAviary]

Outside I have kept Zebras, orange weavers, goldbreast waxbills, canaries, parrot finch.

[kratz71]

I just started this year with Gouldians outside in a large aviary. Even though it can get 100 degrees + in there, they don't seem to mind at all. They are breeding like rabbits out there! I'm going to leave them out year round and cover the whole aviary in vinyl/plastic in the winter and use the large heat lamps. We are near Orlando. Hope this helps.

Mike

[B CAMP]

I think one important thing have some where they can be protected from wind and rain.
The vinyl works good for my birds

[wellingtoncdm]

I live in Wellington and I also keep finches outdoors year-round. Owls, red throated parrots, societies, spice, javas, rccbs, canaries as well as two cockatiels and diamond doves. All of the cages and aviaries are entirely roofed so they are protected form the rain. In the winter they are wrapped in plastic, mostly to protect from the wind. It rarely gets really cold for long and as long as the birds can stay dry and draft free they are happy. I would recommend putting them out early enough to get acclimated before cooler weather comes. Most finch species can live outdoors well down here. You can also add more fatty seeds to their winter diet if needed. Summer heat doesn't seem to be that large of a problem in tropical southern Florida. It rarely gets above 93 degrees and there is a breeze where I live.

[Firingo]

Hello.
I'm keep outside, Goldian, Zebras, societies and Cuban melody.

[Mozelle]

I am SOOOOOO Envious!!

Anyone know any finches that can handle -30 to -40 Celsius??

[ladyz8]

Thanks everyone thats what I needed to know, and now I need to make a plan to build an outdoor aviary.

Firingo: You have Cubans?
They are on my wish list and so are Owls.

[lovemyfinch]

I am SOOOOOO Envious!!

Anyone know any finches that can handle -30 to -40 Celsius??

You are not the only one who is envious. I think here in Canada with our winter temps., the only way that we could offer them something outside would have to have 4 walls and heat sources

[Firingo]

Yes, I have a Cuban Melodious (Tomeguin del Pinar).

[jamezyboo21]

I keep my finches outside from April till October and then I bring them inside till next April. I have Owls, Stars, CBs, Goldbreasts, Orange Cheeks, Fires, Societies, Zebras, Yellow faced grassquits, Bronzewings, and Gouldians.