Emily, I put them on the ceiling and they couldn't reach them. Any cords that can be reached are run through PVC pipe, so they can't bite them.

My two are all over the house during the day. Kita plays on the floor. Kady joins me at the computer. They sit next to me while I read or watch TV. I don't worry about giving them lighting at every turn. It's in an area where they spend most of their time and where they eat their meals. I hope that's good enough.

I'm with you about the worry. I was really bothered yesterday worrying about the timing of our daily routine. We must have been on the same wave length.

i guess i will still have to do some thinking, then. her gym isn't really in a spot where i can install a light on the ceiling above it. she normally has her meals at the table with us, as i thought that's what i was supposed to do. the cage wouldn't be a problem but again, most days she is hardly in it. i'd really like for her to have the benefits of FS lightning, it just seems harder and harder the more i think about it. if anyone else has suggestions for me i'd really love to hear them.

i am worried about our routine, too. i am always worrying that i am not doing the right or best thing.

Sorry about the delay in getting back to this thread. It gets kind of hectic following over 20 different bird forums, writing new articles and working on a book, running the bird business, and running the business that pays the mortgage!

Nate:

Normal "full spectrum" lighting that is designed for vision should be run 8-10 hours per day, coinciding with regular daylight hours. After all, the purpose is to add to vision and general health. Half a day of quality lighting does not make much sense, does it?

The problems emerge when using lamps with skewed spectrums such as high UVB sources for reptiles, less than 93CRI, or high kelvin lamps. The imbalances of red, green, or blue can overstimulate or suppress the hormonal and general metabolism--as can exposure to quality balanced sources in excess of 12 hours per day. Going over 10 hours per day can be useful in stimulating breeding--but is something that should be only be done by an experienced breeder.

~J~ and Gary:

It is doubtful that we will be able to offer wholesale or case prices any time in the foreseeable future. There have been many inquiries--and getting into pet shops would increase our market penetration, but it is a matter of economics.

Unlike the regular Philips TL90 line, ours are produced in limited batches. The TL90 is made in daily batches of 50,000 as an automated process. Ours are made in off-production runs of a minimum of 500. There is a setup fee, and formulation fee--plus the cost of shipping and import duties from the Netherlands.

Once here, there is the cost of applying the dichroic filtering material, shielding, plus testing. Yes, every lamp is tested. Add to that facility overhead and insurance and it's easy to see that we are not able to market them the same as a mass produced lamp. The truth be told we are nearly eliminating our profit margin by offering coupon discounts...

HyacinthLove:

Choosing quality lighting is one of the best possible things you can do to next to diet to improve overall quality of life issues for healthy, happy birds. It has always amazed me that owners will spend hundreds to thousands on buying their birds, hundreds to thousands on cages, hundreds annually on toys, food, and supplies, hundreds annually on vet visits--and then balk at a the cost of providing quality lighting--often choosing the cheapest and most inappropriate devices, if any.

For placing a light above the play area, consider the possibility of relocating it somehow so that you can suspend lighting. It sounds like yours is a case of needing to think creatively!

Thank you Patrick. My gut feeling was that ~8 hours per day was right, only allowing 'off' time for dawn and dusk. Just wanted to make sure.

Interesting to note; I got Kady's lab values back today from his blood work last week and they are the best they have ever been! My AV said she has been telling all her Client's about the lighting and the changes she saw in Kady. (She sees him approx. every 3 months)

Sky gets about 20 minutes of sunlight while being outside with me and walking around. Is that enough sunlight? Do I still need one of these full-spectrum lights? Are these lights designed to replace natural sunlight for birds who don't get outside enough? When Sky is not outside, his room's blinds are open wide all day, from morning to night.

Kira I use them in addition to my birds getting outside for a few hours each day (weather permitting). I keep the lights on from the time they get up until late afternoon.

A small note - we have talked here on PC about the need for birds to enjoy dusk & dawn. So it is a good idea to have the lights off near those times. That way the bird's internal clock is working and it helps them with molting and hormones as well - this is my understanding.