How cold is too cold??

[Oscars Mom]

Im wondering what temp. is too cold to take birds out ?I live in boston and am still taking jewels out.

[LovelySydney]

I would say 50 degrees but Im no expert. I know Im already cold in this weather and were at about 50 right now, so I am not bringing the birds out. I dont want them to catch a cold or even be cold - Michigan isn't so sunny at the moment.

[New Ekkie Mom]

I have heard that a lot of it depends on what the bird is used to. The most common response I got when I asked that question was no more than 10 degrees (Farenheit) below the bird's normal living environment. I have heard others who said lower was fine for short periods or if the bird was used to it, but 10 degrees above or below the bird's normal environment is definitely ok.

[nanmadpad]

I think lovelysydney is right, about 50 is okay as long as its not windy. Wind makes a big difference in weather or not i take my birds out and also if the sun is shining.

[ROYJOY]

I Took Ruby out yesterday evening 41' cloudy but no wind. usually when i take her out, i let her decide. if she flys she gets to stay out for a few minutes. if she doesnt fly we go back inside. she came down after about 10 minutes. her feet werent cold, but the sky was getting grey, so we went in. some times on wetter days her feet will be cold, then i take her in. she will puff up to keep warm. thats my sign its time to go in. flying keeps her warm, but if she's just sitting in a tree she cools faster.

my little birds puff up in the 50's so i dont take them out unlees its 60' and the sun is shining.

[MissV]

Actually, I read somewhere recently that this is a common misconception....most animals can survive suprisingly well in lower temperatures--at least warm blooded animals have a natural ability to adapt to much lower temperatures than previously thought.


The concern is about how fast this happens. Sudden cold can be shocking to any creature's system.

The best judge is yourself. Your natural body temperature isn't ridiculously different for your birds. If it's brisk for you, it's going to be cooler for them.....if you need to button up your overcoat, they shouldn't be out with you.


Actually, I read that somewhere too....If you're chilly, your bird is, if you're not, they'll be fine. ^^



Edit: Which honestly makes sense because we only have bare skin and they have feathers AND a higher body temperature to keep them more-toasty. ^^

[expressmailtome]

Originally Posted by MissV

Edit: Which honestly makes sense because we only have bare skin and they have feathers AND a higher body temperature to keep them more-toasty. ^^

While that is true, we also have clothes that help us deal with the cold.

Matt

[Monica]

I've taken my mitred conure outside in below freezing temps.... heck, there was snow on the ground! He even walked in it, and didn't seem overly bothered at all. When I take him outside and it's real cold, I don't take him out for long periods of time.

I feel that if I can handle being outside in the cold for a few minutes, so can he. Likewise, I don't feel that neither of us would want to go from a 65°-75° house temp to temps below 30°'s for very long. Maybe fine for 5-15 minutes, but not for an hour or so.

[Franciscus]

Razz goes out in below freezing temps. I would't do it suddenly though.