to cover or not to cover cage at night?

[iSancho]

I usually don't cover my 4 year old DYH at night. Usually his area is really dark once the house goes to bed. I tried a couple of times to cover his big cage but when he moves around in there while I'm covering it makes me think he stresses out. Lately in the morning he's been way too loud to get me downstairs before I'm ready to come down. So now i'm thinking of covering him for the night and uncover him when I'm ready to come down which isn't that late, around 8am. how do i know he's not stressed when i cover him for the night?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

You could leave the back side of his house covered half-way or so.
If he is comfy with his covering you will know.He will mostly go to his "nite-nite" perch and settle down..maybe do a little "beak grinding" ( that would mean he is comfy/calm) with his present situation.

Give him a bit of time,to get used to being covered up. As long as he doesn't freak-out...like waving his arm's wildly and running around amok inside his house.Talk calmly and reassuring to him, "Shhhh...it'll be ok tonight (insert name here) I'll see you tomorrow"




Jim

 

[texsize]

we cover all our birds some more than others.
we stay up late so we try to cover the sides most exposed to light but not cover all sides.
sometimes they get mad for being covered too early but they don't freak out over it.

 

[iSancho]

thank you these tips are helpful. i will try that cover partially and maybe more when we have ppl up later.

 

[Kiwibird]

It didn't take long for our amazon to get used to a nighttime cover after we adopted him (his cage is fully covered in a black polar fleece cover). Our bird moves around too after covered/before being woken up. He's just moving himself to his chosen roosting spot for the night. Occasionally in the morning, I'll hear him playing with toys but I do not uncover him until it's time since I prefer to keep him on a very set light/dark schedule.

 

[Birdman666]

I don't even cage mine at night...

I own a cover. I've used it when birds I've fostered came in as screamers to retrain them... other than that, I've never used one.

 

[iSancho]

for the 4 years we've had Rio I don't cover him. Its just that ever since I had my twin babies that he cries for attention too until I come downstairs in the morning and it wakes everyone. So I figure it's time to try covering. I hope it helps him sleep better at night when we do have night activities.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

When Amy was living in a condo,he was covered almost completely. Now that he has moved into his mansion,it is nearly impossible to put a cover on it.
Living alone,except for the kid's,when lights go out,except for the night light in the bathroom,which is out of sight from Amy and BB's living quarters,it is DARK in the house.



Jim