Cockatiels are intelligent and highly emotional creatures, meaning they get stressed quickly. So, owners must take extra steps to ensure their cockatiels feel comfortable, especially at night. If your cockatiel has trouble sleeping, you may be wondering if covering the cage will be beneficial. But, do you need to cover a cockatiel’s cage at night?
Do You Need To Cover A Cockatiel’s Cage At Night? It all depends on the situation. Some cockatiels prefer to remain uncovered during bedtime because they are afraid of the dark. On the other side, others cannot sleep without a “security blanket” because they are prone to night frights.
However, in most cases, you shouldn’t need to cover their cage at night, but sometimes it helps them relax.
Cockatiels are cavity nesters that like sleeping in covered nests. Covering the cockatiel’s cage at night can make them feel safer in the dark, prevent night frights, and establish a healthy sleeping schedule.
But, not all cockatiels enjoy having their cage covered, even if they have trouble sleeping.
Should You Cover Your Cockatiels Cage At Night?
If you cover your cockatiel’s cage at night it will improve its sleep.
Many cockatiels dislike sleeping in a covered cage, so don’t feel like you have to cover it if your cockatiel protests. On the other hand, if your cockatiel doesn’t mind it being covered, you can make covering the cage a nightly routine.
There are many reasons why you should cover your cockatiel’s cage at night, such as:
New bedtime routine
A smart method to develop a bedtime habit is to cover the cage.
Cockatiels imported from a country with a different time zone benefit from a cage cover. It helps in resetting their body’s clock while they adjust to the new time zone.
The cage covers also help in preparing them for a varied sleep schedule if they were reared in a home where they were permitted to sleep later.
Cage covers can be used when seasonal changes affect the cockatiel’s internal clock. For example, a cockatiel’s behavior is affected by the amount of daylight
they are exposed to.
However, if you notice that your cockatiel has trouble sleeping during certain months of the year, a cage cover is an excellent way to re-establish its nighttime routine.
Cockatiels get scared at night
Cockatiels can get very scared when it’s time to go to sleep. This might be the case if they are anxious when apart from their owner or if they dislike the sleeping environment.
A cage cover can help your cockatiel feel safer by stimulating a nest the cockatiel would have in the wild. In addition, an enclosed space enables the cockatiel to feel protected from the outside world so that it can sleep in peace.
Cockatiel and owner have different sleep schedules
If your cockatiel sleeps in your room, this can be a problem if you don’t go to bed simultaneously. Light from your tv, computer, or lamp can disrupt your cockatiel’s sleep.
If that’s the case, covering the cage is recommended. However, cage covers aren’t consistent enough to block out sound, so be mindful of the noise you make as your cockatiel rests.
Warmth
Although cockatiels have feathers, they can still get cold. If you wish to keep the cold out and if they can’t warm themselves up with blankets, you can use a cage cover.
Make sure the cage cover you select isn’t too heavy if you want it to keep the cold out. You don’t want to completely stop the airflow around your cockatiel’s cage.
Don’t cover the cage entirely if you decide to use a heavy blanket.
How To Determine If You Should Cover Your Cockatiel’s Cage
If noise and light are not a problem, try leaving your cockatiel uncovered for a few nights and monitor its reactions.
But, If the cockatiel appears to like being uncovered at night, it is acceptable to leave it that way.
If the cockatiel appears agitated or begins to exhibit signs of stress, the best thing to do is keep it covered at night to ensure that it gets a good night’s rest.
As long as a dark, quiet, and somewhat secluded area is provided for a cockatiel to sleep in, most will be fine without being covered at night.
Remember, however, that sleep is vital to a cockatiel’s well-being. Therefore, if you doubt your cockatiel’s reaction to being uncovered, play it safe and resume covering the cage at night.
What Time Should You Cover Your Cockatiel’s Cage?
You should cover your cockatiel’s cage when it’s about to go to sleep.
If you cover it during the day, it blocks the cockatiel’s view of the room. Cockatiels like to look around and take in their environment during the day, so don’t leave the cage cover on while the cockatiel is awake.
Female cockatiels feel encouraged to mate when they think they have found a suitable nest for the eggs. The security of the cage cover (plus the time of year, proximity to other cockatiels, and certain cage substrate) can stimulate a desire to mate.
How To Cover Cockatiel’s Cage?
How you choose to cover your cockatiel’s cage depends on which setup your cockatiel prefers. Still, there are things you should keep in mind to make your cockatiel comfortable with its cover, such as:
1. Wash the cover
You should was the cage cover every few weeks. It will get dirty with use, and encapsulating your cockatiel with a dirty cover isn’t healthy. Feathers, excrement, and dust stick to the cover’s surface.
Although it produces a bad odor, it might make your allergies worse.
2. Don’t use detergent
When washing the cover, avoid using cleaning agents with overpowering scents.
At night, your cockatiel will be surrounded by the cover and will have to breathe in chemicals. Cockatiels have sensitive respiratory systems, so strong scents from cleaning products irritate their senses.
Instead, use soap made from natural ingredients.
3. Partially cover the cage
You don’t need to completely cover your cockatiel’s cage.
Cockatiels like sleeping in the dark, but complete darkness may distress some birds. Because of their poor nighttime vision, they could experience discomfort as they go off to sleep.
Instead, cover the cage only halfway, leaving the front exposed. To illuminate the cage from the side or back, turn on a weak nightlight.
This way, the cockatiel will feel protected while still seeing part of the room.
4. Keep the cage away from walls
Unless the cage cover is airtight, your cockatiel will not suffocate under the cover. However, you will still want air to circulate in the cage, so don’t keep the cage against the wall while the cover is on.
Even if you expose one side, that is still only one way for air to flow in and out of the cage. Air circulation around the cage is considerably improved by providing space between it and any obstructions.
5. Keep the cage away from heaters
Don’t keep the cage near a heating source while it is covered. Depending on the material it’s made from, the cover could warm up and trap heat around the cockatiel as it sleeps.
However, If you are not careful, your cockatiel could overheat. Cover the cage if it’s cold outside, but keep it far from any heaters. If the room is warm and there is not a draft, then you don’t need to take any extra steps.
Also, you don’t need to put a cage cover on your cockatiel’s enclosure. However, there are benefits, depending on the cockatiel. It is recommended if your cockatiel experience night frights.
What Should You Cover Your Cockatiel Cage With?
You can cover your cockatiel’s cage with a cage cover designed for birds or a simple blanket. Many cage covers will fit your cockatiel’s cage perfectly.
If you decide to make your own cover, make sure it is made of breathable material. You should also ensure that the homemade cover doesn’t touch the ground.
If someone steps on it, be it a person or pet, it could topple the cage and hurt the cockatiel.
