Kepping Cockatiels outside?

[MoldyKing]

I hope this is the right place to put this xD
But i'm interested in keeping some cockatiels outside but i'm worried they wont be able to withstand the winter. I live in Texas so the winters almost never get below freezing. Thanks fore reading, i would really appreciate help!

 

[Kiwibird]

Definitely not. Pet parrots should never live outdoors full time. They shouldn't spend overnight outdoors or be outdoors when no one is home to check in on them. Predators are a major concern, as is inclement weather and unforeseeable issues such as a tipped water or food dish. My husband had a coworker a long time ago who'd put his CAG out on his patio during the day with the noble intention of allowing him to get fresh air and watch the world go by while he was at work. Unfortunately, the bird tipped his water dish on a particularly hot day and died of dehydration before the owner got home from work.

If you want pet cockatiels, they should live indoors and perhaps have a nice outdoor space to enjoy for a few hours at a time when weather permits and when someone is home. My bird has a little cage on the patio, but I'd NEVER leave him out there when I wasn't around to frequently check in and make sure he was ok. The only places parrots belong living outdoors is wild ones in their native habitats.

 

[SilverSage]

I have to respectfully disagree with Kiwibird on this one.

Outdoor Aviaries can be extremely rewarding, but they can also be extremely EXPENSIVE for all the reasons mentioned above.

-they must be strong enough to keep out large predators and tight enough to keep out small predators like rats and snakes.

-They must be strong enough to hold up against weather if you are stuck away from home.

-They must have steps in place to be sure no matter what the birds cannot sabotage their own access to food or water, and that the water especially but also the food isn't spoiling in the sun or becoming too hot to drink.

-they need a double door system to insure no escapees (and an outdoor aviary is not the place for tame birds that you plan to take in and out of the house a lot unless you are willing to put them inside a carrier for transport)

-in the summer you must keep them cool

-in the winter you must keep them warm

-in the rain and wind they must be sheltered and able to stay dry

-you must not encourage irresponsible inbreeding by simply hanging up nest boxes.


-they must be constructed out of non toxic material: and that's the hard part!!


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[MoldyKing]

Thanks SilverSage! Ill definitely be looking into making an aviary
Just one more question, how would I keep them warm? Would I have to use heat lamps?

 

[SilverSage]

You really just need to spend several hours googling various aviary designs and plans.

In the Aviaries I am building (for Georgia) I'm including a small "room" on one end with solid walls on 3 sides, and a partial wall deprecating it from the rest of the aviary, with an additional shorter wall around the corner so that it is completely protected from wind. I intend to include heated perches and I'm researching which space heaters would be safe in an enclosed space for the coldest of nights. The heater would have to be located OUTSIDE the wire but INSIDE the solid walls and completely protected from water, as would the heated perches and all other electrical parts; that's the difficulty. Combine that with the fact that I will also need food and water in that area.

Ultimately there are many ways to do it, you just have to figure out what will be effective and reasonable in your situation.


But PLEASE be sure to check your plans with EXPERIENCED aviculturists who have had Aviaries in your climate! Mistakes lead to dead birds.


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[MoldyKing]

Right! thanks for the help!