Electric-man
42 posts
Nov 29, 2006
2:50 PM
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I recieved an old pr of birds (Higgins) a couple of months ago,eleven yrs old. They just hatched a pr of babies today and a really bad cold front has hit.I can detach their nest box and bring it in and put it in a portable cage, but I am afraid the change would scare them from taking care of the babies. At this age, the parents ought to stay on them but not sure which would be the bigger risk! I wouln't get involved, but at their age, I'm not sure how many more little ones they will have and I don't have a lot of other high caliber birds in my loft. Any (kind)suggestions would be appreciated!LOL
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nicksiders
870 posts
Nov 29, 2006
3:34 PM
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If you got a drop light use it to keep area warm(er). If not you will probably be successful in moving nest and all. Keep them out of trafic areas and keep all the mammals away from them. They will probably be alright.
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Snicker Rollers
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Oldfart
6 posts
Nov 29, 2006
5:17 PM
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Hey Electric-man,
I built a small portable heater using common parts from Lowe's. Here is how. I bought a medium terracotta or
clay flower pot and its base. I also bought a larger base that fit the top of the pot losely. A ceramic light bulb holder. (the kind that just holds the bare bulb.) and a 200 watt light bulb. A dimmer switch is nice and will allow you to adjust the temp. but is not absolutly neccessery. I also bought an extension cord the length you need for your application. Assembly is easy. Start by cutting the female end off the extension cord and hooking it up to the light bulb base. Then glue the light bulb base to the center of the larger flower pot base using 5min. epoxy.(also from Lowe's) Using a round file cut a small grove into the flower pot rim for the electric cord to exit from. Then place the pot over the base with bulb letting the cord exit through the grove. I control the temp with a dimmer switch in my setup but 200 watts, keeps everything warm with a minimum of drain on your elec. bill. If you are on bare wood or any surface that is combustable then I use a concrete cap block to insulate from downward heat. I also cover the heater to keep the birds from landing on it. I hope this helps. Thom
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Electric-man
43 posts
Nov 29, 2006
9:44 PM
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Thanks guys you've gave me some great ideas!I was wondering about those little hand warmers like you put in your gloves,I have a lab pup that loves ext.cords, but my daughter just loaned me a reptile warmer. I guess I will see how he likes chewing on a live one!LOL
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2006 10:11 PM
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old guy
15 posts
Nov 30, 2006
6:45 PM
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I mate my birds in Jan in Minnesota with lots of below zero nights. I have several heat lamps that I buy at Wal*mart. I remove the reflector, put in a 40 wat bulb, and use the built in clamp to fasten the light about 8 inches from the babies. I only need the heat from about 6 days until the babies feather out a little and become warm blooded; usually at 12 days. Sometimes I paint the bulb black so the light isn't is their eyes but it isn't necessary to do so. I rarely lose a bird to the cold.
Last Edited by on Nov 30, 2006 6:46 PM
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