a question about heating pads

[featherlove]

Ok, so I have been researching about how to hand raise budgies, and cockatiels as I am taking a few pairs of my dads on come september, due to his ill health, and I want to be prepared. I will have syringes etc on hand just in case one needs to feed babies and i would like to hand rear a few but not from hatchlings, perhaps around the 3 week mark? Not sure yet ..
anyways, im getting ahead of myself .. My question is, I have seen a lot of discussion all over the internet about heat pads.. to use, NEVER to use , which ones to use.. and I am totally confused as to what is right, or wrong information.. as the internet is a great place for misinformation. Does anyone use a heater pad for their baby birds when hand rearing? or are they a no no.. If so which type, or how do u keep the bubs warm? any information that anyone has on this is greatly appreciated.. I dont want to go to the expense of having one of these on hand then found out i wasted my money, I have a lot of things i could waste money on lol.. thanks in advance .

[avinet]

Heating pads can form a good source of warmth for a young baby being hand reared. However it is important to use one with a thermostat to ensure it doesn't get too hot for the baby. Those pads made for reptile enclosures are best - but always use with a thermostat and follow the instructions carefully. They are designed to be placed under a glass aquarium, and always cover only about half of the aquarium floor so there is a cool area the baby can move to if it gets too warm.

They are available from most of the larger pet shops on the Coast such as Pet Barn, Petstock and Best Friends. Reptile One is a reliable brand, as is URS. A suitable 7 watt one is on Ebay at www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reptile-One-Heat-Mat-7-Watt-Aussie-Seller-/130800675659?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item1e7453eb4b

You may also find a thermostat from Ebay such as at www.ebay.com.au/itm/Probe-Thermostat-10-60-Deg-AUSSIE-PRODUCT-/121055992357?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item1c2f7fda25 a bit cheaper than your local shop, but on Ebay I would avoid the very cheap thermostats from China and Hong Kong - they are too cheap to be true!!

For a clutch of cockatiels, an aquarium around 45 to 50 cm long will be fine to use with the 7 watt mat I linked to above.

I have hand raised many hundreds, even thousands of babies, from finches to Macaws, but these days I rarely do any. I have a commercial brooder for babies which is sufficient these days, but in the past when I might have had 20 or 30 babies being fed, I have used pads as well as reptile heating cords, for warmth.

I would note that with cockatiels, by 4 weeks they are pretty good at keeping themselves warm and supplementary warmth is not really necessary on the Sunshine Coast in all but the very coldest winter night.

I have written a couple of articles about hand rearing at scas.org.au/html/articles.html which you may find useful - and reliable!!

cheers,

Mike

[featherlove]

Thank you so much Mike.. its nice to get the info straight and it knocks all that misinformation on the head. As i said i would rather be prepared and ready but i do hope the parents can raise them enough without my help. Thanks for the help and advice , it makes a lot of sense. I see the need for the thermostat too, we dont want cooked babies ! Is there a recommended temp? i read somewhere it was around 33c , that sounds awfully warm but then again , i guess we are talking bald lil babies here.. I might check out pet barn and a few other places around the sunny coast area but i do travel to brisbane a lot so I might have a look around there too, i have plenty of time to set up .. no rush .. once again,, thanks for the help

[avinet]

My article I linked to has recommended temperatures at different stages of development. For a cockatiel baby around 3 weeks around 25 to 27°C is normally OK, and by 4 weeks just room temperature. Babies a few days old will require it in the 30's.

cheers,

Mike