Full spectrum question

Parrotdise

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Mar 14, 2013

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Red Bellied Parrot, Sam, Double Yellow Headed Amazon, Sierra & Black Headed Caique, Daisy Jane

• Apr 3, 2013

• #1

Today I was reading about full spectrum and I recently bought some lights for my birds from mysafebirdstore.com. The lights fit into my current floor lamp. Anyway, when I was reading I read that full spectrum lights that hit birds from the side instead of from above their cage can cause eye infection. Out of all of my reading I have never read this before. I was wondering how true this statement is simply because I have never heard to this. Does anyone have experience with this or have you heard of this?

 

G

Greenwing

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• Apr 3, 2013

• #2

I have never heard of full spectrum lighting having this effect.. Are you sure you are not referring to UVB bulbs.... UVB bulbs also produce UVC and if placed to close or in an area where the animal has to look at it.. Has caused flash burn..( some describe it as an infection as the eye turns red and swells.)..But I have never read or heard or a full spectrum bulb doing this..

 

OP

Parrotdise

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Red Bellied Parrot, Sam, Double Yellow Headed Amazon, Sierra & Black Headed Caique, Daisy Jane

• Apr 3, 2013

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• #3

I am positive that is what I read but I could be wrong was on my work break and trying to read fast. I would double check it now only I left the magazine in my work car...

 

W

weco

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Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian

• Apr 3, 2013

• #4

What the article could be referring to is bright and/or intense UV lighting, which the screw-in curly lights bulbs cannot do.....

Herp lights are more intense, but then they are not designed for and/or made to be used around birds.....herp lights (bulbs) can cause cataracts in birds, and may also foster eye infections.....

If the article was published & not an internet posting, you could request clarification, but if it is something posted on the net, very often information is extrapolated from a source, then used however it may suit the poster...in context or out of it & more often than not, without accreditation the the original writer.

For those using herp lights for their birds, you really need to do some in depth research on what those bulbs can do to birds eyes, personally, I would consider abuse of the bird(s).....

 

G

Greenwing

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GW , BG , DYH , YN, CAG

• Apr 3, 2013

• #5

Full spectrum lighting is different than UVB Lighting... I do not recommend you use a UVB bulb unless you have a UVB Meter....

I have read an article claiming CFB have caused Keratitis in some sun worshiping animals.... But that had been attributed to user error.. ( bulb placed to close, bulb not burned in before use and poor quality control from manufacturing facility..

 

MonicaMc

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Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
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Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013

• Apr 4, 2013

• #6

First hand experience? Nope.

However, I do know of 3 or 4 cases where the lights (avian lights, not lights for reptiles) have causes the eyes to become burned due to the light being placed too close to the bird during the 'burn in' period. In two of the cases, the birds required eye drops for a period of two weeks at least to allow the eyes to heal. In another case, the damage was quite minor and did not require a vet trip, but did result in the lamp being moved further away.


Here's one page that mentions the burn in period.
http://www.zoomed.com/Library//ProductDBFiles/aviansun.pdf

 

OP

Parrotdise

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Red Bellied Parrot, Sam, Double Yellow Headed Amazon, Sierra & Black Headed Caique, Daisy Jane

• Apr 4, 2013

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• #7

Okay, was able to look at my magazine again. The article was mainly about UV and UVB. The statement was that ANY light placed near a bird that hits from the side can cause eye infection. I think maybe this statement should have been more clear or maybe someone has some kind of unusual experience, or is maybe over cautious...not really sure. I personally have never experienced this, my birds probably don't feel the full effects anyway because i have a shade over my lamp. I feel better now, i just wasn't sure because i went from power saving light blubs to the full spectrum. Thank you everyone for all the helpful insight.

 

Jtbirds

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• Apr 6, 2013

• #8

I use full spectrum lighting In my bird room in all lights. It is very safe and great for giving them some extra when the windows don't let enough in.

 

G

Greenwing

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GW , BG , DYH , YN, CAG

• Apr 6, 2013

• #9

I don't see any problem using full spectrum lighting...I have never heard anything attributing flash burns to full spectrum lighting.....

Again I recommend you stay away from any UV bulb.. Whether its Reptile or Avian unless you have a UVB meter.... Quality control makes a big difference in how much UV is put out.. So unless you can confirm output of an individual bulb ... I would stay away from the pet shop UV bulbs..

 

OP

Parrotdise

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Red Bellied Parrot, Sam, Double Yellow Headed Amazon, Sierra & Black Headed Caique, Daisy Jane

• Apr 6, 2013

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• #10

The Uv bulbs sound kind of scary to use, it seems like it could be hard to monitor the light.

 

Devann

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Vino - Alexandrine, Spot - Congo African Grey

• Apr 6, 2013

• #11

I've been using the feather brite bulbs (from my safe bird store) above Vino's cage for a few months and Spots since she came to me with no issues

 

G

Greenwing

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GW , BG , DYH , YN, CAG

• Apr 6, 2013

• #12

Not scary..If you really want to introduce UV lighting.. You get a UVB meter or buy through UV reptiles... UV reptiles test UV output of every individual bulb (and they write it on the box) at so many inches...... They have done this for me and I have confirmed using my own UV meter and they have been spot on..

But you would have to do your homework and find out how much UV would be beneficial to a specific species..

 

OP

Parrotdise

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Red Bellied Parrot, Sam, Double Yellow Headed Amazon, Sierra & Black Headed Caique, Daisy Jane

• Apr 6, 2013

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• #13

Oh i see, i am afraid i could not get the requirements right all three birds are so different i will stick with my full spectrum

 

B

BarkleyLoves

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Barkley (4yo Eclectus)----
Pepper (7yo White-Capped Pionus)

• Apr 14, 2013

• #14

Quick question...what is the difference between full-spectrum and UVA/UVB bulbs. Our vet recommended a zoomed light for our birds and I saw one online that says full spectrum, but it also says UVA/UVB too.

 

G

Greenwing

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GW , BG , DYH , YN, CAG

• Apr 14, 2013

• #15

Full spectrum lighting closely mimics nature sunlight.. Great to see things as they were in natural sunlight.. And great I'm told to trigger photo periods... UV can do a lot of damage if handled incorrectly..( cancer, skin burn, retina burns, and blindness) But if you have sun worshiping animal( animals that need UV rays to synthesize certain vitamins) that are kept indoors.. You are forced to use UVB bulbs..

Also since most companies fear culpability from damage caused by UV bulbs.. They tend to stay in he safe window.. Meaning most of the uv bulbs out there produce very little useable uv rays..