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What do ya'll think.... what's most important.... 12 hours of sleep... or quality out of cage time ? I find it very difficult to provide 12 hours of dark,uninterupted sleep for birds in the summer time. Because I work until 6 most nights and sometimes til 8, by the time I get home and have some quality time with them, it's past bed time. They wake up by 7 or 7:30 and if I go by the 12 hour rule, they only get about an hour out of their cage in the evening. They aren't even close to being ready for bed by 7 or 7:30.It's light for another 2 hours almost. They do get about an hour in the morning, but that involves showers and breakfast... and me getting ready for work.... I do only work 4 days a week, so that helps... but what do you working folks do?
Cheryl

My birds don't get 12 hours of dark either. There's just no way. There is lots of quiet time during the day when we are gone though, and I know they tuck their heads under and sleep at least a couple of hours during the day. They seem happy though, and healthy with good feathers, so I'm not going to worry about it.

My birds do not get 12 hours of sleep each night, especially during the summer. Since I just turn off the lights and don't cover their cages, their bed time is when it is dark.

Once a year, I'm gone for almost a week for work. When I get home, it's usually pretty late. I try to be quiet and sneek in. It never fails though... I always hear, "Hello hello" in an excited voice. I have to take each of the birds out for a little cuddle time before going up to bed.

I USED to work 4 10 hour days. Stupid bosses took it away and, believe me, my birds are Pi**ed!!! They all loved that day that I was off because they were out all day.
Now with me working 5 days a week there is no way they get even close to 12 hours. What would be the sense in having them if you can't enjoy them? And I know they all nap during the day. I put the 'Tiel and the Conure to bed at 8:30 and the G-2 to be at 9. They all get up at 6am. So Annie gets 9 and the others get 9 1/2. Sometimes they get crabby but when that happens I just put them to bed a little earlier that night.

In a perfect world, where they did't live in cages in my living room...yes, they might get 12 hours of sleep...or darkness...(but in a perfect world, my thighs would be thin, too)..but unfortunately, they aren't in the wild...they live with us, humans...they get lots of quiet time...I work 12 hour nights...sleep during the day...I try to give them as much sleep and darkness as possible...but they need out and play time too...so I vote for the cuddling, snuggling play time...
Also, if they were in the wild...wouldn't they awaken at every little noise?...just curious....

Mine don't get it. I don't cover their cages and they are close to windows. I like a VERY bright house, so I don't draw my blinds unless I'm sleeping. I NEVER draw my blinds on the lower level of the house. I hate that closed up feeling it gives.

They are only closed in the master bedroom at night. Other then that, I need sunlight!

So there is no way mine would get 12 hours of darkness. I'd have to cover them and I just won't do that.

Cyndie, it is my understanding that the only time in the wild it is quiet. or at least in the jungle. is when a predator is around. so background noise helps them relax.... it's when it's absolutlely quiet and they hear a noise is when they startle. I have this little machine that makes the noise of crickets and one makes bird noises and one makes rain and one makes ocean waves. I leave it on all night to the sounds of the crickets. I think they like it. I know I do.
Well, I am glad that I am not alone it keeping my feathered pals up a little later than they should be.... I would guess they average around 10 hours ... and now I don't feel so anxious about it. Thanks. everyone !
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,
Your going to think this is nuts , but my tiel Palmer,
sleeps whenever he wants, during the day, and also sleeps from
10pm -9am. Pom pom, is free flight, has his own room, and does what ever the heck he feels like LOL. He naps during the day, and listens and watches tv He's a very special little boy, and ever since we found him, and took him in, he has taken over, and calls all the shots! He'll even chase you out of the room if he doesn't want your company! Pom pom
is also one heck of a talker, and a very loud singer. He can learn a song in a week, and will sing it over, and over, and over, until you teach him a new one Palmer is on helluva bird LMAO
Take Care,
Palmers Mom, SLAVE etc

My birds don't get 12 hours either. There isn't always 12 hours of darkness in the summer. Winter up here in Minnesota, that's a whole other deal. They can get all the darkness they want in the winter.