Doug Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I have purchased the following cage: King's Cages (cage dimensions: 34" W x 26" D x 41" H) (click on link to see it) The cage is in a part of the house that sees a lot of activity after 9 p.m., so I think that I need a cage cover. I can probably fabricate one myself, using sewn-in neodymium magnets (very strong) (nickel plating). Any special concerns or considerations for a cover? Would it be a good idea to leave the back and two sides on during the day to provide a greater feeling of security. (A lot of foot traffic will be going past the cage...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Doug, I use black sheets that I purchased at Walmart, I got the king size for Josey's cage as it is the biggest, they can be easily washed and last a long time unless one bird gets to chewing on it but so far mine are just fine, no use spending lots of money on fancy ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray P Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 We also use a sheet to cover our cages. My birds love the traffic that goes by there cage and very often make a comment to whom ever walks by. They are apart of what`s going on in our house and they don`t want to miss a thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I'm in the "no cover" camp. I've never used them. The birds are in a seperate room but it is right off the family room where we watch TV past their bedtime. They are in the solarium right on a wall of windows. We close the blinds at night but otherwise they are not covered. During the day there is a tree right outside the window and there are birds and squirrels that visit. They seem to like that. But at night they settle down and don't seem to be bothered by the TV or the light on in the family room, or our talking. I got scared away from covers years and years ago when I read an article in Bird Talk about a bird that chewed their cover and a thread got wrapped around the birds toe and the bird ended up losing the toe. It freaked me out so I've never used them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Well, I think I'll skip the cover for now and see how she reacts. I'll put up a small cloth in the corner so she has a place to hide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) I don't cover my parrots cages. To me it would be stuffy and I believe in fresh air. Have you thought about a sleep tent. When my grey was younger she loved her sleep tent. I guess it made her feel cozy and safe. Here is an example of a sleep tent: http://www.birdsupplies.com/Scooter-Z-Bird-Sleep-Tent-p/str%20001xx.htm I just hung one inside the cage. Ana Grey loved it! Edited September 14, 2011 by luvparrots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I use a fleece "snugglie". It's really just strips of fleece hanging, long on one side and shorter on the other. I have it hanging over a perch but so far Egan hasn't explored it. He snuggles on his boing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstPenguin Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 We use a separate sleep cage away from the main space so that "post 9pm traffic" has less of an effect on their sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAURIT Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I don't use a cover. The breeder said that Greys are more prone to feather plucking with covers. This is because in the Wild they will pull some feathers when making their bed. I'm not sure if it's true, but I have not had any problems yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I have always covered my cages. I do exactly what Judy does. A dark sheet that I throw over the cage at night. My cages are the macaw size so the sheet only goes about half way down,they have the other half to look out. If they want which they will do in the morning, plus there is plenty of ventilation. They prefer to be covered as I have 3 teenaged, lots of their friends coming and going all night. The noise. And traffic disturb their sleep and they like their privacy, they are much happier eve tho they are in the next room with the doors closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bran Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I'm in the Sheet Camp, black sheets over their cages in the bird room, along with a night light, just in case someone has a bad dream. I think it offers them a security feeling , kind of like having a woobie to snuggle with when you were a kid. They actually ask to be covered now "are you ready for bed" is what I hear about 8:45 until they get covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupid Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Super nice cage Doug!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codys Mom Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I go with the sheet crew lol all of mine get covered with a sheet a night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 That is a nice cage and it is similar to the two we have in our living room for our birds. I don't cover our big cages because their corner is dark on its own when I turn the lamps off on that side of the room and both birds are relaxed about sleeping when we are in the room. With that said, it is just my husband and myself in the house and we are quiet and don't stay up much past ten. When we travel, I do cover the bird's travel cages with fleece blankets. I also went to the fabric store and bought several colors of fleece and cut them into squares to use as lap blankets because they are great to let the birds climb on it withoug catching toenails and it catches messes so my clothes and furniture stay clean. When Elegua comes home you will see if she settles in at night on her own or if she needs the comfort and security of a cage cover. Then, a fleece blanket would be quick and easy and you could create a custom magnetic cover later and line it with the fleece if you decide she needs it. I have read that females need a different approach and our vet even recommends twelve hours of darkness a night with the general idea being they don't think it is spring time and start laying eggs. We have a five year old female parrot and she hasn't laid any eggs, but since Elegua is coming in as a baby, conditioning her to a cover now could be something you discuss with her breeder and your vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 It seems like my brother-in-law and his wife and daughter are FINALLY moving out. In a month or two. Sigh... But at least they've had the offer on the house accepted and if the inspections are okay, they will close. Once those two (my SIL & my niece) are out of the house, the volume level will go down SUBSTANTIALLY. (They screech more than most parrots...) Thank goodness... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irie5447 Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I made my own cage cover. Just go to a fabric store and bought 4 yards of black flannel and sewed strong magnets every 12 inches along the top. Its works great as you just stick it to the top of the metal on their cage and go around the perimeter. I also feel it gives the birds security and protects them from drafts when they are sleeping. My birds love their covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 Last night was Ellie's first night with us. My son had his birthday party & sleep-over last night as well, so it was a lot crazier than usual. Elegua got pretty worked up around 10 or 10:30, so we to shut off most of the lights to get her to calm down. We'll see how she does during a more typical evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 After all my "no cover" talk, I just want to say that I covered Egan's cage. I do have a sheet handy for this purpose and I'll take it off before I go to bed but he was "chirpy" while we are watching TV tonight. So I'm not totally "anti-cover". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalINSPIRED Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Averi has a sleep time cage that is covered. It's up in a separate room, but I worry about it getting cool in there in the evening so I sewed a cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) I don't use a cover. The breeder said that Greys are more prone to feather plucking with covers. This is because in the Wild they will pull some feathers when making their bed. I'm not sure if it's true, but I have not had any problems yet. They go to sleep either way so why would a cover influence bed making as opposed to uncovered-obtuse logic ? We cover our flock at night and they do fine just dark sheets as we stay up longer than them with artificial light and it does help them settle in for a good sleep. Too many birds for a sleep cage situation. Currently have 4 Greys and 2 Too's at home as we foster for the local Sanctuary Edited September 22, 2011 by Greywings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 I put a king-sized pillow case in the corner where her sleep perch is. That way she won't be startled as much by people walking from around the corner. Hopefully the attached sketch makes some sense. It goes down about 20" (50 cm) from the top of the cage, lower than her perch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Yes I see what you are talking about, it gives her some privacy and she can hear someone coming before she actually sees them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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