Source of heat for finches

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:45 pm

I keep my apartment at 71 F. Finches are close to a window because I want them to enjoy the natural sunlight when its out. Its been about 1-10 F the past week. The finches do not act cold (puffing) but I think with 7 eggs, brooding and the cold temp, its worthwhile to invest in a heat source, as a just in case. I was thiniking to get a light to heat them, but i am afraid of hurting them as they have quite sensitive eyes.. right? Could i get a lizard heating rock and put it at the bottom of the cage? Whats the best solution to locally heating the cage... would get a light i suppose but i dont want to over heat or blind my birds.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:12 pm

I use these and they seem to do a good job check it out
http://www.justbirdstuff.com/60W-Red-He ... 16334.html
http://www.justbirdstuff.com/Ceramic-He ... 16333.html
Just put so the birds can perch as close as they want or as far away as they want ,I have the bulb in a metal shade shop light ,I hang mine on the front of cage,some set on top. both seem to work well for me but the ceramic one cost a lot more but it don't have any glare,I don't think the red bothers them

Post by **Sally** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:33 am

I love the ceramic heat lamps, as you get heat without any light. You do need to use a lamp with a ceramic or porcelain base. I use those cone-shaped clamp-on lamps. Even an incandescent bulb (100w) in a table or floor lamp can give enough heat to just supplement a bit. I don't know anything about the lizard heating rocks, but you would want to make sure that it doesn't get very hot--what if a bird lands on it?

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:29 am

Well i assume those lizard rocks dont get "fry an egg hot" because lizards sleep on them and lounge on them all day. I will get a lamp for now and set it up and see if they react to the temp increase. If they seem to enjoy it, i will invest in that 25 dollar ceramic thing.

Gotta test things out before i throw money at them. HAHA.

franny · Post by **franny** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:44 am

Hi Finch Fry,

I'm in an apartment, too. I keep the temperature at about 71 as well. The cage is in front of the patio door, which is never opened in the winter (it's been an unusually cold winter on the west coast), however, I can feel the cold when I stand near the door, but there is no noticeable draft. (It's below freezing out most nights.)

During the day I leave the curtains open for the birds to enjoy the view, at night I pull them closed. I don't provide a heat source. I think that if I'm comfortable enough, then they are too. In fact, compared to a lot of the folks here, we keep our apartments pretty hot!

I think it wouldn't hurt to have the temperature drop even lower at night. I'm afraid my birds will get spoiled and have no resistance, should the power go out and we get really cold in here (which happens rarely, but does happen).

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:16 pm

Hmm... something to consider. I suppose babying the finches too much would in fact cause them to have a weakened system when it came time to actually have to fend off cold and disease. I suppose there is some sort of balance, comfort vs the wild.

I always try to base my decision off of ... if the bird were in the wild it would have to.... XXXXX. But see, in the wild, the little guys wouldnt be in 1-10 F weather, they would be in australia or africa, cooking like little chicken nuggets at 100 F. HAHAHA

Oh well, I guess the resolution to my heating concerns is to have a lamp at the ready in the event of an illness and for now just leave things as is. They arent even puffing so its not really an issue.

franny · Post by **franny** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:24 pm

Yes, I think I'd just be ready with a lamp for heat, if a bird is ill and needs it. (I also don't like leaving lamps that get hot, on when I'm not home. I don't leave any incandescent lights on when I'm out - only flourescent. ..Though if I had a sick bird I'd have to reconsider that...)