Humidity

[WeimerHeimer]

I live in SE PA. During the winter months we heat our house with gas forced air ..... it's a dry heat. Typically our heating season runs from October to April. Humidity runs around 25%-30%.

Does anyone run a humidifier to boost the humidity in their home's during the winter months for their birds?

 

[Chesphoto]

Great question. I live in Phoenix and it is dry here about 12 month out of the year. :09:

At the shelter I volunteer at, we spray the birds a few times a week with spray bottles. No showers available, so it is the best we can do.

I would love to hear other suggestions.

 

[Kiwibird]

I also live in AZ, where the average humidity is 20-25% all year long. We run a humidifier year round, not just for Kiwi's comfort, but our own. If we're getting nosebleeds and our skin is cracking because of the dryness, i can only imagine how bad that would be for an animal who naturally lives in an area with extremely high humidity. We typically keep our apartment around 40% humidity, which is comfortable, and Kiwi seems pretty comfortable with that too. He also gets daily showers (with my husband) and every so often, we smear some fresh aloe Vera on him so he can preen it through his feathers (aloe is very moisturizing, it's like natural birdie lotion).

 

[Alwese]

Macaws (except Hyacinths) have a preen gland that secrets an oil that is used to waterproof feathers. It is located on the top of the bird's back. To me, this oil smells like hot buttered popcorn. I wonder if Amazons and Cockatoos have this preen gland? Humidity is usually high in Florida all the time, but when heating is necessary in winter and it gets dry, my birds automatically start splashing around in their water dish

 

[Customcasket]

During the winter we run a humidifier when the heat is going and it generally sits around 40%. The birds take baths in their water dishes or occasionally in the shower with me. The birds and I are used to the humidity being at least 40%. Come the summer time it'll be back to muggy and disgusting with a/c being our best friend. You're only about a 2 hour drive from where I live so I'm sure you know the humidity all too well.