question about temp. changes

[amoonswirl]

I have read from more than one source that when a pigeon or dove is brought from a cold temperature to a warm one too quickly, the air in the bird's air sacs can expand too fast and can cause a painful death.

This will be my birds' first winter in an unheated space. I am wondering if anyone can tell me what temperature is too cold from which to bring a bird inside. Or perhaps how many degrees difference is too extreme? I just want to be prepared in case any birds need to be brought inside over the winter...A tragic mistake is not something I want to have happen.

Thanks in advance!
~Karen

[MaryOfExeter]

I haven't heard that one actually...I figured it would only expand enough to maybe rupture the sacs...Which can heal as long as they don't like, completely blow up, right? Pigeons are pretty cool with their breathing system. If a pigeon's bone, let's say...in the wing, is broken and sticking out, and you hold it's beak and nose to where it can't breathe, it can actually breathe through the hole the bone created o:

Anyways, I think it really depends on just what kind of pigeon or dove you have outside. Exotic doves like Diamonds came from warmer climates, so they may not be able to handle much under freezing. My Ringnecks do just fine in the winter time and it's gotten pretty cold (down in the teens some mornings they've been through). Pigeons on the other hand, are bigger and can probably handle it much easier. There's three main things that will effect whether your bird will make it out okay:
- Don't suddenly put your bird out in the cold. It's much better if your bird has been outside before the winter, and has moulted into heavier feathers as the temperature gradually got colder.
- Make sure there is somewhere for it to get out of the wind. If it has a nice cozy corner to huddle up in, it will be better off. It's bad enough that the still air is cold, but having cold air hit the bird a lot may lower its body temp. to where it can't hold up anymore. All but one side of the cage should be covered at least enough for the bird to fit in the covered space (longer cages, like big flight or ground cages don't need the whole side covered up). Just remember as long as you have somewhere for them to get away, it's fine.
- Plenty of food! Food = energy. Engergy = heat. Without good food available, your bird doesn't have a chance. Water needs to be there also of course. Try to make some sort of heater or something to keep the drinkers thawed out. Or you could just do what I used to do before we invented little heaters - go around twice a day and refill the frozen drinkers with nice warm water. Having the water too hot isn't good for the birds, but neither is too cold. It all goes back to preventing body heat loss in the birds while the weather is cold. Our heaters do a nice job of keeping the water liquid and a little warm at the same time. I'm sure my pigeons were glad when we made those

If you're worried, try feeding them some raw peanuts? They fatten them up a bit. Don't feed them too many peanuts though! You don't want a big fat lazy pigeon or dove sitting around, haha.
If things are looking tough, there's always the option of putting a heat lamp in the cage. Maybe that'll get the bird used to being outside in the cold, but at the same time not freeze it's feathers off. Think of it sorta like weaning your bird from the nice cozy inside life.

[amoonswirl]

Thanks Becky!
I can't remember where I read that, but I know it was from more than one source. Hopefully I am just being overly cautious though. I don't want to cause them even one iota of pain!

The aviary is totally enclosed so they will not be exposed to wind chills or rain & snow. But it does get pretty cold out there. I have one window open just a crack right now to make sure there's some fresh air. But other than that it is all closed in.

Thank you for all of the detailed info. Much appreciated.

[Maggie-NC]

Becky, just want to say that is a very good, informative post.