Removing food dishes at night, ever at all an option if temporary?

[Odysseus]

Hey all,

Day 15:
My lovebird started out sleeping only on his food dish but eventually warmed up to his Cholla wood perch for sleeping when I would put him to bed with a piece of millet hanging there to munch on.

I removed the millet and he still stayed there the following nights but has recently returned to his food dish that was also at the front of the cage.

I feel worried about him because up on his metal food dish he perches on a thin metal wall and looks uncomfortable and cold all night. My remedy was moving his happy hut forward, cholla perch forward, and put them in the location where his food dishes were and placed an electric blanket on the outside of the cage for added warmth in that area.

Last night was his first night with it, and he slept on the opposite end of the cage on his food dish again.

Two things I believe are keeping him there. Familiarity with the dish as a perch I guess, and the new blanket on top of his existing cage covering blanket. (It only covers that one side but the heavier electric blanket moves around the corners and covers more.

So I think he is moving away from the unknown back to his comfort zone although it really appears to be very uncomfortable there on the dish.

Thus, my question:

Will it be too harsh and risky to remove those food/water dishes at night to get him adjusted? I think it is too risky because he needs the food and water there when he gets thirsty or hungry. I don't want to keep him thirsty or starving all night long.

But, even though I think it is too risky to remove them what are the thoughts of you more experienced lovebird owners?

[catschair]

Probably won't really hurt him to sleep in the food bowl, but if you want to discourage it you may want to try another type of feeder to be sure he has food & water. Another low tech option is to put some wooden clothespins in the food. He can eat around them, but they are not comfortable to sleep on (have used for fids that like to nest in their chums' dinner)

[Odysseus]

Hey Catschair,

I logged on to rescind my inquiry above. But, your idea of clothespins on the food dish at night is a really good one and will use it, should I have need to go back to it. Thanks for that idea!

I just got home from work and noticed that while they turned off the main light in the family room before leaving, they neglected to turn off my bird's Daylight spectrum light.

As I approached my bird's home, annoyed the light was left on, I looked around and could see my bird nowhere! First I worried he may have discovered a way out to get away from that nuisance of light at his bedtime, but I quickly started hoping, "Could he have been so bothered by the light he ACTUALLY went into his happy hut? The one thing he has resisted for the most??"

WOOHOO!! He did! I had a happy hut close to the front of the cage where he likes to sleep and put a cozy next to the back opening near the side that has the blanket and electric blanket. I was trying to make him a VERY comfortable and warm bed that would feel like my body when he sleeps on me during the day. Last night he ignored it however tonight - thanks to some negligence by my family - the left-on-light encouraged him to get away from it and the happy hut was the BEST possible dark spot.

He is now sleeping happily in the warmest and most comfortable place in the cage. And hopefully no longer on the metal food dish. He should be getting better sleep now and I can't wait to see the change in him tomorrow.

[catschair]

Sounds like the Fates intervened to get your little guy into the best sleeping spot! I am so glad.

[sweetpeaches]

it took peaches quite awhile to get used to her happy hut too. funny thing is she sleeps on top of it every nite. but the other day i was out late and no one at home covered her cage (as i do everynite) well i couldn't find her in the cage anywhere, never thinking she'd actually go IN her happy hut...well that's where she was. guess she wanted to be in a darker place. but the very next nite she was right back on top of her hutty! it's too cute, cause when i go to cover her cage i say "nite, nite" and she hops right up on her hutty and gives me a little chirp...then its sleepy time for the next 12 hours or so.

btw...she will go in her happy hut during the day to take naps! go figure.

[4HAND]

It took months for Cheddarhead to use his Happy Hut too.As long as you take care to inspect it for safety,a hut can be a wonderful source of warmth,privacy and comfort for a bird.
Tena

[Rissa]

Hee I made a happy hut of my lovey and she wouldn't go near it.. i even tryed tempting her with milt... still nope!!! Shheesh