Ideal Temperature for a Naked Bird?

[starwynde]

With the weather becoming a little cooler and a lot wetter recently, I'm worried about keeping Gem warm. Turning the heat up for the entire house isn't an option, so I'm looking for a reliable way to heat the area around his cage without harming him. I should note that Gem has PBFD and is featherless; he can't regulate his heat like other birds and I have to be cautious about burning his skin.

And ideas?

[michael]

One of the safest options is an oil filled radiator room heater that comes with a thermostat (most do) as well as a water tank for added humidity. Examples> http://www.bizrate.com/heaters/oil-filled-space-heaters/

Another option is an Avitech heat panel. Although these do little to heat the room, they do offer your bird a place to keep warm. Example> http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-news/product-review/avi-temp.aspx

I would also consult your vet on the ideal temps for keeping a small parrot whom is not only featherless, but also suffering from chronic PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease), as given the nature of the illness, its difficult to assess whether Gem requires the same 85-90 degree temperatures as some sick parrots would who are NOT suffering from PBFD.

[starwynde]

Thanks Michael. I'm not worried about heating the room, but I like the one that hangs off the cage; I think that would do the trick provided the vet gives me the okay (still a little worried about his skin). And Gem is about due for another round of blood work so when we go, I'll ask about the temperature.

I didn't worry too much over the summer, even with the A/C on because it was still warm. Now, even I feel a bit of a chill and unfortunately I can't walk around with Gem in my shirt all day like I used to because I work outside of our home. As we didn't expect Gem to make it this far and do so well, I'm starting to run into things I wouldn't normally consider if I had a full feathered bird. I'm thinking our next home when we PCS back to the mainland will have a heated bird room just for Gem :D

[linda040899]

My first choice would be the Avit-Tech heat panel, hands down! It will keep Gem warm without emitting any light and it's made specifically for birds. It's a bit pricey but I use products by Avi-Tech and I've always been pleased. Their ceramic heating element is the best I've found!

[michael]

My first choice would be the Avit-Tech heat panel, hands down! It will keep Gem warm without emitting any light and it's made specifically for birds. It's a bit pricey but I use products by Avi-Tech and I've always been pleased. Their ceramic heating element is the best I've found!

For an area or room thats really not that cold, lets say about 65-75, the Avitech heat panel was also the one I prefered. Plus its far more economical to use than the oil filled heaters. .. As you've mentioned though, humidity during the winter is also a huge concern, not just for birds suffering illness, but feather pluckers/chewers as well. .. With birds who exhibit feather abusive behavior, or have respiratory issues, added humidity during the winter was extremely helpful, so I ended up purchasing a decent humidifier, which not only helped in both ways, but made breathing much easier for me too. .. Best wishes for Gem. And here's hoping that one day she'll begin to sprout a few new feathers. .........:)

[Pips mom]

SO glad Gem is doing so well!!!:clap best wishes for continued good health to Gem. I know it's not that rare that birds make it through this disease and are just fine, I've heard of quite a few that have!

[starwynde]

Thanks Kim. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it seems that Gem is doing fine, despite the diagnosis and his lack of feathers.

I know there are survivors (I didn't have Gem put down because there was a chance of survival and he wasn't suffering in any way), and it looks like Gem just might be one of them *knock on wood.* Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of information on the survivors out there, so I'm not sure how long disease hangs around before the immune system boots it. As it sits, blood work for Gem every 6 months, and if something is unusual, then automatic vet appointment.

I think that ceramic heater will be perfect. It means we can turn the AC on when needed without worrying about Gem freezing. Thanks, everyone, for the information :hug:

[michael]

Thanks Kim. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it seems that Gem is doing fine, despite the diagnosis and his lack of feathers.

I know there are survivors (I didn't have Gem put down because there was a chance of survival and he wasn't suffering in any way), and it looks like Gem just might be one of them *knock on wood.* Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of information on the survivors out there, so I'm not sure how long disease hangs around before the immune system boots it. As it sits, blood work for Gem every 6 months, and if something is unusual, then automatic vet appointment......

I have to say, while many a prognosis for birds with PBFD are generally grim, supportive care combined with a positive attitude can indeed make a huge difference. Allow me to quote from someone who has plenty experience: http://www.psittacinebeakfeatherdisease.com/ Please view the whole article.
In my experience those species most likely to recover are nestling domestic budgerigars, peached faced lovebirds (lovebirds), and wild captive bred nestling and fledgling rainbow lorikeets that develop the acute form of the disease. Many of these will grow apparently normal plummage within the first year of life. .. While i'm not sure when it was Gem contracted PBFD, the fact that he's survived up to this point certainly sounds promising.

[starwynde]

While i'm not sure when it was Gem contracted PBFD, the fact that he's survived up to this point certainly sounds promising.

I first noticed Gem was losing feathers in September of 2012, but it just looked like a moult. I didn't think much of it until my husband commented how ragged he was gettin in February of 2013. I started doing some research and bloodwork confirmed PBFD in March. So, it's been about 16 months if I go back to the start of the noticeable feather loss, and probably longer if he had it before the symptoms manifested. He was about 2 years old when he started to lose his feathers.

I did contact the breeder and ask him about his flock, and he's had no incidence of PBFD. So I believe I was the carrier of it from one of two pet stores where I handled a baby conure and some lovebirds that were being rehomed. I no longer go anywhere close to avians in stores when we pick up dog food because I'm afraid I'm going to pass the PBFD on to them.

[michael]

[snip]........ I did contact the breeder and ask him about his flock, and he's had no incidence of PBFD. So I believe I was the carrier of it from one of two pet stores where I handled a baby conure and some lovebirds that were being rehomed. I no longer go anywhere close to avians in stores when we pick up dog food because I'm afraid I'm going to pass the PBFD on to them.

Sadly, not all pet stores, breeders, or those who rehome or sell birds via various mediums such as Facebook or Craigslist screen their birds for PBFD. In fact, Petsmart, a rather well known pet supply chain at one time unsuspectedly ended up with several lovebirds who were either infected or carriers of PBFD. .. Infected birds have also been known to show up at "bird shows" of only one reason why I no longer care to frequent them. For these reasons, I highly recommend purchasing birds only from a reputable breeder. One who not only provides a "well bird guarantee" but if need be, proof of their genetic background. ... For the record, and as far as I know, most Petsmart stores no longer retail lovebirds, but only a handful of finches along with an occasional oddity or two.

[starwynde]

Yeah, the breeder I went to was recommended by another member of the forum here, and I wanted to make sure his flock was okay. I won't buy from pet stores, period. The lovebirds I handled at the pet store had belonged to a friend of a manager who was apparently entering a care home and could not take the birds with her. At the time, I was considering adopting them (1 pair and three babies) but another woman adopted them before I got the okay from my husband. But, I learned my lesson and no more birds until Gem is clear. I won't go near them... but I still look :whistle:

[Elle]

Just a reminder to make sure that the air is not too dry. Heat is important but so is humidity.

[starwynde]

Thanks Elle. I'm in Hawaii, so humidity isn't too much of an issue, even in the winter, but I do keep an eye on it as I am prone to nosebleeds if the air gets too dry. My goal is to keep Gem happy and as healthy as possible and enjoy every minute I have with him, and so far, it's been a blast! :happy: