Full Spectrum Lighting

[LADYBIKERMOMUSMC]

Has anyone Tried the lighting for there birds? I just read about it.My poor bird is 7yrs old and Im just now learning after I found this site. I was reading about the bulbs and all.im going to get a floor lamp and I carry the full spectrum bulbs at work. Just curious how it worked for anyone maybe will help on my 7yr olds feather plucking.

Nan

[kali]

i remember someone saying you can use reptile tubes. i have them at work and i'd love to know if they are suitable for my bird room. they don't get heaps of sunlight, mainly only before midday.

[hollyhawkz]

I use them and love em. You have to be careful about the reptile ones, if they are not the right spectrum, apparently it can do more harm. Look for the most natural light ones. Obviously birds fly high and reptiles crawl low so the light spectrum will be different.

[jellybeanz]

I think the smartest thing you can do is to go to a big chain pet store that has a reptile expert and a parrot expert..they can help you out with the proper lighting for sure.

I do this with my birds in the winter, but in the summer I allow plenty of daytime lighting in the house. I do feel it helps the birds, but remember to not use the light on their entire cage. They can become dehydrated very quicky and overheat!

Good luck! If you want I can check my light (new on in box) and tell you what kind of lighting it is.

[kali]

that would be great jellybeanz if you could check the details on the light. i have flouro tubes that are on in there but i don't know if they are suitable they are just the normal ones you can buy for your house.

[SDavid]

"I just read about it"

Be skeptical of anything you read by a manufacturer. They word their ads in a very tricky manner. Just enough to scare you but they fall short of telling you that THEIR bulb will give your bird "sunlight." Full spectrum bulbs don't provide enough sunlight to benefit your bird. If possible spend outdoor time with your bird as much as possible and make sure he's eating a well balanced diet. There's no substitue for sunlight not for birds not for humans.

Google as many articles on Bird Lighting as you can before deciding.

[LADYBIKERMOMUSMC]

I love this place and wish I had found it 7 years ago: On the store link here there is flight light for full spectrum lights. they are bulbs. then they make the fixtures. very expensive. we do carry at work our bulbs are exact same as them> My house is very big but when Im at work I try to put them in sun coming into house and its very hard so I may have to substitute alot. the Big board store does carry this though, Im going to local pet store today will ask there opinion and also the cincinnati bird show next sunday is anyone else going?

[Astrid660]

I want some!
After reading that birds see so many more shades and colours with UV light, I definitely want to get some full spectrum lighting for my fids.

[hollyhawkz]

I live in BC Canada. What is sunlight? tee hee... I have no choice. The rainy season is already upon us. Don't forget the rays our fids need are filtered out by the windows glass. (as my AV keeps reminding me)

[jimpierce7]

I think FS lighting is wonderful for our birds. I use 4' fluorescent tubes. Electronic ballast to eliminate that nasty flicker the magnetic ballasts have. 98 CRI, 5000k seem to be the best.
From what I have gathered reptiles and birds don't share the same needs from the light.
Whether or not all the hoopla about FS lighting is true or not I have no idea. But I do know my birds love the light.