covering the cage at night

So, the birds are in a corner of a large room, which is really two rooms connected by an archway. My husband stays up pretty late at night on the computer. He leaves the light on the opposite side of the room on. The cage is dark, but not pitch black or anything. I have been covering it at night just to be sure the birds can sleep, but they always panic when I am putting the cover on.

So tonight they were all nesting in their food cups (poor guys - I feel so guilty not giving them nests) and seemed to be peaceful. The kids had been playing on the computer so the light was on (opposite side of the room) and the kids were being noisy but the birds seemed all settled just fine. I went to put the cover on and they panicked and flew all over the place. They seem to be settled again now, but I am wondering...

Do you think it would be better to not cover them? If they seemed to be settled okay without the cover then maybe it is better to not traumatize them with it? And then they will start getting more light at dawn naturally. I have been getting up fairly early to uncover them (like 7am) but not when the sun comes up.

What do you think?

 

If they settle better without the cover i would leave it off aslong as there is no draughts.
When i am on my computer at night there is a light on in the other side of the room as my living room room is like yours connected by an arch way
and once my birds are settled for the night even though there is some light its not enough to keep them awake.
Birds are not too fussed by noise when it comes to them sleeping as once they are settled there usually there for the night and providing the cage is not touched or and sudden noise near the cage they usually sleep pretty well.

I would see how they go without the cover.
I know what you mean about feeling guilty for them not having nests i felt the same way but i gave in and bought them nests few days later i ended up with eggs lol.

Mike

 

Apparently none of them are perch sleepers because they are ALL smooshed in food bowls at night. I found THREE of them, including the canary, squashed into the grit cup which is tiny!!

I think I will leave the cover off unless it is supposed to be a cold night and then I think the cover would help keep them warm. It's really just a sheet, but it works well as a cover.

 

My finch's used to sleep in there food dishes it was very funny how they can fit into the smallest of dishes.

I usually only ever cover my birds if its going to be a cold night otherwise i just leave them.

Mike

 

When I only had one bird I was covering her... but once I got 2 I must admit I started to get lazy.. hehe and like you say havign to worry about getting hte sheet uncovered cause I work nightshift and sometimes I am not home early enough and you dont want them under there all the time... if you consider that birds can sleep during the middle of the day i dont think its a propblem!