Direct sunlight? How much does your conure get?

[lexx510]

How much direct sunlight do your conures get daily? How vital is it to their well being? Is there a need for full spectrum lighting otherwise?

 

[Echo]

I copied this from where I get my UV bulbs. Featherbrite.

"Full Spectrum lighting has been shown to be beneficial to birds by mimicking a bird's natural environment. Breeder aviaries, exotic bird collections and poultry production farms were some of the original places that full spectrum lighting was used and observed to demonstrate a definite positive effect.

One of the greatest benefits of full spectrum lighting is the natural synthesis of Vitamin D precursors allowing the animal to naturally regulate calcium uptake. Another important benefit of full spectrum lighting is the effect it has on the glandular system; the Thyroid Gland controls how and when the other glands function and for it to function properly, it needs to be stimulated by normal photoperiods of full spectrum light. The Hypothalamus is involved in proper feather development and skin. The Pineal Gland controls the cyclical process such as molting and the reproductive cycle. Birds have four color vision and the lower wavelength (UVA) adds the fourth visual perspective. Correct spectrum and photoperiod of light are also critical factors in normal preening as well as the skin and feather health of birds. If a bird's system is not stimulated through adequate environmental lighting to maintain proper endocrine function, it may become lethargic and not continue normal preening behaviors. A full spectrum bulb with a CRI (color rendering index) of 90 or higher contains enough UVA to achieve this. It is middle untraviolet light (UVB) that causes Vitamin synthesis in the skin. Most professionals agree that the UVB needs to be somewhere between 290 and 310 nanometers in wavelength and a color temperature of 5000 Kelvin for this to occur.

*Glass windows filter out up to 90% of the beneficial UV spectrum unless that glass was made pre 1939. Aluminum screening used can filter out 30% or more UV light. High-grade acrylic (cages) filters out less that 5% of the UV light."

I use my UV lights in the winter. When the weather starts being nice, the birds go outside for natural UV exposure. During the week, when I work, they go about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs in the morning. Week ends, it's about 2 hours in the am and 2 hrs in the late afternoon.

 

[MySafeBirdStore]

I swear by Full Spectrum lighting.

Unless your birds are outside in true sunlight, they get no benefit from sun coming in through your panes of glass. The panes are designed to filter out the UVB rays which are the beneficial rays that provide the Vit D3 to your bird. All of my birds have full spectrum lighting. They not only love it, but it is quite beneficial to their health.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

My vet told me birds should receive at least 8 hours of full spectrum lighting a day. Because Rosie has a harness I just take her on walks and sit with her in the backyard while making sure she has a option to walk into the shade.

 

[lexx510]

Thank you all for your responses.

 

[Mayden]

I reallllly need to get a uv lamp for Merlin + the budgies. How I hate being skint!

 

[lexx510]

I'm rocking along in a skint boat, too

 

[evesta]

I need to save up for a new light too. I just ordered a bigger cage, so it might be awhile. I do open up the windows everyday but not sure how direct the light is. Does anyone know if you can just use the featherbright lights in a normal fixture, like a cheap clamp light you can get at Walmart? The fixtures are so expensive!

 

[Mozzie]

That is a good question Evesta! I don't see why that wouldn't work. But maybe someone who knows better will answer that question for both of us.

 

[Mayden]

I need to save up for a new light too. I just ordered a bigger cage, so it might be awhile. I do open up the windows everyday but not sure how direct the light is. Does anyone know if you can just use the featherbright lights in a normal fixture, like a cheap clamp light you can get at Walmart? The fixtures are so expensive!

Most of them can fit into standard fittings, a lot of people on here do that instead of forking out $100+ or so for the actual holder.

Just wondering, has anyone ever thought about buying a uv light (between 5-20w) that isn't specifically for animal use?

They're an awful lot cheaper but I don't want to skimp out if it's different somehow.

 

[jaimmorr]

I think the ones that are not labeled for animals aren't the same... I could be wrong... But the thing you have to worry about is the ones that don't specify if they are bird safe. They could have PTFE coatings on the bulbs!

 

[Spiritbird]

:42:A reminder about posting. Please do not copy and paste from articles on the web unless you have permission from the author.:42:

 

[Mayden]

I think the ones that are not labeled for animals aren't the same... I could be wrong... But the thing you have to worry about is the ones that don't specify if they are bird safe. They could have PTFE coatings on the bulbs!

Thanks, wanted to see if there was something specific someone could come up with why it might be unsafe. I'll just wait and get an avian one.

Considered the reptile ones but their usually the long long lamps, or a heat source on top of that and unfortunately I think my birds would cook if I got a uv/heat lamp combo

 

[jaimmorr]

I think the ones that are not labeled for animals aren't the same... I could be wrong... But the thing you have to worry about is the ones that don't specify if they are bird safe. They could have PTFE coatings on the bulbs!

Thanks, wanted to see if there was something specific someone could come up with why it might be unsafe. I'll just wait and get an avian one.

Considered the reptile ones but their usually the long long lamps, or a heat source on top of that and unfortunately I think my birds would cook if I got a uv/heat lamp combo

That's not necessarily true. I had a Bearded Dragon, and I used the reptile ones for him. Beardies need UVB or they become deformed. His UVB light was a regular light bulb shape and didn't have heat, I had a different emitter for heat.

 

[Mayden]

I think the ones that are not labeled for animals aren't the same... I could be wrong... But the thing you have to worry about is the ones that don't specify if they are bird safe. They could have PTFE coatings on the bulbs!

Thanks, wanted to see if there was something specific someone could come up with why it might be unsafe. I'll just wait and get an avian one.

Considered the reptile ones but their usually the long long lamps, or a heat source on top of that and unfortunately I think my birds would cook if I got a uv/heat lamp combo

That's not necessarily true. I had a Bearded Dragon, and I used the reptile ones for him. Beardies need UVB or they become deformed. His UVB light was a regular light bulb shape and didn't have heat, I had a different emitter for heat.

They're the only ones I've come across in stores and I'd rather buy from a store than online so I can easily return it etc. I know they don't all have heat combo or the long lamp, but just the ones I seem to come across

 

[Mare Miller]

I bought one of those expensive UV lights when I first got my bird, I can't believe they charge as much as they do. They are flimsy and probably cost $5 to make. For Amigo to get his rays, ( he has a cover over his cage), I had to set it up to the side of his cage, pointing in. Well...he has longer legs than I thought. He munched it.

Is there any way you could move your cage outside for a few hours a day to get the benefits?

 

[lexx510]

I bought one of those expensive UV lights when I first got my bird, I can't believe they charge as much as they do. They are flimsy and probably cost $5 to make. For Amigo to get his rays, ( he has a cover over his cage), I had to set it up to the side of his cage, pointing in. Well...he has longer legs than I thought. He munched it.

Is there any way you could move your cage outside for a few hours a day to get the benefits?

Over the summer, yes. However, in the fall and winter months, I'm afraid it would be too cold for her.

 

[jaimmorr]

Thanks, wanted to see if there was something specific someone could come up with why it might be unsafe. I'll just wait and get an avian one.

Considered the reptile ones but their usually the long long lamps, or a heat source on top of that and unfortunately I think my birds would cook if I got a uv/heat lamp combo

That's not necessarily true. I had a Bearded Dragon, and I used the reptile ones for him. Beardies need UVB or they become deformed. His UVB light was a regular light bulb shape and didn't have heat, I had a different emitter for heat.

They're the only ones I've come across in stores and I'd rather buy from a store than online so I can easily return it etc. I know they don't all have heat combo or the long lamp, but just the ones I seem to come across

Ohh, I see! I guess I didn't even think about some stores not carrying them. They have them in three different stores in my town.

 

[BoomBoom]

Good information in this thread. I've been with our 3 month old conure for almost a week now. We are planning on buying this lamp on the weekend. Any brands you guys would recommend / not recommend?

Also, is it safe to leave this light on while we are away at work (8 hours). It won't overheat the conure? Thanks in advance.

 

[traciediann]

I've read from other sources that natural non filtered sunlight is fairly important to all companion birds well being if caged indoors, so I do take mine out to let them play when the weather permits. I do not know anything at all about artificial lighting though, I wish I could be more helpful in that regard. I can tell after a day of fun in the sun that my birds seem alot less...hmmm, bossy. I plan on taking my gcc out in the warm rain this summer, I think he would like that, he does love the shower and his baths. I got this info from a "what your bird needs to be happy" list, and among other things, natural sunlight was one of them. I hope it helps you.