Ideas for warmth & alternative to cage covering?

[osnyder]

I have a Meyers that just got a new much larger cage, and so it more difficult to cover entirely. We live in a Victorian house with inefficient heat, which is even colder at night. I always covered the parakeets and they did well last year (their 1st year with us) but I'm worried about Geordie. I purchased one of those soft hidey-holes that clips onto the cage but he is scared to death of it-- even if he sees it 5 feet away he makes a very alarming and frightened call.

Any tips on keeping warm through the cold northeast months? I can get a giant heavy blanket if all else fails.

thanks!

 

[Zazusmommy]

small room heater near cage? heated blankie over cage? at low settings both of course

 

[osnyder]

actually that's a good idea-- one of those radiator-style electric heaters-- we have a couple around and sometimes have to use one in the shed to keep the clothes washer pipes from freezing, ha. Thanks!

 

[Atwee921]

Yes I would put a small heater next to his cage.

 

[tlouiselle]

If you do decide to use a heater or blanket please do some research on them first. They can cause fires and are not supposed to be left on all night...unless they have specially made one to leave on all night?

What about covering the cage as much as you can and using a night time reptile heating lamp? The small covering can help hold in heat and the night time lights are not bright. They are dark so it wouldn't keep him awake.

 

[IcyWolf]

We have an electric heater that actually allows you to set a temperature, if you set it for 70 it will kick on when the room gets to 68 and it will run until it reaches 72 and then shuts itself off. We bought it about 2 years ago for around $100 and it has worked great ever since. It is also much more energy efficient then those little electric coil heaters. I would highly recommend spending a little more money on a ceramic heater, they seem to last longer, use less electricity and they seem safer IMO. I have had those cheap little coil ones short out and they are very easy to tip over and the safety shut off doesn't always work on them. I will leave the ceramic one on if we are not home but I don't trust the other ones to even be on in a room if I'm not near it and awake to keep an eye on it.

You could also try something like this. As long as your bird can't get ahold of it to chew on it, these are pretty nice. You just microwave them and they stay warm all night. They come with a washable fleece cover so it isn't hot enough to burn your birdie, just a little extra heat for them to cuddle up to. Something like this probably wouldn't help much unless he actually sat on or near it though. http://www.jefferspet.com/snuggle-safe-microwave-heating-pad/p/998/

 

[Zazusmommy]

happy to help! i personally dont have a spece heater since i live in miami, it doesnt get too cold thankfully, but i do know some ppl who have them, there's some that if they tip over or even tilt they will stop heating, just blowing cold air, and therefore prevent fires.

 

[mtdoramike]

Make very sure you have smoke detectors near by and the batteries are good. Space heaters and old victorian homes don't mix.

 

[osnyder]

Geordie sleeps perched, I'm not sure where I'd put the pad, but that's a cool idea; if I could get him into the nesting/snuggling mode it would be useful. The heaters we've always used are safe to use overnight and when you're not there (barring some electrical disaster of course); they look like radiators and have oil sealed in them, and shut off if they tip over. My dad used to use one 24/7 in his shed; he kept his koi fish in there in a big tank all winter when our little man-made pond would freeze.

But as I've said, we use these heaters in our home regularly and have for years, and so feel safe with them, to address all of your very understandable concerns. I would not consider using anything with exposed coils or not fairly modern.

Has anyone ever used a large tiki hut type thing for a medium sized parrot? I don't think he'd be afraid of it but I think he may just think it's a toy

 

[Bright Star]

I stopped at the local fabric shop and bought fleece fabric for my boys - it's soft, warm, cheap, and isn't dangerous. I can layer them, if necessary, or just use a single cover. Much better than those custom bird cage covers (in my opinion).

 

[Riio]

HI! So I have not used one (I live in San Diego) but I have seen heated perches. I dont know how much heat the give off but I have read that birds loose heat through their feet like we do through our heads, so something like that might help some! I know it wont help you out if there is a draft, but might make the nights a wee bit easier for your lil fid.
Also, Rio hated her happy hut thing but snuggles right up to her "cozy corner" which is just a little fleece thing that ties against the side of the cage. Maybe something like that along with a heated perch will work.
Good Luck! and let us know what you figure out!