When should i cover the cage

[KellamGuy7603]

what time does everyone cover their bird cages? I just got a new sun conure and i was wondering what time is the best. I cover it at about 8:30. Is that ok?

[Monica]

Covering bird cages is a personal decision. I don't cover any of my cages because they are all in a bedroom where they wake up and go to sleep with the sun.

8:30pm though sounds fine.

[Alika]

I don't cover my cages, either... for the same reasons as above. I tried it once, and my birds got scared when they heard sounds and couldn't tell where they were coming from.

Generally speaking, birds (parrots) need around 12-14 hours of light, and 10-12 hours of darkness (most species live near the equator). I put my birds to be between 8 and 9 pm, and get them up between 8 and 9 am. I usually try to work it so that they go to bed 10-12 hours before I know I'm going to be getting them up in the morning.

[bgmacaw]

We generally cover about 8:30 and uncover around 0730 or whenever the start rustling around and becoming active.

[KellamGuy7603]

For now my bird is in my bedroom and it is quiet during the night and i can close the blinds so nothing freakes Rio out during the night. I might try it both ways and see which way she likes it best.

[Monica]

Just wanted to also mention, if you get up late (around 7-9), you might want to go the cage-cover way. Or even if you went to bed late (past 9pm), you'd probably want to use the cover (that is, if Rios cage was in another part of the house that you frequent a lot).

When it comes to night frights however, birds usually do better if they can see what is scaring them, if it is visible. It's also easier to calm them down by turning on the light (not having to worry about uncovering the cage).

There are other pros and cons though to covering the cage, though I just prefer not to (especially saying that I have two large flight cages that require sheets/blankets, and two cage-free birds I'd need to use 9' w blinds). It's just a personal choice of course.

[kathleen]

I need as much sleep as my fid. I put the cover on around 8:30pm or when I go to bed, usually no later than 9:00pm. I uncover after I finish getting mostly ready in the morning aroun 6:00am.