Circumstances have changed, need advice!

[Pharoh]

I have recently changed my work routine, I now work out of the home, after working at home for 2 and 1/2 years. I have a 5 year old umbrella cockatoo that I have had for 2 years and a green wing macaw that is 9 months old. I have had the macaw for 5 months.
The parrots spend most of thier time in thier cages now, since I have changed my work routine. I am worried about the time they spend alone.
I leave for work around 7:15am and don't get back home till around 6:00pm.
I leave a television on for them durning the day and I keep thier cages full of
toys and I purchase new toys once a month.
I need to know if maybe I should try to find them new homes.
I really do not want to do this, as I feel that I would have a difficult time finding homes that will accomodate thier needs.
But I also want whats best for my parrots.

[Monica]

Many people work out of the home and may only see their birds for a few minutes in the morning, and a few hours during the evening. Unless you feel it is in their best interest because you have NO time absolutely for them, then yes, consider it... However, if you can still properly care for them, and give them some lovin's when you get home, then stick with them! I'm sure they can *easily* adjust to a new schedule!

[birdsnthings]

No, you don't need to find them another home. Some people get their birds out in the morning while they get ready for work so they have some time to spend with them. Usually they are fed right before they leave. Some leave the TV on, some the radio. As long as you have time for them in the evening, you should be fine. It is just a matter of changing the Cockatoo's routine. The Macaw is still young enough.
Alice

[homebird]

If the birds are unhappy - manifesting their unhappiness,then you will have to do something. Are they already acting out?
You do have about 4 hrs a day to be with them + they have eachother.
Story: A friend of mine has only 1 Jardine - he stayes in the family room all day (in a large cage), TV is on a timer & so is the radio. When they're home he gets to go on his gym. He sleeps in his traveling cage in a spare room. He's very happy with his life & he doesn't have another bird friend like yours do.
I guess the sudden change from one routine to another can be hard on the birds but unless they freak, you're doing a great job.

[Pharoh]

Ah I'm very glad to hear this. I was worried that the amount of time my parrots were spending alone was not good. But this is great. They seem to be doing fine. Since I began working out of the home, I have not noticed any behavioral problems from either of them, but its only been one month.
Thank you everyone for the advice.

[Tiki]

Most of us do work normal business hours. I have 12 birds and they all live together in one huge bird room so they don't get lonely. Yours should do the same.

[Myst]

We both work out of the house and I am gone from 7 am until 6 or 7. The birds know this and all realize when I get home is for them. Sometimes their times is as simple as keeping me company doing chores or on the computer or with the teens, but they also realize weekends they get more time from all of us. I would worry more if you only had 1 bird but it sound like you are doing everything possiible to keep them happy!

[red192]

I'm away for 12-14 hours. I'm lucky enough to have a room just for my birds, so when I leave at night I let her out. When I lay down to sleep, she is put back in her cage. She spends more time out than in, I leave the radio on for her. Though she's a ring neck parrot and nothing as tempermental as a 2. But, it's taken me 2 years to get her to 'accept' me. Our routine fits just dandy. And the nights I'm off, She stays out the whole time with me. My Parakeets could care less, All they want is food, toys, their bird bath and a few hellos. LOL But with time you will find a routine that works.

[Cowgirl Chris]

I too work so my birds are at the house by themselves for eight hours of the day. But they see me in the morning and I make sure to give them kisses before I go to work and the first thing that I do when I get home is let my babies out. Many bird owners work. I would hate to hear that you have to rehome your fids, try to see how they adapt to the change and then go from there. If you must rehome, then I am sure that everyone here on the board will help you out

[rockybird]

I am a medical resident with a caique and a green cheek. I work 10+ hours a day, but we have a routine. The grn. chk. snuggles with me while I have my coffee in the AM (the caique likes to sleep). While I am in the shower in the AM, they play on their toys on the bathroom counter and on hanging toys on the towel bar. When I come home form work, I cuddle them, and give them vegetables and let them out on top of their cages or on my shoulder for about an hour. Then I work out, and when I come home and shower again they are back at their spots in the bathroom. They are on top of the opposite cage from their own while they eat their vegetables at night. They both like playing in the others cage. Also, they have night cages which helps with a change of environment. On the weekends they are out a lot. They both seem very happy and are very spoiled. I wouldnt give them up. It would be even more traumatic. I do have this fear that something might happen to me and they might not get food or water for awhile so I leave them LOTS of food and water while I am at work. Lots of toys also. The one thing I have learned is that birds like routine! This routine seems to work.