Lighting

During the winter months I use energy saving light bulbs in the aviaries to increase the short days.  These are on a timer and come on a couple of hours before sunrise and switch off a few hours after dawn. I find that the birds will get up in the morning to feed with the light, however they will still roost at dusk despite the light.  I therefore no longer bother with the lights in an evening.  A big problem with my aviaries, indeed my whole garden, is that they get very little sunlight during winter.  Birds need the sun for the UV rays which in turn provide vitamin B, which is required for the absorption of calcium to maintain healthy bone and feather growth.  For this reason I am now intend to use full spectrum light bulbs which you can now get reasonably cheap as energy saving bulbs. 

New turks and last years young

I've just about got my birds sorted for spring.  I've managed to sell the young from last year and swapped one of them for a new yellow opaline cock.



He's the one on the left.  The bird on the right is the young cinnamon yellow opaline hen from last year. They will make a fine pair.  But unfortunately the hen will probably be too young to breed, at least for the first part of this year.  What I may do is pair him with a slightly older hen for now. She's a normal split yellow that I bought last year.

I've also kept the young opaline turk from last year, which I thought was hen and was all ready to sell until I was informed it may well be a cock (time will tell).  I'm glad because I really like this bird.

Again, he will probably be too young to breed straight away this year.

King Vulture and other birds

I don't think my aviary is big enough for one of these....

The king vulture giving me the evil eye....seconds later he was on my shoulder.
Photo's taken in the walk in aviary at the South Lakes Animal Park.

Some other bird photo's at the park....

Some of the Macaws (above) are allowed to fly free.

The moon

I've been trying out my new camera taking pictures of the moon. Roll on spring and longer days!

Snow

It's very unusual to get a lot of snow here on the Furness peninsular due to it's location getting protection from the sea and the Lakeland fells.  If it snows here the rest of the country must be having it bad. Night time temperatures are down to -10C and it's staying well below freezing during the day.  At this time of year my aviaries don't get any sun and keeping the birds with fresh un-frozen water is becoming a problem.  Tubular heaters give the birds some protection and they all appear to be doing OK....however, it's only December.

Buster likes it...

Buster's Birthday

It's Buster's birthday today...he's 5 years old.  Here are some puppy pictures...