how much time should one spend with their bird each day?

[cbalvino]

Hi,happy new year! I am wondering how much time our birds need? besides cleaning and food/water time,I sometimes wonder if they get enough? holding,shoulder time,one on one,most nites I spend 1.5 to 2 hrs with them and try to take out all the ones that are caged,but allowed out,sometimes all come out for 15-20 min each, other times i take out i or 2 for 30 min or so,I try to mix it up and sometimes I take no one out,mostly I don't want to create a situation that they feel neglected,when i can't get them out or I am away,If I am working Hubby and i feed water together,takes about 20/30 min,then every nite is the 1.5 to 2 hrs schedule some am's when i don't work I spend am with them,anyhow what ant of time do others spend? not saying who's right or wrong just interested in time frames of others with there FIDS

[Doyle'sMommy]

Every night my fids get 2-3 hours out of their cages. I spend a good 30 minutes with Doyle and Princess individually, holding and cuddling. Danny won't let me hold him so he just hangs out on his cage and I talk to him and he usually talks back, lol. Evan lets them out of their cages whenever he is home and usually has one on his shoulder all the time.

[Baby5566]

The tiels are out all day, I only take one Budgie out, *the one that actually wants to be out and that loves me* Jack. Pickles is with me ALL day, seriously, he even helps me put the other fids in bed and he goes in last, Green Bean is still a bit scared of people so we're working with her, she comes out for 15-20 minutes or so.

Isaac takes all the other Budgies out when he gets home. I'd rather be bit by the Parrotlets and the Tiels all day but a Budgie bite kills me lol.

[Cindy215]

theres an extensive thread on this from the last month or so but i dont remember where...it came up around the clipping war period....it MAY even be inside the clipping poll thread,,,i forget...I belive The Outlaw posed the question if you want to search her posts. There were ALOT of replies..

My answer is depends on the season. In winter with 10 hour days it's about 3-6 hrs and 10 on the weekend or days I dont work.

In long days of summer it's 12 on the weekend and 6-7 on the days I work. But I follow a strict natural daylight schedule including dawn and dusk. So it's easy for me to do my errands etc after they are bedded down. And I work a block from home.

WE just passed the longest night of the year 12/21 and days are getting longer now so it will get easier.

[Mike B]

There is no set amount of time. The question you need to ask, yourself. Are you offering your birds the best you can do? Thier out time is it quality time? 15 mins spent w/ you is better than an hour alone on top of thier cage. Are your birds healthy? These are questions to ask yourself. Everyones situation is different. Some days my birds are out 7-8 hours some days an hour to feed, and water.

Mike

[gbird]

If I'm home Pita's cage door is open, so he's either messing about in and on his cage, or with me. Upstairs in the office is were his playgym is, so usually were ever I am in the house he's with me. Only time his cage door is closed is if I'm not home, or he's in his sleep cage.

Spoiled rotten he is!

[kathleen]

Originally Posted by gbird

If I'm home Pita's cage door is open, so he's either messing about in and on his cage, or with me. Upstairs in the office is were his playgym is, so usually were ever I am in the house he's with me. Only time his cage door is closed is if I'm not home, or he's in his sleep cage.

Spoiled rotten he is!

It's the same at my house. The cage door is open when I'm home so Pumpkin is either inside making lots of noise or running around outside the cage where I've put up some toys. Periodically, I go over to him and talk to him and pick him up to play.

[Tiki]

I spend a lot of time on my laptop in bed. Most of the time I will have a bird or 2 running up and down my back or perched on my butt!

[cbalvino]

Thanks for your responses! I was curious,some days it seems that I live in there with them,other days,I have alot to do,I guess it's the same as when kids are little,I used to feel sad when it seemed all i did was feed'em,bathe'em and put them to bed,oh and clean up after them!of course my kids are all grown now,but the "quality" theme was the word of the day then,didn't understand it then or now any time is "quality" with the ones you love!

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Mike B

There is no set amount of time. The question you need to ask, yourself. Are you offering your birds the best you can do? Thier out time is it quality time? 15 mins spent w/ you is better than an hour alone on top of thier cage. Are your birds healthy? These are questions to ask yourself. Everyones situation is different.

As Mike stated, I think the real key is quality time spent with the fids. My guys only get 2-3 hours out each night during the week due to our work schedule, but that is pretty much all quality time with them. Even when I'm getting their food ready (not cooking) I have a little budgie on my shoulder "helping"

When they are out I'm focused on them, we're all in the same room, we interact a lot, and I think we're all happy. By the time they go back to their cages for the night they are tired and ready for bed cause they played hard, flew hard, and cuddled.