Keeping Big Birds Warm

Fellow Parrotheads,

Besides covering a cage or using a space heater or some variation thereof, anyone have tips on protecting macaws from a chill? Anyone know someone who makes a snuggle shelter big enough for macaws? Any DIY solutions perhaps for blanket hammocks that worked out for you?

As long as your home isn't getting down into the low 60's or below, your macaw should be fine with his natural, built in down comforter (i.e. when he fluffs up). A fluffed up birds feathers trap pockets of air and provide excellent insulation. In nature, the rainforests macaws are native to can dip into the 50's at some times of year and they survive there (though it is inadvisable to let your bird get that cold). There are actually some people in northern climates who free fly their birds with snow on the ground! It is sudden, drastic temperature shifts (such as going from a heated house outside) and cold drafts (such as from a poorly sealed window) that put a bird at risk of illness, not cooler indoor temperatures in general. It is inadvisable to use a regular space heater around your bird. Some have teflon or other chemicals that can be toxic at high heats. The "safe" space heaters to use around birds are the old fashion looking oil-filled radiator kind. But really, I don't think they're necessary in a home kept at normal indoor temps.

With birdie huts, you'll likely have to make one. Easy may have someone who can make a custom one, but I don't know any specific seller. The thing with huts is some birds do fine with them and only use them to snuggle with, others chew on them. If your bird chews on it's hut, the hut has to go or else it could become hazardous if they ingest strings or fibers. If you'd like to give your bird a try on it, just carefully inspect the hut daily and be ready to remove at the first sign of being chewed on. My amazon and my moms amazons have had huts for years and never had issues with them. Then again, you hear of lots of people who's birds immediately start chewing them up and end up sick at the vet or worse... It's a "common sense applies" thing whether or not it's right for your bird

There are low voltage electric heated perches, plastic with armored cable, that let the bird choose if it wants the heat or not. I have read so many stories here of bird’s who died because of “happy huts”. One member’s bird dies for unknown reasons, very suddenly, and later she noticed the bird had been chewing on its hut. The threads must cause some obstruction in the digestive tract, and it can take very little time for this to be fatal. You might not notice the damage, or the first chewing incident could be fatal. He might be fine with the hut, and not chew, or he might notice a loose thread one day. Heated perches, oil-filled radiator,

As others note, those feathers are very toasty and the bird can control the heat by fluffing as needed. A bigger problem might be the humidity level. When it’s cold, and the heat is on, the air gets dry and this causes respiratory stress for humans and birds alike.

Ik there are these warmers along with heated perched I feel like you are thinking of something like this?

http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...170000002127849758700002184335387p18284148072


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Florida has three very different Temperature Zones. Where one lives has great effect on what methods of heating is used for the home.

It is common for Northern Florida to have cooler temperatures, even freezing temperatures in any given Winter. Central Florida is a bit warmer than Northern Florida with wider variations then both North and South Florida - less frequent deep cold spells, but Freezing Temperatures can and do occur from year to year. Southern Florida rarely sees Freezing Temperatures but will have several cool days that will require precautions.

Since Florida has been seeing ever cooler Winter Temperatures of the last 60 years. Older homes, unless upgraded, do not have the common cooler weather features as seen in the Great White North. At most, side wall electric heating panels.

For the care of your Parrot(s) and you, assure that your electric panels are working and are sized properly for your home. A good system can be adjusted to keep specific rooms warmer then others. So check first what you have and consider upgrading. Contact your local Utility for recommendations and very likely some discount programs.

If you are renting, look for "The "safe" space heaters to use around birds are the old fashion looking oil-filled radiator kind." As stated by Kiwi's Mom. They are more expensive for a reason: They are much safer and far less expensive to operate!!!

Basics:
- Bring your Parrot indoors as the temperature falls. See recommendations in above Posts.
- Provide safe additional heat source(s) as needed.
- Upgrade your primary heating system(s). Regardless of what you are hearing, this trend of cooler Winters in Florida will continue until the Earth pulls out of this cycle.
- If your Parrot is cold, you need to be keeping your living quarters warmer! Its the reality of having a Companion Parrot!

eliholtman said:

Ik there are these warmers along with heated perched I feel like you are thinking of something like this?

K&H Snuggle Up Bird Warmer| Seasonal Essentials for Birds from DrsFosterSmith.com

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Click to expand...

Warning: Assure that the electrical cord is enclosed in a protective cover of some type to prevent a Parrot from chewing on the electrical supply!

SailBoat said:

eliholtman said:

Ik there are these warmers along with heated perched I feel like you are thinking of something like this?

K&H Snuggle Up Bird Warmer| Seasonal Essentials for Birds from DrsFosterSmith.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Warning: Assure that the electrical cord is enclosed in a protective cover of some type to prevent a Parrot from chewing on the electrical supply!

Click to expand...

It is for ab a foot down I believe after thinking ab it though it probably isn't large enough for a macaw but could help a little bit might be nice to try


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eliholtman said:

Ik there are these warmers along with heated perched I feel like you are thinking of something like this?

K&H Snuggle Up Bird Warmer| Seasonal Essentials for Birds from DrsFosterSmith.com


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I don't trust these (or the heated perches). In the reptile community, under tank heaters are notorious for malfunctions resulting in burns, deaths and even occasionally starting house fires. I'm also a lurker on a few aquarium forums and apparently in-tank heaters for aquatics suffer the same kind of malfunctions. I don't think heaters and warmed perches for birds are as commonly used as heaters for reptiles and fish, therefore I don't think there's been enough instances of injuries or fires caused by malfunctions to raise the red flag like in other animal communities. What I do know these things are all being churned out by low paid and overworked overseas factory workers who care more about meeting quotas than the safety of the pets using the products. Use with caution or don't use at all.

I didn’t know that, it I believe it. I have the snuggle up on, it’s basically just a flat plate that makes the area right around it warm. Supposedly the bird can move as close or far as it wants. Same with the heated perches. But all electrical things fail...I’ve read of toaster catching on fire, microwaves turning themselves on....enough that I’m thinking of putting a switch to turn off all the countertop outlets in the kitchen when not in use. The heated perch does have a low voltage transformer which shouldn’t let it overheat. In theory.

I use the K&H heated perches, although the quality is poor. I seem to have to buy a new one every 6 months or so. Willow certainly appreciates them after a shower and during the cooler months.

I think the cheapest/easiest/safest solution would be to get a portable oil heater that doesn't have any teflon on it. You can get them dirt cheap, they heat the air naturally instead of making sudden hot spots and are relatively cheap to run.

If you do get one just have it running on outside for an hour or so to burn off the chemical coating they get on them for transporting

LordTriggs said:

I think the cheapest/easiest/safest solution would be to get a portable oil heater that doesn't have any teflon on it. You can get them dirt cheap, they heat the air naturally instead of making sudden hot spots and are relatively cheap to run.

If you do get one just have it running on outside for an hour or so to burn off the chemical coating they get on them for transporting

Click to expand...

There are no fumes to be concerned about with an oil heater? I don’t know anything about them. I have the little electric space heaters.
Thx

Tami2 said:

LordTriggs said:

I think the cheapest/easiest/safest solution would be to get a portable oil heater that doesn't have any teflon on it. You can get them dirt cheap, they heat the air naturally instead of making sudden hot spots and are relatively cheap to run.

If you do get one just have it running on outside for an hour or so to burn off the chemical coating they get on them for transporting

Click to expand...

There are no fumes to be concerned about with an oil heater? I don’t know anything about them. I have the little electric space heaters.
Thx

Click to expand...

when any product that heats up is shipped from manufacturers they are coated in an oil to protect them from the elements whilst in transit. The first time these are turned on they burn off the oil which releases into fumes.

As for day to day stuff unless they contain teflon they're perfectly okay