what can i use to put at the bottom of the aquarium ro serve as a heat producer (what is a heating pad).... and can someone post a picture so i can have an idea of what it looks like thnx!!!
2007-03-13 18:45:10 · 3 answers · asked by ..... 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
A glass aquarium is much better to use than card board box. They are easier to control the temp in and they are also easier to disinfect. cockatiels do not like direct light coming from the top of them. remember they are used to being under their parents in the dark. You are right to inquire about a heating pad. You can find them in the pharmacy part of walmart or any other store. This is the one I use:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Sunbeam-1-King-size-heating-pad-Heat-Flex_W0QQitemZ300089526049QQcategoryZ36439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
turn it on the lowest setting and make sure that you have it on 'stay on' so that it doesn't automatically shut off. place it half way under your aquarium leaving the other half without heat so the chicks can choose to be on heated side or the cool side. fill it about 2 inches deep with large pine shavings. Some say to cover the shavings with a paper towel. I do not because shavings retain their heat better than the towels. You'll want to put a themometer that registers heat and humidity keeping the chicks at about 80-85 degrees until fully feathered. place a towel on the top of the aquirium to help keep the heat in and leave a little opening for air. You can also wrap the pad around the side of the aquarium. I don't like to do this because I'm afraid that it would get to hot for them. I don't use glass I use rubbermaid containers. They clear ones and then I drill big holes on the top and sides. I would never use cardboard because it absords the filth and you stand a much higher risk of them contracting a bacterial virus. The plastic and glass containers can be wiped down daily with a bleach and water solution to sterilize them. Hope this helps :)
2007-03-15 07:21:03 · answer #1 · answered by peek-a-boo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An aquarium is not a good brooder a card board box is better than that .You need to put a light bulb in it in one end then put the feed and water at the other end so the chicks have to leave the heat to eat and drink .An aquarium doesn't have any ventilation or much air in it for them unless its a very big one they might get to hot .You can tell if they are cold they will crowd under the light if they are to hot they will stay away from it .As they get older you keep moving the light higher reducing the heat gradually .Its best to use a red or blue light to keep them from picking each other .I made a brooder with a hardware cloth bottom so the droppings could fall through Then i put a sheet of Styrofoam inside the top to hold the heat from rising and keep it inside for them
2007-03-14 04:17:36 · answer #2 · answered by dollars2burn4u 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here's a few site that might help answer your questions... http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#TOC http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/hatch.htm http://www.backyardpoultry.com/index.php?page=./board.php
Hope these help!
2007-03-13 19:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by PJJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋