HUMIDITY--IMPORTANT TO YOUR GREY"S HEALTH

[danmcq]

During this Winter season, I noticed my Grey and Conure becoming more and more raggedy looking Feather wise. Their Feathers were starting to appear dull, dusty and frayed from molting and preening.

Although normal misting with Aloe Juice was still taking place at least one to two times a week. Also, Red Palm Oil being included in their foods. It just wasn't enough. The birds were scratching more and more and I could visibly see the "Dust Particles" fly off when they would shake and fluff after preening.

So, I started checking out the Humidity level inside my home. Obviously with the heater running, I knew it had to be low. Which, after purchasing a Digital Temperature/Hygrometer. I found the Relative Humidity level to be hanging around 10% to 12 % which is very dry for a Parrot.

Considering the tropics and sub tropics where the majority of parrot species are found. Such as the Amazon and African Congo regions with the average relative humidity running 50% or higher year round and often with extended periods in the 80% to 90% RH range.

It is not surprising that periods of lower humidity can cause problems such as itchy dry skin, increased dust in species which produce it and irritation of the olfactory system. This can also aggravate those who already have related health problems such as birds who pluck and in some cases cause the plucking to start.

In our homes we can unknowingly increase the problem by using central heating, fireplaces, radiators etc. which dries the air even further. I would encourage all parrot owners to pick up a cheap hygrometer and check the RH of their house, with particular attention to the bird area.

I think most owners would be surprised to see it's reading. From there they can take steps to increase the RH to a more suitable number and should note the differences in their birds condition from before and after the changes in RH (a couple of weeks should be given for changes to happen of course, nothing is instant).

Fortunately the solution is simple. Humidifiers can be purchased for a reasonable amount in most home or drug stores sych as Sears,walmart, wlgreens etc . Models range from simple ones with a small tank and an on/off button to larger ones with washable filters, large water tanks and a digital readout humidistat for settings and to turn the machine on and off automatically to keep the RH at a set level.

Since purchasing a humidifier (I went for one with a humidistat) I have kept my house at a constant 45% RH or higher. The change in my birds has been quick and obvious. They are not scratching or sneezing as much, their feet which were getting slightly flaky are smoother and their feathers in better much better condition, both in appearance and to the touch.

My African Grey is significantly less dusty and is spending less time aggressively preening. As keeping the humidity constant was the only change made during this time, I feel that these improvements in condition are as a result of maintaining a minimum RH of 45%.

I hope this helps others who may be noticing those tell tale signs of their much loved parrots needing a more humid environment.

Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/02/22 16:02<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2009/02/22 22:00

[Talon]

thank you Dan, I have been concerned about the humidity in my house. It is a cold, dry winter, and I have noticed lots of preening, and dust from them. What is holding me back from purchasing a humidifier, is that my house has an open floor plan, and I'm not sure what to buy, and if being so open, it would help. I'd be interested to see what you purchased, and any advise you have.
I need to do something, I know they are bothered by the dryness.

[sugarbeth]

I totally agree! I don't have grey yet, but our house is so dry that I have to take claritin to deal with the itching. And I can't even imagine how uncomfortable a humid-dwelling bird would be. I have a friends husband who works in HVAC coming by next week to talk about adding a steam humidifier to our furnace. Hopefully we'll have it installed in the next month or so.

[PrettyPax]

Thanks for posting this, Danmcq. I have yet to get a humidifier , but it will be my top priority when I get paid next week. We live in Wisconsin where it is currently really cold and of course there is plenty of snow. I've noticed that Pax has been taking several months to complete her molt, her feet are rough, she's been sneezing a lot, and her skin has been flaking. The best I can do at present is to leave her in the bathroom with the shower running so that she can get her dose of humidity.
Your suggestion to get a hydrostat is also an excellent one. Damn, I'm so sick of this weather! I can't wait until spring!

[she]

Thanks Dan.As you say our houses are way too dry for for the optimum care and condition of greys.

[danmcq]

Penny - There are different options in getting your entire house to a constant humdity or just the rooms your greys spend most their time in.

My house is also fairly open. I placed the Hunidifier in the room the birds are in. Therefore it is maintained at the 45% setting constantly.

The rest of the house also increases in humdity, but is decreased as the rooms get further away. The farthest room away reads 30% RH while the birdroom is 45%.

If you wished to maintain all rooms at the same RH, you would simply purchase smaller Humidifiers, say 3 and place them strategically in your house to maintain a constant RH.

The unit I purchased is a Kenmore 8 Gallon per Hour Humdifier.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03215408000P?vName=Appliances&cName= AirPurifiers&Dehumidifiers&sName=Humidifiers&psid= FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

It is easy to set up, fill etc. and is very accurate from comparing it's lcd display to my digital Temperature/Hygrometer readings.

It is also has 3 speeds with an automatic mode that adjusts to them needed amount of airflow to get the room upto the set level.<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/02/21 20:56

[sugarbeth]

Dan, how often do you find that you need to fill it? Is that one pretty easy to clean? I was checking out that model when I was considering a portable one.

[danmcq]

Hi Beth,

The first time I ran it, I had to refill it completely within 24 hours.

Since then, It uses one removable tank full a day approximately. It has a reservoir that when you first fill the thank, it empties completely filling the reservoir, then fill it again and your good to go.

It is very simple to clean because the fillable tank and the motor assembly both lift off easily. The wick/filter needs to be replaced approximately once a month, depending on how much it is used and it displays a message automatically every 720 hours of cumulative running time on the fan so you know to check the wick/filer.

I also use a bactericide in the water to ensure no mold or bacteria build-up has any chance of beginning.

[Talon]

So it's not hard to keep clean? I find the hard water stains are hard on it....NO? :huh:

[danmcq]

The hard water stains are not a problem if you clean it regularly, once a month as described in the manual. It suggests using a vinegar solution needed for hard water areas, then after rinsing it, a bleach solution. This is recommended once a month.

Using a bactericide in each tank full also keeps the tanks and the filter cleaner as well.