Night lightd

[chrischris]

I'm trying to figure out what kind of night lights is best.
Colour of light.
Wattage.
Placement of light from cage.

Chris

[B CAMP]

I use the miniture x mas lghts and just put across the top back edge of cage it works

[lovemyfinch]

Mine are wired similar to Bill. All down one side of the aviary. Mine are orange Halloween mini indoor lights.

[L in Ontario]

I use strings of mini christmas light also and have two different types - the second is too bright and I've had to put duct tape around 2/3's of the lights to dim them. They are all white - if you can find a colour other than white - they might be better, I don't know.

I have double-stacked cages so I've run mine behind the cages but at the top of the lower cages while at the same time at the bottom of the upper cages. This way 1 string is sufficient for both layers of cages.

[B CAMP]

I had some all white like that they were way to bright I took a black marking pen and just colored a lot black

[chrischris]

sounds like most hee are using colour lights. What about a white light that is on a dimmer so it's not so bright will that work just as well as the colour lights OR is there an advantage to using colour lights.

In other words are you using colour lights to have it dimmer or are there other advantages to colour lights for sleeping purposes?

Chris

[B CAMP]

I use the colored there not as bright and i got at yard sales really cheap,the birds only need a small amount of light.
But I think your white light will work on timer no advantage that I know of between the two as long as not to bright

[CandoAviary]

I use a regular fluorescent 16" light strip placed on the bottom shelf of the cage stands. It is very safe as it does not get hot. Energy efficient and since it is low to the floor it cast a very good light that enables the birds to see but does not keep them active.

[MLaRue]

I use a red light. It gives enough light but not that "white" light. Because some species will never go to bed if they have a white light available to them. With the red light they all go to bed for the night in my experience.

[ac12]

I have BLUE LED christmas lights that I string up one side of my stack of cages and down the other side. I went with blue because I though it would be less bright than white LEDs. Even so, the BLUE seems pretty bright to me, but I understand birds have poor night vision. I may have selected RED if they had it. But the main reason is for them to find a perch when the lights go out and to find their way back to the perch if they get scared and scatter at night. I went with LED lights to reduce the electricity usage, which the bill is already too high.

[Sally]

I was told that red lights will produce more hens, so I put two 25w red lights in the ceiling fan. Before the cage lights are due to go off, I switch on the ceiling fan lights. Biggest disadvantage to this system is that I cannot have those lights on a timer, but work them manually. If I am to be out of town, I just leave those lights on all day and night.

[chrischris]

Misty how do i know if the wight liht is a problem and that they will not go to sleep? Will the birds continue to fly around or make noise? Is that how you tell?

If all the birds settle down does it mean that they are fine with that colour of lighting? OR do you really have to look at their eyes and make sure they are closed?

Chris

I use a red light. It gives enough light but not that "white" light. Because some species will never go to bed if they have a white light available to them. With the red light they all go to bed for the night in my experience.

[MLaRue]

The birds will settle and find their resting spot. Most won't close their eyes until your not in their space. But yes that is how I know it works for my flock - they all go to bed and stay in bed. I had some species that would stay up for hours after I turned the lights off and this would disrupt them all until those species went to bed once and for all.

[chrischris]

I have Gouldians and Splendid (Grass parakeets). The gouldians I know they are sleeping as they tuck their heads under their wings/back. As for the splendid I don't know as when i walk in the room their eyes seem to be open and looking at me. However the splendid are sitting still on the pearch so I'm assuming that they are resting or sleeping when I'm not there. I also find that the parakeets have much better night vision than the Gouldians.

Chris

The birds will settle and find their resting spot. Most won't close their eyes until your not in their space. But yes that is how I know it works for my flock - they all go to bed and stay in bed. I had some species that would stay up for hours after I turned the lights off and this would disrupt them all until those species went to bed once and for all.

[MLaRue]

I don't have any experience with the Splendids - but if they are staying still and being quite then I would think they are sleeping/resting too.

It seems you have found something that works with your birds - both species.