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We live in FL and went to the zoo here for the first time today. They have a large free-flight aviary that's open year round- birds are only inside for severe weather like hurricanes. They have shade and sprinklers so the birdies can get cool by showering. (It was 96 while we were there).

swindiana57 wrote:Well hear in the mid-west it has heated up quite nicely. So I was wondering at what temp do you not put your birds outside. We have a 6' dia. aviary with a white roof but other than that there is no shade. I left them inside since I knew it was going to be over 90 today. Any thoughts

Being a Midwesterner then you have the same, more or less, weather as I have up here. In time our birds become acclimated to our conditions and like us "people" we are susceptible to over heating and over-cooling.

The rule of thumb I use is that if I do not like the heat and humidity, then my birds feel the same. If you can not stand the weather out side in the same condition IE; heat, sun with no shade, and humidity, then bring the birds back in.

Right now we are experiencing an early heating effect in the spring. Together with high humidity our birds will suffer as we do. Taking them outdoors is another chore I do but almost as soon as I get the last one outside I start to bring the first one I put out there back in. Later on in the year I will have them out for most of the day, but just not right now!

Of course you should always supply some parts of the caging with ample shade for the bird to retreat into if they can not handle the sun. Just because they were originally found, or their native area is arid and a tropical rain forest, does not automatically make them love that kind of weather. It is a comfort thing that they become accustomed to the temperature levels around them. Also keep in mind that too high humidity causes bacteria to form on their feathers and special care should be taken to avoid bringing this bacteria back into your aviary.

To directly answer your question, there is no set high or low, but rather a steady build up. I have lately kept my birds inside because it is too high for this time of the year. Later on I will have them out when the temps level off to normal.

Dutch

[quote="swindiana57"]Well hear in the mid-west it has heated up quite nicely. So I was wondering at what temp do you not put your birds outside. We have a 6' dia. aviary with a white roof but other than that there is no shade. I left them inside since I knew it was going to be over 90 today. Any thoughts [/quote]


My birds are indoor/petcages they can go out through their windows to the outside/flights.

http://www.amfog.com/

I made a trip to Lowe's to purchase the nozzles they once carried. This is so easy for anyone (that is if you can climb on a ladder and stay put) can install.

I could fine tune each nozzle to give off a spray to mist for each cage. I could also close off one or two between cages.

I did not use a pump or power filter with mine when I had city water. I might have to reconsider this in the country even though I do have a well dug dig just for my birds. Nice, clean water I still have a filtering device on this well for the birds.

The URL below goes to a site that demonstrates the different effects the misting can give..

http://www.rapidcool.net/?gclid=CLy_lKC ... GgodGSzaWQ


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Cherane Pefley, Avianitarian
HEAVEN ON EARTH AVIAN ACRE
Blue Headed Macaw~ Hyacinth Macaw
Blue Throated Macaw~ Buffon Macaw~ Scarlet Macaw
Military Macaw
American Federation of Aviculture Certified Aviculturist , June 2007
JOIN AFA www.afabirds.org
www.hyacinthmacaws.net
South Florida
561)791-4828
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