Winter in Iowa and a macaw

[tlfisher]

What can I do to help Wylie cope with Iowa weather? I fear she might get cold. How cold is too cold?

 

[MikeyTN]

Don't you have heat in your home? Macaws can learn to tolerate the cold, even snowy weather as long as they were acclimated to it not just made to adjust instantly. I used to live in Iowa and I had birds there and they did fine.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

as long as you don't keep your birds at a consistent temperature they cope very well with the cold, as long as they aren't shivering or fluffed up 24/7 they're fine. If you're worried you can always set up a bird safe ceramic heat lamp on one section of the cage, that way your macaw has a warm spot to retreat to if they are feeling cold.

 

[noblemacaw]

I live in Minnesota and have parrots for over 20 years. I traditionally keep my house rather cold in the winter and my parrots have always done fine. Sure sometimes my mini macaw would crawl inside my robe to warm his feets but its the price I pay for keeping a cold house.

I have to evacuate from a house in minus 20 degrees outside due to a cracked furnace exchange and the furnace was putting out C02. I had to bug out with my then only parrot so I shoved him in a crown royal bag put the bag against my chest and put my winter coat over him and left the house. My car was sitting in driveway and it started first go and it was FREEZING out there. My parrot wiggled his head out of the crown royal bag and popped out of the coat took one breath and ducked back inside the warmth. It was a classic reaction to our bitter cold.

I got my baby RFM shipped to me the first week in December. Valentino came from Texas but the breeder "weathered" him by having him spend some time in the outdoor flight with his sisters. He came to me use to Texas weather and he arrived during our first snowstorm of the year. It took three weeks for Valentino to grow in thicker down. It was soft and grew in dark grey. I love to pet his winter coat. There is nothing softer than Red Front Macaw winter down feathers.

I don't know if all parrots grow a thicker down during the winter. I think my RFM did because the species is originally a cliff dweller and I am sure it gets pretty cold up there in their winters.

 

[tlfisher]

Can I give her a blanket to hell. She wont jeep a cage cover on. I want to make sure she is warm enough. I have a milkhouse heater that helps keep me wafn
. Lol.
I was not sure if i need to buy her a coat.

 

[tlfisher]

BTW.. I am really sick with a head cold. Can she catch it from me? Im avoiding her mostly cause I'm too sick to move.

 

[MikeyTN]

It is wise for you to keep your distance as a member on here that got sick and it got passed on to his birds and they all died. So just keep your hands sanitized!

 

[tlfisher]

Im staying clear if her. See doc tomirriw too.
Thanks for the heads up

 

[MikeyTN]

No problem, do go see your doctor and hope you feel better soon!!!!