UV lamp for my bird

[jousze]

Hello!
As some of you may know I live in Belgium, and its not summer anymore so there's no sun AT ALL (most of the days). So my parrot has light, but its not like if the sun was out, there are clouds. I guess this doesn't give him anything of what he needs.
I would like to know if a UV light is necessary or not, and if so, which one would you recommend me?

Thank you.
Jose

 

[jousze]

You don't need to waste your money unless you just want to. It isn't a necessity.

Sure? I read in some places that if they don’t have sun they can become more aggressive and start to pluck their feathers..


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[itzjbean]

You don't need to waste your money unless you just want to. It isn't a necessity.

Sure? I read in some places that if they don’t have sun they can become more aggressive and start to pluck their feathers..


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Well, my Quaker lived over 5 years without ever seeing the sun. Unfortunately, I found her dead on the bottom of the cage one day. Was it because she never saw the sun? I don't know but I doubt it.

What you just described is really concerning.....

They DO need the sun. They should get time near a window. I have a lamp hanging over their cage as the room is fairly dark, it does help.

 

[Sandy19]

I'm pretty sure birds appreciate fresh air and sunshine.

Even on cold, rainy or cloudy days the sun is still there, however, and I think putting them in front of a window with the curtains or blinds open would be sufficient for the dreary winter months. But I'm not an expert, I live in a mostly tropical climate where the sun is always blazing.

 

[jousze]

I'm pretty sure birds appreciate fresh air and sunshine.

Even on cold, rainy or cloudy days the sun is still there, however, and I think putting them in front of a window with the curtains or blinds open would be sufficient for the dreary winter months. But I'm not an expert, I live in a mostly tropical climate where the sun is always blazing.

I do that, I put him near the window everyday so he can get light.
I’m Spanish so I didn’t have any problem when I was there, but since I came to Belgium last year there’s not much sun here.. that’s why I’m worried


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[noodles123]

I know there are mixed opinions on the subject, but birds DO need sun and light. The glass on a window absorbs some of the rays, so whenever possible, open the window (SCREENED AND SUPERVIZED) and let them sit by it (assuming drafts are minimal and it is secure). I also use a full-spectrum light for mine. Some sources indicate that this makes no difference, but I have known too many birds who shown improvements in mood and feather conditios with the addition of synthetic lighting....of course, placement must be appropriate and precautions taken to avoid chewing cords/burns etc

 

[jousze]

I know there are mixed opinions on the subject, but birds DO need sun and light. The glass on a window absorbs some of the rays, so whenever possible, open the window (SCREENED AND SUPERVIZED) and let them sit by it (assuming drafts are minimal and it is secure). I also use a full-spectrum light for mine. Some sources indicate that this makes no difference, but I have known too many birds who showed improved mood and feather condition with the addition of synthetic lighting....of course, placement must be appropriate and precautions taken to avoid chewing cords/burns etc

Could I have a link from where you got it? I searched and I can’t find any :/


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[noodles123]

A link on why the lighting is good or why some people say it is pointless? Or where I got my light?

 

[Laurasea]

This link talks about the importance of sunlight, vit D3 calcium absorption,eye sight , featheres, behavior and mood. Please disregard Farlie he has much to learn. I hope this helps.https://healthypets.mercola.com/sit...t-birds-seriously-need-ultraviolet-light.aspx

 

[LeslieA]

What you're trying for is full- spectrum lighting to provide vitamin D3. Glass stops it. I use it because it's easier for me to read and live by. D3 doesn't actually make it through the globes. Again, it's great to read and live by.

Most pellets provide generous amounts of D3. My co-op store refers to these lights as either UV lights or Grow lights. Some plants prefer transplanting to direct seeding, so after transplanting, I often just move the lights indoors.

I am a proponent of full spectrum LED lights for birds. Most of my birds are seniors. Too often, they become picky eaters and their diets don't provide the D3 needed for complete calcium absorption Full- spectrum lamps help fight osteoarthritis. I see the difference it makes in the longevity and activity of my birds. These "UV lights" go into uncovered fixtures in the rooms the birds access. A common practice is lamps with Grow lights.

I still maintain that it's a highly debated topic and that only the bird owner can decide.

 

[Sandy19]

You don't need to waste your money unless you just want to. It isn't a necessity.

Sure? I read in some places that if they don’t have sun they can become more aggressive and start to pluck their feathers..


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Well, my Quaker lived over 5 years without ever seeing the sun. Unfortunately, I found her dead on the bottom of the cage one day. Was it because she never saw the sun? I don't know but I doubt it.

I see you're from Arkansas and I have friends in Pulaski County Arkansas. I know they do things differently over there, but trust me, the birds still like to see the light of day.

 

[jousze]

A link on why the lighting is good or why some people say it is pointless? Or where I got my light?

Where you got your light please


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[LeslieA]

I see you're from Arkansas and I have friends in Pulaski County Arkansas. I know they do things differently over there, but trust me, the birds still like to see the light of day.

Since jousze is from Belgium, are you assuming I'm from Pulaski County, Arkansas? Even though my location is not your business, I checked my "personal details" and they don't mention anything about PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS! Are you "psychic" or something? Maybe you're just allowed to make assumptions. Even so, I hope your "friends" know your opinion of Pulaski County, Arkansas residents. BTW, I'm NOT from Pulaski County, Arkansas!

If you read my post, I didn't say anything against natural light. I DID say that FSL is probably what's being referred to (which is true), pellets generously provide D3 (which is true), D3 helps calcium absorption thus helps prevent osteoarthritis (which is true), D3 is blocked by glass (which is true), most of my birds are picky-eating seniors (which is true), I see a difference in my birds' longevity and activity (which is true), some plants prefer transplanting over direct seeding (which is true), I move "transplant" lights indoors for better reading and living (which is true), these lights are in rooms accessed by birds (which is true), my co-op store refers to them as "UV Lights" or "Grow Lights" (which is true), most using them use lamps with "Grow Lights" (which is true), I'm a proponent of FSL for birds (which is true) and this is a highly debated yet undecided topic (which is true).

So, what was untrue or do you disagree with?

 

[Sandy19]

I quoted Farlie when I wrote that, not you. His location says Arkansas and he said that he had a pet bird for five years that never saw sunlight. I don't understand how one could have a pet bird for years without it ever getting sunlight, maybe he doesnt have windows in his house?

 

[Kiwibird]

We use the "featherbrite" brand bulb. I don't know if it actually simulates sunlight, but I do know during the long, dark, rainy fall/winter/spring where I live, Kiwi perks right up when his light is on. I turn it on for a few hours most days during the months he can't go outside in the real sun. We decided to get one of these lamps after our first winter here where he was just kind of sad and puffy the whole time. We moved from somewhere that, while it got wayyy too cold for him to be outside, the sun was still shining 300 days a year so he still got bright light through the window. I will tell you from experiencing both sunny and dark winters, these lamps help my bird be more active in the cold/rainy months. Obviously, the real sun if preferred but if your geographical location doesn't happen to fall in a temperate year round local, I think these bulbs, if nothing else, give birds a little pick me up in the winter.

 

[LeslieA]

I googled Pulaski County, Arkansas. I don't think this is the only county in central Arkansas... Okay, I lied. I know exactly where Pulaski County is.

I'm a SOUTHERNER, too, so couldn't be sure. I'm a partner in a cattle ranch in Texas, have a farm in Arkansas and own land and cattle in Texas, Arkansas and Colorado. We're not the poor, stupid hicks many imagine.

 

[LeslieA]

Please disregard Farlie he has much to learn.

I find that offensive. Farlie has just as much right to an opinion as you! Who decided your opinion matters more than another on this forum site? What if I said that In regards to you? (Farlie, thanks for your honesty.) Surely Josie can read all these posts and come to a conclusion without being told who to listen to or ignore.

 

[Morty]

FWIW, UVA/UVB lights are beneficial to many animals-- I use them with almost every single reptile I own (which is a lot)-- as it prevents Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) when utilized-- for some reptiles, it is a MUST. Therefore I don't see why one WOULDN'T use one for a parrot.

 

[Kiwibird]

FWIW, UVA/UVB lights are beneficial to many animals-- I use them with almost every single reptile I own (which is a lot)-- as it prevents Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) when utilized-- for some reptiles, it is a MUST. Therefore I don't see why one WOULDN'T use one for a parrot.

Reptile lamps are generally not advisable to use for parrots because of the heat they generate (I too have had reptiles for decades and use these kind of bulbs). Every reptile bulb that I've ever used generates both light and heat as most reptiles require far higher heat in their enclosures than parrots. They make specific sun lamps for birds that generate less heat, on par with a normal bulb, though the bird-specific bulbs cost as much if not a little more than a good quality reptile bulb.

 

[Laurasea]

Please disregard Farlie he has much to learn.

I find that offensive. Farlie has just as much right to an opinion as you! Who decided your opinion matters more than another on this forum site? What if I said that In regards to you? (Farlie, thanks for your honesty.) Surely Josie can read all these posts and come to a conclusion without being told who to listen to or ignore.

When he was rude. When his bird died at five years and his experience is lacking, he does in fact have much to learn. He wanted to get his dream bird of sun conure, but must not have done enough research , as even a small amount if research talks about the difference. His caviler attitude to the premature death by 3 decades of his bird. Many people were giving him a hard time about returning his bird, I was trying to be diplomatic, and encouraging to use the forum for knowledge, as we all do well to learn.