Shared Sleeping Cage? Sanity Check, Please.

[KevinT]

I'd love to learn from experienced bird owners on the forum what they thnk about my wife's plan to repurpose our Congo African Grey's former cage, making it a sleeping cage for our Grey and our Senegal Parrot. The cage is divided by a separator grate between the two halves, so the birds will not be in touching range, unless they choose to be. For what it's worth, the birds get along pretty well, although we don't really allow them to be together or out of their cages unsupervised.

My main concern is that the birds might not sleep as well.

Any thoughts?

 

[weco]

Since they get along You're probably safe, but I would have a piece of 1/4" plexiglass cut to fit in the smaller side to protect toes or other body parts from one another, in case one or the other get temperamental.....have the plexi cut about 1/2" narrower & shorter, than the interior size of the smaller cage so it will fit nicely without binding, sand/emery the edges & corners, then bolt in place with stainless steel nuts, bolts & fender washers (fender washers are oversized washers to span the bar spacing 8 needed) I'd probably use 3/16" nuts & bolts (bolts diameter of cage bars + 1/2")...when you screw the nuts on, put a drop of your wife's clear nail polish on the end of the bolt threads as a thread lock & screw the nuts on the sennie's side, just in case the CAG might try to disassemble it.....

 

[Parrotdise]

I think it is probably okay as long they can't get to each others feet. I think the plexi glass would be a good idea. I personally am not a fan of sleeping cages though, we once did this for a sun conure because she would wake up easily and it just created more behavior problems. She knew when she was going to go the sleeping cage and would have temper tantrums. We tried making it fun for her by giving her her favorite snuggly toys and treats. She still had a problem sometimes. I think she would have been happier in her daytime cage. Every bird is different though and who knows your birds might even like sleeping next to each other. You don't know until you try =)

 

[Jtbirds]

I think he is meaning turning this cage into the primary cage and not as a sleeping cage parrotdise, his concern is about sleeping together in the same cage.

I see no real issue in it as they are separated so it is kinda like they are just side by side in two separated cages. I'd say it is a go seeing as they get along good right now and I third the plexiglas glass those diveders aren't great and plexiglass is much much better.

 

[Parrotdise]

Ohhh opps that's what happens when you sneak online while at work!

 

[KevinT]

I think it is probably okay as long they can't get to each others feet. I think the plexi glass would be a good idea. I personally am not a fan of sleeping cages though, we once did this for a sun conure because she would wake up easily and it just created more behavior problems. She knew when she was going to go the sleeping cage and would have temper tantrums. We tried making it fun for her by giving her her favorite snuggly toys and treats. She still had a problem sometimes. I think she would have been happier in her daytime cage. Every bird is different though and who knows your birds might even like sleeping next to each other. You don't know until you try =)

Both birds have been in sleeping cages up until now. The Senegal LOVES to go up to his sleeping cage. He gets a bit grumpy if he has to stay up late. The Grey seems more concerned that he's going to miss something after we put him to bed--like a human child. My main concern, I guess, is whether theyll be more likely to keep one another awake if they are in the same cage, instead of separate sleeping cages in the same spare bedroom.

 

[KevinT]

Since they get along You're probably safe, but I would have a piece of 1/4" plexiglass cut to fit in the smaller side to protect toes or other body parts from one another, in case one or the other get temperamental.....have the plexi cut about 1/2" narrower & shorter, than the interior size of the smaller cage so it will fit nicely without binding, sand/emery the edges & corners, then bolt in place with stainless steel nuts, bolts & fender washers (fender washers are oversized washers to span the bar spacing 8 needed) I'd probably use 3/16" nuts & bolts (bolts diameter of cage bars + 1/2")...when you screw the nuts on, put a drop of your wife's clear nail polish on the end of the bolt threads as a thread lock & screw the nuts on the sennie's side, just in case the CAG might try to disassemble it.....

Good idea about the plexiglass. Thanks!