UV light/Full spectrum

[saka_sandora]

Should I use this? What's better/the best if so? Benefits?

I really want to make sure I'm doing right by my birdies.

 

[weco]

There is ultraviolet light, both natural and man made, but what is commercially available, the fixtures, bulbs, tubes, whatever someone might try to sell you, is not what you think it is.....there have been threads about FS lighting on the forums for a long time and if you really want to try to understand what the lighting industry wants us to think "full spectrum lighting" to be, you have to do some reading and it may not be easy reading...most people have a hard time understanding that someone would sell something for our feathered friends that really does not work.....

But since you asked the question, set aside some reading time and you can start with these forum links:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/35383-lighting-information-birds.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/42216-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/41867-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/37767-does-anyone-here-use-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/35008-full-spectrum-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/33330-full-spectrum-vs-daylight-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/29150-uvb-lighting.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/23581-full-spectrum-lighting.html


Everybody thinks their question about "what's the best lighting for my bird(s)" is a simple one, but it's not and unless you prefer wasting your $$$, you need to try and understand that all the advertising & sales pitches about good lighting for our birds is just that.....advertising and sales pitches.

Enjoy your reading.....

 

[ACE209]

I just asked this question. What's your situation with natural direct sun light? There is no substitute for direct natural light no matter what anyone says. However I've personally noticed my birds behavior change with the addition of UV light. They seem more social and overall happier. This of coarse is IMHO, with no scientific knowledge to back it up. That lighting is on top of about 4 hours of natural light during the week, and 6 plus hours on the weekend. What fixture should you use? Depends on what you can afford. Your going to have to do a little research on lighting fixtures on your own and see what works for you.

 

[weco]

Ace, I agree with everything you said, birds that are offered lighting from regular 4' or larger fluorescent lights/tubes (regular fluorescent tubes & fixtures), yes, their owners do claim to have noticed their birds to purportedly be perkier, especially where the birds, as are yours, getting at least an hour or more of direct, natural sunlight during the week, rather than just incandescent light.....also there have been a couple of not so scientific studies about some sunlight being better than no sunlight.....

 

[NiRD]

Only UVB light works. Many commercially available "full spectrum" lighting doesn't provide UVB, and is therefore useless.

 

[luvmydusky]

Here is a link that may answer some of your questions.

Bird Lighting: Zoo Med AvianSun Deluxe Floor Lamp

I have a 15 year old dusky conure that started to pluck her feathers. She never did this before so off to the vet I went. After a visit to the vet I was informed that my dusky was lacking in the lighting department along with the vitamin D that all birds need. After a few weeks with a new avian lamp above her cage, the feather plucking has subsided and my dusky is a happier bird. Also note that if your bird is near a window with a sunlight source, the UV light that the bird needs does not penetrate through glass windows or screens. The best source of UV is direct sunlight. However, do your homework before placing your bird in direct sunlight as it can be a disaster if you are not there to keep an eye on the bird. Read, read, read all that you can about your feathered friend (s).