Getting enough sleep

[HeatherStrella]

It's been staying light outside later in the evenings and getting light in the mornings earlier...does this affect sleep? I know it's suggested they get 10-12 hours of sleep, but there isn't that much darkness...will they sleep if it's light outside??

[auntjane]

Well, I may get some flack for my opinion. The "experts" all say 12 hours or so based on the greys native nearness to the equator and the amount of daylight etc. However, for many of us, that would mean our poor birds would only have contact with us or be out of their cages a couple of hours a day. It's not like they are in the wild, flying miles and miles each day and foraging for food. Mine gets up with me about 5:30AM until he's back in his cage about 6:15. Then when I get home, he may be out of cage until 8PM, sometime even later. Therefore he gets about 9+/- of sleep time and doesn't pluck, scream, bite, etc. Just my opinion......jane

[Guest]

Heatherstrella, wouldn't covering the cage do the 'trick'?

 

Just 'manipulate' those needed hours of sleep into the time you are 'unavailble' (sleeping as well) and stretch them into the time available for play B)

 

Or not?

[HeatherStrella]

AuntJane, your day sounds like mine. I get home around 3:30 and he's out of his cage until around 8:30 or so... I get him up around 6am and he's out with me until around 7:15am...

 

FairY, I read somewhere that covering the cage can be dangerous because they can pull the cover through the bars and chew it up. Also, his cage is huge...not sure what I would cover it with...maybe a sheet but he'd definately chew that up. He sleeps in a room by himself...just a little night light.

 

He does take an hour nap in the middle of the day...lights out, TV is off...he sleeps, I think...I don't hear him moving about the cage.

 

Thanks for the comments..makes me feel better!!<br><br>Post edited by: HeatherStrella, at: 2007/04/29 01:26

[estream]

Aloha Heather,

Agreed, there are many differing opinions on sleep and cage covers - seems to me it depends on the individual bird. If your grey has cranky behavior troubles you might consider encouraging more sleep time, but if all seems well and your routine works for you and your bird without negative consequence, seems to me it's all good :-) Besides, greys are as intelligent as they come - if they're sleepy, they'll nap. If you notice excessive naping, by all means consider longer sleeping alternatives. If you'd rather avoid a cover, consider shades for your windows, heavier curtains for his room, things like that :-) Good luck to you :-)