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Hi All,

Just wondering what you think of Happy Huts? We have two tiels - both females - that share the same cage. I have ordered two Happy Huts for them, but as these are a relatively new product I have a few questions ...

Are they safe enough? Are they a good idea - I read that tiels normally burrow into branches and trees - would this simulate that? Also, to restrict breeding / egg laying, I know I am meant to restrict their access to dark enclosures - would this promote egg laying? My girls are only 10 months old, so I want to restrict egg laying, also, as it is summer, they've been a little hormonal ...

Am I being ridiculous?? Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Claire

Claire,

You should google for "happy hut" and danger. There have been some reports of birds getting strangled in them and dying. I don't recall which other bird website the article was on, but it was reported as not safe. What happens is the bird chews a hole in the fabric, and gets caught in the inside material (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). After reading that, I would not use one, period.

Sam

A friend of mine lost one of her birds to a Happy Hut. Strangled itself. I would NOT get one. I use those little cozies that you tie to the cage and the bird snuggles up next to it.
Gloria

Helpful link:

http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/aa042999.htm

info on happy hut and dangers... seems to be ok as long as you monitor the toy and the bird... if your bird is a big chewer, I'd say definitely no... otherwise, it seems to be ok.

They will promote egg laying.....I wouldn't use them....

I agree, they will definitely promote egg laying. Mine get a bit nesty even if they find a darker corner on the kitchen counter. If I put something like that in their cage, they'd be on eggs in a day or two without doubt.

I have also heard about the problems with their safety.

There's no real benefit to them by providing a place like that, except privacy, and if you think that might be an issue, then cover half the cage and let them determine where they want to be on their own.

My tiel is a male and we had a happy hut until he started treating it as a nest and became aggressive anytime he was in it. He also started regurgitating inside the happy hut, so we no longer have it. Seeing as he is a male and it sparked nesting behavior in him, I can imagine it would promote egg laying in a female. We got a birdie buddie in place of the hut. It's made of the same material but the bird can not crawl into it.