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rex_and_me
Top Gold Member
44 Posts |
 Posted - 01/28/2006 : 15:47:17
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I live in NY so I dont have to worry about this right now but in the summertime I want to have Rex outside with me as much as possible so here are my ?'s/concerns:
1) How hot is too hot? I know they are tropical birds but...
2) What about my a/c? Can I still use it?
3) My WORST fear is mosquito's..they get into the house no matter what, so what happens if Rex is bitten by one...or worse a bee? 
Im friekin' out just thinking about all this
Dee B
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rex_and_me
Top Gold Member
44 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 15:50:11
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OOPS by the way Rex is a B&G macaw
Dee B |
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 22:11:29
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Macaws can get overheated if in direct sunlight without proper shade and lots of water. Their comfort range is typically 60-95 Fahrenheit. Rex could happily spend a summer day outside in an outdoor cage with shade and water available!
You can certainly use your A/C as long as it is not blowing directly on Rex, and the filter has been cleaned so there is no mold being blown.
Regarding bees, I have never heard of a macaw ever getting stung by one so I don't know about that. I take NIMO (my Blue and Gold) outside all the time here in NJ, and I don't ever think he's had a mosquito bite. I do believe they are harmless. Some people worry about West Nile Virus, but statistically speaking, Nimo is much more likely to get struck by lightning than to get West Nile. The benefits of being in the sun and fresh air far outweigh the risks, as far as I am concerned. Just my opinion! Cheers, Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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Esther
Top Gold Member
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 07:29:12
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This will be Tequila's first summer so I'll let you know as things develop.
We always take my Goffin's and Blue Crown Conure outside on our deck. We hang construction netting, 1"x1" squares around the deck. Hubby build a frame so it doesn't hang half down the deck.
We have West Nile Virus here in Pa so I only take them out early in the mornings and then in the early evenings. Once the mosquitoes start showing up, they're back inside. We also take their playgyms outside if we eat on the deck. Otherwise, we offer them a drink every so often.
I put Tequila's harness on yesterday and took him out in the yard. He seemed to like it but was looking around alot. I don't want him to forget his harness so weather permitting, I'll try to take him out more often. It's been unseasonably warm here so that's to our benefit.
Esther |
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rex_and_me
Top Gold Member
44 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 11:11:59
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Thank You, I knew about water and shade but the mosquito part still scares me, we have west nile here too (upstate NY)not very many cases of it though. Our weather has been very warm here also. As a matter of fact yesterday it was 55 so Rex went everywhere with me and he loved it.
Dee B |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2006 : 20:35:42
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quote:
As a matter of fact yesterday it was 55 so Rex went everywhere with me and he loved it.
Dee, I can't tell you how much I LOVE hearing those words, over and over again. Isn't it FUN to take your bird out with you to play and run around? Good for you!
As for weather? I have a little rule of thumb that I follow. When and if it's too cold or too hot for me, it's too cold or too hot for my birds. 
'Vegas doesn't get as cold as it does back east but it does get cold here. If I can comfortably walk around outside with just a sweater or sweatshirt (about 60 degrees) I'll leave the birds outside in the aviary (which is shaded).
If it's colder than that (but sunny) they can still play outside, in direct sun, and stay nice and cozzy-warm just like I can.
As for heat? Birds will pant, much like dogs, when they are too warm. When you see this, you know your bird is hot and needs to be cooled down. It's either time for a misting or time to go inside.
Summer time temps here easily hit triple digits. I'm talking 110-115 and a few days even hotter than that.  Even when it's hot my birds still are outside playing for hours. BUT, I keep them soaked to the bone. In temps like this I don't mess around. I don't just go out and mist them... I first soak them down with the water hose and then I turn the misters on. This helps to keep them cool but I still will go out and hose them back down again and again during the entire day.
The birds LOVE it. They scream for the water hose, "Come on water. Come on." LOL It reminds me of kids swimming on scorching hot days. As long as they are in the water or at least soak'n wet, they are having fun.
Also, even with all of the water spraying on them I still make certain my birds have LOTS of drinking water and even ice too. :)
So, I use myself as a gauge. I don't like it too cold nor too hot and my birds don't either. If it's too cold for me to be outside without a coat, I go back inside. :) If it's too hot outside I either need to go indoors or hit the pool!
Oh, almost forgot. As for West Nile? Mosquitoes are mostly active at sunrise and sunset so I avoid putting the birds outside during that time. I've heard of some good mosquitoe "zappers" (I need to do some research on them)I may place some around my yard since the birds will be outside even more now that we have the new outdoor aviary. Here's more on prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm
Hope this helps.
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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Sigmundine
Top Gold Member
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 09:55:19
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Esther, what harness do you use? It's so warm here in New York, actually kind of freaky. I was thinking it's too bad if I don't take Sarge Pepper out! But I'm scared to death to do so. I lost my African Gray a while back, whose wings were clipped. He took off and out of sight. I put up posters, offered a reward, newspaper ads, you name it, several grays crossed my path but not my Kikuyu. I mourn him to this day! We're going to build an aviary come spring, but since that incident, I never take my birds out without a carrier...or perhaps a harness, which I haven't used yet.
Marie |
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luvsmyfids
Top Gold Member
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 12:35:38
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Something that I have been very aware of lately is hawks and falcons. Im also in upstate NY and now that the leaves are off the trees, I am seeing red tail hawks all over by my house. Peregrine falcons are all over as well.
I have taken my CAG, Bandit, out in a harness but I'll be honest, with these hawks and such hanging around, it definitely makes me nervous.
Laurie
Magick is found everywhere and in everything. |
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Rhonda
Top Gold Member
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 16:22:11
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Laurie I know what you are talking about. I was just sitting under our elm tree with my Vos Eclectus and was totally unaware when a owl came swooping down after her. I've been afraid to sit out with her ever since. We have hawks circling now also and I won't let my chihuahuas out without being right with them because they are so tiny they could be picked right up. I've started with the harnesses myself because I'm afraid to have the birds without some kind of security. I just keep working on the ones that aren't used to a harness.
Rhonda and fids |
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Esther
Top Gold Member
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2006 : 08:58:14
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Marie,
I use the larger Feather Tether for Tequila. I am so sorry to hear about Kikuyu! Hugs to you!
We have hawks here too and usually when we take the birds outside, they are protected by the netting. Also, I don't leave them outside by themselves. One of us is always with them. We've had a hawk crab a bird of our bird feeders so we're extra careful.
I did take Tequila into the yard the other day but kept my eye out for hawks. My Blue Crown Conure is really good at spotting them! Tequila is the only one who's harness trained so the other guys have to stay behind the netting. The tiels actually can only go outside in their cages since both are fully flighted and they can fit through the squares.
Yes, it's been unseasonably warm. We had 64 degrees here yesterday! Last year we had a hard time making it to 20 degrees for day time high.....lol
Esther |
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Sigmundine
Top Gold Member
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2006 : 12:05:25
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Thanks, Esther. I still have a good cry over my Kikuyu now and then. My family thinks I have a screw loose! Most people don't understand how much one can love a bird!
Marie |
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Esther
Top Gold Member
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2006 : 16:55:30
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You are welcome, Marie! I am sorry to hear that your family feels that way. I know most people think, "It's just a bird, what can you really do with a bird...?" It's the most amazing friendship one can have and I do believe it takes a bird person to realize it. People here think I am nuts because of my birds and I am sure my in-laws do too! hehehe I am originally from Germany so my family there knows I am a fruitcake! While others had dolls in their doll carriages, I had bugs, snales and whatever critter I could get my hands on.....hehehe
Esther |
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Sigmundine
Top Gold Member
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2006 : 10:11:50
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My family is actually very tolerant of my birds, but the boys think I love the birds more than them. It's always, "Those birds are really spoiled", or (incredulously) "Are you flavoring their food?" as I sprinkle a little coconut on top. They are really jealous!
Marie |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2006 : 13:43:46
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Hi everybirdie,
Ya know Hawks were the one thing I never worried about... until lately. As our city grows I have noticed them moving closer and closer to town. We live in a golf course community and I know they probably hunt more on the golf course than back yards here.
Now, I don't worry at all because of the backyard aviary. It's a blessing! I tell ya it's the best thing we EVER purchased outside of building the indoor aviary itself.
I know they are expensive, trust me, I know. That's why I am virtually begging members to share ideas on how they built their own aviaries and how they saved money here and there or how they designed more temporary aviaries.
When I wrote that back yard aviary article http://macawdreams.com/outdooraviaries.html and stated that I believe these aviaries are the solution to MANY bird problems... I meant it. If you do not have a back yard aviary... think of getting one. If you DO have a back yard aviary make certain you share photos and tips for other people!!!
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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Sigmundine
Top Gold Member
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2006 : 11:45:45
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Angie, it's one of our plans, to have a backyard aviary built this Spring. I want one that's big enough for the macaws to fly, so we're going to have it built. I'll keep you informed!
Marie |
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luvsmyfids
Top Gold Member
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2006 : 10:36:54
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We dont have the room for an outside or an inside aviary but we are planning a move next year some time. We are looking to move to possibly Tennessee. We are looking for some acreage so that we can do just that...build a dream aviary for our babies.
Believe me, next summer cant come soon enough for me!
Laurie
Magick is found everywhere and in everything. |
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Topic |
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Things I havent considered for summer time fun!!
