Questions: ideal bed time & how soon to see vet

[DeguMom]

Ok, I have a couple more questions!

What would be the ideal bed time for a BFA who will get up around 6 am? Or does it vary between birds? I am putting him to bed at about 8:30, though last night I didn't get home until 8:45, and I wanted to spend some time with him, so he got to bed around 9:30.

Last night, he was fluffed up and resting on one leg, so I knew it was bed time. Tonight, though, he wasn't acting sleepy at all. Should I still put him to bed when he doesn't act sleepy, or wait until I see his cues?

I also wondered how soon I should get him in to see the vet. I don't believe he's ever been to the vet, or if he has it has been at least a year. He seems to be in good health, but I want to get him checked out. Should I wait for him to get more tame, now he's hand shy - not aggressive against hands, but shy of them.

I'm worried if I take him in too quickly he might get really upset from the man-handling, and then take even longer to tame. At the same time, I want to start step-up training as soon as I can, but he needs his wings clipped since he's new to my house he'd probably fly straight into a wall or window.

We don't have any other birds, but do have a dog, a cat, and 3 rodents. So I don't think he can get sick from any of our guys, and don't think any of our guys could get sick from him. But I'd still like to get him a check up.

Thanks!

Oh, and PS, please meet Cosmo! (The photos don't do him justice)










I played guitar for him this morning, and he's my newest groupie! LOL

[kellywess]

My birds go to bed when I do around 10:00 p.m. is when I cover them all up. I put them back in their cages around 9:30 p.m. so theyll have time to settle down (and so would I). They need 10-12 hrs of sleep a night. I uncover mine weekdays around 7:30 a.m. and on weekends at around 10:00 a.m. they stay quiet until I uncover them. On weekends I will put them back in their cages around noon until 2:00 p.m. and they do nap. If you work and are not home during they day, they nap. As far as the vet goes, I would definately take him in especially if its been awhile. Our feathered friends are good at hiding when something is wrong so its good to take them in and have them looked over atleast once or twice yearly just in general. Have them do a gram stain and check his weight and droppings. Dont worry about setting his willingness to step up back and be weary of you, the man in the white coat who makes six figures a year and comes prepared to do battle with "Mr. Towel" will act as the bad guy and you can rescue him when its all over. Its like taking our kids for vaccinations, it sucks to see them cry but it has to be done for their own good right. Good Luck and take care!

[VictoriaRose]

My 4month old Parrolet goes into his cage for the night around 7:00pm. He is still a baby though and I've noticed that he has been staying up later as time goes on, but he is pretty quiet once I put him in his cage for the night. He will go into his happy hut and chatter to himself while washing up for bed.. I'd guess he is asleep by 8pm, but our apartment probably isn't quiet enough for him to get SOUND sleep until at least 10pm. I uncover him around 7:30am.

[DeguMom]

Thank you both! I am mostly home during the day, so he stays awake a lot. I've caught him napping once or twice, but so far he seems to like to stay awake and watch what I'm doing. He's so nosey! I didn't think any animal could be nosier than a Degu, but Cosmo is definitely stiff competition. lol

I guess 8:30 might be ok, but it might be a little too early for him on a regular basis. Maybe I'll just kind of keep an eye on him during the day, and see how much he's napping just to make sure he's getting enough sleep.

It's hard being a bird parent! All my other kids just go to sleep whenever they want!

(I'm going to try to make an appointment for a check up for next Tuesday. The cage he came in is filthy too, so while he's out of it for his appointment, I have another team that is going to take his cage outside and hose it down and scrub it with hot water. I'm hoping the transfer from his cage to his carrier goes smoothly!)

[charlieandmom]

Kiwi has only been with me a week now. You have some good questions I'm learning to. She starts dozing off around 8:00. I have a quaker that raises cane if he can't go to bed between 8:00 and 8:30. So that's their usual bedtime. I have to get up really early so I like to get them settled so I can get settled HEHE! I would go a head and make a vet appointment as soon as you can. I know around here they only have one avian vet and it takes a while to get an appointment. Congratulations! Cosmo is beautiful.

[Tobysmom]

Both kiwi and Cosmo are cuties...toby goes to bed at 8 and i usually take his cover off at 6

[DeguMom]

Thanks for the added input!

Cosmo is such a clown!!! It seems like everyday he's repeating new words and making up new sounds. Tonight, for some reason, he was roaring at me in this really low, rumbly voice. "Rooooaaarrr" he would say, and then strut around. I am so in love!

I really appreciate the added bedtime input. What it seems like with him so far is that he naps during the day when he goes to bed later, but stays awake during the day when he goes to bed earlier. So I'm starting to learn what he likes better. I feel like the eariler bedtime is really good for him, but I didn't want to be one of those old fashioned overly strict mothers who send their teenagers to bed at 7, ya know? LOL

I appreciate the input, and am glad to know I'm not the only one worrying over this stuff!

I'm working on switching him off his seed diet, and onto a pellet and fresh food diet. I was so worried it would be hard, but he's eating almost everything I put in there. He ate a really nice salad today, and seems happy with the pellets too. So far he is 1 easy bird! (And we're totally smitten!)

[Ina246]

When you wash the cage be sure to use a little bleach. Then rinse that off with just water. You can also use Grapefruit seed oil to clean with. Good luck at the vet.