Transitioning from inside cage to outside

[Fred]

If the temperature is down to the 50s at night, you might want to cover the cage--at least on three sides? with a heavier blanket. I'd also keep the cage (inside the aviary) partly covered so the bird has a safe corner into which he can retreat if he feels overwhelmed.

Thank you. As it is cooling off, we have been contemplating the best approach to offering him somewhere warmer (nest box, three sided box with a perch, heat light, etc.?). The aviary is solid (plywood) on the back and partial side and his cage is tucked into this solid corner so he is already offered some protection. I think I may initiate a new post to inquire about what others have done.

 

[Fred]

My neighbor has an outside aviary. It's divided, its huge, like no less then 12' wide x ? deep x 10-12' high. They have many different species of parrots. I live in San Diego, it can get cold and damp especially at night, and during the winter, espeically near the water. I noticed they cover the outside of the aviary with some like of plastic type material. At least that's what it looks like from here. They do this only in the winter. They leave a square hole at the top for some ventilation. Then in spring-fall they they remove the cover. The birds seem happy and well adjusted. We have locally, skunks, redtail hawks, in fact we have several breeding pairs of redtail hawks near by. They a so majestic to watch when they are out hunting for food. We also have possum.

We are also in north SD, but not so near the water. Do you think the plastic is for protection from rain? Unless rain was blowing totally sideways from the front of the aviary, the bird has protection from a good "A-line" roof, and solid back, sides. I am more concerned about potential problems with the temperature.

 

[SoCalWendy]

My neighbor has an outside aviary. It's divided, its huge, like no less then 12' wide x ? deep x 10-12' high. They have many different species of parrots. I live in San Diego, it can get cold and damp especially at night, and during the winter, espeically near the water. I noticed they cover the outside of the aviary with some like of plastic type material. At least that's what it looks like from here. They do this only in the winter. They leave a square hole at the top for some ventilation. Then in spring-fall they they remove the cover. The birds seem happy and well adjusted. We have locally, skunks, redtail hawks, in fact we have several breeding pairs of redtail hawks near by. They a so majestic to watch when they are out hunting for food. We also have possum.

We are also in north SD, but not so near the water. Do you think the plastic is for protection from rain? Unless rain was blowing totally sideways from the front of the aviary, the bird has protection from a good "A-line" roof, and solid back, sides. I am more concerned about potential problems with the temperature.

I wouldn't know unless I asked them. The wind here in the winter usually blows from west to east off shore. But right now we are having a Santa Ana wind and it blows from east to west. The aviary is not covered yet. I am about 10 min from downtown off the 94.

Their aviary is exposed on the east side only, so they cover the whole exposed side except for a vent size hole I am assuming for ventilation. Don't know if that helps.

 

[MikeyTN]

I replied earlier but I don't see my post around???? LoL....I probably hit the wrong button or something....

Anyway, if you build an partition with all sides covered, that would be a good place for your bird to go into when they want to be out of the weather. As long as he was acclimated to begin with he should be fine but just keep an close eye on him when the weather changes.

 

[Fred]

I replied earlier but I don't see my post around???? LoL....I probably hit the wrong button or something....

Anyway, if you build an partition with all sides covered, that would be a good place for your bird to go into when they want to be out of the weather. As long as he was acclimated to begin with he should be fine but just keep an close eye on him when the weather changes.

Thank you for your suggestion. Is the partition with all sides covered the same as a nest box?
As far as the acclimation process, we began leaving his cage uncovered right next to an open window. Then when we brought him to our property, he was in his cage which was in an outdoor aviary for slowly increasing amount of hours each day and then being moved to a "new" cage in an outbuilding that is not temperature controlled at night. He got to the point that he really did not want to be moved (by then probably 10:30 or 11:00 pm) so we left him out for the night. We have been observing closely and do not see any signs of stress. So, he has been outside full time for a little more than two months. Does that sound like enough time to acclimate him to the weather?
Whatever we do, we will continue to keep a watchful eye.