Pro's and Con's of turning our Basement into our birds house

[Nakiska]

Hi all,

Last year we bought an older farm house with a full basement. For now it has become the "catch all" storage area from our move. Once I get through all that, I was wondering about either turning the entire basement into our birds house, or transforming one bedroom down there into the bird room. Our basement is 3 bedrooms and a huge living room, laundry room and 1 bathroom.

Right now, our birds are all housed in our dining room area on the main floor. It works and our birds are very happy being in center of all the happenings in our house. Of course, I love having them right there too!

HOWEVER, we are getting ready to do a fairly extensive remodel of our kitchen/dining area and quite frankly, to incorporate the idea's for the dining area I have in mind, my birds have to move to somewhere else within our home.

I both LOVE and HATE the idea of moving them down to the basement and would love to hear pro's and con's from other folks who may have basement bird rooms. And pic's of peoples basement bird rooms would be helpful too!

Off the top of my head, the pro's are:

Birds are messy, and unfortunately when guests come over, the first thing they see is what ever mess our birds have made since the morning...,feathers, shredded paper, seeds, pellets, food flung out of the cage and onto the floor...I could spend all day grabbing the broom to sweep the mess every 3 minutes I swear! IF they were living in the basement, at least the mess isn't the first thing visitors see.

My daughter has mild allergies to my cockatiels and pigeon dander, so when she comes over she can't help but be exposed to it. She has to take allergy tabs when she knows she's coming to visit. IF they were housed in the basement, at least it would help with the dander exposure, for not only her, but other visitors who might have bird allergies.

Main floor space...and cluttered appearance of all the cages... (5 cages in all) Obviously 3 huge cages and 2 medium size cages take up a fair bit of space...and entire wall in my dining room area is taken up by the birds...and no matter how hard I try...it's just not "aesthetically" pleasing to the eye....down in the basement...there would be much more space for cages, play gyms, ropes/swings etc.

Cons:

Human socialization is my biggest concern. Our birds are used to being "in the know" at our house. NOTHING goes on without them knowing about it, they have windows to see the driveway and most of the neighborhood. In the basement, there are windows in each of the bedrooms and one bedroom in particular, the one I am thinking of using...is very bright and cheery with 2 windows and a lot of light, but the windows just look out to the back pasture and woods. Other than hearing someone come in, they won't know what's going on outside of that room all day while I'm at work.

I worry about them feeling "left out" I worry about their happiness more than anything.

We have 3 cockaties, a sun conure, a green cheek conure and our pigeon.

Any idea's or advice for basement bird rooms and how you balance having your birds NOT living 100% of the time in your main space but still having a quality relationship with them would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Toni

 

[RavensGryf]

Conures and tiels certainly are social flock birds, but the con that I first thought of was mold. NOT saying there's visible mold in there Toni, but unless the air flow and humidity is in check (like in the normal areas of the home) invisible mold spores may be able to take root easier. Is there a washer/dryer or anything down there which can cause humidity? Is there as much air flow and ventilation as in the house? A HEPA air purifier would help keep things "fresh" regardless.

 

[sam4life]

I think you are spot on with your cons list. Your birds are currently at the center of your house and moving them may cause stress which can lead to illness.

I agree with RavensGryf about mold. My understanding is that, depending on precisely where you live, Washington State has a big mold problem. Every basement I've been in has been musty and there is a limit to what air purifiers can do. I'd also, again depending on your precise location, be worried about radon; basements will have the highest radon level in the home. Further, in many homes, boilers are located in the basement and this can pose a potential hazard to your birds. Finally, unless this is a basement with big windows, the lack of natural light would be a problem for your birds.

 

[MacawGuy]

What kind of basement is it? Is it a basement underground. Or a tri level house where the basement is above ground. Just follow your heart in do what you think is best. You can always try the basement out while your doing the remodel. If they seem not to like it bring them back up to the dining room.

 

[getwozzy]

If you were to move the birds to the basement, how much time would you spend down there with them? What about putting their cages down there but have play stations upstairs where they can still be "in the know"?

I don't have a basement, but my galah is used to being in the middle of everything- I tried putting her cage in my office/bird room and I could tell within a couple hours it wasn't going to work, so I moved her back to the living room where even if she's in her cage she can still be a part of what's going on.

Is there another area on the current floor where you can move them to?

 

[Nakiska]

Hey, Thanks for the replies so far!

Okay, yes this basement is underground and when we first looked at the house, it was winter time, there was water in 2 of the bedrooms and the laundry room and water damage/mold to the drywall.

Since moving in, we've solved the water seepage problem completely, replaced the ruined drywall and this winter with all the rain we had, checked those rooms often and never a drop anywhere. The Laundry room floor water turned out to be a loose dripping hose on the sellers washer. We've not had any problem since moving in.

The basement room I was thinking of using for a bird room, we were also thinking of using for an office, it has two windows and least 12" h x 24" L and a nice breeze comes in when we open the windows and this room in particular gets the maximum amount of natural light in it, as much as our upstairs bedrooms if not more.

We live just 15 minutes from the Oso Landslide that happened on March 22nd, and this year we had an unusual amount of rain, so I think if we were to have any water seepage problems, it probably would have shown its self this fall/winter/spring.

So I guess I'm saying I'm confident that our babies would be safe down there, air quality wise.

As far as how much time would we spend down there? Honestly in the future, probably more time then now as we get done with the remodeling and start "functionally" start using the whole house.

Our birds would mostly be down there for bedtime and while we are at work/school. The rest of the time they'd still be up with us in the main part of the house. I just wouldn't have the clutter of the cages up there.

The only other area of our house I could move them to, in order to remodel the dining room the way I'd love it to be...would be the room we currently use for our office. It's door opened looks straight out to the living room, so they might not feel so "abandoned" as I fear they might feel in the basement. They wouldn't have the "view" of our driveway and the neighborhood, but on the "pro" side I could keep the "bird mess" contained to that room for the most part and still have them mostly "in the know" and I spend a TON of time in that room! And a lot of that time is spent with 1 or all of our birds with me.

I feel like such a jerk talking about the "clutter" of bird cages, because I am so completely deeply in love with our birds, they all have a forever home with us and never ever is rehoming any of them an option. If I don't find a different living situation within our home and it has to stay the way it has been the last year...then so be it. It's okay with me.

I'm just trying to make guests "first appearances" not so overwhelming with birds and I as well as they might appreciate being able to be shown our birds, but not necessarily have them in their face the second they walk in the door! LOLOL And also I think I'd like to have them in a room that I can shut the door when I don't want people being around them.

Such as one new "Friend" of my sons who came over and all he wanted to do was stand at the cages and circle his index finger around outside their cages and they were clearly telling him to "get away." I said, Hey, that's not nice, that's teasing them and will make them want to bite, you need to stop and find something else to do or go home! Lucky for him....he listened to me and from then on has left our birds alone when he comes to visit. He'll talk to them, but stopped with that annoying finger circling.

Anyway, I suppose I might more seriously consider moving them into the room we currently use for our office and see how they and I like that.

Thanks again for your replies. I really do value them!

Toni

 

[Terry57]

I live in a 4 level split, and our big bird room is on the bottom floor. We also had a problem with flooding a couple of years ago, and we brought in a company to test for mould and it checked out fine. we also use an air purifier down here as well. My main reason for using the bottom room is because of my cats. We put up a screen door on this room and none of my dogs or cats are allowed in the bird room, it is strictly theirs. We were never in the living room anyway, and i have a computer down here so I spend at least 4 hours a day down here and my husband spends another 2 hours in the evening.
It has worked out well for us, but if you usually spend all your time on your main floor it may not work as well with you.
I would recommend getting someone to check for mould regardless as it can hide under the carpets and in the walls.

 

[getwozzy]

IMHO moving them into your current office sounds like the better option at the moment- even though they might lose their view, I think still being in the somewhat-middle of everything will make the transition into their new space easier for them... [emoji4] once you're done remodeling the basement, and you start living in that space as well then you could probably move them to the basement- or just turn the basement into a giant bird fun-room and leave their cages upstairs?

 

[Dinosrawr]

I've lived in a lot of basement suites throughout my student life, and I can honestly say you KNOW when there's mold when it's bad, but when it's sneaky you'd never guess. Anytime it feels moist, humid, and any time it feels even the slightest bit damp down there, it's not a good place for you or your birds. That being said, if you guys have completely fixed all problems, the basement checks out, and all is well down there, then I see no reason as to why the bird CAGES can't be down there.

If you have a play location for your birds, such as a tree stand, a modified cat tree stand, or basically a bird play hub, I'm sure it would be fine to have their cages down there. The only problem with it is that you will have to have a hub regardless, and that mess will still be there regardless, unless you know when company is coming every time and you can put the birds away for a bit, clean the mess, and organize. But to me, it sounds like the same amount of work if not more.

Out of all of the options, I would say making the downstairs room your office and using the upstairs room as the bird room would be the best option. They'd always be close, the door can be open, or you could install a screen door/net door so that it's open and they can hear but can't escape, per se. They'd also always be in the know, as they're used to being, and despite the loss of the view, hearing and knowing what's happening is likely of more significance to them.

It's difficult to keep a pristine home when you own birds, haha! And never feel like a "jerk" for wanting your home to look nice. I'm of the same opinion as you when it comes to the first thing you see, and it's always nice to have a clean, organized space for people to walk into... but us bird people tend to enjoy walking into utter chaos for it to feel like home, haha!

Good luck with the decision, I'm sure whatever you choose you'll be doing what's best for you and your bird. And show us pictures when it's all done!

 

[jiyabird]

I think you are spot on with your cons list. Your birds are currently at the center of your house and moving them may cause stress which can lead to illness.

I agree with RavensGryf about mold. My understanding is that, depending on precisely where you live, Washington State has a big mold problem. Every basement I've been in has been musty and there is a limit to what air purifiers can do. I'd also, again depending on your precise location, be worried about radon; basements will have the highest radon level in the home. Further, in many homes, boilers are located in the basement and this can pose a potential hazard to your birds. Finally, unless this is a basement with big windows, the lack of natural light would be a problem for your birds.

'Natural light'from windows does absolutely nothing for birds health wise other than letting them see outside or sitting in a warm sunbeam.
The healthful UV rays are blocked by the glass. They MUST have Full Spectrum lighting to be really healthy if they do not have the opportunity to be outside in the natural sunlight.
They need this for their calcium levels.

For the past several years I have kept my 2 Greys, my Black Palm and my Umbrella on the second floor of my 116 year old Victorian house in their own room.
I lost my Umby 2 months ago.
The guilt made me change my way of thinking.
Since I live alone and don't give a daggone what people think I changed my front parlour into my new birdroom and my second parlour, across the hall into my bedroom. On the other side of their room is my library so my birds (including my new Umby), dogs and I are always together 24/7 as I am retired and live alone...a wonderful arrangement for us and we are all happier and I no longer feel guilty.

 

[sam4life]

I think you are spot on with your cons list. Your birds are currently at the center of your house and moving them may cause stress which can lead to illness.

I agree with RavensGryf about mold. My understanding is that, depending on precisely where you live, Washington State has a big mold problem. Every basement I've been in has been musty and there is a limit to what air purifiers can do. I'd also, again depending on your precise location, be worried about radon; basements will have the highest radon level in the home. Further, in many homes, boilers are located in the basement and this can pose a potential hazard to your birds. Finally, unless this is a basement with big windows, the lack of natural light would be a problem for your birds.

'Natural light'from windows does absolutely nothing for birds health wise other than letting them see outside or sitting in a warm sunbeam.
The healthful UV rays are blocked by the glass. They MUST have Full Spectrum lighting to be really healthy if they do not have the opportunity to be outside in the natural sunlight.
They need this for their calcium levels.

.

Hi Jiyabird,
SInce you seem to be directing your comment to me, I guess I'll respond.

I never said that birds can get UVA UVB radiation through a closed window. They can't. And you are right that unfiltered sunlight is one important source of vitamin D (which plays a role in calcium metabolism). But you can get UVA UVB from *open* windows, when weather allows. Also, there are other benefits of sunlight filtered through windows such as the regulation of of the sleep/wake cycle.

I don't think we should place birds' cages permanently next to windows for a variety of reasons (drafts, overheating, anxiety, etc), but I still think being in a room with windows is important.

I should stress that the OP has stated that her basement does have windows and she has decided to try another room upstairs anyway.

 

[jiyabird]

I think you are spot on with your cons list. Your birds are currently at the center of your house and moving them may cause stress which can lead to illness.

I agree with RavensGryf about mold. My understanding is that, depending on precisely where you live, Washington State has a big mold problem. Every basement I've been in has been musty and there is a limit to what air purifiers can do. I'd also, again depending on your precise location, be worried about radon; basements will have the highest radon level in the home. Further, in many homes, boilers are located in the basement and this can pose a potential hazard to your birds. Finally, unless this is a basement with big windows, the lack of natural light would be a problem for your birds.

'Natural light'from windows does absolutely nothing for birds health wise other than letting them see outside or sitting in a warm sunbeam.
The healthful UV rays are blocked by the glass. They MUST have Full Spectrum lighting to be really healthy if they do not have the opportunity to be outside in the natural sunlight.
They need this for their calcium levels.

.

Hi Jiyabird,
SInce you seem to be directing your comment to me, I guess I'll respond.

I never said that birds can get UVA UVB radiation through a closed window. They can't. And you are right that unfiltered sunlight is one important source of vitamin D (which plays a role in calcium metabolism). But you can get UVA UVB from *open* windows, when weather allows. Also, there are other benefits of sunlight filtered through windows such as the regulation of of the sleep/wake cycle.

I don't think we should place birds' cages permanently next to windows for a variety of reasons (drafts, overheating, anxiety, etc), but I still think being in a room with windows is important.

I should stress that the OP has stated that her basement does have windows and she has decided to try another room upstairs anyway.

Sorry, wasn't directing it at you.
I am brand new to this board and really not used to using it yet. I really meant to respond 'in general' not to anyone specifically. Please excuse.

 

[sam4life]

'Natural light'from windows does absolutely nothing for birds health wise other than letting them see outside or sitting in a warm sunbeam.
The healthful UV rays are blocked by the glass. They MUST have Full Spectrum lighting to be really healthy if they do not have the opportunity to be outside in the natural sunlight.
They need this for their calcium levels.

.

Hi Jiyabird,
SInce you seem to be directing your comment to me, I guess I'll respond.

I never said that birds can get UVA UVB radiation through a closed window. They can't. And you are right that unfiltered sunlight is one important source of vitamin D (which plays a role in calcium metabolism). But you can get UVA UVB from *open* windows, when weather allows. Also, there are other benefits of sunlight filtered through windows such as the regulation of of the sleep/wake cycle.

I don't think we should place birds' cages permanently next to windows for a variety of reasons (drafts, overheating, anxiety, etc), but I still think being in a room with windows is important.

I should stress that the OP has stated that her basement does have windows and she has decided to try another room upstairs anyway.

Sorry, wasn't directing it at you.
I am brand new to this board and really not used to using it yet. I really meant to respond 'in general' not to anyone specifically. Please excuse.

No worries, I'm new too! Everyone has been super helpful. I hope to read more posts about your clearly loved parrots!

 

[BoomBoom]

When I think of basement, I think of dark, unlit, boxes underground with no windows. But since yours have windows, I'm confused! Do you mean first floor perhaps?

I think it is best to keep them close to family activity. However, should you decide to move them to the basement anyway, I don't think it will be as bad as just moving 1 bird there. They still have each others' company so it's not like complete isolation. Your personal relationship with each of the birds may or may not degrade though.

I get what you mean about the cage not looking aesthetically pleasing. When I showed my family my newly redecorated apartment, they said it looks perfect but the bird cage ruins everything. While it was slightly offensive to me, I understand how it may seem to non bird people. If you keep the cages where they are, how about you go with a topical motif in that room? Maybe add tons of plants over and around the cages. I passed by a restaurant in the mall before (forgot the name) that had this tropical/jungle theme and thought how nice it would be to have my bird's cage in a room like that. It might be expensive but so worth it. You get the most unique living room around, and your birds are happy!

 

[BoomBoom]

Look up images of Rainforest Cafe for inspiration. Someday, I'll turn my whole apartment into that haha!!!

 

[Quetki]

Hi all,

Last year we bought an older farm house with a full basement. For now it has become the "catch all" storage area from our move. Once I get through all that, I was wondering about either turning the entire basement into our birds house, or transforming one bedroom down there into the bird room. Our basement is 3 bedrooms and a huge living room, laundry room and 1 bathroom.

Right now, our birds are all housed in our dining room area on the main floor. It works and our birds are very happy being in center of all the happenings in our house. Of course, I love having them right there too!

HOWEVER, we are getting ready to do a fairly extensive remodel of our kitchen/dining area and quite frankly, to incorporate the idea's for the dining area I have in mind, my birds have to move to somewhere else within our home.

I both LOVE and HATE the idea of moving them down to the basement and would love to hear pro's and con's from other folks who may have basement bird rooms. And pic's of peoples basement bird rooms would be helpful too!

Off the top of my head, the pro's are:

Birds are messy, and unfortunately when guests come over, the first thing they see is what ever mess our birds have made since the morning...,feathers, shredded paper, seeds, pellets, food flung out of the cage and onto the floor...I could spend all day grabbing the broom to sweep the mess every 3 minutes I swear! IF they were living in the basement, at least the mess isn't the first thing visitors see.

My daughter has mild allergies to my cockatiels and pigeon dander, so when she comes over she can't help but be exposed to it. She has to take allergy tabs when she knows she's coming to visit. IF they were housed in the basement, at least it would help with the dander exposure, for not only her, but other visitors who might have bird allergies.

Main floor space...and cluttered appearance of all the cages... (5 cages in all) Obviously 3 huge cages and 2 medium size cages take up a fair bit of space...and entire wall in my dining room area is taken up by the birds...and no matter how hard I try...it's just not "aesthetically" pleasing to the eye....down in the basement...there would be much more space for cages, play gyms, ropes/swings etc.

Cons:

Human socialization is my biggest concern. Our birds are used to being "in the know" at our house. NOTHING goes on without them knowing about it, they have windows to see the driveway and most of the neighborhood. In the basement, there are windows in each of the bedrooms and one bedroom in particular, the one I am thinking of using...is very bright and cheery with 2 windows and a lot of light, but the windows just look out to the back pasture and woods. Other than hearing someone come in, they won't know what's going on outside of that room all day while I'm at work.

I worry about them feeling "left out" I worry about their happiness more than anything.

We have 3 cockaties, a sun conure, a green cheek conure and our pigeon.

Any idea's or advice for basement bird rooms and how you balance having your birds NOT living 100% of the time in your main space but still having a quality relationship with them would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Toni

Thinking about the same thing. There's a room with tanks for heating and etc and I am wondering if it might harm my birds, and there's gaps in the ceiling. It's not a finished basement, but I don't mind altering it and turning it into a bird room. I'd visit everyday for at least 3 hours. It's very spacious and has other rooms which will be helpful for quarantining new birds and storing goodies. If the tanks and etc doesn't harm birds I'll probably do it.

 

[Littleredbeak]

Just want to add possibilities to the list

Air Quality, air flow, possibly trapping fumes, sun light exposure

Alot more space