A Bird Cage Cover To Help Your Bird Sleep
A bird cage cover is most commonly used for allowing your bird to sleep undisturbed. If your bird is easily disturbed by common household noises or lights, a cage cover will calm him and allow him to rest peacefully. It's very important that cage covers are only used to signal to your bird that it's bedtime and that he needs to be quiet. You should never use the bird cage cover as punishment or for extended hours outside of bedtime. This could be damaging to your bird's mental health as well as make him depressed and unhappy.
If your bird is displaying unusual behavior, such as 'screaming,' covering his cage will probably make the behavior worse. You will instead need to find the problem and fix it, such as allowing your bird more time outdoors or spending more time with your bird. As with most other accessories, there are a variety of bird cage covers. You can find universal covers to fit on just about any cage.
If you're worried about your bird being cold at night, you can purchase flannel covers. Please make sure however, that whatever type cover you buy is not going to restrict the airflow enough to affect the bird's breathing. You should never purchase vinyl or non 'breathing' material for a cage cover. Some people don't ever cover their bird's cage, but if you find that your bird doesn't seem to be sleeping well, you might want to try it out. Birds who have never had their cage covered may bite at or pick at the cover, this is normal, however if there are frayed pieces or loose threads, you will need to replace the cover.
They may also pick at the cover if it has been on their cage for too long. A bird cage cover can settle a tired bird who is just stressed or anxious (only at bedtime) and the common parrot needs about twelve hours of sleep at night. Our schedules usually don't allow us twelve hours of sleep, so our schedules conflict with that of our birds. If your bird can't sleep normally through the little distractions, then a bird cage cover would be the answer.
If you use a bird cage cover regularly, going without the cover at night may cause him stress. If you're purchasing a bird from an individual, find out if they covered the cage at night. Similarly, if your bird's cage has never been covered, he may feel stress for the first couple of times you cover it. Try gradually getting him used to it, an hour one or two nights, then gradually step it up to a full night's sleep. This should keep your bird healthy and happy.
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