Should I cover my budgies?

[kevinandmia]

Should I cover my budgies at night or in the evening at all? Should I cover if they look tired? Or never cover at all?

[Shirls]

Hi Kevin and Mia, welcome to the forum. I take it you are new budgie owners?? I think you will find that most bud owners cover up their birds. They (and I) have a routine. As the afternoon begins to get darker the budgies quiet down and prepare for their sleep, so I cover mine then, just the sides and the back. I let them then really settle and they go to their favourite roost perches or swings, then as it gets dark I cover them completely. If it is really cold outside in the winter then I put a thick cover over just to keep them warm. They are indoor birds by the way and live in a large cage in my lounge. In the summer I would just cover their cage over with a folded cotton sheet. Hope that helps. I am sure other members will let you know what they do too.

[mizloco]

Welcome. My two hate being covered. It distressed them so much I never did it again. They quieten down as it gets darker and I only have lamps on so it's not bright. When I go to bed about 9pm (up early) they stop snoozing and sleep properly.

Sent from my HTC One X using proboards

[kevinandmia]

Yeh they look like they have settled down now to be honest. Should I try putting a sheet over now. What kind of sheet should I use? I've only got one that's 100% polyester. sorry for all the questions lol I just don't want to get anything wrong. Thanks for your replies they are very helpful!

[skysmum]

Hi, ive always covered my birds at night, our routine is the same as Shirls, they settle when it starts to get dark and i cover the back and top but leave the front for a while until they all take up their positions, usually on swings. I give it about an hour then gently pop the front down and turn the light off. I does make them feel secure and of course keeps the draughts away. As they are new i would also keep a little light sheet around one side and on top during the day until they get used to their surroundings, just two or three days, leave the front open of course so that they can see you and little by little each day roll it back until it just covers the back and a tiny bit on the top, after a few days take it off during the day. This will also get them used to having it on at night. Anything will do as long as they cant get their claws caught up if they move around the side bars. Hope this helps.

[kevinandmia]

Thanks, yeh I've put the sheet over now leaving the front open. They seem quite settled so I may leave it like that. I don't think Kevin liked it last night after I turned the lights off. After about 10 mins I could hear him fluttering around like crazy so I left a side light on and he was ok.

[kevinandmia]

Ok I completely covered them now cuz I thought maybe the tv was keeping Kevin. Awake. Mia's fast asleep but Kevin has looked tired all day. They seem fine with it but I don't like it cuz I can't see em now

[skysmum]

Its better for them and makes them feel more secure. When they are babies they can get like a form of night terrors, they get frightened and flap around a lot, its best if you can leave a little night light plugged in for them, just until they have settled in, it will pass but if you hear one doing it you should quietly address it, just talk to them gently and give a little light until it passes.

[kevinandmia]

Yeh they're not making a sound now so I guess they're sleeping. I work alternate shifts tho so I'm planning on taking the sheet off at like half 5 in the morning this week b4 I go to work cuz I don't want to leave em covered all day. But then next week I won't be waking up till 10ish cuz I will be working late shifts then. Will this upset them?

[skysmum]

The early start is fine, they are always up with the birds, the wild ones . When you have to do the 10 am one maybe leave the front of the cover up on those nights so that they have the light first thing.

[kevinandmia]

Feb 17, 2013 22:08:51 GMT skysmum said:

The early start is fine, they are always up with the birds, the wild ones . When you have to do the 10 am one maybe leave the front of the cover up on those nights so that they have the light first thing.

Thanks! This sounds like the best option for me. Will do that.

[Ryan.W]

personally i cover them up. It helps them get into a routine. It not necessary though but as marianne said quite alot of people do.

[kevinandmia]

Feb 19, 2013 21:29:26 GMT Ryan.W said:

personally i cover them up. It helps them get into a routine. It not necessary though but as marianne said quite alot of people do.

The thing is I work alternate morning and afternoon shifts so I can't keep a set routine with them. It will be a different time every week which imthinking might confuse them more than anything. I have been putting the sheet on about 8 and covering up about 9 this week but next week I won't be back from work till after 9 so will be different times. I've been taking the sheet off at about half 5 this week so it's off for when the sun comes up. But I'm thinking next week I will only cover back and sides so they get the sun while I sleep late