Too Much Sleep? ??

[fiddlejen]

So I normally work 12:30-9 PM shift. Since going to work-from-home, I've been using my half-hour "lunch" break as birdies-to-bed time.

Sunny Likes to go to sleep fairly early, and wants covered entirely. Light Blocking Curtains for her cage-cover. She complains if light sneaks thru.

And, ever since the scalped-on-ceiling incident with Jefferson, I close-up & top-cover the budgies' cage at the same time. IF it is still Bright outside, the budgies Might resist going into cage; IF so, I draw the room-darkening curtains to convince them; then they go in.

So far so good, right? Well due to a staffing change a month or so ago, my lunch-break is usually 4PM now. Sunny is perfectly happy to get covered and go to sleep that early. And the budgies, on all but the sunniest days, are usually already waiting Inside their own cage as well at 4 pm now.

But here's the thing. Days are getting shorter; I'm Not waking up early like I was in summer. Working 2nd shift I go to sleep late. Often don't wake up until well past 8 AM.

SO. Birdie-Bedtime 4 or 4:30. Birdie-Wake-Up around 8:30 am. Like, basically 16 hours sleep for the birds. Is this OK for them? They seem happy enough. When awake, on bright days there is plenty sunlight -- actually more than summer right now. (These type houses are well-designed for New England, limiting the summer sunlight but the lower sun-angle in winter floods the house with sunlight on bright days.)

So, they are getting plenty sunlight. And they all Seem happy enough with their 16-Hour Nights. But, is that OK for them? 16 hours of sleep?

 

[Scott]

Good question! My guess is they will sleep to contentment, wake up, and just chill regardless of cage covering/drawn blinds.

Apparently consistent excess sleep is warning flag for humans, but I suspect your fids are just fine.

 

[noodles123]

So I normally work 12:30-9 PM shift. Since going to work-from-home, I've been using my half-hour "lunch" break as birdies-to-bed time.

Sunny Likes to go to sleep fairly early, and wants covered entirely. Light Blocking Curtains for her cage-cover. She complains if light sneaks thru.

And, ever since the scalped-on-ceiling incident with Jefferson, I close-up & top-cover the budgies' cage at the same time. IF it is still Bright outside, the budgies Might resist going into cage; IF so, I draw the room-darkening curtains to convince them; then they go in.

So far so good, right? Well due to a staffing change a month or so ago, my lunch-break is usually 4PM now. Sunny is perfectly happy to get covered and go to sleep that early. And the budgies, on all but the sunniest days, are usually already waiting Inside their own cage as well at 4 pm now.

But here's the thing. Days are getting shorter; I'm Not waking up early like I was in summer. Working 2nd shift I go to sleep late. Often don't wake up until well past 8 AM.

SO. Birdie-Bedtime 4 or 4:30. Birdie-Wake-Up around 8:30 am. Like, basically 16 hours sleep for the birds. Is this OK for them? They seem happy enough. When awake, on bright days there is plenty sunlight -- actually more than summer right now. (These type houses are well-designed for New England, limiting the summer sunlight but the lower sun-angle in winter floods the house with sunlight on bright days.)

So, they are getting plenty sunlight. And they all Seem happy enough with their 16-Hour Nights. But, is that OK for them? 16 hours of sleep?

16 hours is too much. I don't think you should go over 14 (and that is A TON for most)...14 could work for some cockatoos, but they are notorious for needing the most sleep. 16 is excessive even for them. I'd try and revamp the schedule if you can...gradually.

 

[Ellie777Australia]

Hi fiddlejen,


Our Ellie 'asks' to get covered around 5:30pm in the winter and stays covered until around 7:30am usually...her routine. We don't 'worry' about 'too much sleep' as she has dried nutrients and toys available in her 'house'. If she is playing around and making her 'morning sounds' earlier than 7:30am then we uncover her cage.



I guess the main thing is that our fids have toys and dry food available if they are awake so that they can keep themselves safely occupied whilst you struggle to keep them as safe and secure as possible. Ensuring the appropriate amount of 'sunlight' exposure is probably more important than too much sleep.


Hope you adjust well to the change in routine yourself. Keep yourself healthy as well..All the best.

So I normally work 12:30-9 PM shift. Since going to work-from-home, I've been using my half-hour "lunch" break as birdies-to-bed time.

Sunny Likes to go to sleep fairly early, and wants covered entirely. Light Blocking Curtains for her cage-cover. She complains if light sneaks thru.

And, ever since the scalped-on-ceiling incident with Jefferson, I close-up & top-cover the budgies' cage at the same time. IF it is still Bright outside, the budgies Might resist going into cage; IF so, I draw the room-darkening curtains to convince them; then they go in.

So far so good, right? Well due to a staffing change a month or so ago, my lunch-break is usually 4PM now. Sunny is perfectly happy to get covered and go to sleep that early. And the budgies, on all but the sunniest days, are usually already waiting Inside their own cage as well at 4 pm now.

But here's the thing. Days are getting shorter; I'm Not waking up early like I was in summer. Working 2nd shift I go to sleep late. Often don't wake up until well past 8 AM.

SO. Birdie-Bedtime 4 or 4:30. Birdie-Wake-Up around 8:30 am. Like, basically 16 hours sleep for the birds. Is this OK for them? They seem happy enough. When awake, on bright days there is plenty sunlight -- actually more than summer right now. (These type houses are well-designed for New England, limiting the summer sunlight but the lower sun-angle in winter floods the house with sunlight on bright days.)

So, they are getting plenty sunlight. And they all Seem happy enough with their 16-Hour Nights. But, is that OK for them? 16 hours of sleep?

 

[SailBoat]

Sleep is a dangerous tool to play with as the effects of Day and Night is part of their and our body clock and all the systems effected by that clock.

Commonly, not enough sleep is when most people first experience a sleep deprived Parrot, especially during Hormonal Season. Too much sleep is an area where there is very little known. 16 hours, as stated above, could result in behavior problems. BUT, there is just too little known to be able to define WHAT.

I have recommended up to 16 hours when an individual's Parrot is experiencing serious problems with Hormonal Chemical Rush outside of normal seasonal variation. Once under control, adjusting the cycle back to 12 /12.

Since you have this schedule, assure they are very active while awake.

Please keep us informed as to what you are experiencing...