How long should I cover?

[Billie Bird]

I want to know how long should I cover the cage? I have been putting the cover on around 6:00 PM and taking it off at about 7:30 AM. Is this too much sleep? I do know it's going to change when the summer comes but how many hour's sleep a night should my parakeet's be getting? Also http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif when is it safe to give them a bird bath? Thanks for all your help http://petshub.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Christine
P.S. I live in New York

[This message has been edited by Billie Bird (edited 03-15-2001).]

[birdboy6]

Birds need about 10-12 hours of sleep.

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[tappajabba]

firstly, i dont agree with covering the birds at night or any other time. i feel that the bird will feel excluded for periods of time. do you enjoy sitting at home with the curtains drawn?
the bird will sleep regardless of whether he is covered or not.
birds enjoy bathing very regularly mine are bathing everyday throughout the year.vathing helps to spread the necessary oils produced by the bird through preening and helps to show off his natural colours .

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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[Remy]

I'm going to suggest the reverse of the last post. Birds need quiet and dark sleep. They live outdoors, in the wild, where there is deep darkness at night, and no noise pollution such as they experience in our houses. Covers give them much deeper and healthier sleep than being uncovered. I close my curtains every night so *I* get deep and healthy sleep!

Ten to twelve hours is the usual amount of time. If you lengthen the 'day' period during the summer, you will likely trigger breeding behavior such as non-stop egglaying in cockatiel hens, and aggressive behavior and biting in some of the larger parrots.

Here are two sites to explore for answers to bird health, training, feeding, etc.:
http://www.petbirdreport.com/index.html
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/artgen.htm

[tappajabba]

in answer to the last post....
ok birds in the wild living in their natural state outside and in the darkest of nights probably do need 'darkness',
however these birds are kept in the house under unnatural conditions ( no matter how clever the setup may be !) and should and can relate to the noises ,vibrations and living conditions of their owners.
Hell, my parrots like to party as does the cockatiels in the summer when we have BBQ's in the garden.
although they can talk none of them have screamed " turn that bloody light out!!!"....lol

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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[Billie Bird]

Tappa, I should have mentioned that my birds are parakeets, and Remy is right, I contacted Vet's and breeders and they all said the same 10-12 hours of being covered each night. I hope this clears things up for anyone who need's to know. http://petshub.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[bugie&dino expert]

I'm not going to cover my bird's cage.I like having a feathery alarm clock.:P

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Sarah

[tappajabba]

well done sarah....

ok , birds need and believe you me they get it whether or not they are covered.

a bird in a cage that is covered cant see what goes on around him
(1. unnecessary stress), imagine yourself in a room with a sheet over your head - you can hear things but havent a clue what they are.
(2. more unnecessary stress), when the cover is lifted - is he awake or still asleep?
(3. even more unnecessary stress),the birds surroundings have gone from darkness to bright sunlight - do you supply him with a set of 'shades to help with this experience which is the same as you going out in to the garden at midnight and comparing it with going out into the garden at midday!!!

As they say advice is for taking or leaving but i know my birds are a lot happier and a lot more content and tame due to being able to hear SEE and live with the noises and sights around them...

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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[Billie Bird]

tappajabba, How wise you are to know more than vet's & breeders. You do what you want with your birds and I wont be following any advice you have to give with your snippy attitude

[tappajabba]

hello billie,
I have bred birds of a variety of shapes and sizes for almost 25 years, my posts above are not meant to be of a "snippy attitude" but more of a common sense.
as far as it goes with vets - they have 4 years veterinary training and in that 4 years they have aproximately 2 days on Exotic Pets.Exotics is a term used for any animal not from native shores so in the uk almost anything kept as a pet is termed exotic, from the humble budgie right through to my snakes.
sorry to have upset you and or anyone else in the group and if I have to leave you all alone with my 'Stupid Advice' then so be it....

.... if thats what you want!


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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[tappajabba]

P.S.
I have in and around my home a vey varied selection of perhaps the strangest collection of pets in my area of residence.
I live in Ayr, West Coast of Scotland, and share it with;
Ben - jack russell terrier
Khan - shepherd x samoyed
Kayla - german shepherd
Shyami- chinese water dragon
Cobber - australian water dragon
Gordon - blue & gold macaw
Max - african grey
Maxie- pennant rosella
Phoenix - pennant rosella
Ceefur - gloster canary
Biffa - budgie
Rosie - chilean rose tarantula
Stinger - emperor scorpion
Sidenga - 15 1/2 ft albino burmese python
Kellogs - cornsnake
Trapper - ratsnake
Pearl - ratsnake
Banana - boa
Tickle & Pepper - dwarf rabbits
Evander - guinea pig
Tara & Bob - polecat ferrets (+10 kitts)
Chino & Cheech - chinchillas
Tyto - scottish barn owl
a small family of 5 syrian hamsters
a smaller family of 3 dwarf hamsters
a larger family of 8 gerbils
a garden pond full of sarasa comets and two others(?)
an aviary with 80+ parakeets, canaries, finches.

I often feel that I've left someone out when I list them and this time is no exception, theres just so many of them to try and remember.

I'm sure that if there is a problem within these pages that is pet related i will either have suffered it before you or i will
share it with you!

dont be afraid to ask!



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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[Billie Bird]

Gee Tappa, I thought I had my hands full with a Rottweiler, a cat and 2 keets LOL You must have a really good job to pay for all the food needed in your house. So now I wont complain any more http://petshub.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[tappajabba]

thanx Billie


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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[*Monica*]

I heard that a parakeet should have 10-12 hrs. of sleep everynight or they will be cranky. i also heard that you should give them a bath at least 2-3 times a week...But again, thats just what I heard. I dont want to start a battle with anybody! http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

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~*~Monica~*~

[Nutty-Donut]

hello again - im just putting my 2 tuppense in http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif i thought id say the only time my birds (love birds) get covered is if they r goin BARMY like when i watching a nature show & when they r traveling specially whilst Romeo is plucking feathers :S but i like to watch them & there playing & they have a box to go in IF they want it dark so i prefer to watch them http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif
I have been told in the past that i should b covering them up for up to 12 hrs a day but i ignore that lol