I am away from the house for a couple of days so it really is a concern

 

I do not know if this would work. But maybe find an enclosure for the entire cage and their little bodies may keep it a bit warmer in there. I bought this POD type of thing originally to give my boy a safe space to be outside the of cage before I got my home bird safe. I had to actually punch holes in the plastic because the thing gets literally steaming warm if you put a human body in it for even a few moments. But if you didn't punch holes, the birds may be able to heat it up.

Amazon.com: WeatherPod® The Original Shark Tank MyPod™ 1-2 Person Pop-Up Pod - Stay Warm, Dry, and Out of The Sun - Weather Pod for Sports, Rain, or Wind : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: WeatherPod® The Original Shark Tank MyPod™ 1-2 Person Pop-Up Pod - Stay Warm, Dry, and Out of The Sun - Weather Pod for Sports, Rain, or Wind : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

I used to just put his entire cage in there and then open the cage top so he could get out a bit. And I could step in there with him for a moment and that's how I found that your body will heat it up so fast.

There may be smaller ones than this that would work? But of course has to be big enough for the cage to fit in. Also, I got mine exactly like this one linked at Walmart for only $70, so definitely hunt around and price compare.

I'm sorry for the loss of your mother.

 

Thanks I appreciate your reply. Unfortunately my Mam didn't socialise the birds. If honest I believe she was very poorly and also think she expected them to just be social. So they really aren't great with peoe. I gave them names. Boys names but now think they are girls. I talk to them and have the cage where they are involved within my sitting room for TV and me and my little dog. In good weather I can wheel their cage into the garden. But am at a loss for winter. I really just want them to be okay.

 

If I open cage door. They don't want to come out. Honestly I want to give them a good life but am not experienced with them. A cute thing is they will chirp a little when I chat to them. But am careful of not stressing them with contact.

 

In my case I got the POD thing so that I could open the top but for your needs, you would not need to open the cage. Just put the cage inside the POD and it will be warmer in there. I do not know if it would be warm enough for a cold winter with no heat, but it would be worth a try.

Please keep posting and we can help you learn how to help your birds be more social. It will take time but it is worth it.

 

There is a link in the above post to Amazon with the POD. But here is the link again, if you click it it will take you to pictures and info about the POD.

Amazon.com: WeatherPod® The Original Shark Tank MyPod™ 1-2 Person Pop-Up Pod - Stay Warm, Dry, and Out of The Sun - Weather Pod for Sports, Rain, or Wind : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: WeatherPod® The Original Shark Tank MyPod™ 1-2 Person Pop-Up Pod - Stay Warm, Dry, and Out of The Sun - Weather Pod for Sports, Rain, or Wind : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

Aw thank you. Sorry I missed the link. I will definitely look at getting one. And any advice for giving them a good life will be appreciated. I think am o scared of them getting cold. As a child my family kept house cold and my Guinea pig died because of it. I just can't bear the thought of that happening to Jasper and Billy. Yes believed to be boys but now I think they are girls.

Every morning I say their name and tell them it's mummy as I gently lift the covers one by one. I think they like me and recognise my voice and feel safe. But touching is still a no no. I accept at their age that might not change and accept their boundaries.

But they spend more time ag front of cage which is huge trust from them. I am happy about that.

 

Take a look at this heater that mounts to the cage https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products-9050-Snuggle-Warmer/dp/B07HMLT6SM?th=1
How cold does it get in your place?

 

Hi thanks will take a look. It gets really cold. Even with heating on I struggle to get higher than 17c. Even during day I have a blanket, duvet, another duvet and fur blanket on cage. I basically lift it so they have it open to the front of the cage but covered on all other sides. Cage is a decent size though so may have some less coverage.

 

I used to have tropical fish. So I understand how important temperature is to my pets.

 

Can you get and oil filled space heater, they are sealed and could heat an entire room.

Amazon.com: De'Longhi Oil filled Radiator Heater, 1500W Electric Space Heater for indoor use, portable room heater, Energy Saving, full room like office and bedroom with safety features, EW7707CM : Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: De'Longhi Oil filled Radiator Heater, 1500W Electric Space Heater for indoor use, portable room heater, Energy Saving, full room like office and bedroom with safety features, EW7707CM : Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.com

 

Can you get and oil filled space heater, they are sealed and could heat an entire room.

http://[URL]https://www.amazon.com/...vqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726540686757&psc=1

[/URL]

What temp do 5yr old budgies need? And yes I could do that. Like put it right next to cage?

I am doing my best but am scared for winter

 

A space heater like that one is great! You may have to create a sort of tent-room around the cage, as you said your house is drafty. Like whatever room the cage is in, hang blankets over doorways and windows and that room will stay very warm.

If you were going to be away from the house for a few days though I don't think it is safe to leave it on for that long. Do you have someone who could stop in and check on them?

 

Thank you everyone for advice and suggestions. I will pick some things up for my budgies to get the temperature higher for them.

It's a shame they aren't socialised but am trying to gently get them more comfortable with me.

I am cleaning their cage and will move them to a warmer spot in my room.

 

You can see what I'm talking about in the pics. I put a little blanket on top of the cage to give them a secluded and warm spot that doesn't get any breezes. It's usually the toastiest there during the day, averaging between 24-25c. The room has central air conditioning (which I hate) so some places get cold draughts. The sides of the cage average around 22c. So my girls just move about wherever they want depending on if they want to warm up or cool down.

These pics were taken during bedtime routines, so the room is dim. In the day, sunlight blasts in and brightens everything up.

I also have a bluetooth thermometer with probe similar to this. It's really useful, I just stick the thermometer on top of their cage (under the cover) and put the probe hanging nearby to where they sleep. It gives a perfect indication of how they're doing temp-wise. I also have a normal thermometer I hang on the side of the cage to get a feel for the room in general.

This is total overkill but honestly, seeing them happy and comfortable gives me so much joy and fulfillment. I sat with them earlier today and it makes me so happy to hear them chirping and looking at me from their perches, or rushing to come sit on my shoulder or fall asleep on my hand.

 

Ah I see. Yes my cage is smaller. But not too bad a size compared to some I've seen. Thermometer is a great idea. I had one for fish tanks when I kept tropical fish. As a new owner who got them unexpectedly. I think it would be a great help. Thanks for the link.

My house is still being done up so not the perfect setting for Jasper and Billy unfortunately. Until I receive the heaters etc suggested here. I am layering their bird cage on 3 sides with blankets and leaving the front uncovered. Also am running my central heating constantly. I think that will bring the temp up from 17. I don't usually have it on constantly. Far from it.

I have a arch on the other side of my room. I think much less draught will occur there.

I am thinking of getting an avery (sorry think that's the name) for outside next year when weather is warmer. I don't like that they won't leave the cage. Thought this may give them an opportunity to fly about and feel safe.

 

*I think it may get above 17 in the new position for the cage hopefully.

 

If your house is being worked on, please know that paint and a lot of other building materials are toxic to birds. What kind of work is being done?

 

A lot. But over winter am getting bathroom plumbing done. Also removing broke gas fire and bricking the chimney breast up in the room the budgies are in. No decorating until next year. Thanks I will be mindful of fumes from paint etc. I am thinking I should move birds into my bedroom while work is carried out on sitting room chimney breast.

 

The glues that are used for some things like baseboards are also an issue. And construction dust itself would be a big problem too. Not sure if you know but you also can't burn candles or use any kind of spray chemicals/fragrances/cleaning solutions. And never use a self cleaning function on ovens. Further, you can't clean the oven with chemicals either! These poor little guys don't have filtering lungs like other animals do.

I live in an apartment and last year my upstairs neighbor flooded his kitchen which ran straight down into my kitchen and ruined my ceiling. They had to come take out the soggy ceiling, remove all insulation, replace it, replace the drywall ceiling, then texture it. During this whole process I had to get my bird out of my place completely because it is so small there is no room he could go into to be safe from the debris and chemicals. It took 5 days and my poor boy was displaced all that time! So at the end when they had it all done and textured and they just needed to paint it, I told them to forget it for now I'll call them when I'm ready for them to paint because it would have been another 5 days after painting for it to air out before I could bring him home. So they said Ok and I just never called them to paint at all It looks fine, it is just textured but not painted and I was so happy I avoided any potential of paint fumes poisoning him.

 

Oh wow no I didn't know. I love my candles. Fortunately haven't lit any yet but normally would as winter comes. My house is very small. Like kitchrn/living area. Then bathroom and bedroom upstairs.

Not sure what to do. I doubt rehoming is easy. And as they were late mother's birds really would want to know they are cared for.

A lot to think about.

 

If you find that you know a good loving home they could be better suited for, don't feel bad at all....what is best for the birdies (not us) is what we should do. I'm sure you will do everything you can to learn all about them in the meantime and you may find that your lifestyle can provide the best home. As for them not being super social, they do have each other!! If it was a lone budgie like mine is, most likely he would need to go somewhere that he had a friend or he would need a human friend who has a lot of time to devote to him like I do.

 

Thanks. I will try my best. I will consider rehoming for their benefit. At the same time will do everything I can to keep them healthy and content. I will be picky of who takes them if I advertise and get replies to their rehoming.

Glad I found this forum. Clear instructions on what needs they have is super helpful.

 

You may want to read these: https://nilesanimalhospital.com/files/2012/05/Household-Hazards-2013.pdf

https://nilesanimalhospital.com/files/2012/05/Common-Household-Poisons-for-Birds.pdf

 

Thanks. I have quickly glanced at the articles you linked. Obviously will take a while to read and digest all of the info.

It's really interesting and important learning. I am starting to feel overwhelmed by what I have taken on. Normally I read up for months before deciding on whether I can sufficiently care for pets before bringing them into my family (just me and my little dog).

Gosh am scared I can't provide for my budgies correctly.

I will read everything thoroughly and then decide what's right for them.

 

I think your heart is in the right place, which makes me encourage you not to jump straight to rehoming. If you're able to keep the temp up, and move the birds from any rooms that have work being done, I don't see why you wouldn't be a lovely fit for those two lucky nuggets. Also realise that we are on the extreme end of the spectrum with regards to the lengths we go to to ensure the wellbeing of our birds. Some things I categorically agree with (paraffin wax in candles, overheating nonstick pans) but I think sometimes people can go overboard, but it doesn't necessarily mean not following these super stringent rules removes the opportunity of being a good owner.

Take things one at a time. You're already way ahead of the curve for actually thinking about the wellbeing of your two. Main thing to focus on is temperature and making sure they're not breathing in any fumes. That's it. I'd suggest putting them in a room you spend a lot of time in as it means you're not burning through your money heating the whole house.

 

Like chick said, don't immediately give up. For now give them and you time to adjust to each other and do your best. Can you post a pic for us along with the cage?

 

Like chicive covered them for bedtime now. But k said, don't immediately give up. For now give them and you time to adjust to each other and do your best. Can you post a pic for us along with the cage?

I've covered them for bed now. But yes more than happy to post a pic tomorrow.

 

Thanks for support. I obviously have cage mother had. I just know if I am not giving them a decent life. As much as it will sadden me. I need to do what's right even if that means letting them go.

 

When I was on vacation, I left my first guy with family, who keeps a very cold home. We got an oil-filled radiator, like others here, but I was worried it might cook the bird at night since they were planning to cover him with a heavy blanket as well. I plugged the heater into an inkbird, which is an external temperature control unit. I clipped its thermocouple near where Chiribiri would sleep, and set a max temp at 75F/23C on the inkbird. It worked well for us!

 

One more thing.. the instructions on oil-filled radiators typically have you run them at full power for several hours to 24 hours in order to burn off any manufacturing stuffs. If you do this, please do so in another, well ventilated room from the budgie. We followed the instructions before transporting the little guy to their house.

 

General cost saving ideas that individually should be under £20 each to implement to help get the best use of your central heating

• Some local councils are offering grants that could then be used for insulation and that could be done over winter for you and make things feel better
• Aldi have started their winter stuff in the aisle of wonder, you can get pipe insulation and these draft excluders that are like 2 Styrofoam tubes connected by a thin bit that slides under the door so you can open and close the door without moving the draft excluder out the way
  • From experience- cut it shorter than the width of the door. It slides about and jams the door but if you go a couple inches shorter it still blocks most the draft and doesn't jam as badly and damage the door
  • My hallway can be at 16C and according to my portable thermostat the living room (using these draft excluders and good curtains) will be at 18-19C. I have tiny radiators in all rooms of my house and windows twice as big as normal windows directly above my miniature radiators. So every little helps is the way to go around here.
• For about £17 you can get a "Switchbot Meter" which is a portable thermostat and humidistat on Amazon. It links to an app on your phone.
  • I don't have a smart boiler or smart radiator controls like Hive which is what it's designed for. I use it to monitor how quickly the temp drops once the heating turns off and what time it reaches "too low" or close to "too low" in the budgies room (currently have it in the living room with a quarantined bird).
  • I realised that if the heating turns off at 8AM it was too cold by 1:30PM, so having it come on for an hour was too late. Having it split and do 30 mins at 11AM and 30 mins at 3PM was better at keeping the house above my minimum but without turning the heating on for longer.
• Make sure you haven't forgotten to check anything like if your radiators need bleeding. If they're cold on the bottom but hot on top they don't need bleeding, it's sludge built up.