Warning to Bird Owners about Sleep Huts

[IanGibson]

My partner and I are absolutely devastated right now but I wanted to post this to let others know the dangers of fabric sleep huts. Our beautiful little girl Maya, a white bellied caique, was in her cage along with our two other caiques. Two days ago, we were out of the room for about half an hour and in that time she pecked a hole in the fabric of the sleep tube, shredded some fibers and got her neck caught and died.

We have always been very careful about providing our babies with many different toys and check them regularly for safety but never in a million years expected or even thought of this happening. Needless to say, we are both incredibly upset but I wanted to post this in the hope that this might help prevent another owner going through such a horrible experience.

Ian

[mary313]

OMG how terrible. I am so sorry for your loss! Thanks for sharing with everyone! What kind of sleep tube was it? What was it made out of?

[expressmailtome]

I am so very sorry! I had a female lovebird who made a hole in her's and laid an egg in there so I had to remove her's.

Matt

[slic102]

OMG I'm so sorry for your loss!

[chapala]

Very sad that you lost your bird to an accident like that! It isn't the first bird death I've heard of with sleep huts, but they are very popular.

[mary313]

So if a bird is used to having one in its cage and I suddenly take it out, will that freak him out? They never seem to bother with picking or chewing it,, I just cant imagine having that happen!!

[LoryLady]

I'm really sorry to hear this........ was the hut a fabric or furry type?

[IanGibson]

It was a snuggle hut - Bird nest bed features a sturdy plastic core to hold its shape
* Durable poly/cotton outer layer with a soft sherpa interior
* Machine washable design easily and quickly cleans

Sturdy-bottom tent holds its shape and boasts a soft sherpa interior with polyester/cotton outer fabric. Both ends are open to create a comfortable, secure spot to rest. Includes two metal clasp hooks for easy hanging within the cage.

[jenseits]

So sorry to hear about Maya!!

I don't have the kind with the sherpa interior, but your post is prompting me to evaluate Stewie's Happy Hut. He's good about not picking at it, and I frequently examine it for loose threads, but I realize it's probably time for this particular bed to go.

I'm looking at alternatives. I don't think I can make Stewie go cold turkey on a bed, because he does like his so much, but I've been looking at this one:
http://www.djfeathers.com/shop/index...roducts_id=423

I've seen it in use before and it has minimal seams and generally looked well constructed. It's also really easy to see inside and check it. In other words, it seems less prone to fraying and is easy to make sure it's not being chewed on.

Anyone have one of these and have opinions on this product?

Stories like Ian's tend to cause me a lot of anxiety, and I want to make sure I minimize the risks (without completely removing everything that my birds get enjoyment out of).

[25k]

im so sorry to hear of your baby, thank you for sharing what you have learned the hardest way possible. my partner and i will make sure to not get one 4 our p-let!