How to convince budgies to go in heated area

[keabird]

We have a large outdoor aviary that our 4 budgies share with our 4 chickens. They have a ton of room to fly around and lots of perches and toys up high where the chickens can't get them. I built a special heated area that is protected from drafts and has lots of toys and perches inside. The only problem is that it is getting colder here and the birds don't want to go in.

The entrance is 4 2 inch diameter holes with perches on either side. I have tried spreading treats to lure them in. If I leave the access door wide open, they will go in, but if I close the door with them inside, they immediately exit. I can't leave the door open because the chickens would get up in there and wreck the place.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to convince our birds that this is the nice warm place for them to spend the winter?

 

[Laurasea]

Add more light? Birds don't like dark areas. A picture might help us give ideas.

 

[keabird]

Here is a shot of the outside of the area. I will get one with the door open later. I did add a window so there is more light coming in, but I think in order to get a lot more light it will take some kind of light bulb inside.

 

[Laurasea]

Looks neat!!
I thinkight is the answer. My parakeets always go to the brightest area. So they stay in the east area in the morning and the west in the afternoon, and I put a light over their cage for them to go home at night.l ook forward to seeing the inside!!

 

[bug_n_flock]

Hmm, you could try making one or more of the holes bigger?

 

[noodles123]

I'm pretty sure hat's going to stimulate nesting/egg-laying like crazy (maybe they know that too and aren't in the mood)-- you need light..Dark boxes like that are for nesting...That is a bird house and bird houses are for making and housing babies.Egg-binding can kill females, so just beware...

PS: Make sure the heater/heat lamp you use is PTFE/PFOA/Teflon free and make sure it isn't too hot!!!

 

[keabird]

I added some slats so the budgies can go in and out but the chickens can't get in. I have seen a couple of droppings on the perch right next to the heating pad, so it looks like they are going in there.

 

[Laurasea]

Looking good. Did you get more light in there ? They aren't cave budgies !

 

[wrench13]

Well one can't fault you for not making the effort, this looks like you studied the problem. Keep thm chickens out for sure.