How important is a sleep cycle?

[Squeekmouse]

Before I first got Yoda, I did tons of reading and research. All the books and articles agree that it's important that your bird have a good, regular sleep cycle. Typically they say the bird should be in his cage to sleep for 10 - 12 hours per day. Some say covering the cage is a good idea, others say it's option.

So when I first brought Yoda home, I was really careful and strict about putting Yoda in his cage and covering it around 9pm, and then uncovering him for breakfast with me at about 8am.

The problem is... Yoda doesn't want to leave my shoulder and I can't stand to lose my sweet, cuddly neck-warmer. Every evening after dinner, my husband and I watch a little TV together and Yoda crawls into my hair and falls asleep against my neck (starting around 8pm).

Given that he IS asleep there in my hair, how important is it to wake him up and put him in his cage at 9pm sharp? Is it the alone-time, the cage-time, the sleep time or the darkness time that he needs to be regular? From 8pm to midnight (when I go to bed) he and I would be perfectly happy to let him sleep there in my hair, rather then alone in his cage. But I worry about what's best for HIM and his health.

So please advise me. If he is sleeping happily in the warm, darkness of my hair anyway, am I doing him any harm by not putting him in his cage instead?

Thanks!

 

[bill_e]

If you want to keep him up later, then put him to bed later, cover the cage (I use a black cover) and don't remove it until later in the morning so he get's his full, needed quiet sleep..

Not an expert but the sleep cycle is important, especially for controlling the onset of hormonal behavior. When he's "asleep" on your head he's likely just resting, not sleeping deeply.

 

[Squeekmouse]

That makes sense. How much IS the right amount of time? 10 hours minimum? 12? 8?

I'd wake him up later, but that really doesn't work. He is like a rooster I tell ya. If I don't uncover his cage by 8am, he's in there calling and running around and flapping his weeks to try to get the cover to balloon out and let him see us.

 

[bill_e]

I was having hormonal issues with my Nike so I started putting her to bed in another room at 730-8pm and we take her black cover off at 9am. I do that all year long and seldom does she stir before 8am. She never naps during the day.

For best sleeping they should sleep in a quite room (not the family room or living room where there is always noise). A lot of folks pull the room shades or curtains to keep it darkish after sunrise.

 

[SailBoat]

Sleep cycle lab work has been part of medical science since the late 1800's.

The findings have varied a bit over the years as has the tests, but the reality is that Humans can be greatly effected when sleep is limited and cycles are varied!

The reality of what amount of Sleep a Companion Parrot should receive is much the same as with Humans! It Depends! With the exception of the Equator the vast majority of the Plant experiences variations in the amount of Day Light received depending on the 'Time Of Year.'

In the Upper Great Lakes in June we receive near 17 hours of daylight and in December we receive closer to 7 hours of daylight and that does not include the cloudy days.

There are two camps that I have over the years been part of:
- Steady State, the very specific 12 hours of dark and 12 hours of light with slight modifications in those times.
- Natural Variation, the following of the Sun as an example! In this approach, the Parrot maintains the day schedule as the birds outside! In the early Summer, very long days and in the Winter very short days!

The first tends to maintain the Parrot in a time line that limits the onset of Hormonal Season -and- if the schedule is not rigidly maintained an unscheduled Hormonal Event can occur without warning. Where as the second assure a natural Hormonal Season with a fairly reliable schedule.

Sleep Cycles are important to assure that proper sleep and depth of sleep is achieved. Either of the two variations above will provide a defined Sleep Cycle. The problems begin when no pattern exists or the pattern greatly varies and both the Human and Parrot lose control of the Body's Natural Clock!

Long way of coming to this point! The length of sleep has little to do with short term variation. As another member so well stated: Whatever you do, it needs to be consistent! Some place between 8 and 10 hours of sleep, Hormonal Events can develop. Steady State demands, at least 10 to 12 hours. Following Natural Sunlight requires that you in fact follow the Natural Sun Light.

So, It Depends! You can choose one or the other but not both!

 

[Kiwibird]

Sleep cycles are VERY important. 12 awake/12 asleep is the ideal for parrots, as most live close to the equator and do not experience much, if any fluctuation in daylight.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Sleep cycle lab work has been part of medical science since the late 1800's.

The findings have varied a bit over the years as has the tests, but the reality is that Humans can be greatly effected when sleep is limited and cycles are varied!

The reality of what amount of Sleep a Companion Parrot should receive is much the same as with Humans! It Depends! With the exception of the Equator the vast majority of the Plant experiences variations in the amount of Day Light received depending on the 'Time Of Year.'

In the Upper Great Lakes in June we receive near 17 hours of daylight and in December we receive closer to 7 hours of daylight and that does not include the cloudy days.

There are two camps that I have over the years been part of:
- Steady State, the very specific 12 hours of dark and 12 hours of light with slight modifications in those times.
- Natural Variation, the following of the Sun as an example! In this approach, the Parrot maintains the day schedule as the birds outside! In the early Summer, very long days and in the Winter very short days!

The first tends to maintain the Parrot in a time line that limits the onset of Hormonal Season -and- if the schedule is not rigidly maintained an unscheduled Hormonal Event can occur without warning. Where as the second assure a natural Hormonal Season with a fairly reliable schedule.

Sleep Cycles are important to assure that proper sleep and depth of sleep is achieved. Either of the two variations above will provide a defined Sleep Cycle. The problems begin when no pattern exists or the pattern greatly varies and both the Human and Parrot lose control of the Body's Natural Clock!

Long way of coming to this point! The length of sleep has little to do with short term variation. As another member so well stated: Whatever you do, it needs to be consistent! Some place between 8 and 10 hours of sleep, Hormonal Events can develop. Steady State demands, at least 10 to 12 hours. Following Natural Sunlight requires that you in fact follow the Natural Sun Light.

So, It Depends! You can choose one or the other but not both!

Which cycle do you recommend and why? The ‘follow the sun’ schedule may not work for me because I spend a lot of time with my birds while it’s dark during the winter.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Our story...

Ever since the Rickeybird hit sexual maturity at about 3-4 years of age, I've had to manage his hormones! If kept on too steady a long day, and too much light, he stayed "in the mood" (aggressive, even louder than usual, pleasuring himself on my neck ) year round. If I keep him on a natural light schedule... up with dawn, down with dusk, year around... THEN he's only a little monster rooster from July to September). He has his own room, so I can do that easily.

 

[Soyajam]

I have been generally following the 12 hour cycle, ish...
8:30 to bed, 7:30 to rise.

Sailboat is right in that it varies. Remi is still young and I find if she's hungry she won't settle even if it's late. Sometimes if she's had a big day she goes in an hour early, other times she's walking around her cage at 6am (which means god help you if you need to get up to pee).

When Remi is sleeping on me or my partner and she hasn't stirred, generally I can put her in her cage with no complaint (as opposed to the cage-grabbing, flapping tantrums that usually occur..).

As an aside she's only been with us during the summer months (southern hemisphere), I'm curious to see how she copes when the day length reduces in a few months. I'd imagine that more sleep wouldnt be a bad thing.

 

[SailBoat]

Which cycle do you recommend and why? The ‘follow the sun’ schedule may not work for me because I spend a lot of time with my birds while it’s dark during the winter.

I recommend either cycle! for those that live between the equator and the halfway point (45th something or other, sorry mind freeze) to either Pole!

Anyone above that point will be better serviced by the Steady State Cycle! This is especially true in the North with the extremely long Summer days and Winter nights of the far North. This is likely true for the far South also!

The majority of our Amazons have been happier with the Steady State Cycle for their Sleep Pattern. Much of that was driven by health issues that really demanded the additional sleep provide during the late Spring, Summer and early Fall.

The weakness of the Steady State Cycle is the Human Element!!! It requires that the Parrot is maintained in a fairly specific sleep pattern. Poor control of the pattern can result in a 'Hormonal Event' at near anytime of the year and with little or no warning! And, I can tell you from experience; A Hormonal Amazon in your face in no joy! Coming to the reality that you caused it, is a tough pill to swallow! Teachable Moment for sure!

The Sleep Pattern that follows the natural variations of Sun assure that the Parrot will have a consistent Hormonal Season 'once a year.' At the very least, you will know when and can be prepared for it!

I am not aware of any Studies regarding the Health Benefits of either approach.

The Steady State is a Human developed pattern as a means of greatly limiting the on set of Hormonal Events. And /or recovering a Parrot suffering from on-going Hormones. This can be a medical condition or most likely brought on by the light-up the night Human Life Style!


Warning: Not Recommended for near all homes!!!
At present, we have an Amazon with stunning self-control. He is now only the second of our Amazons to display such control and as a result allowed much greater control over his life. He has selected the Natural Sunlight Pattern and will himself follow that pattern. His being fully flighted is likely a requirement as he will fly off to his sleeping perch for the night. He has always been slow to getting-up in the morning and will commonly sleep a bit longer than Sunrise. Yes, this means that we adjust to his sleeping pattern by reducing the amount of light as evening sets and reduce the sound level along the same time lines. The reality for us, is that we find that we sleep much better.

NOTE: Do Not Mess With Sleep Cycles! i.e. Switching Day and Night Time periods unless demanded by your work schedule! Those who must work at night, need to keep that schedule! Serious lack of sleep problems will occur and can be dangerous to your health and mental well being!

FYI: The tilt of the Earth, plus its slight wobble, naturally cause a variation to the length of the day near everywhere on the Earth.