upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

How many of you have bought into the Vet saying- You need a sleeping cage for your bird? And do you buy into it-- Me personally and with people I work for and with- We chuckle, sorry but its funny.

ljhassell wrote:We chuckle, sorry but its funny.

Not funny. It's a great idea for folks that have their birds in middle of the hustle and bustle of their household. It gives the bird the essential down and sleep time they need away from the humans that stay up way past a bird's bedtime.

it also is VERY stressful on the bird- Think if you were ripped from your home to sleep in another- Yes we have had numerous clients come back to repeatedly say how stressed- started to pluck because vet told them to do this and now we are helping with the recovery. Yes they need rest time, so place in a non-noisey part of home and make routine, like a childs bed-time. Im just pointing out sometimes We humans make more of it than it really is.

I don't use "sleep cages". But, I don't think it's funny either. What I think is that It's a wise thing to keep an open mind, and to see each bird as an individual.

I know of several goofies who crave their sleepytime cages, I know of a macaw who puts himself to bed in a "sleep cage"...craws right in and pulls the covers over himself. A sleep cage can be the answer to a crying bird who is too tired to know what to do with himself.

It's not always the answer, but it is foolish to disregard it completely. It's just not good to lump all birds into one box....just not good.

AGAIN, didnt mean to lump any together- just pointing out that sometimes VETS do not always know the answers and some do cause people to go over board-

Peggy (Parrotsmama1940) has to have a sleep cage for Sammie, her Grey because of a hawk scare. Sammie was fine with the other birds in the new Sun Room (built for them!!! Not spoiled at all!!! ). And that was late last year and Sammie STILL has to sleep in the sleep cage in Peggy's room. She probably will never sleep in her big cage again. She got REALLY spooked.
My birds don't have sleep cages. In fact, when we lose power and have to go downstairs the birds HATE having to go in a different cage. But lifes tough and I need to keep them warm!!!
Gloria

Good point!

In my living room (the biggest room in the house) all of my birds reside. I have 4 BIG cages in there, where they all form a sort of community. I just don't have room for 4 more smaller cages for everyone to sleep, so they sleep in their permanent reisdences. I do periodically rotate them all to different cages to introduce non threatening change and give them a new view point . They don't get stressed by it and seem to enjoy each others toys and food bowls,etc. It's not the tv room and after birdy bedtime hours the doors close and it's dark and quiet until morning. I hope it's a reasonable solution to the "sleep quarters" controversy.And it gets everyone used to changing cages now and then in case an emergency arises. I do have one small "sleep/travel" cage. that can be put anywhere if someone needs some isolated time away. (ie. over tired.. feeling insecure or just need a little privacy) Comments welcome.
Cheryl

We dont exchange cages, but I do rotate around bird room, some like being able to have window views and others like the security of walls. We have it the same way- 7 pm is birdy bedtime and then breakfast and cleaning resumes at 7 am. I do notice that all our birds do take naps during the day, cause its like 2-3 hr time out time where all get very quiet. Our house even with kids and other animals is never busy all the time. The only reason I posted this was, we have clients that purchase birds and then come in for 1 yr free grooming, help with behaviour ect, Many have come in saying "i dont know why the vet told me to buy a sleeping cage, now he is plucking/ screamming/ biting ect". When 6 people come in and having problems being told this by 3 different vets and now problems occuring with birds of all different species Cockatoos, Macaws, greys and a amazon- and in the past 3 weeks clients have gone back to the way it was before vet recommended, and reports that they are settling again and doing better not having sleeping cage. I know that if you always had a sleeping cage and they are use to it- stay with it, but to change up and throw off their routine, is proving not to work. Im not being closed minded just getting a thought out here.

In my opinion, I have found that vets, even avian vets, are not the last word on what is best for parrots. The most valuable information I have received regarding the care and nurturing of these wonderful critters comes from people who have them. Like you guys. Don't get me wrong. vets provide a valuable service and knowledge regarding physiology and nutrition and we visit regularly for blood panels and diagnostics. But the real information pertaining to behavior and management comes from people who care for them every day.. 24/7 . Thanks for all of your experience and insight. It has proved a wonderful resource for me and my flock. ( 3 greys, a cockatoo and an eclectus)
Cheryl

Its a never ending learning process and error tester, we go through daily, but so rewarding, wouldnt want any other way!

Not only are the birds individuals as to whether they want or don't want a sleep cage, they have different preferences about being covered too. My Goffins does not like a cover. If one is put on while it is still light, he takes as a challenge for him to remove. If it is dark and one is put on, he gets scared. He would hang on the wall of the cage and scream until the cover is removed. In fact, he is scared if he doesn't have his night light. I have a Victorian looking lamp that has upper and lower globes. The lower globe can be turned on alone, and it has a very small wattage bulb in it and we burn that at night.

They certainly have their own wants, needs and dislikes as we humans have. People just need to listen and watch closely to determine what needs to change/ or be done.

I cover all my birds before bed. If I don't they start screaming because they can't go to sleep without their blankies!!! I have their cages in a back bedroom and when I get home at night everyone comes out......or not. Their choice. Usually Twinkie wants to stay in the room but wants to explore the other birds cages so I get Annie out first (she would gobble Twinkie up in a nano second!) and then Pebbles door gets opened and she lets me know if she wants out or not. Then Twinkie-Dinks door gets opened. If Pebbles wants to come in the family room she lets me know and EVERY once in awhile Twinkie will hop down to the floor and travel to the family room. It's so cute.
They go to bed at 8:30pm and get up at 6am. Short sleep but I leave for work at 6:15am and don't get home until 6:30pm. I want to spend time with them. Wednesday is my day off (and they seem to know it) so we spend the whole day together.
Gloria

Hi I was on my last thought with Sammie, The vet, after several visits had said she might get better and maybe not. She was shaking so much when we started using the sleeping cage, we have gone very slowly back to her 6' cage. Even for about a month she was on formula that she had been weaned on. When she start plucking around her neck I started the formula.She slept in her Big cage February 1st and every night since. I realize, Sammie's problem was/is unusual but she is my baby I brought home at 4wks and she is 12yo now. You can read about the stress with the hawk under Grey's. Peggy (parrotsmama1940)