Humidifiers in the winter

[kenny66]

Most australian finches do not need any humidity. They like hot arid conditions. the Parrot Finches who come from the tropical coast do require it. I live in th tropics so I have more of a problem in getting rid of humidity rather than creating it. During our big wet, plants are kept at a minimum and I do not introduce living green material to the aviaries until we enter the dry after April. I only use dry material such as palm fronds-tee tree-bottle brush-straw and eucalypts during the wet. The waxbills also require a dry environment as described above. However if you need to lift the humidity in a natural way, you place inexpensive smooth river pebbles from a craft shop or landscape store in a container about the size of a kitty litter tray or smaller if size is a problem) and place it directly under the aviary-you can place potted plants like african violets on the pebbles if you feel you need to decorate it. The closer the container is to the bottom of the tray the more the humidity will be elevated. Just top it up when the water level falls. You can sanitise the water with one table spoon of bleach, which you add 15 mins before putting under the aviary.

[kenny66]

Most australian finches do not need any humidity. They like hot arid conditions. the Parrot Finches who come from the tropical coast do require it. I live in th tropics so I have more of a problem in getting rid of humidity rather than creating it. During our big wet, plants are kept at a minimum and I do not introduce living green material to the aviaries until we enter the dry after April. I only use dry material such as palm fronds-tee tree-bottle brush-straw and eucalypts during the wet. The waxbills also require a dry environment as described above. However if you need to lift the humidity in a natural way, you place inexpensive smooth river pebbles from a craft shop or landscape store in a container about the size of a kitty litter tray or smaller if size is a problem) and place it directly under the aviary-you can place potted plants like african violets on the pebbles if you feel you need to decorate it. The closer the container is to the bottom of the tray the more the humidity will be elevated. Just top it up when the water level falls. You can sanitise the water with one table spoon of bleach, which you add 15 mins before putting under the aviary.

I forgot to say-fill the tray with water!!!

[alexmom]

@kenny66 Thank you for the information. If we don't run a humidifier in the winter, we all dry out from the heater and the static electricity is horrible. Will it hurt my finches to run the humidifier? We don't drench the air, just keep it between 20-30%.

I have Cocci Care on hand for the spring when our humidity outside goes up to 80-100%. I like to open the windows in the Spring so it's very humid in the house for a month or 2 until we turn on the AC.

[kenny66]

@kenny66 Thank you for the information. If we don't run a humidifier in the winter, we all dry out from the heater and the static electricity is horrible. Will it hurt my finches to run the humidifier? We don't drench the air, just keep it between 20-30%.

I have Cocci Care on hand for the spring when our humidity outside goes up to 80-100%. I like to open the windows in the Spring so it's very humid in the house for a month or 2 until we turn on the AC.

No problem with the humidifier as long as you dont go above 50%. As I said the tropical finches will love it and the arid finches will not be effected at the 20-30% level. Treat for coccidiosis when the humidity reaches 80% as I do.

[Bluebonnet]

@kenny66 Thank you for the information. If we don't run a humidifier in the winter, we all dry out from the heater and the static electricity is horrible. Will it hurt my finches to run the humidifier? We don't drench the air, just keep it between 20-30%.

I have Cocci Care on hand for the spring when our humidity outside goes up to 80-100%. I like to open the windows in the Spring so it's very humid in the house for a month or 2 until we turn on the AC.

No problem with the humidifier as long as you dont go above 50%. As I said the tropical finches will love it and the arid finches will not be effected at the 20-30% level. Treat for coccidiosis when the humidity reaches 80% as I do.

This is good to know because I got a good deal last weekend on a couple of humidifiers (half off at Target). On the box it says "A comfortable humidity level should be between 40-60%." That's for people of course, so I will try it out and keep it between 40-50%. I've never used one before but I suffer from dry skin in the winter and am looking forward to some humidity.

[alexmom]

Thanks Kenny. It really helps having some specific numbers for the humidity.

Bluebonnet, they do help for dry skin (the itching) but I really love not getting shocked every time I touch something.

[Bluebonnet]

Bluebonnet, they do help for dry skin (the itching) but I really love not getting shocked every time I touch something.

Worse than the dry skin is the static electricty in my hair. Very annoying. I remember when as I kid I thought it was fun/funny to shuffle across the carpet and zap someone.

[Jeff McKee]

I read the Teflon story last week. You have to get the Teflon up to about 700 degrees. Then it burns. When it burns, it emits dangerous gases. The hotter you burn it, the more dangerous the vapours.

Teflon is obviously a pretty safe commodity. It's been legal to use for food preparation for decades. Next time your dehumidifier Teflon is heating to 700 degrees... well the vapours aren't likely your big problem.

I run a dehumidfier year round in my basement. The birds are doing very well. (zebras & society's - lots of little ones)