Full Spectrum Lighting Questions.

[RXK]

just a few quick questions regarding full spectrum lighting:

1. if unfiltered sunlight is not available, a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) is the alternative, right?

2. does the light source have to near the cage, or can i just leave the ceiling light (with the CFL bulbs), that has one of those decorative glass screens, on? do i need to get rid of the screen? and, btw, it's a 12' x 12' room, so the ceiling light does fill the entire room.

3. how long does the light have to be on per day?


Thanks in advance.

[hsmoscout]

I have also been wondering about this. Will my bird get sick if I don't have a full-spectrum light?

[Jag]

I will tell you what I know about full spectrum lights (which isn't a whole lot). They are for Vit. D absorption/production. I have heard that 3-4 hours a day is enough. I don't think CFL is the same, but I could be wrong. It's UVA/UVB lighting. I got the lamp and the bulb from a pet bird website, and it states avian full spectrum lighting on there... never really messed with CFL before. It says to first place it 18" above where the bird will be, then after a period of time (sorry, can't remember now how long it said on the box) to move it to 12" over where they are. I don't think they would get as much if it was further away. However.. not positive on this, either. I guess I should have kept the info. on this, huh? LOL! I know that the lamps/bulbs ran more than I thought they would. However, I have noticed improvements in their coloring since I've had them. Some people have said that if they get enough D3 supplement in their diet that they wouldn't need the special lighting. However, my livingroom is kind of dark anyway... so I figured why not?

[RXK]

Originally Posted by hsmoscout

I have also been wondering about this. Will my bird get sick if I don't have a full-spectrum light?

i was just doing some research and came across this article: amazonasociety.org - Articles - The Necessity of Full Spectrum Lighting

so, from the article, there are many medical implications if birds don't receive an adequate amount of full spectrum lighting.

and, it recommends that the lighting (either a CFL or tube type) be placed 2 feet away and used for 2-4 hours max a day for "South American parrots." so, can someone confirm this.

[hsmoscout]

Originally Posted by RXK

and, it recommends that the lighting (either a CFL or tube type) be placed 2 feet away and used for 2-4 hours max a day for "South American parrots."

"South American parrots?" what about aussie parrots like a tiel? lol

[RXK]

Originally Posted by hsmoscout

"South American parrots?" what about aussie parrots like a tiel? lol

lol, yeah...

from the article: "Most smaller birds (cockatiels, parakeets, lovebirds, canaries, finches, etc?): One to two hours per day maximum."

[CRToon83]

First off, are you feeding pellets with Vitamin D3? (Such as Harrison's, Roudybush, or Zupreem?) If so, that's the only advantage, medically, that will be obtained from FSL.

If not, I would get them eating that. Or take them outside for unfiltered sunlight for at least 30 CONSECUTIVE minutes per week. This will produce minimal necessary D3. I'd still switch to a D3 pellet.

Flourescent bulbs are the only *true* full spectrum bulb. Other bulbs, such as the GE Reveal, will limit other light waves to make the lower wavelengths prominent, making you think that you are seeing full spectrum.

However, it is thought that birds can see colors into the UV spectrum... which is one reason why birds are thought to rub their beaks against the perch - to produce a color only birds can see (such as cats marking their territory.)

However, UV has to be specially designed, and is easily filtered by most types of glass. Also, UV tends to dissipate after no more than 6 months to a year, depending on initial intensity. It also requires close proximity from the bulb to the cage. What I did was to get a cheapo floor lamp, tossed the shade, and placed it about one foot from my bird's cage. I placed it on a timer I got at Home Depot for about $5, to help with the nights I work late and can't put my fid to sleep when ideal.

I use the Zoo Med 5.0 UVB bulb (cost about $20); I looked are results and this is the only bulb which produces sufficient UVA for D3 production (even though I feed Harrison's... a food that provides a D3 supplement.)

Also, what most people don't realize, is when a CFL is hung upside down, such as from a ceiling fan, it only produces about 35-40% of the UVA/UVB that it does when in a lamp which is pointed directly up. Why? I don't know... I got that info from Zoo Med. Here are some really interesting articles you should read.

http://zoomed.com/Library/ProductDBF...0and%20UVB.pdf

Birds and Lighting General Index

Basically, if it can't give you a sunburn, it's useless.

[Jag]

This is where I got mine from, and they also have reading material on lighting.

Bird Health Depends on Light - Natural or UV Full Spectrum Lighting

Zoo Med!! That's it! Thanks, Russell!

[hsmoscout]

Originally Posted by CRToon83

First off, are you feeding pellets with Vitamin D3? (Such as Harrison's, Roudybush, or Zupreem?) If so, that's the only advantage, medically, that will be obtained from FSL.

So if we feed him Roudybush we don't need it? The people at the bird store also said that it gives him a ton of calcium so he doesn't need a cuttle bone. Is this true?

[CRToon83]

I don't know about that... but cuttle bones cost what... a dollar? I would keep one just in case.

However, pay attention to that one sentence I said earlier... that they can see in to the UVA spectrum, we think. This could be important for mating activities, amongst other things... and may even just help your bird be happier.

IMO, I want to give my bird the most "natural" environment possible. She's living with me because of my desires, so I should try my best to give her the best possible environment. I mean, my girl cost $150... and I know I got one heck of a good deal on her.. so what's $20/year to keep her happier? Not much. And remember... i'm still a poor college student... lol...

(who just hated paying $35 for blades for my norelco shaver. I would rather spend my $$ on keeping someone/something else happy than myself, lol)