Moving to Cold Weather

[Wingnut]

Hey everyone! I haven't posted in awhile as I have moved to South Carolina from south Florida! I have a new career opportunity that I could not pass up. That being said, I brought my Lovebird "kiwi" with me...there's one small issue that I completely forgot about. It gets freezing here in the winter!
Coming from Florida I never saw the temperature drop below 48, even in winter. So I have 2 questions.
1) With gas/electric bills being high, can a bird be comfortable in a home at 68 degrees with a heat lamp and heated perch?
2) I work Monday through Thursday from 7am to 4:30pm. I currently have Kiwi at my girlfriends house as she will have 2 days off at a time to spend time with Kiwi. I honestly miss my little lovie, but I'm afraid my work hours will not be enough time to play with her?

There are so many things going on, I just don't want to neglect my wittle bird!

 

[Alehner529]

I live in northern wisconsin, and it gets negative 30 to 40 for about a week or three ever year. It gets COLD. I dont have a heated perch for her. I keep my house in the low 60s through the winter, and she manages just fine. I imagine your birdie will be just fine.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[chris-md]

Welcome back!

68 is perfectly fine

Your hours are also fine. Most of us work regular 9-5 jobs, 40hrs a week. Just make sure bird gets out once you get home.

 

[bill_e]

My house gets down to 58-60 overnight in the winter, I've never heard a complaint from Nike.

 

[Laurasea]

Hello Wingnut from a fellow Floridian who understands!!! At 70 degrees I'm ready to start a fire in the fireplace and put on sweaters!!!!!
If you have just moved and your parrot hasn't been there long enough to adapt to the chill, then I think a little support warmth us in order.
Yes creatures can adapt to a certain extent, but it doesn't mean it it isn't stressful on them. Usually by the second year they are more adapted. Surviving doesn't mean thriving.
I use the sweeter heater, yes even in Florida! I've seen my birds shivering after a bath, and I dont like that or except that for them. It is a radiant heat panal not a light. I'm not a fan of heat lamps. This radiant heat is safe, provide enough warmth. Infact it's so good I hang it outside a low corner of the cage, a d out a perch I front of it on the inside. Then when they want warmth they go to it. All of mine sit infront of it after a bath. Also don't cover the top of the cage as the heat can build up. Anyway you hear me talk about this heater all the time. Darn company needs to give me a kick back!!!!
https://www.amazon.com/SWEETER-HEAT...keywords=sweeter+heater&qid=1572185725&sr=8-7

 

[Wingnut]

Thank you guys for the quick replies! LauraSea the sweeter heater looks really cool! I agree Im not a fan of heat lamps, especially the one I have on her which is a red light...

In regards to time with her. I currently have her at my girlfriends because she works two 12 hour days, and is off 2 days. Would it be better to leave Kiwi there as she would have 2 whole days of contact? I really wish she was with me, but I dont want her getting too lonely.

 

[Laurasea]

Keep your bird with you. When I worked rheing shift my days off I was sleeping or running errands. You and you bird are a team. And you can include her in as much time with you as possible.
I've posted a bunch of times this article on stress in parrots, so I'll link it here for you too. You can do observations to see if you think your bird is showing extra signs of stress. Also be aware your stress is influencing your parrot, so stop being anxious and really be present in the moments you spend together.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/ I say bird with you!! Sand second cage for when you hang out at girlfriend house !
Get you one of these so bird can go with you when you out and about.
https://www.amazon.com/Gatycallaty-...t=&hvlocphy=9011492&hvtargid=pla-829629336709
Or one like this I liveine!!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VNVFQPS/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[bill_e]

Funny the perspective that South Carolina is cold

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Living in Connecticut it gets freakin' cold too I kept my house around 65 degree's ( hated paying for oil! ) When I knew we were going to have a cold spell for any length of time I turned on the "Amish electric fireplace" I had in the livingroom (both fids lived there) The fire place kept the room at a toasty 68. Even when it was chilly it didn't bother the kids.




Jim

 

[GaleriaGila]

Well, hey there, Wingsie! Good to hear from ya. Congrats on all the fun stuff going on with ya.

I agree with the trains of thought here.

The Rb and I moved from desert New Mexico to North Coast Cleveland a while back, so we have been through that stuff. I will never forget the Rb's first snow. He still gets excited with the first snowfall of the season... staring, one eye then the other, screaming and flapping for a few minutes, maybe more, then he seems to calm down. See where the drifts build up at the window's base? Sometimes I'll raise the window just long enough to get a little snow in my hand and offer him a nibble. He'll peck at it and then shake his head.
He is still intrigued by it, I think... really loves to stare and stare while snacking on his chiles. Awwwwwwwwwwwwww...

 

[Laurasea]

Funny the perspective that South Carolina is cold

With four months if not longer in the 90s with heat index if 110, you get cold in 70s lol! Not even joking, your body adjusts to the heat.....just like you northern people adjust to the cold

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Ms Gail...I'm like RB...I enjoy looking at it..from within a warm house! but I'd rather have a cold brew in my hand and not a chili





Jim

 

[SailBoat]

Cold weather in South Carolina? Okay, a little bit now and again during the Winter months and yes colder than South Florida. But, a bit farther North in those area in which lakes freeze hard with 18 to 24" of ice (on the light side) with Snow events combined with wind to pile it up to 10'. Now that's cold.

You have received great advice, follow it and everyone will survive. After all there are homes with Parrots in the upper Great White North and they survive year after year.

Welcome North! And, may your new opportunity be successful!