Parakeets are also called budgies, short for budgerigar.
Your budgie, also called a parakeet, should thrive in typical household temperatures of around 68 to 72 degrees. Heating the cage is not usually necessary, however, situations vary and some people do find they need to keep the cage warm. Often, there is a quick fix: move the cage away from windows or doors and use a cage cover at night. There are flat, infrared, avian heaters that can be mounted on a wall behind the cage, and these are a convenient, fairly inexpensive way to warm the cage safely. If you prefer to do it yourself, use an infrared heat bulb so that the bird is able to sleep at night. Remember birds are very sensitive to light (day) and dark (night) cycles.
Instructions
1. Plastic cable ties can be purchased at a hardware store.
Install an unbreakable, lightweight thermometer in a safe part of the cage, so you can easily read it, but the budgie can't knock or pull it down. If your thermometer doesn't have a hook for hanging, use a plastic cable tie or just a wire bread bag tie to attach it, tying on the outside of the cage so budgie can't reach it. Make sure the ends don't poke into the cage where they could harm the budgie.
2. Birds actually may fluff up their feathers if they are too warm.
Choose the best location to attach the heat lamp. Consider the distance from the cage, the amount of heat the bird needs and leave a portion of the cage without heat so the budgie can get out of the lamp's heat if it gets too warm. Also, try to place the budgie's water out of the path of the heat lamp, so it doesn't get warm or evaporate.
3. Be sure the bird cannot grab the fasteners or touch the light bulb.
Attach the heat lamp to the cage or a sturdy, nearby object, using the alligator clip on the lamp. Add additional clamps or other supports so you're sure the lamp will stay in place and not fall on the cage.
4. Remember to check the temperature.
Check the thermometer day and night, to be sure the temperature is warm enough without being too warm. The parakeet can suffer or die from overheating as well as from too cold an environment. Check that the water is full, fresh, clean and cool each time you check the temperature.
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