Cage cover?

[Angeldove]

I have a cockatiel and a parakeet who share a cage and was wondering about cage covers.

Currently we have been using a sheet and a smaller blanket throw and keep a crack in the front.

However, in looking at cage covers, they appear to be completely closed in the front.

So, how much cover do they need and how can they breathe if they don't have a crack in the front?

[Marrie]

The covers aren't air tight, neither is a sheet, so you don't have to leave it partially uncovered for air. Ever do a sheet fort when you were a kid?

If they are OK with the set up then I would leave it as is. I use a sheet and a little throw as well when it gets cold for my tiel, though he prefers it to be totally covered, so I don't leave a crack. It is all about the birds preference. Tiels can get night frights if you change up their sleeping arrangements too much.

[Angeldove]

I sure did, but it just seems if you completely cover the cage, where is there any air?

I feel like if it is completely covered, they will smother.

[Liz Ball]

My husband made a cage cover for our fid that totally covers him. Nothing like that is air tight like Marrie said. Every morning when I wake up my non early bird is alive and well and demanding to be let out of his cage right when I walk through the door after driving my husband to work and my daughter to school. Covering your bird at night is really important. It can help to prevent those awful night frights and it tells your bird it is time for rest and sleep now. Birds need a good deal of sleep to be happy and well adjusted.

[Angeldove]

Thank you both!

[Marrie]

They aren't air tight so the air comes through the small holes in the fabric, between the stitching. Plus, most of them don't cover the BOTTOM of the cage (as in, you don't place the bottom plate of the cage into the bag and zip it up like a body bag) so there is air coming from there as well.