I was wondering about Happy Huts. I had one awhile back for Simon, but he wouldn't use it to sleep in, rather just as a poopy catcher. He sleeps on a little rack that hangs from the side of his cage that we call his "toaster rack", and he loves it, BUT I just realized the other day that is why his tail feathers are growing out all sideways. He backs up on it until he is against the back bars, and his tail sticks out the back. I bought a new happy hut for him this weekend, but he's yet to show any interest in it at all. I took his "toaster" out of the cage so he wouldn't sleep there, but he just looks lost in his cage now when he goes in there for bed. Just wondering how long it might take him to try out the happy hut. Actually, the one I got is called a "snuggle hut" and I got it particularly because it was more solid than the happy hut thinking he might be more comfortable in that. That brings me to my other question. This hut doesn't look like it can go in the washer....has hard sides under the material, and the bottom is that sheepskin looking stuff....so how do I clean the poop off if he ever decides to use the thing???

I think an important issue about the Happy Hut is location..make sure you hang it from the top and on one side of the cage..... They need to be as high as possible when they go to sleep...to avoid the danger...from other animals on the ground..
My QP took a couple of weeks to use it, my TAG was used to it from the breeder.
My TAG will NEVER poop in it.....my QP did at the beginning, now both sleep sticking their butts out... really cute!!!
but before I used to put a towel paper so I can easily changed it very day!!

Do either of you have a pic of your happy huts ? I've been looking for one for when Bubbles comes home and have yet to find one I like. Thanks

~Carrie & Bubbles ~

I took a pic to show you Carrie. I also got one for my caique, but have to rearrange his cage before puting it in, so here ya go!. This one has somewhat harder sides than the other one I had...it was all cloth, but this one has cardboard or something beneath the fabric, and it has that wooly stuff inside. Simon wouldn't get in the soft sided one for anything. I left it in his cage just where his little rack is now, which was as high up as it could go, and to the back of his cage, but he wanted nothing to do with it. My hubby got the rack that he sleeps on now, and within two days, he was up on it at night. I hate that though, because not only does it make his tail feathers look split (cuz he backs right up to the corner) but it just doesn't seem like those little bars would be very comfy for the feet. Thought I'd try a more solid feeling one and see if he warms up to it. Night 3 now and no luck so far.

Thanks for the paper towel idea. Don't know why that never occured to me!! I don't think I'd be lucky enough for him to sleep with his butt hanging out...lol.

Clyde has never yet been inside his Happy Hut, though he will bat it around and play with it from the outside. And he's had his for weeks and weeks. Bonnie will use hers as a tunnel, but she doesn't linger inside, just runs through from one side out the other and keeps going. Have you tried a Cozy Corner instead? Clyde sleeps snuggled up to his Cozy Corner.

cover the wire rack he sleeps on with a flannel/face washer ...would be warmer and more comfortable...

P.S heres a link to a nice sleepy tent...

http://www.sunconure.com/sleep_tent.html

I get those cheap wash cloths at the dollar store, several in a pack, and put one in Harley's hut....I use it a couple of times by turning it before washing it...All I do then is take it out to be washed and replace it with a clean cloth...I find that works better for me...just wanted to throw my idea in here....

Zazu slept in one at his breeders, we put a lovely one with his name embroidered on it in his cage. It took him about six weeks to chew through the hangers that hold it up. I replaced the hangers and he did it again. Now, he doesn't use a happy hut and ignores his jolly ball too. His sleeping perch is a thick rope perch near the top of his cage. I have moved the perch and he always sleeps on the perch.

Donut went into his happy hut 2 days after he first saw it.
Donut is usually scared to death of anything new or different.

Wayne (dad) played with him and the hut on the couch for 2 nights then we hung it up.
No screaming, backing away or avoidance, absolutly nothing.
Now Donut plays and or sleeps in it daily.

Some days he wont come out to say Hi to daddy when he comes home.

Tricia.