Sleeping cage

[PipnMe]

Hi again! I have noticed that many of you have a separate "sleeping" cage for your bird. I am interested in doing this for my convenience sake and peace of mind. What size should a sleeping cage be? Should I place food and water in the cage at night? All tips and tricks would be great!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Generally speaking, you want a cage that will allow your bird to be able to stretch both wings out and not touch the side bars. That usually indicates a decent size cage. The sleep cage I got for Skittles is actually the same exact style as his original cage (just a different color).

As for food and water, absolutely. I'd put in fresh food and water at night and change it again in the morning by putting fresh food and water in their day cage. Skittles will often eat and drink in his sleep cage before he will go to sleep.

The reasons why I suggest sleep cages is so that the birds can have a more natural sleep cycle with minimal disturbance. I'm a night owl, and sunnies need anywhere from 10-14hrs of sleep a night. I'm not sure of the sleep requirements for GCCs though.

I just think it's important they have a quiet place to sleep. Skittles sleep cage is in the bedroom right by my bed.

 

[T00tsyd]

I put Syd in the spare room at night with bedtime at between 7.30 and 8, usually guided by when he quietens down naturally. He will often have a manic half hour or so flying and playing as if to use up his energy then he quietens and I pick him up and take him to bed. Usually I hear nothing from him until 8 the next day. I leave fresh water and pellets but he doesn't seem to bother with them. His cage is also a travel cage so smaller than his daytime one. It measures 17"x25"x13" WxHxD

 

[SailBoat]

The primary cage is located in or near the center of the homes activity, where the family is the majority of the day. The sleeping cage is located out of that area, commonly in an area that provides a greater opportunity for sleep. Having two separate cages allows the simple movement of the Parrot and not both the cage and the Parrot. It can also act as a signal for the Parrot that its time to sleep.

Sizing is all over the place, with anywhere from the same as the day cage to very small. The favored is a cage that (as stated above) allows the Parrot to fully stretch their Wings (front to back & side to side). The height should allow the Parrot to enjoy the concept of a 'roosting ' perch, which commonly sits high in the cage and therefore above the floor. With a shorter cage, the can be duplicated by setting the cage of a table or stand.

Sleeping cages should not be without the normal load of food, water, perches and toys. Remember not to use undersized perches.

 

[PipnMe]

You have all really helped me a lot, thank you so much! My little guy has a pattern of crazy playtime and after he eats like a piggy then settles down. At first, I was putting him down at 8pm but, he was still very active in his cage until about 10pm. So I have been wheeling his day time cage into the bedroom every night and putting him to sleep between 9:30 and 10pm. He wakes up at 8am on the dot giving him 10 hours of sleep. It will be so nice not to have to move his cage all the time!

 

[clark_conure]

My birds cage is in my bedroom, but I have food and water sources where we hang out. In effect his daytime cage is my shoulder and his nighttime cage is his cage.

It works for us, just make sure he always has access to food and water and toys no matter where he is.

 

[clark_conure]

PipnMe I shrank one of your images to avatar size, save this to your desktop or wherever and go to UserCP, edit avatar, then option 2 and upload it from your desktop.

 

[PipnMe]

PipnMe I shrank one of your images to avatar size, save this to your desktop or wherever and go to UserCP, edit avatar, then option 2 and upload it from your desktop.

Thank you!!!

 

[clark_conure]

no problem it took me a while to figure out how to shrink the image too....happy to be of help!

 

[Scott]

I too have a sleeping cage for my closest bonded Goffin. Larger than needed, about 26" x 26" x 36" and includes food, water, and a few toys. Wheels right up to my bed!