Many people think a cage cover is a bird-keeping necessity, but they aren’t sure why. Birds should have between 9-12 hours of sleep, but whether they are covered or uncovered is more of a personal preference and depends on your household.
If using a cover, frequently check it for snags and holes, this could be a health hazard where a bird could get caught or tangled in the cover.
You may want to consider covering your bird’s cage at night if:
– you stay up much later than your bird, and he is in the same room where you may have a tv on, or bright lights, music, or a lot of activity or conversation. All these things can be disruptive to their amount and quality of sleep. You may even consider a small sleeping cage that can be placed in a darker, quieter area of the home.
– your bird wakes up early. Having a covered cage can simulate a longer sleeping period by keeping it darker. Or try the opposite, and put them to bed early. Shorter daylight hours may also help hens that excessively lay eggs.
– you keep your bird outside. If your bird is acclimated to outdoor temperatures, it can still be beneficial to cover them at night to keep out drafts, outside noises and movement, and even help prevent wild night-time critters from bothering your birds.
– your bird has night-fright. This is common in cockatiels, and it is not well understood. Having a cover could help by blocking out shadows and other night-fright triggers. (Others suggest having a night light by the cage so if your bird is panicked, they can orient themselves and see their surroundings)