Friday, February 27, 2009
Wintertime Doldrums
By Linda Costello
Explore the diaries of daily life with large birds.
Photo courtesy of Linda Costello
This macaw can't wait until spring, and neither can Linda. |
The birds play happily in their tropical room, completely oblivious to the cold. |
We’ve had freezing rain and the roads are all closed. I'm so glad I don't have to go out for anything. Here in Ohio, we have had our share of snowfall, but the birds play happily on their stands and playgyms, listening to tropical music CDs, oblivious to the cold outside.
When the weather gets bitter, I use supplemental heat in the bird room. I like the oil-filled, old-fashion, radiator-type heaters. They have no exposed hot coils to worry about getting burned by or posing a fire hazard. One can heat a good-sized room where the bird's cages are.
But even with this type of heater, I initially run it out on the porch or in the garage (with the door opened) on high for a while before I use it around my birds. This is to burn off any toxic lubricants applied to new units by the manufacture that could harm their sensitive respiratory systems.
As long as we don't lose power, we stay toasty and happy in our warm little nest (err...I mean house!).
For short spells of power loss, I have a couple propane heaters on hand for an emergency. But I hope I never have to use them. I can cover the cages with thick warm blankets, keeping an eye on the temperature, using the supplemental heat only in a dire emergency.
I make use of the time I spend indoors by playing with my birds where it's warm and cozy. I take pictures and videos that I put together into a video collage. The montage I created online is below.
I can't wait for spring, which is just around the corner.
On a happier note …
Now is the time to try to get the birds used to wearing their flightsuits or harnesses.
I have fun taking my birds out and about, plus it's a good way to socialize them. With that thought in mind, at least one window in the house will have a tropical view, with the mural-type curtain covering the sliding doors. So we'll ignore the snow on the other side of the window while we keep playing, singing and dancing along to our tropical music while we wait for warmer weather.
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Wintertime Doldrums
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