Cage Covering

[Davinchi]

What is everyone's opinion on covering cages at night? I used to do it with my CAG, but since this is my first Amazon, I'm not sure if it is good for him or not?

 

[clark_conure]

I don't with my GCC but I am a day sleeper (work nights, just not tonight) and he's quiet if he sees i'm asleep and not doing anything without him, when I covered the cage he was all "what am I missing?" May not apply in your case but if it does I hope this helps.

 

[clayman]

I do, especially in the summer when the daylight lasts past 10pm in my location. My girls don't really feel like going to sleep then unless I make it darker in their room. They also sleep a little more calmly.

Remember that in the wild, parrots sleep in all kinds of cavities to stay safe from predators, so it is perfectly ok to cover them for the night.

 

[Notdumasilook]

I do... mine seem to sleep better plus just a minor draft can chill a sleeping bird.

 

[LordTriggs]

I cover, let mine know it was bed-time and kept out noise and light. Plus kept the cage warm. Although I had the door side of the cage only partly covered to allow some light in case of a night fright

 

[Katu]

I will do it. I've always done it in the past. It keeps the bird out of any drafts, allows me to keep my schedule as I am retired and I don't wake up at 6am!

 

[T00tsyd]

I cover with a black cloth and one night just recently was really cold so I added a small blanket over the top and sides but not the front. I too leave a little gap at the front for a little bit of normal daylight. Syd now has his routine of gong to another quiet room into a smaller cage to sleep and since I have established this he sleeps much better.

 

[itzjbean]

I cover my cockatiels at night. I have two cats that roam around at night (birds are in living room) and so they are generally calmer and sleep better I think with a cover. I use a simple bed sheet.

 

[Pureblood]

I cover my lovebirds as well. When I do they go to their favourite sleeping spots and fluff-up and sleep. Plus, as I like to sleep late, it keeps them quiet for longer times in the morning. If I don't cover them one of them, the loud one, starts making a fuss when the sun comes up haha

 

[Ladyhawk]

It's quite warm where I live, so I grew a bit lax about covering my DYH's cage at night. Recently I've learned that covering the cage for 12 hours may help with hormonal surges. Amazons are spring breeders, so when the sunlight hours grow, so do their mood swings. Covering the cage might help with that.

I love Amazons, mood swings and all, but I'll take all the help I can get.

My BFA is a baby and like youngsters of many species, she resists bedtime. The brand new cover my mother made settles her down immediately.

 

[Scott]

I currently don't, but have done in the past in an area without window coverings.

If you do, ensure the covering is durable! I nearly lost a Goffins when he chewed a thin covering, drew it inside the cage, and hanged himself inside a hole. Thankfully I was nearby, heard the struggle and quickly cut him out of the mess.