Going back a few months, because of concerns over Bezukhov’s heavy moult, combined with having to get over the loss of his buddy Cagney, I decided to invest in a bird lamp. They are specifically designed to provide light and UV which are thought to both be essential for the health of a bird and general well-being.
I had thought about this for some time but was concerned that exposure to it could lead Phineas to want more jiggy-jiggy & he already has quite a lot! In the end, I decided to go ahead. They were already mostly over their moult but I thought it would be good to have it in place for the next big moult.
Of course, a bird lamp = something new = something scary.
To introduce them to it gradually, I first attached it to the top of the Silver Villa, when it was not being used & alongside the Ferplast. Being in a slightly higher position meant the lamp could spread its healing rays across the top of the Ferplast. What did they think? Not a lot. Both Bezukhov & Phineas huddled at the far side away from the light.
When I replaced the Ferplast with the Silver Villa, I left the lamp where it was but adjusted the position so it shined into the Villa. What do they think of that? Not a lot. In fact, they do not like it! Contrary to all other reports I have read of birds loving the light, Bezukhov & Phineas prefer life without the light. If they are locked in when I put it on, they, as with the Ferplast, huddle at the far side where the healing rays do not reach. If I put the lamp on & they are unlocked, they just decamp to the Manor (very quickly, I might add).
