House being painted tomorrow, worried about IRN

Crayfish066 · Feb 7, 2018

My parents are having every other room in the house painted tomorrow including my room where my IRN is usually kept.

I've read that paint fumes are very bad for birds and can even be deadly, this
has me worried because practically every room in the house that isn't being
painted is next to one that is.

Is putting him on the opposite end of the room to the doorway to the room being painted enough?

My parents think I'm exaggerating but they honestly care very little about safety precautions in general.

I've also read that I shouldn't keep him in the painted room for a while
afterwards, what kind of time frame should I wait?

Oh and I have zero say on what type of paint is being used so I really need advice on making
the best out of a bad situation.

Flboy · Feb 7, 2018

I am truly sorry for your situation! But yes the paint is a very big real deadly issue!

UlyBirb · Feb 7, 2018

Is there any way to house him at a friend’s place in the meantime, even in a travel cage? Don’t want to risk a sick (or worse) bird

Crayfish066 · Feb 7, 2018

UlyBirb said:
Is there any way to house him at a friend’s place in the meantime, even in a travel cage? Don’t want to risk a sick (or worse) bird

Apparently only a small amount of paint is being used downstairs to patch up
the ceiling in the kitchen.

Do you think he'll be okay in the living room next to this? It's a pretty big living room so I could put him on the opposite side.

Unfortunately I don't know anyone who'd be willing to home him temporarily.

Sunnyclover · Feb 7, 2018

I don't think it's safe for your bird to be around that much paint fumes...just because it's not in 1 room doesn't mean he's safe. Board him at the vet's office or a boarding facility. Or find anyone's house to put him at for 24 hours or so... I'm very worried.

Crayfish066 · Feb 7, 2018

Sunnyclover said:
I don't think it's safe for your bird to be around that much paint fumes...just because it's not in 1 room doesn't mean he's safe. Board him at the vet's office or a boarding facility. Or find anyone's house to put him at for 24 hours or so... I'm very worried.

I was considering putting him in our caravan but it's been pretty cold lately
so I'm worried that could be just as bad.

Does anyone know what kind of temperatures IRNs can tolerate?

bug_n_flock · Feb 7, 2018

Friend, this is serious. Find someone to watch your bird for a week or so. Otherwise could be lethal deadly in very short order. Even in a different room from where is being painted.

Every time I have painted a room, even just a section of room, was when birddos were elsewhere for days to weeks.

UlyBirb · Feb 7, 2018

Wouldn't go with the caravan, you don't want to risk a too-cold bird either. He may be a bit stressed in a new surrounding as well so his immune system could be compromised and the cold, even if they are able to tolerate it, could get to him quicker. Just make sure he's out of your house for at least a few days and somewhere warm.

Crayfish066 · Feb 7, 2018

UlyBirb said:
Wouldn't go with the caravan, you don't want to risk a too-cold bird either. He may be a bit stressed in a new surrounding as well so his immune system could be compromised and the cold, even if they are able to tolerate it, could get to him quicker. Just make sure he's out of your house for at least a few days and somewhere warm.

Don't IRN's often get kept in aviary's outside though?

UlyBirb · Feb 7, 2018

I am aware that they are, but I am thinking since he's not an outdoor bird and hasn't been acclimatized to cool temperatures that this might be a shock for him. Being in a warm house and then being transported to somewhere chilly isn't the most comfortable thing. Perhaps an IRN owner would have a better idea...

adz1984 · Feb 7, 2018

We just painted recently and I was faced with the same worries, I left my bird's out on my balcony which has thick outdoor curtains all around but they don't completely stop the wind or cold due to small gaps on sides and the top.
I added extra cage covers overnight to try and protect from wind drafts and cold.
I got lucky that the weather was good so they spent 3 days/nights out there, I wanted to keep them out for a couple more but the following days were going to be to cold/windy.
It's been about a week now with them back in the house and I don't notice any ill effects.

MooshieBird · Feb 7, 2018

I would strongly recommend finding somewhere to keep your ringneck other than your house. Keeping them outside in the cold is not a good option, they are an inside bird and can't take a sudden temp drop for more than a few minutes. It's a tough situation maybe a neighbor could keep him for a bit?

Crayfish066 · Feb 7, 2018

MooshieBird said:
I would strongly recommend finding somewhere to keep your ringneck other than your house. Keeping them outside in the cold is not a good option, they are an inside bird and can't take a sudden temp drop for more than a few minutes. It's a tough situation maybe a neighbor could keep him for a bit?

He would be indoors in a caravan although it wouldn't be as warm as the house.

Crayfish066 · Feb 8, 2018

Just thought I would update everyone.

I went in the caravan with my IRN while the painting was being done,
the heating in the caravan was much better than I expected and ended
up being hotter than the room he usually sleeps in.

I was informed that the paint being used is water based, although not ideal
I'm pretty sure it's no where near as bad as oil based paints.

I was forced to bring him inside after the painting had finished because I
couldn't leave the heating on for days, and heating the caravan required an
open door in the house which wouldn't really work at night.

I can't smell any paint from the room he's in and the odor in the painted room
near him is pretty weak all things considered.

Unfortunately he's having to be kept in his small travel cage for now (not my
choice) but I would rather him be a little unhappy for a short period of time
than risk putting him in a painted room with his regular cage.

Sunnyclover · Feb 8, 2018

It sounds like you did your best to keep him safe. Good job! Perhaps in the future find a friend that could take him in or a vet that could board him for situations like this. It's very helpful.

Crayfish066 · Feb 8, 2018

Sunnyclover said:
It sounds like you did your best to keep him safe. Good job! Perhaps in the future find a friend that could take him in or a vet that could board him for situations like this. It's very helpful.

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words. Do you know if any vet would board him
or would it have to be an avian vet?

There isn't an avian vet local to me unfortunately, gets me a bit worried
sometimes thinking they'd be so far away in an emergency.

Sunnyclover · Feb 8, 2018

Well when in a pinch if it's an emergency go to a regular vet if you have to. I give any vet could board him but you have to make sure they're comfortable with it. Also, a lot of bird stores to boarding too.

Crayfish066 · Feb 11, 2018

It's been about 3 days since the painting was finished and my
dad is now insisting he go back into my freshly painted room.

3 days still seems too early to me, do you think he would be okay?

The paint used is water based latex paint.

Sunnyclover · Feb 11, 2018

He should..maybe one more day to air it out really well? Why are they so unsympathetic to you and your bird? It blows my mind.

Crayfish066 · Feb 11, 2018

Sunnyclover said:
He should..maybe one more day to air it out really well? Why are they so unsympathetic to you and your bird? It blows my mind.

I don't think it's a lack of sympathy exactly, my dad is the driving force really,
he thinks he knows best and is too stubborn to change his mind or often even
listen to other opinions without getting angry.

He insists it's "unfair" on the bird to keep him down stairs because he's been
in a small travel cage for the past few days. While this certainly isn't ideal
he isn't allowing the parrots regular cage down stairs, so it's a problem he's
creating himself.

I know I would rather have a slightly uncomfortable parrot for a few days
than a dead one.

House being painted tomorrow, worried about IRN

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