Sleeping for new conure

[amberinga]

Can anyone suggest a good "bed" for our green cheeked Conure?
I have read a few things, this morning and would love some guidance.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Auggie loves his Happy Hut, he climbs in there every night and sleeps through the night in there.

 

[amberinga]

I read in my searching this morning some problems that owners have had with the Happy Huts and injures to their birds.....should I be overly concerned? And, what size HH did you get for Auggie?

 

[daveonbass]

I have TWO happy huts for my two conures...and they always just choose to use one of them together. Sadly they have broken one of the straips on both huts...so that would be the only thing to keep an eye on. If they chew the straps then just make sure they are still secure and wont fall while they are sleeping...

And then do like me...and start getting new ones after they start to break...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

There are some horror stories regarding Happy Huts, but I think they are drastically overstated. ANYTHING can potentially be dangerous, as cage accessories go Happy Huts are quite safe.

Do keep an eye on them, if the birds start tearing them apart be sure to replace them or trim off any exposed loops of string/fabric so they don't get tangled.

I've had the same happy hut with Auggie for at least three years now and it has been in continual use and abuse. I've had to wash it several times but it is still in great shape except for the hanging loops. Mine broke off just as Dave's did. For a while I tried to patch them up a bit, but I gave up. Now Auggie's hut is supported by a single long piece of parachute cord that runs through the hut then up through the cage bars to be tied in a loop. It's not the prettiest of sights, but it isn't fraying and is still perfectly safe (and loved).

There are only a few sizes - I think S, M, + L. I'm pretty sure Auggie's is a Medium. A GCC would likely be best in a medium, but you could check out a small and see if it seems large enough.

The only other potential problem is that some birds get to 'attached' to their huts and the "happy hut" turns into a "love shack" (or a "tool shed" for you king of the hill fans). On some occasions this has allegedly lead the birds to defend the hut (violently) against the human family members.

This certainly has happened to some, but again the concern here should be pretty trivial. A bird could just as easily get as emotionally attached to any toy or item in their cage.

Auggie's been in his hut a number of times giving the whole thing an unusual swang... but it hasn't hurt our relationship any. Hey, what's a single bird to do.

 

[TexDot33]

Both mine have happy huts, and at night, they curl right up and fall asleep inside. My wife and I do inspect them each time we clean their cages and we cut away all the loose strings and loose fabric that may have been chewed on.

But, like AD said, anything can be dangerous if you don't monitor it. And I think happy huts got that wrap early ~ they are great things tough ..

 

[Troppo]

Hello amberinga,

I have 2 x L Prevue Snuggle Huts from Windycityparrotdotcom

In 18 months no problems with loose threads or anything else.

I'm just about to order some more as Thailand is a desert when it comes to cage accessories.

Extremely well made and washable.

Good luck.

 

[amberinga]

Thanks for all of the advice guys! We are planning to get Mikey a Happy Hut this weekend

 

[GreenCheek]

My gc just sleeps on a grapevine perch high in his cage. I just think it's safer, and he likes it just fine. I've heard too many stories of happy huts and it's not worth the risk to me. Besides, they could also get territorial over them like a nest (so I was told anyway).

 

[amberinga]

Ok...so, we purchased a Happy Hut for Mikey....he won't go in it! He will sit on his perch and cuddle up to it, though.

 

[Troppo]

Put some treats and washed, euc leaves in it, he will in time, let him get used to it.

It may take 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[amberinga]

We put millet in it.....he just pulls it out.

 

[Tumbala's Girl]

There was some kind of Cuddle thing in Tumbala's cage when we got him. It's yellow and really soft and it attaches right next to his perch. That's what he cuddles up to when he's sleeping. I can't seem to find one online right now but I did see it in a pet store I was at. I wish I could remember what it's called! Anyway maybe that would more to Mikey's liking. Just a thought. ;-)

 

[Auggie's Dad]

The popular brand is called a Cozy Corner. Those look good too, but I have never used one.

 

[djkoe]

Hey guys we ended up getting a coconut bed for a conure. Any opinions on that?

 

[2greenconurestostart]

it took our GC several weeks to get used to it but they now crawl in and are very happy at night. It just takes time.

 

[rosembers]

Respectfully, I would recommend no happy huts. Here's why, from a very scary experience:

The traditional polyester kind (usually green or blue and fuzzy) are the most dangerous because they fray easily. There are also fleece ones (typically more triangle shaped) that don't have as fluffy of material, which are safer but still dangerous. Cotton is the safest material you can use, but that still has dangers of snagging nails, choking, etc. Our beloved GCC got terribly sick (and many, many others if you research have DIED from these) and we took her to the ER vet. They found strands from her happy hut in her vomit (and yes, it was vomit not regurgitation). My vet was very angry that I had one but I didn't know otherwise! I thought she was crazy and mean but she told me about some of the ways she has seen birds die from these. My girl never EVER not once chewed her hut *that I saw*. So even if we don't think we see it, they could still be ingesting small particles, or even making a ware mark in the fabric to become entangled and die or get severely injured. Ours had no ware marks and still looked new. And they can ingest small particles over time and it just sits there building up in their crop and they seem fine until one day it causes crop impaction. On top of those dangers that countless birds have died from, they also can cause hormonal issues such as aggression and a bird becoming egg bound which is critical and often fatal. Very scary. And in both situations, the smaller species are basically not able to be operated on simply due to their size. This is all per my Avian Vet.

I am now a forever customer of Critters Choice Small Animal Chube. All of our birds have them and I order multi-packs on Amazon and they are durable, safe, fun for the birds, and built to be chewed so no worries! I know of a lady who contacted the manufacturer and discussed the product, materials, and manufacturing process, and she is confident in these. They are becoming a huge hit in the bird world. Some people even hang little toys inside. Our birds took a little while to get used to them, but now they love them and nibble the edges, and sometimes sleep or hide in them. The Chube is also not fuzzy so it's less resembling of a nest (which helps prevent hormonal issues I mentioned above).

I am humbly and respectfully very passionate about this topic, because I don't want any other birds to suffer, or their guardians to experience the grief that I did when I almost lost my baby. They have great alternatives out there like Chubes, natural seagrass huts, Jolly Balls, or even plain food grade cardboard boxes. We all just want the best for our babies, but please please consider what I'm sharing with you - and maybe research on Google about the sad, but true, things that have happened with those huts. I just wish manufacturers would make safer huts - at lease ones made of 100% cotton which would be a little safer...