Since I got my qp all I have been doing is research and more research on these little guys..

My question is some say they need UVB lighting some say it doesn't matter.

My thinking would be they need it.. In the wild the get the UVB rays from the sun but in captivity they would not unless taken outside. Even then they would have to spend a few hours in direct sunlight to get the benefits of UVB rays.

Right now I have a 12 inch strip light mounted to the wall behind his cage. If you were to measure from mid cage to the light it would be around 10 inches. The light I have is effective up to 12 inches and has 10% UVB so I think I'm good.

What do you all do for this? Do you use UVB lighting?

Sorry if this has been discussed before I did a search and found nothing.

I was wondering about this too...anyone with more expertise...

Well, I'm for sure not an expert on the subject...All I use is full spectrum lights throughout my entire house, at least where the birds get to be. Thus far (knocking on Head/wood) I haven't noticed any particular problems with any of my birds...no plucking or anything and the vet says their healthy...so what ever I'm doing seems to be ok...

Full spectrum lighting doesn't necessarily contain UVB rays. Although today most due contain UVB rays.

The only 100% way to tell if you lighting contains UVB is to look at the package or the bulb itself. All of my UVB bulbs state the % of UVB they contain. I use them for my reptiles as they are basking creatures and need the UVB rays to process vitamin D3, which is necessary for the absorption of dietary calcium.

Unfortunately my expertise stops with reptiles.. I have no idea if birds would or wouldn't benefit from UVB bulbs.

Finally I found the answer. If you own a bird it's in your birds best interest to have UVB lighting.

UVB lighting in your bird enclosure is very important. Full spectrum (UVB) lighting not only helps you see more vivid coloration of your animal, but can dramatically affect the health and psychology of your pet. Many materials such as glass in windows or plastic light covers are made to filter the broad range of spectrum birds need. Even a cage placed near a window will not get a sufficient amount of UVA/UVB light by the time it reaches the inside of the cage. Birds as well as reptiles and many other animals use UVB in the synthesis of vitamin D3, a critical element for the metabolizing of calcium in your pet's body. Feather and toe picking, restlessness and agitation, decreased immune response, and shortened life span are all symptoms that can be attributed to a lack of proper lighting for birds. Some studies show dramatic improvements in breeding with birds that are exposed to full spectrum light (UVB) when compared with deprived birds. Most bulbs made for personal use are not designed to emit the range of UVA/UVB birds need because humans receive an ample dose when exposed to direct sunlight on a regular basis. In addition, many fluorescent fixtures sold commercially come with a plastic protective cover. This plastic cover will filter the UVA/UVB spectrum you are trying to give your animal even if you have a full spectrum bulb in the fixture.

Hey, Thanks for that bit of info...Your swell for doing the research and passing it along to everyone else...

[quote]Most bulbs made for personal use are not designed to emit the range of UVA/UVB birds need because humans receive an ample dose when exposed to direct sunlight on a regular basis. In addition, many fluorescent fixtures sold commercially come with a plastic protective cover. This plastic cover will filter the UVA/UVB spectrum you are trying to give your animal even if you have a full spectrum bulb in the fixture.[quote]
So how can you tell which one to buy?

http://users.mikrotec.com/~pthrush/lighting/spectrum.html
Here is another artical...
I found the one you re-printed here and it was for a paticular brand of bulbs and fixtures and had some really good information. The other artical had a little different point of view.Just passing on what I found...I have to say this issue seems to be a little hard to pin down.

The article I re-printed is all over the net. It's not specific to one type of bulb. I also read the article you privided a link to..

All is great info and it appears this study will continue for some time.. As in the reptile world UVB lighting is a big debate and it seems it's creaping it's way into the avain world...

Here is a link to the biggest study on UVB lighting.. It's directed more towards reptiles but it does explain in great detail the ins and outs of UVB lighting.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm

Thanks! I'll check it out.

After reading more and more aricles on the effects of UVB lighting and birds I'm going to remove mine.

The effect it has on a bird eye scares me. With the lights on the market today you have to have them way to close to the bird in order for them to get the effective UVB rays.

Interesting subject IMO.

i just ordered this lighting set for my bird. i hope its worth the money!

http://www.windycityparrot.com/page/Windyc...ird/51401581001