Cover or Not?

[Shoegoo]

In the beginning I didn't cover my GCC's cage at night. Then started doing it. I noticed more plucking of the paper at the bottom of the cage. So, I quit covering the cage at night now I'm thinking of covering again because the cage is in a busy area. Just wondering if its better to cover. Any thoughts? Please.

 

[wrench13]

Covering or not would seem to be a preference left to the bird, no? If he seems to sleep better with, then... with! More important then covers or not is that the time is relatively quiet. It does not have to be quiet as a grave ( and what jungle is quiet at night?), but if he is in a high traffic area during the evening and nighttime hours, a cover might be best as birds sleep lightly. We use a cover and a white noise generator to dull the noises of the household. Our Salty's cage is in the middle of our open floor plan house, so a fair amount of coming and going until midnight or so.

 

[rheashard2]

Nameless likes a cover just enough over her sleep spot. Anything larger and the cover is shredded. She tells me to go to bed until her sleep spot is covered.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I only cover the top and upper 6 or 8 inches of the cage. I want them to be able to see around the room if they wake up panicked. I would hate to sleep in the pitch black.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I leave the bottom of the cages open, so some light can come in, but the top of the cage is covered, especially where they sleep. They like to wander their cage a few minutes after lights off and I found this was best for my guys, so they wouldn't habitually fall to the bottom of the cage.

 

[onamom]

I can say my vet recommends covering. You want it to be dark enough as well if that’s an issue. I cover both birds with a sheet and they both sleep in separate rooms in small sleep cages so it can be more quiet.

 

[rheashard2]

Does anyone have a preference for cover materials? I like heavy, difficult to fray cloth. I feel safer because decrease risk of threads.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I only cover the top and upper 6 or 8 inches of the cage. I want them to be able to see around the room if they wake up panicked. I would hate to sleep in the pitch black.

Does anyone have a preference for cover materials? I like heavy, difficult to fray cloth. I feel safer because decrease risk of threads.

I use fleece blankets (with a budgies print) to cover the top third because they're thick enough to block enough light, lightweight so the won't slide off and fall on the ground if they aren't put on evenly like a heavy fabric can, and are not susceptible to chewing and fraying. They're almost like felt which doesn't seem to be woven either. They're also easy to launder.