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This may save the BB chicks from the excessive heat

15 years ago

I am experiencing the record breaking heat here like everybody else does. Early yesterday evening, the BB babies was listless, I was worried. The parents didn't start to feed them until much later. I read the posting about all chicks died during 102 F heat and was really worried.

This morning I tied a beach umbrella over the bird house, it helped somewhat. The temperature under the umbrella (on top of the bird house) is 101 while under the sun was 111 F. Since this was still early in the morning, I didn't think that was enough protection. Out of desperation, I found some white cardboad and large white evenlope and taped them on top and around of the bird house(leaving all the opening unblocked). I put temperature sensor on top of the bird house but under the white paper envelope shield and immediately saw the temp started to drop.

Now the temp under the shield is 95 vs 115 under the sun. That's 20 degrees difference! The umbrella and white paper shield combined lower the temp by 20 degrees! Hope this is good enough to save the BB babies!

I wish the sensor is small enough so that I can put it inside the birdhouse and know the exact temp there!

My BB babies are 9 days old, I just need a few more days!

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Comments (4)

katiedidcottage
15 years ago
Thanks Sara! You gave me a good idea that I hope helps with my bluebirds. 2 eggs have hatched today in the box in the front of my house, 3 are left. I got the lid of a styrofoam ice chest and taped it to the west side of the bird house that will have the sun beating down on it from now till sunset. This is the temporary kind of ice chest that you can get for about 99 cents at the grocery store this time of year. I taped it on with big wide tape and its not pretty, but I hope it helps them some. Its got to be better than the 95 - 98 degree sun.
kendra2003
15 years ago
Thanks to both of you for some great ideas. Sara, I think it's really great that you were able to actually record the temperature difference. I wonder if painting the roof of the birdhouse white would also help?
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katiedidcottage
15 years ago
Maybe painting it before there are eggs, chicks or even bluebirds would be okay, but not after because paint fumes are very dangerous especially for something so tiny. There might be some information on that Cornell University Sialis website. I am so happy that we got a nice little rain about 5:00 today just when it was getting unbearable. I believe we haven't had any rain here since 4/27 when the tornados hit. It cooled everything down nicely to the mid-70s.
Sara_in_philly
Original Author
15 years ago
kendra2, Anything white will help to deflect the sun/heat, I am sure white paint will help. katiedidcottage made a good point about paint fume. Paint is more permanent, I would also worry about the white paint deflect the sum/heat in the early spring when the BB need warmth. The umbrella and white paper shield came down last night, we had a nice thunderstorm, the weather cooled down.

katiedidcottage, white styrofoam ice chest lid sounds like a good idea. Speaking of "not pretty", you can't beat my hot pink beach umbrella on top of the bird house! Good thing the umbrella was only up for one day:-)

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