Heat lamps

[marie83]

Ollie seems to be feeling the cold alot at the moment. So far we have just had the heating up really high but its far far too hot for us and the rabbit and its costing a fortune in gas.

I've been looking at ceramic bulbs that don't give off light and setting it up at an appropriate (temp monitored with a thermometer)distance from the cage so it just heats up a small portion of the cage but I'm not too sure if they are suitable for use with birds. Also do they have good durability, I'm hoping to get something thats going to be ok to store for future use.

Would an infra red bulb be more suitable, I would prefer something that doesn't emit light? I definitely dont want anything that has to go in the cage like a heat mat or anything with a thermostat due to potential safety issues.

Would greatly appreciate any input.

[marie83]

Ok I have done a bit of basic research on this and it appears the ceramic ones are fine to use with birds but still interested to hear any opinions you all may have.

[terri]

I know your going to do the research and find the very best one [you will have to let us know] Ive never used one but I would feel better trying one that was made for birds.]Your tiel is such a little guy [I would be going crazy at first making sure it wasnt too hot.But it sounds like you have to do something and I wouldnt do therma perches.

[marie83]

I know your going to do the research and find the very best one [you will have to let us know] Ive never used one but I would feel better trying one that was made for birds.]Your tiel is such a little guy [I would be going crazy at first making sure it wasnt too hot.But it sounds like you have to do something and I wouldnt do therma perches.

I will be checking the thermometer every few minutes to make sure its exactly right trust me lol. I do tend to be over cautious with things.

[friend2parrots]

I would feel better trying one that was made for birds.].

+1

the best brand that I've come across for these kinds of lamps is the Zoo-Med brand. they are often called reptile lamps in the packaging, but its appropriate for use in birds too.

not sure if you have the ceramic, the ceramic infrared, or the red-light infrared. each kind has its own benefits.

couldnt find the regular ceramic one in any online listing. but

this is a ceramic infrared thats supposed to be good:

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiCare ... 53-2020621

here is a red-light infrared thats also supposed to be good

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Nocturnal ... +infra+red

the zoo-med brand is considered a trustworthy brand because they assure you that they do not coat their bulbs. some brands that are NOT made for reptiles or birds coat their heat lamp bulbs with a PFTE-like material (similar to TEflon) so its best to avoid those

i have used both these last two types for different occasions over the years, if a bird is under the weather for any reason, or just for some extra heat. i have found that the sick birds who have difficutly keeping their body temperatures high enough really seem to like the red-light infrared lamp, anc actually move closer to it. ive heard that the infrared heat from the red-light one gets under their skin and improves their circulation, etc. never did any research on that in particular, but i also do recall that when i used the ceramic infrared ones (the white ones that dont emit light) my birds didnt seem "attracted" to the heat source - so perhaps thy didnt like it? my guess.

in any case, i hope Ollie feels better soon

[marie83]

Hmm thats interesting what you say about the infra-red vs the one that doesn't emit light. I wish I had read that before I placed the order now. Just from what I have read online so far was that the one without light was better as it allowed the bird to rest more at night time.

Why can't any desicion be easy? I know everything has pro's and cons but there never seems to be something that is obviously the better option.

I guess an animal that needs heat will sit where it is warmest anyway regardless of if it emits light or not whereas an animal that doesn't need the heat may just sit in the heat/light for the comfort/enjoyment of it (i hope)