Down feathers?

[sleeepy2]

This will be my first summer with Cleo. I notice he is losing his down feathers (those fluffballs that end up all over my house). I assume this is normal as the warm weather is coming. My question is, how much down will he lose? All of it? He looks the same, but when I flip through his neck feathers I can see his skin, which I could never see before, there was too much down. I'm a natural worrier, so I wanted to know if this is normal.

[JSimko]

It really depends on the bird. I take my blue and gold outside all of the time in the summer. When the temperature outside is above 75 degrees he loses a lot of down, because if he does not he over heats outside. After the weather gets hot for the first time of the season, I always find a bunch of down feathers on the floor. Where did your grand mother live, was it very hot in the summer? And was Cleo used to going outside during the warmer months of the year.

[sleeepy2]

Cleo lived @2miles from where he lives now, so the climate is the same. Their house was always hot in the summer, so I guess he would have lost down. Can you see skin on your Blue and Gold? Not when he is sitting or playing normally, but when you run your fingers through his feathers?

[JSimko]

Yes, if I lift his feathers I can see bare skin. What is the average temperature during the summer where you live. Your bird builds up a lot of heat under those feathers. I take Taz to the flea market near my house every weekend and after about 20 minutes, he is panting like a dog and hot to the touch. I mean his feathers actually feel very hot.

[pionuspasion]

My Amazon loses quite a bit of down in the warmer weather. It's everywhere. You can see the skin on his nape. From what I know, this is perfectly normal.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Pionus Passion:

Up to how high a barometric temperature is it safe to have our pet birds outside. Since they are tropical birds, I thought it wouldn't matter, but then again, my birds are in air conditioning inside all summer (65 -70 degrees) and may not be used to extreme heat (90-100 degrees) outdoors.

Just wondering.:confused:

[Jenny]

Mrs. Birdy, I'd watch their body language closely and you should be able to tell. When most birds get too hot, they raise their wings away from their body to help cool off. I don't know if I'd take them out when it's that hot, but just watch how they act and if they're acting hot, then you'll know to take them inside. There's many breeders in Texas who have outside aviaries which their birds are in year round, and I know it gets pretty hot there!

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks Jenny.......will do.

[sleeepy2]

Thanks for the info, I'm such a worrier!

[birdygirl]

That makes you a good birdy parent. That is our job to worry. So keep asking questions.

[Redstorm1721]

Your not the only worrier,as I think we are all the same in that area. I have never let my keet in air condition. I was wondering since I have only had my other 2 for a short time,would that be okay? I do have their room at least 70, maybe a little more.I really have been wondering about that,I am glad Mrs Birdy asked.

[jackie]

my room is kept att about 85 all year and is very humid (it has something to do with the vinalation in my bathroom not working properly...i take a shower everymorning which heats up the room and makes it humid, and then i have to clse my bedroom door before going to schhol---so it stays like tha all day. i think that because of this, my birds are perfectly fine outside in 90-100 degree weather. also, it you leave your birds out long enough on a daily basis throughout summer and fall and into the winter, they can do fine in the cold (well, at least mine do) and can stay out in about freezing weather (although i usually don't leave them out to long in the cold and usually not at all when it's below 50 or so. anyways....ttyl

[Jenny]

I just got an idea for anyone wanting to take their birds outside in the hotter weather- try giving them a cool bath first, then they can enjoy drying off outside. Also, make sure that they have water available to drink, or at least juicy foods.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Great idea Jenny.....thanks.

[Redstorm1721]

Yes thank you Jenny!

[Redstorm1721]

But what is the coldest they can tolerate? I mean I am very worried about this summer comming? I have an air conditionar,and am worried if they will not be too heated and the air is dwn in my living room. Its not near them. So I am worried about them being to hot or too cold? Please help?

[sleeepy2]

I had my 'keets in air conditioning all the time, they didn't seem to mind a bit.

[Jenny]

I also have my birds in a.c. and heat, and it hasn't been any problem. Birds can stand very cold temperatures too. Many breeders who have outdoor flights keep their birds out even in the winter when it's snowing, and it's absolutely fine. The only problem really is if the birds can't keep their feet warm, and some have gotten frostbite that way. Most birds's feathers though keep their feet warm when they're perched. I'm pretty sure as well that birds have a higher body temperature than people. I think in the summer Gail that your birds will be fine.

[birdygirl]

My flock lives in our house that has temeperature controll. Heated in winter and most of flal. Air conditioned in Summer and some of Spring. So the house is rarely less than 72 degrees.

[pionuspasion]

Keas, a type of parrot from New Zealand, live in snow covered peaks with no problems. My parrots all live in one room and I keep the thermostat no lower than 75 degrees all year. From what I've heard from vets and specialists, as long as you adjust the temperature gradually, parrots can take any temp above 65 degrees.

[JSimko]

My blue and gold overheats in temperatures above 65 degrees when I take him outside and the sun is not covered by clouds. He prefers to be in a.c. with the room temperature being around 55 to 60 degrees inside. As long as they are not kept directly in front of the air conditioner they will be fine. I also noticed that as long as I am comfortable whering only a t-shirt and I am not too cold, the birds are also fine with it.

[Redstorm1721]

Oh thats great! Thanks all for the info. Now I keep my birds in their own room. This room is the warmest in the house. I thought that they need to always be warm?I purchased Sunni from a pet store and I might add the room they keep the birds is so hot most of us can not tolerate it. I mean its like 90 to 100 in there. I have said something about this? They pay no attention. I feel they do it so we won't be in there long? But my gosh its hot in there. I really sweat like the hottest summer day. I thought that sunni was so used to the heat? But I have never had the heat that high. I keep it around 68 to 70 in the winter. That room will get to maybe 72? I feel its really to hot? So I am hoping they will adjust to cooler air?:)

[JSimko]

As long as the change is not too much too fast, your birds should be fine. 90 to 100 degrees is way too hot for any of my birds, they hate when it is above 75 degrees.

[Redstorm1721]

I agree. I slowley let it get cooler in their room, the last 6 months!

[Mrs.Birdy]

Our home is centrally air conditioned and kept comfortably cool in the summer at 70-75 degrees. There is never a cold draft on my birds.

Looks like we're in for a cooler summer than usual this year on the east coast......my birds do love to be outdoors...I am just trying to come up with a safe way to let them enjoy being outside.

[birdygirl]

Take them out in their cages(if they can move) Otherwise those bird harnesses can be good investment. Also an outdoor aviary might be a good idea. (they could live in it part time) bird carriers are also a somewhat good idea for outdoors. They make birdie backpacks for birds to be in and they go on your back.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks Birdygirl.

I am getting a flight suit soon for Marcel. I don't think my little ones will take to it at all. I like the idea of the backpack, do you know where I can locate one?

:)

[birdygirl]

I will search and then let you know. I am sure you can find them on the internet. I'll look them up.

[birdygirl]

Here it is....

no website but email at hobopetacc@aol.com

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks a bunch...I will check into it.

:)

[Amanda]

Word of warning, Mrs. Birdy ...

I also considered the backpack. However, after talking to some people (on other boards), I decided not to order. I'll post their replies here and you can decide if you still want to consider getting a backpack ...


At 05:41:29, (Mary) wrote:
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BUT we should warn you that both places are excrutiatingly slow (as in, in some cases they NEVER come) and that was before they ran a picture and ordering info in Bird Talk for the Hobo Pack (which is what both Linda and I have). It took me 4 months to get mine, a lady I know who ordered hers a week later still hadn't gotten it 7 months later. They are great products, I plan to take mine to Pi Camp for one of the girls to sleep in (my pi girls, not my fellow campers). You may get it faster if you bug her at intervals once the wait time she gave you is up.
Mary


And here's another reply:

At 07:37:37, (Gandolf and Kiwi's mom) wrote:
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Huge mess, DON'T DO IT! I ordered my Hobo pack in January. It is now almost June. I had to give a 35 dollar deposit. I have sent e-mails, talked on the phone and done all I could. NOTHING. You get the same story every time, "I'll be putting it on the line. What do you want it to look like, what do you want on it ect." Anything to delay. I sent the owner my very specific order for a Medium, grey hobo pack with extra poop screen so many times that he should have it memorized by now!!! I can't say enough that I would definitely NOT order from this company. I doubt I will ever see either my 35 dollars back or my Hobo pack.


Just my 0.2cents worth, Mrs.Birdy.
Amanda

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks Amanda for the warnings.

:)