Night Time Problems

[cfulhage]

Ollie throws a fit every night when I put her to bed. Somehow she knows I'm going to be putting her in her cage for good, and she gets ornery all of the sudden...running up to my shoulder where she usually never even tries to go, flying to the lamp, the table, etc...It usually takes me about 3 tries to get her in her cage and get the door shut without catching any extras (i.e. toes or a head!) that are on their way back out.

At first I thought maybe she was scared of me throwing the cage cover on, but I have tried putting it on before I put her in her cage, and she still freaks out. She has a night light, and I leave a little slit in the cover so a little bit of the light will shine in her cage. There is nothing that I can think of that would be scaring her in the night, as the cat sleeps in my room with the door shut.

Does anyone else have similar problems, or have had in the past? Is there anything I can do to make night time more enjoyable, or at least less stressful for my baby??

[Monica]

Have you thought about giving her her favorite treat right in the cage for right before she goes to bed??? Or maybe some comfort food right inside before bedtime? Might help?

[kp_in_scott]

My CAG also gives me a semi hard time at bedtime. She sleeps in my room and before bed we have some time alone together. Sometimes it's playing on the bed, sometimes it's quietly sitting on my knee as I read or watch TV. When I am ready to turn in, unless it is very late and she is very tired, she will refuse to step up, nip at my hands, and when I do get her on my hand and attempt to back her into the cage, she will grab the side of the cage and climb back out. Basically, it's a child who doesn't want to go to bed yet. Sometimes I have to leave her out a few more minutes, and sometimes I have to go and get "Pa"(hubby) to do it. LOL Sometimes I just say, "Ok, now I'm gonna go get "Pa"," and she will let me put her up. Each night is a little different depending on her mood. I feel you pain. (Spoiled rotton bird)

[cfulhage]

Ollie has her favorite food about an hour before I put her to bed, so I've got that covered. She never nips at me, and she doesnt make a lot of noise, but once I get her in her cage, she just climbs up and down the cage frantically like she's terrified to be in there. But I get her in and out of her cage at least 5 times a day, and I never have any problems. I guess she's just trying to get attention...its working too. Us and our spoiled little birdies...