FINCHforum

This just started.
Never cover cage and all 9 pile into their box like sardines, no issues.
Then spazz night terrors where they all freak out.
Ended up covering cage the other night, left a light on for them and they eventually calmed down and no one injured. SHEESH
Next night, same thing. Despite being covered from the start this time.
Hubby thought it was kitten bugging them but we have had her for 2 months and they are used to her.
3rd night I had flashlight and she was sound asleep in her bed and they were freaking out.

It is about same time every night. Midnight.
Nothing has changed. No alarms going off, etc.

I am thinking of having hubby add an outlet above their cage and putting a nightlight there for them?
They did not do it last night but Sat, Sun and Mon nights they did.
9 finches freaking out in a giant flight cage makes a lot of racket.
Should I just start covering them at night or just try the night light 1st and see?

INPUT! Please!!LOL

Finches are prone to night frights and it can be really dangerous for them, so I do keep a nightlight in my bird room for them in case that happens. They have bad vision in the dark, so enough light should be provided that they can find their way back to the nest. I found a nightlight that plugs into the wall and comes on at night and turns off in day by itself. I also try to give them a period of "dusk and dawn" by shutting off or turning on only a few of the lights (usually their cage lights) and then followed by later turning on/off the room lights. That way they are able to adjust slower and it's more like nature. I think some people do this by setting timers/dimmers.

It's hard to say what is spooking them, but you can help by not covering the cage and giving them some light to see their way to a safe perch.

I'd definitely put in a night light.

Most of the injury and panic from night frights arises from disorientation in the dark.

So when you put up a nightlight, it makes it so they can get their bearings easier if they're startled awake.

I wouldn't cover the cage either. That way, they can visualize their surroundings.

Ok, thanks! I haven't covered cage since we put them in giant cage. Mainly because trying to cover it is a PITA.
I just did it the last couple nights because of their panic attacks.
Hubby will have a new project to add to his to-do list for this weekend.

How close to cage is your night light? Anyone that has one?

katlovesaandw -- I have several bird cages, so a single light night wouldn't cut it.

So I use a string of chili pepper lights. It hangs about 2-3 feet above the cages.

It's enough to just barely visualize the birds within the cage. So if someone is perched, you can just make out the silhouette. It's enough to easily navigate the room (and the interiors of the cages.)

I have a clip-on lamp that I have on 24-7 for a sick hen. And I keep it illuminated when I have babies too (in case they fall from the nest before fully feathered).
When I have that on, I don't do the chili pepper lights.