Cage cover?

[Crayfish066]

My sleeping habits are kind of hectic due to a sleep related illness that I suffer from, so sometimes I end up staying awake through the night. My IRN seems to be mimicing my sleep schedule so he sleeps through the day a lot.
Would a cage cover be beneficial for him in this situation? I make my room as dark as I can manage before going to sleep but it is no where near night time levels of darkness.

I've looked online and all the cage covers I see are very expensive for what they are, is there a cheaper safe alternative than buying one on amazon for £40+?
Oh and would a cage cover help him to get a couple more hours sleep while I'm awake with the lights on in the same room as him? I don't regularly sleep 12 hours a day and not always 10 either so I fear he isn't getting enough sleep.

 

[T00tsyd]

I cover my guy with a black sheet. It's actually a large tablecloth but he doesn't know that! As soon as he sees it he settles down ready for shut eye and doesn't really surface until I remove it in the morning although once he hears me around he knows I'm letting the dog out and getting his breakfast... It's a great life!

 

[Flboy]

Yep, no need to buy something special! Remember though, some birds are absolutely terrified and being covered! Not many, but there are some!

 

[maverickbull]

Cover definitely helps... Birds need a dark environment to sleep... Sounds around them - in the wild they are used to sounds but not very loud or shrill. You needn't get expensive cage covers... It can be an old blanket which you don't use now.
My birds are now used to the blanket cover & they don't call till they hear me in the kitchen.

cheers

 

[clark_conure]

I have questions before I advise.... what is your work cycle to your sleep cycle. Your bird can be a night bird with the lights on and all that, you want your bird to be awake when you are and asleep when you are. And hopefully at least asleep part of the time you are gone. If you are always up all night and leave the lights on it might be better for him. Socialization is important. That assumes you work nights. If you don't mean to be awake then I'd try moving the cage first to another room so he doesn't emulate your behavior. Also I'd see a doctor, your health is just as important as your bird's health.

 

[Crayfish066]

I have questions before I advise.... what is your work cycle to your sleep cycle.
Your bird can be a night bird with the lights on and all that, you want your bird to be awake when you are and asleep when you are.
And hopefully at least asleep part of the time you are gone. If you are always up all night and leave the lights on it might be better for him.
Socialization is important. That assumes you work nights. If you don't mean to be awake then I'd try moving the cage first to another room so he doesn't emulate your behavior. Also I'd see a doctor, your health is just as important as your bird's health.

I'm not working at the moment due to my condition, it makes it difficult to keep a consistent schedule but I probably lean more towards being awake during the evening and through the night as of late.
I've been to see my doctor and even a specialist many times but they don't seem too interested in helping me due to costs and with me being unemployed now I can't afford to pay for the treatment myself.
Short of some kind of miracle I've accepted it as my way of life for foreseeable future but I really appreciate the concern.