just a question

[jimpierce7]

I see some folks use a "sleeping cage" what are the benifits of using them?

[candi4me]

we use one for our baby B&G, but only because he is in the lower half of his cage during the day(he is only 13 wks old). We won't be using it forever. it helps to keep him a lil warmer and he can't climb around to much in the dark and hurt himself.
Candy

[Irish]

We don't use them--we cover the cages instead. We simply don't have enough room for sleeping cages, too. I've heard that birds tend to feel more secure and safe in them during the dark hours, though. I, too, am interested to hear the benefits :-).

[JDykstra]

I plan to use a sleep cag for out CAG (When he comes home!!) because I feel like we will be better able to provide the quiet dark space that he needs to get the right amount of sleep. I can put him to bed much earlier than we go to bed. I also feel like using a sleep cage gives me the opportunity to make his big cage more like a fun place to be. We both work so I have a plan for entertaining him while we are gone. In the morning I will take him in the shower with me, then put him in his big cage where he will probably spend lots of time preening, napping and playing, then we will get home and have family time with him and when it is bed time he will go to his sleep cage. As a result making his daytime cage a fun place to be rather than a "CAGE"! Sorry this is so long!

Jennifer

[jamieo]

I have a sleeping cage for my lory, it doubles as her travel carier also. She tends to stay up later than my other birds and is also a little afraid of the dark. I take her into my bedroom with me at night when I get ready to go to sleep. So far, it has worked out well for me and she seems to be happy. Also, it keeps her from disturbing my other birds when she plays at night.

I partially cover her cage, but I do not cover any of my other cages.

[The Outlaw]

All of my cages are proper sizes for the birds that are in them, but none are overly large. I have a Cape Cod house and its small also. My birds are only in cages at night, however and early in the morning. The rest of the day they are either out in the aviary or in the playroom. They get to hang out with their buddies that way. Sleeping cages are usually set up away from traffic so that birds can get uniterupted sleep after the sun goes down.

[dvelardi]

Hi,

I use night cages for my Cockatoos. The cages are kept in a back bedroom where I can close the blinds and pull a drape and make it pitch black. We use these cages as the 'Toos like to go to bed EARLY. I'm talking they put themselves to bed (seriously! They run down the hall and get in their cages and honk (or scream) at me until I pull the blinds and close the door!) no later than 6pm and I don't hear them rustling around until after 7am. If we get home late and miss their bedtime.... they are two very unhappy Cockatoos. The U2 won't go to sleep unless the room is totally dark. My M2 could care less as long as he is near his woman. They are small wrought iron cages, 22 x 22 x 30" H with one perch, 2 bowls and a good wood chew toy. I don't cover these cages because of the dust. In human perspective, its a huge pain in the arse. But to the Cockatoos, they are VERY happy to be getting such good sleep. We have been doing this for many years now and it has paid off.

I have noticed a HUGE difference in my U2's demeanor after we started using this room for them to sleep in. When she started getting close to sexual maturity, she started over preening and screaming. Now she is so happy go lucky, absolutely NO screaming, no feather destruction, plays all the time... I absolutely agree that Cockatoos need "better" sleep than what they can get in a active area of a home. I also believe they need a longer night than most birds to keep them fresh and healthy, like 12 - 14 hours. I do not use night cages for any other of my birds, nor do I cover them at night during the warmer months. I will cover them during the colder nights, but only to help them with staying warm.

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by dvelardi

I have noticed a HUGE difference in my U2's demeanor after we started using this room for them to sleep in. When she started getting close to sexual maturity, she started over preening and screaming. Now she is so happy go lucky, absolutely NO screaming, no feather destruction, plays all the time... I absolutely agree that Cockatoos need "better" sleep than what they can get in a active area of a home. I also believe they need a longer night than most birds to keep them fresh and healthy, like 12 - 14 hours. I do not use night cages for any other of my birds, nor do I cover them at night during the warmer months. I will cover them during the colder nights, but only to help them with staying warm.

Good information to know. I'll be sure to pass this suggestion on to 'too people with behavior and feather destruction questions in the future. Thanks!

[dvelardi]

I do some behavior work around Cockatoos and 8 out of 10 times, the trouble will be that the 'Toos are not getting enough quality sleep. They truly are like 2 year old children.... when they get exhausted they become very naughty. I know when I don't get enough sleep.. I become a BEAR!