extra large black out cover?

[brolie]

So my umbrella cockatoo lives in our bedroom. she has a very large cage and lately she's been screaming super early in the mornings because she'll see even the slightest glimpse of light and want to play. i work nights and so this has been an inconvenience lol. i looked for extra large blackout covers but they were SOO expensive. any recommendations on where i could find a decently priced one? im on the verge of just buying the material and sewing one together

 

[bill_e]

What size cage, what's expensive?

 

[noodles123]

I shelled out $88 for mine (that includes the shipping) and I do really love it (I looked FOREVER before caving and and spending that amount)- it has velcro areas if you want to use them for added light etc and it fits my large dome-top...The parrot icon goes in the from (facing you)--once you master that, it is super easy to take on and off and it is also nice because it fits around the seed skirt (and below a bit) so it really does block the light.
The fabric is very breathable, so that is nice too and I have put my head under it and it is as advertised. I know it's a lot of money though, there is another size up that is a little more too I think. "Cozzzy Covers" is the brand I purchased for my U2's cage. She does well under it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EABW3DC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Like I said, they also sell different sizes, but the link is the exact type that I purchased.



There is some wiggle-room as far as size goes---Also- if you get one, I would wash on a gentler cycle---after too many washes on hot (regular/heavy), some of my seams are coming apart a bit. OH--- and mine isn't a huge chewer, but the fabric isn't super wimpy either.

 

[brolie]

it's the 58" tall that we need mostly -- she will sit on the bottom of her cage waiting for the sun to come out so that extra four inches is the most important part :\ and then it's around 40x30 otherwise .. that cover (noodles) would be absolutely perfect if it was just a tiny bit bigger

 

[noodles123]

Mine doesn't go all the way to the ground (cage is taller than the skirt) but the places where light enters are all covered (sides of seed skirt etc, and the the actual seed tray(when pushed back funny into place) blocks light from the bottom). Even though there is about 4" of exposed legs/cage supports, there is no way for much (if any) light to get in. It looks really dark when I have peaked in with the lights on. I don't know if that helps.
What is your width and depth with the seed-skirt? 30 deep and 40 wide?

 

[noodles123]

https://www.amazon.com/Cover-Model-...536103524&sr=1-6&keywords=dome+top+cage+cover


$132 including shipping --- you may have to pin the bottom up just slightly--- I don't know if it's intended to drag on the floor as far as air circulation is concerned...Then again, it is a breathable fabric and there are those velcro slots----A tiny bit of light could get through on the front corners (where the velcro is) but it should lay flat and pull itself down when they are shut, so I doubt it will be an issue.


Also- random suggestion---wash before using (a lot of times fabrics are treated with things that you don't want on your skin etc).

 

[brolie]

yeah i saw that one $80 something i can do, but $132 is just too much right now ... again, it would end up being way cheaper just making it myself which is why i can't justify the 132.... but i have 3 jobs and so i would much rather avoid the time in making it lol. thank you so much for helping me search though! i really appreciate it

 

[Laurasea]

I use a fabric shower curtain. I am also useing several yards of heavy dark fabric/canvas I bought at Walmart or Johan's craft store.. .. it was very cheap to do, don't know if this is an idea you like?

 

[brolie]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking I will probably end up having to do. Thank you!

 

[ChristaNL]

Or just darken the entire room? Sometimes black-out curtains for windows are the cheaper and just as efficent option. (budget: IKEA etc.)



You said its only a problem because you need your sleep, right?
So black out the entire room?

 

[Laurasea]

Or just darken the entire room? Sometimes black-out curtains for windows are the cheaper and just as efficent option. (budget: IKEA etc.)



You said its only a problem because you need your sleep, right?
So black out the entire room?

That is excellent idea!! Christ's!!! I got ugly black out drapes at the Dollar general store for $5 that are fantastically dark for my bedroom!! Not a beam of light gets through,and five bucks is all I spent!!!

 

[brolie]

that's an excellent suggestion! we'd have to buy something for our bathroom door though too - it's glass, not wood, and my husband has to wake up before me to get ready for work in there. definitely something to consider!!!

 

[Tami2]

All of Levi’s covers are Cozzzy & I love them. I also have black out curtains in my spare room at our cabin. I put Levi in there for bed when we are there & he loves it. It is so dark between the curtains & his cage cover that he is quiet until I open the door to greet him.

Not sure if anyone else mentioned it, but what about putting the cage in another room as well. Is that an option? I used to work nights for years & I completely understand the need for proper rest when you return home in the morning. I lived w/ sleep deprivation the entire time I was working full time nights. It is not good for your health.

Please let us know how you make out.
Best of luck to you.

 

[brolie]

evidently my husband also wants the cover to reduce dander in the room. it's like she's always molting lol.. she gets showers and clean cage and everything but our whole room has a layer of white on it lol. so we can't do the black out curtains.

we unfortunately cannot put her in another room. she and my jenday gus both sleep in our room because they are the noisiest ... the amazon and the budgies are in my office because the house can tolerate their noise. we have 6 people in the house so the other two get way too excited with all the commotion and our house echoes really bad so it makes the loud piercing scream even louder.

we want the cover for nighttime but we also just got a cheap but big enough extra cage for me to put her in during the day when im able to snag a nap that we'll keep in my office. that way she'll get more socializing time with the amazon and budgies too.. but it's not big enough for her to always be in and again, too noisy for her to always be there. plus the kids will be at school and grandma can just go down to her living space if the screaming gets too much. pooka loves to scream.

 

[noodles123]

Do you have an air-filter? I have a Veva and I know it is cheap compared to some of the nice ones, but it really does help with my U2...Granted, she is still a dust-ball.
It is non-ionizing/non-ozone-producing (as the ones that do that can harm birds). I got if off Amazon and replacement charcoal pre-filters and hepa filters are cheaper for this model than others....Also....no reports (so far) of it smelling like burning plastic...I almost got a different brand until I saw a few scary reviews. Pleased with mine so far....


Also, a hepa filter cordless vacuum is very handy. I have a Welikera and the hepa filter is washable so you never have to replace it. I run it around the cage nightly. If you do get this brand, only charge it when dead or near-dead, as this seems to impact its charging ability/performance.

 

[LeslieA]

I live in a TINY township. Do you know if there are online black out curtain options?
Also, what effect do these have on noise?

 

[brolie]

yeah we have a really nice air filter that sits next to her cage (not blowing on her of course). we vacuum constantly but there's still dander... my husband is a complainer though so even if there was one tiny little floater, he'd feel the need to say something about it. so if getting the cover will make him feel like there's less dander, might as well do that .............

 

[ChristaNL]

noodles beat me to it!


Yes, a too wil forever and ever fill your house with featherdust.
It's how this species maintains their plumage, so you are stuck with it!


Locking a bird in its own dust can't be good!
(I also shed hairs and skincells - but I do not want to be forced to breathe those in! -> that's why I vacuumclean )


(I am also looking for one in my house -> airfilter, but I want one I can clean with water etc. otherwise the cost of those refills are going to break the bank!)


Oh- if the hubby is the complainer...he can vacuum as well right?
(I know you americans are verrrrry tradiiiitional sometimes, but really... 1950 was generations ago!)

 

[brolie]

oh yes -- he is definitely the one in charge of vacuuming lol

i am, however, in charge of cleaning the cages, and i do so very regularly ...

 

[LeslieA]

Again, are these blackout curtains available online?
Do they block noise as well?