Introduction

I find the topic of heating, and cooling of birds of great importance, although it does not seem that important to many other bird keepers. Explaining why heat, or the opposite, is critical to keeping your birds healthy seems the only way to enlighten those unaware of not considering doing so. Temperature is not only for comfort, but also for the ability to function properly. I could not find many decent articles on using the correct heat for your birds, or why it is important, this is why I find myself writing this article. If sadly you ever have a bird which becomes sick, you will soon find the importance of heat ?

 

What is the correct temperature for my bird?

There is never an absolute temperature for any bird, but there are regions temperatures should never go above, or below. I created my own temperature chart consisting of 4 different sections (like in the image below). Section 1, Temp Low, section 2, Buffer Zone 1, section 3, Normal Region, section 4, Buffer Zone 2, section 5, Temp Hot. The chart can work for any type of bird in the world. All you need to do is look up where the bird is native too in the world, then find out what the average temperatures are within that region. Yes, temperatures change according to the seasons, but you work out the average hottest temperature, then the average lowest temperature. From these hottest, and coolest temps, you can create the buffer zones. More will be explained on creating a usable chart later.

 

 

You will need to take into account some differences, if you are supplying heat for a sick bird, temperatures will differ. Birds such as Eagles prefer a much colder climate, although they can handle hot weather too. Tropical birds do not like cold climates, for some it can be fatal. Some species are used to temperatures ranging from very hot to very cold. With all this in mind, it is good practice to research any bird you plan to keep, before bringing them home. Understand their natural environment, what are the normal temperatures for that particular species.

 

Supplemental heating.

For birds which come from a warmer climate, which are to be kept in a cooler climate, should have supplemental heating. There are various types of heater which are safe to use, but there are many which are unsafe. I have tried many forms of heating for my birds, including central heating, which for me seems to the best. Always avoid using any form of heater that produces fumes, such as paraffin heaters, gas heaters, or anything with a flame. Common forms of heaters are, oil filled radiators, tubular element heaters, central heating, fan assisted element heaters, heating pads/mats, and heat lamps. 

 

Running these heaters can be quite expensive, whereas fan assisted heaters, or oil filled heaters can cost a fortune. If you are in doubt of how much it will cost, look for the heater's label, check power consumption. Fan assisted heaters usually start from around, 2000 watts (2kw). Tubular heaters can be as low as 50 watts upwards. The lower the wattage, the longer it takes to warm up, but also does not get as hot. For bird rooms, or outside sheds, a tubular element heater is more practical. They are cheaper to run, heat the room well, are usually thermostat controlled, take up next to no space.

 

As a side note, the use of carbon monoxide detectors, they are a waste of time, because if there are any fumes, the bird will be dead long before that carbon monoxide detector ever detects the fumes. This is why they used canaries down in the coal mines, because a bird's respiratory system is so sensitive to fumes, or gasses.

 

Using the chart.

The chart is pretty simple, it's self-explanatory. When you have found out the natural environment of the birds you are going to keep, such as temperatures which are the safest for them, you can then start creating the buffer zones. Let's say, anywhere between 16 degrees C and 38 degrees C are safe the for the bird, from this you can create 2 buffer zones. We know that 16 degrees C is the very lowest the bird can withstand, so we add 2 or 3 degrees C. The first buffer zone would be 17 degrees C to 19 degrees C. the highest buffer zone would be 35 degrees C to 37 degrees C respectively. Anything between these buffer zones will be perfect, but anything below buffer zone 1 will be too cold, anything over buffer sone 2 will be too hot. Anything within the buffer zones (green section) would require your attention because the temperatures are borderline.

 

It may all sound a little confusing, but it really is simple to use. It can save your birds from freezing to death, or being cooked to death.