Along the sunlight thread...

[dulphinz]

I'm a new owner of a now 7 1/2 month old eclectus male. How many hours a day of sun do they need? Our eclectus doesn't get much where his cage is now...I brought him outside last week for an hour or so. Any suggestions on time?

Thanks!

 

[moni.k]

I think it all depends on your schedule. The more the better!! I'm looking into getting a small aviary or another similar sized cage for Nalani so that she can spend time outside while I'm out. But currently she gets a couple hours a week (4-6) of unfiltered sunlight.

 

[weco]

As far as I know, there are no specie specific and/or definitive time periods a bird should be exposed to sunlight, however Moni.k's 4-6 hours per week sounds good & maybe more if that's possible, with your schedule.....

 

[aliray]

I am not sure I am right but one of you lives in California and one in New Hampshire and I would think that the amt of sunlight needed would be different. I live in Fla and our sun is more intense being closer to the equater than when we lived in Mass. You also don't want to cook them. Just a thought. as I know skin cancers in people are much more commen here due to the sun exposure

 

[moni.k]

Nalani is out between 10am-12pm when the weather is warming up but not blazing hot. Luckily right now the weather is perfect at mid 70, but I would be much more cautious when summer hits. In Southern California it can reach well over 100. Nalani will just have to gaze at the outdoors through the comfort of the air conditioned home then.

However, when she is out, there's always a shady spot for her to cool off. As long as she gets a break from the fluorescent lights every now and then hehe.

 

[angiern]

They don't have to be in direct sunlight, do they? I have a nice open shaded porch

 

[Chikoo]

Not direct, they do better in the shade. They cannot withstand direct sunlight for too long. The most important thing is that it is unfiltered. Shade is important.