Sleeping huts/tents and female GCCs etc....

riddick07 said:
My pair of green cheeks both sleep in it at night. They squeeze in their together and I think would plot my death if I ever took it away from them! My sun loves sleeping in hers too. When she has been out all day you often find her under the blanket on top of the cockatoo cage taking a nap. My cat also sleeps under blankets...maybe its just something around my house....
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I see you must own tiels as well? Sorry if you already replied in one of my previous threads... it's hard to keep track of so many people here :) Do your tiels get along with your GCCs?

I will be setting up a new area for my future GCC and will find which seeping hut to get him or her (since it seems conures love them... unlike tiels) so everything will be ready when I can finally get a just weaned GCC. I cannot wait =)
 
I did reply before:p Everyone gets along just fine when it comes to the small birds.

Though last night my male gcc decided he would beat up my amazon. Yanked my amazon away from the fight even though he was only trying to diffuse the situation by not fighting back and warning the gcc off. Then, the gcc comes flying back around to try again...I think he has a death wish. I don't let them out together but my gcc came flying up the stairs into the living room where my amazon and the macaw were...the gcc is just lucky he didn't start anything with the macaw because Max would have snapped him in half without a second thought. Poor Kelly was trying not to do anything and when I yelled his name he was like but mom I'm the innocent party why are you yelling at me.
 
riddick07 said:
I did reply before:p Everyone gets along just fine when it comes to the small birds.

Though last night my male gcc decided he would beat up my amazon. Yanked my amazon away from the fight even though he was only trying to diffuse the situation by not fighting back and warning the gcc off. Then, the gcc comes flying back around to try again...I think he has a death wish. I don't let them out together but my gcc came flying up the stairs into the living room where my amazon and the macaw were...the gcc is just lucky he didn't start anything with the macaw because Max would have snapped him in half without a second thought. Poor Kelly was trying not to do anything and when I yelled his name he was like but mom I'm the innocent party why are you yelling at me.
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I thought your username looked familiar ;) Sorry about that... it's hard to keep track with so many posters.
 
I'm the crazy bird AND snake lady:eek:
 
riddick07 said:
I did reply before:p Everyone gets along just fine when it comes to the small birds.

Though last night my male gcc decided he would beat up my amazon. Yanked my amazon away from the fight even though he was only trying to diffuse the situation by not fighting back and warning the gcc off. Then, the gcc comes flying back around to try again...I think he has a death wish. I don't let them out together but my gcc came flying up the stairs into the living room where my amazon and the macaw were...the gcc is just lucky he didn't start anything with the macaw because Max would have snapped him in half without a second thought. Poor Kelly was trying not to do anything and when I yelled his name he was like but mom I'm the innocent party why are you yelling at me.
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Holy crap, Victoria! When I read the first bolded part my jaw was on the floor. I've seen pics of Kelly. I know how enormous he is...and how intimidating he can be. You've got one super gutsy GCC. Or should I say 'suicidal'??? LOL. GOOD Kelly!!! How was your blood pressure right afterwards? I know I would have been shaking like a leaf, just like I do each time Sam decides to land on one of the big mac cages (while they're inside)
 
We were nervous about the warnings around Happy Huts, but we did finally break down and get Foggy a little shelter. It's more of a rigid fuzzy triangle than a shapeless hut like some of them, though.

He doesn't seem to chew on it much--I think it helps that he can stick his head out the front and get at the top of one of his pinata toys, so he has a more shreddable outlet handy. And he only uses it for naps during the day; at night he still sleeps under his Holee Roller bell.
 
After a bit it was kind of funny because the macaw got tossed towards my mother and Kelly got yanked away by his tail. Both of them were giving the what did WE do look. It was definitely a panic moment at the time because even though I know Kelly isn't aggressive with other birds it wouldn't take much to do some serious damage. Monster came away with a small scrap taken out of his beak nothing serious and no blood. But he got a chip taken out when Kelly wasn't even trying to do anything. Definitely could have been much worse! There was some nervous shaky laughter right after everyone was separated:52:

Kelly really was good. He was the only one that got yelled at because he knows when I saw his name in a certain tone it means leave that alone. Thank god one of them is trained enough to listen!

Tropical said:
riddick07 said:
I'm the crazy bird AND snake lady:eek:
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Oh wait!... you're also on the tiel forum and the one with 22+ birds? I have not forgotten ;)
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I am on the tiel forum though I haven't been on there in years I believe it has been. I only have 9 birds but I'm young there's time for more:p
 
riddick07 said:
My pair of green cheeks both sleep in it at night. They squeeze in their together and I think would plot my death if I ever took it away from them! My sun loves sleeping in hers too. When she has been out all day you often find her under the blanket on top of the cockatoo cage taking a nap. My cat also sleeps under blankets...maybe its just something around my house....
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Yeah, I hear you there. I'd rather just be thorough and vigilant in my inspections of Skittles cuddle hut rather than take it away from him over something that 'might or might not' happen.

Granted, a frayed or damaged cuddle hut DOES pose an immediate danger, but if they are properly inspected and maintained I think it does more harm to deprive them of it. Anything can pose a threat if it's not properly installed and maintained. That's where the focus should be. Certain huts etc are better options than others but it seems to me most people on this forum are aware of the 'potential' dangers of these and are properly caring for whatever they choose to use. Which is refreshing.

I know how much Skittles likes to burrow. Whether it's in his cuddle hut, in my shirts or under towels and blankets.
 
Hi Tropical! Cudos to you for doing your research! I had a very scary emergency with my Green Cheek Conure and the vet said her snuggle hut has to GO! I was horrified, I thought "what are you talking about lady, she LOVES her hut!" WRONG! It was then that I researched and learned all the dangers. Even if you inspect for frayed edges, you could leave to go to the store and come back and in that time your bird could have done enough new chewing to cause injury or death. OR, crop impaction can occur over time (your bird can ingest tiny fibers that you don't even notice missing and over time your bird can seem fine but all of a sudden when enough has built up, it is a very serious fatal emergency).

Huts have pros and cons, but here is what I believe is the safest in all aspects: Critters Choice small animal CHUBE.

They have various brands, but I use this one because I know of a bird lady who contacted the manufacturer and asked questions and felt it was 100% bird safe (also tons of parrot people have started using these and no issues). Kaytee also makes one but I don't know where theirs is made. I order the Critter's Choice Chube (made in the UK) on Amazon (size XLarge or Giant are perfect for Green Cheek Conures - they're not as big as you'd think so be sure to check the dimensions). Here's why I like these: they're made of safe vegetable parchment that's intended to be chewed (our GCC likes to sleep in hers and also has fun chewing one of the sides). They provide a "snuggle hut" type of bed without fabric dangers for crop impaction, strangulation or entanglement. They are not as fluffy/cozy as a traditional fabric hut so they don't resemble as much of a "nest" which can cause hormonal issues for your bird (hormonal behavior issues and also potential to become egg-bound) but they still provide a nice, SAFE place to sleep at night and feel secure. I will be a forever customer of CHUBES! Try it and please post what you think! Some people even drill holes in them and attach homemade toys. And no dangers of getting stuck in small holes like the seagrass mesh! Check out this website, it has a lot of useful info Safe happy hut
 
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rosembers said:
Hi Tropical! Cudos to you for doing your research! I had a very scary emergency with my Green Cheek Conure and the vet said her snuggle hut has to GO! I was horrified, I thought "what are you talking about lady, she LOVES her hut!" WRONG! It was then that I researched and learned all the dangers. Even if you inspect for frayed edges, you could leave to go to the store and come back and in that time your bird could have done enough new chewing to cause injury or death. OR, crop impaction can occur over time (your bird can ingest tiny fibers that you don't even notice missing and over time your bird can seem fine but all of a sudden when enough has built up, it is a very serious fatal emergency).

Huts have pros and cons, but here is what I believe is the safest in all aspects: Critters Choice small animal CHUBE.

They have various brands, but I use this one because I know of a bird lady who contacted the manufacturer and asked questions and felt it was 100% bird safe (also tons of parrot people have started using these and no issues). Kaytee also makes one but I don't know where theirs is made. I order the Critter's Choice Chube (made in the UK) on Amazon (size XLarge or Giant are perfect for Green Cheek Conures - they're not as big as you'd think so be sure to check the dimensions). Here's why I like these: they're made of safe vegetable parchment that's intended to be chewed (our GCC likes to sleep in hers and also has fun chewing one of the sides). They provide a "snuggle hut" type of bed without fabric dangers for crop impaction, strangulation or entanglement. They are not as fluffy/cozy as a traditional fabric hut so they don't resemble as much of a "nest" which can cause hormonal issues for your bird (hormonal behavior issues and also potential to become egg-bound) but they still provide a nice, SAFE place to sleep at night and feel secure. I will be a forever customer of CHUBES! Try it and please post what you think! Some people even drill holes in them and attach homemade toys. And no dangers of getting stuck in small holes like the seagrass mesh! Check out this website, it has a lot of useful info Safe happy hut
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That's my fear exactly, because I have read so many people with conures that managed to chew the brand new hut within just an hour and got into serious trouble from it. Plus, just because it's evening and your bird is supposed to be sleeping... he could still be busy chewing at it.
Thanks for the link, I'm going to check out those huts.. too bad they aren't as cozy though :( ... but at least they are safe and better than nothing.

EDIT: LOL, it is funny what some of the birds did to their beds!... they schredded the heck out of it (referring to the link you provided). That's s cool how they secured/screwed some chewable toys into the interior walls of their bed "chubes".
 
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Yeah, my favorite picture is the Macaw that shredded the life out of his Chube and is still snuggling in it! LOL! I ordered 2 so I'd have a replacement, but it's been almost a year now and doesn't need to be replaced yet.

I felt like the most horrible person when I took away our Green Cheek's snuggle hut. She spent the first few weeks just sleeping on one of her perches. But eventually she started sleeping in her Chube and now she loves it. She even likes to sit in there and make robot noises during the day. And if she gets spooked by something she runs and hides in her Chube and peeks out the end (so adorable)! So I know she's comfortable with it and feels safe in there :)
 
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rosembers said:
Yeah, my favorite picture is the Macaw that shredded the life out of his Chube and is still snuggling in it! LOL! I ordered 2 so I'd have a replacement, but it's been almost a year now and doesn't need to be replaced yet.

I felt like the most horrible person when I took away our Green Cheek's snuggle hut. She spent the first few weeks just sleeping on one of her perches. But eventually she started sleeping in her Chube and now she loves it. She even likes to sit in there and make robot noises during the day. And if she gets spooked by something she runs and hides in her Chube and peeks out the end (so adorable)! So I know she's comfortable with it and feels safe in there :)
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It's also cool you don't have to remove it during the day (don't have to be worried about them chewing it during day)... the chube can be with them all the time. I wish I had a GCC... cannot wait to get mine! :D

Except, I wonder if the chube might create hormonal issues? As I have a male tiel and don't want to encourage any aggressive behavior from the GCC trying to protect his or her chube??? So maybe in my case it would be betetr to only have the chube in cage at night? Plus... the GCC's cage will be right next to my tiels's so my tiel might be climbing around in my GCC's cage during the day... and I know my tiel always thinks little hiding places are a nest... I hope GCC won't try to injure my tiel if he ends up in the chube....
 
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I like that idea with the Chubes, I wonder if hanging some strips of fleece in front or in back can make it a little more "beddy."
 
Tropical - I don't think it will cause hormonal issues. It doesn't for my GCC. I think one of the pros to it not being so snuggly and soft (besides chewing dangers) is that it doesn't resemble a "nest" so much because of that. Which should help prevent hormonal issues and nesting behavior. Have fun when you get yours! That's exciting! I can't imagine life without mine...

Aquila - if you hang fleece strips to make it more "beddy" the fleece strips are still dangerous. Fleece doesn't fray like polyester, but it can still be chewed and ingested (and fleece is not digestible so it can build up and cause crop impaction over time). I knew of someone who made her own homemade fleece beds because she wanted something safer for her cockatiels, and a few years after having them, one of her tiels got sick and the vet discovered a large mass in it's crop of fleece that had built up over time (and the bird was too small to operate on). Very sad. :( Plus, since the chube isn't as snuggly and cozy, it helps prevent hormonal issues, aggressive behavior, and potential to become egg bound (so scary!) :)
 
This is always going to be a contentious topic. Just like with wing clipping. It is colored by a persons own experiences. Just like for some, providing a bird with free roam is too much of a hazard while for others that hazard is pretty much non-existent. You really have to look at your situation and your bird.

There is always a risk they could ingest something from a chew toy. We can't eliminate all threats. Whether it be for our fids or our kids. Prevention and intervention go a LONG way, of course, but bottom line is this - conures NEED chew toys. The more variety of chew toys you have for them, the less likely they are to chew on something they shouldn't.

My sister had a cockatiel who fell off its swing and broke its neck. As a result, my sister would not allow any of her other birds to have them. It was a 'banned' item. I respected her decision and likely would have made the same had I been in her shoes.

I am comfortable with how Skittles is with his cuddle hut. IF he spent more time in his cage, I'd likely have a different viewpoint. But since he is out all day and only caged for a few hours a day (IF I go out) given that he is only caged at night for the most part, the threat is so minuscule it doesn't warrant immediate action on my part.

If it is dark, he will 'hide' in it. He sees it as a safety place and not as something he wants to shred or destroy. Skittles does have a fabric fetish, but he will also purposely discard shredded pieces to 'get them out of the way'.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. You have to look at the benefits and risks and your particular situation and do what you are most comfortable with.
 
In case this helps anyone - our vet recommended (after first saying not to use one at all), that if using a snuggle hut it is at least safer to use a cotton hut or a fleece hut instead of the traditional green super fuzzy ones which are polyester. She said cotton is a natural digestible fiber so safer if chewed. And fleece is safer than the polyester fuzzy ones because fleece doesn't fray like polyester and reduces the chance of entanglement or strangulation (and fleece ones are still cozy and soft - they're usually the ones that have more of a triangle shape). Even safer yet are seagrass huts or Chubes.
 
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