[Jenny]

We're at record colds here in FL... and our heater just (literally) froze solid and broke it's 62 degrees in the house right now, no drafts, but I think it'll get a little colder before morning... I covered all the birds (some with double covers) but ran out of blankets... the linnies sleep snuggled together in their happy hut, so I think they'll stay warm for the night... what do you guys think?

Most of the coverage went to the single birds since they're all alone, the parrotlets got one good blanket since they sleep snuggled together and the linnies are cuddled in the happy hut snug up together... I'm just worried about them! Any tips from you northerners? There are no heaters out there - they are all literally sold out at every store... I had to fight for the 2 thermal blankets I bought!! And those went to Goober and Moose since they sleep all alone and don't cuddle with anything...

 

[Sabinoesque]

They should be ok. When we had no furnace for a week, our house got down to around 45-50 for several days. We kept cages covered, and I put a lamp inside another cage that the birds were not in, and put that cage on the cage the birds were in and put the blanket over that, so they had something to give off some heat. You just have to be very careful that they cannot get to the cords or anything. That's why I put the lamp inside another cage so they could not get it. I only had 2 birds though (and some Guinea pigs). You could also put plastic bottles or sealed containers filled with hot water and covered by a towel so they have something warm to snuggle.

60 is not that cold though. Our house pets are pretty spoiled, but in nature they would get those types of temps during the summer nights.

Hope you get your heat back soon!

 

[Mythara]

Generally from what I've read, a rapid change of more than 10 degrees can cause problems, but a gradual change - such as a house cooling down - shouldn't cause them problems. Our house fluctates a good bit - the insulation is practically nonexistant, and the heating isn't on most of the night. But we've had no problems with them this year (worst winter since 1963!) or last year, despite none of our six cuddling together. =)

 

[Jenny]

That's good. I know the parrots can take some cold, but I've always seen 60 as the cutoff of "ok, now they're a little too cold, they need a blanket or something" And our house got down to 54 degrees last night! Thanks for the tips, guys! Everyone is just fine this morning so I think they'll be just fine, can't help but worry though