|
|
|
joti26
Fledgeling
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Location: Northants. UK |
| To cover or not to cover? |
 |
|
So want the best for my new little senegal and confused as to whether to cover his cage or not at night. The shop said there was no need and he does seem to nod off when he wants to but wonder if this is disturbed sleep while we are still up with lights on and tv etc. I know they need their sleep and security and my aunts amazon is always covered. I feel like I am neglecting him by not covering him - should I worry?-  sound like neorotic parent at the moment-sorry but want to get it right for my new little dependant.
Incidentally spent half the night up just to sit with him and the dog incase he was scared of a thunder storm  |
Friday August 19, 2005 9:52 pm |
|
|
Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
LOL! I've often worried about thunder storms, but my birds have never seemed effected 
I think the concept of covering cages is one of those things that has changed over time. I think everyone used to always cover the cages, but I think more & more people are getting away from that.
I think it depends on the particular bird, & it's environment. In my case, I cover the cages each night at around the same time, becuz the room they're in is not real dark at night, due to street lights outside. And becuz they are in the room adjoined to the living room & sometimes need to go to bed before we're ready to.
Covering the cage can also make a somewhat nervous bird feel more safe & secure too. |
|
Friday August 19, 2005 10:11 pm |
|
|
Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Oh I'm just as bad with Apollo when it comes to thunder storms!! LOL
AS with covering his cage... I agree with what Cathy said... it is up to each different bird... Lets say with my birds... Apollo if not covered, he wouldn't get a very good sleep as he feels more comfy under cover... and he wakes up real early if he's not covered as well... whereas if he was covered, he'll stay asleep until I uncover him, then he'll come a greet and cuddle...
As with my budgies... i don't cover them at all.. They are great... Not a peep from them until I come in the room to say hello. then they'll bounce around like maniacs!! 
So really it's up to you.. Do you think you Sennie's is getting at least 10 hours of sleep if it's not covered? Is his cage right in amongst all the activies like tv and stuff? if it is, I would probably recommend the covering so it can get a bit of darkness that's all.. but like I said, it's all up to you and the bird.
Cheers
Bih |
|
Saturday August 20, 2005 5:42 am |
|
|
|
|
Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Yeah, you're right Bih, if I didn't cover my bird cages, they would get the very early sunlight coming thru the windows & be awake at the crack of dawn! |
|
Saturday August 20, 2005 12:28 pm |
|
|
Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
parrots require, on average, 10 hours sleep. Chaquita is in the livingroom with the whole family, lights, TV, talking, laughing. I cover her at about 10pm and she stays quiet and sleeps with all that is going on. We don't go to bed till about 11:30pm and we get up at 6:30am. If she was uncovered all the time, she would only get about 7 hours. I uncover her cage about 7:30am giving her 9 1/2 hours sleep a day. |
|
Saturday August 20, 2005 2:45 pm |
|
|
joti26
Fledgeling
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Location: Northants. UK |
| Thanks all. |
|
|
Great help as usual, thanks, I will get the sewing machine out when i've finished the pond. I think Pico will get a bit more peace. Somehow he seems too exposed, although he isn't complaining it doesn't feel right leaving him uncovered. Gonna get him a uv light too as I think when the winter comes it will be too dark in my house.
I'm worried he might get S.A.D like I do otherwise. Jo |
|
Saturday August 20, 2005 8:49 pm |
|
|
|
|
shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7402
Location: Canada, Toronto |
I cover both of my cages at night, it not only ensures that the birdies get their 10-12 hours of sleep per night, but it's also helpful when I wanna sleep in on the weekends, because in the mornings the birds don't say a peep until the cage covers are removed. |
|
Sunday August 21, 2005 3:41 am |
|
|
Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
It's so funny - last nite my 2 grandkids stayed at our house overnight, & all 4 of us slept in the livingroom. So for the 1st time ever, I didn't put Manu in his cage to sleep. He slept on his stand all nite & must have liked it since he didn't end up going into his cage on his own thru the nite. The problem was, since he wasn't covered, he was awake & ready to start the day awful early in the morning  |
|
Sunday August 21, 2005 11:09 am |
|
|
Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
LOL, that must have been fun to have Manu up so early to wanna play!! Did you get much sleep after that?? LOL |
|
Sunday August 21, 2005 3:13 pm |
|
|
|
|
Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
No! I didn't get any sleep once the sun came up & he was awake! Altho that's not so bad, I'm usually awake early in the AM anyway, but the bad part is he woke the 2 little RUGRATS!! Once they're awake, I might as well just give up any ideas on having any relaxing time - it's all hectic after that |
|
Sunday August 21, 2005 3:24 pm |
|
|
Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Oh you poor thing, you must get so very exhausted after the day!!! Hope you have a much more relaxing day tomorrow. |
|
Sunday August 21, 2005 4:44 pm |
|
|
fi
Fledgeling
Joined: 23 Jul 2005
Posts: 288
Location: Ocean Grove, Australia |
I don't cover my birds, but there cages are by the window in my bedroom. When I put them to sleep at night I close the curtain (right next to their cages) and they seem to know its bed time when I do that. They settle down and head for their roosting perch. I don't (usually) hear another peep until my alarm goes off in the morning (about 7:30am) and I open the curtains again. Then they jump around ready for a new day. So I guess it just depends on the bird. My birds are very different in personality but it seems to suit them both. My cockateil is very shy and timid by nature, where as my lorikeet is very bold and brave with new things. Hope this helps.  |
|
Monday August 22, 2005 1:50 am |
|
|
|
|
Tia
Fledgeling
Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 319
Location: Illinois |
I cover my lil ones but Sam my grey hates to be covered so I don't. He loves to perch and sleep on the door of his cage, he does very good and won't budge or make a peep until he sees me in the morning. Yes, he sleeps with the door open, he rarely is in his cage with the doors closed, he and Emmie my quaker are usually in their cages or on top or on a stand.....but rarely are the doors closed, unless I am out and about in town and no one else is home to watch them. |
|
Monday August 22, 2005 4:09 am |
|
|
shells picasso
Flier
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 900
Location: Sydney |
I cover Picassos cage if I have to sleep during the day because he's in my bedroom otherwise he paces saying "come on" making me feel guilty, at night he knows when it's bed time because I leave a lamp on for him and he associates it with bed time (though he doesn't like being put to bed so I usually let him stay up till he's tired). The light isn't what starts him off it's the noise and being able to see me, he's my little alarm clock if I leave him uncovered. |
|
Monday August 22, 2005 1:28 pm |
|
|
lisaandzachary
Flutterer
Joined: 17 Aug 2005
Posts: 161
Location: Canada |
| covering cages |
|
|
Do I have to cover my meyers parrot cage? She probably doesn't get much sleep anyway because my baby is in the next room and he screams alot. Is it absolutely essential? |
|
Friday August 26, 2005 6:50 pm |
|
|
|
|
Goto page 1, 2, 3 Next
All times are GMT. The time now is Wednesday January 7, 2009 8:28 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
