Big changes for Kiwi

As some of you know, we live in a smallish condo (under 1000 sq ft). Not just on the small side, but so bizarrely laid out that it’s like living in an Escher painting. We own it even though we’ve never loved the space, so moving isn’t as simple as waiting for a lease to run out. Plus, we live in Portland where we wouldn’t really be able to afford anything bigger anyways. We’re stuck here and I’ve been fighting this space for 4 years now.

Since the addition of Cas, how and where we spend time has changed. So has our needs in our limited space. Cas is growing so fast and we need to make some changes that will effect Kiwi. Namely, our living room where Kiwi lives is cramped and not currently safe for a mobile baby (which he will be soon!). In the main bedroom (which has been split into the baby’s room/office) all Kiwi has is a small swing and we are spending more and more time in there during the day. I have been trying to think of a solution for months to satisfy everyone and the only conclusion I can reach is we are going to have to split up Kiwis cage and play tree. In the current setup, the floor protector just out into a narrow walkway and makes navigating around the sofa/coffee table perilous. Kiwi can also see the kitchen easily which causes its own issues and he’s been a mega jerk about that lately. I want to move his cage against the blank wall (I will still hang a curtain/large poster or something else nice to look at behind it) blocking his view of the kitchen and freeing up the walkway. Then I want to move the tree into the baby room/office so he has a bigger place to hang out in there. I’m also planning to rearrange a lot of the rest of the living room too, as to create a more open and safe space for Cas to play in.

So after all that, what do you think I can do to make this transition easier for him? I don’t want him to think we all of a sudden hate him or anything.

His current setup...

Nice set-up for Sir K April...Does he get covered at night? Any way of attaching part of his play tree to his house? A play top would work but that would mean a new house I hope someone can give you better advice.



Jim

AmyMyBlueFront said:

Nice set-up for Sir K April...Does he get covered at night? Any way of attaching part of his play tree to his house? A play top would work but that would mean a new house I hope someone can give you better advice.



Jim

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Yes, he gets covered at night and needs to be to sleep. I don't think I could attach anything to the cage, there's not enough room. And ya, no new cage at this time. We do not have the money for that plus his current cage is in great shape still.

Both his cage and stand are really nice. Any possibility of trading the cage for a slightly shorter playtop configuration and placing the stand on top?

You can try the split cage/stand modification as imagined and observe his reaction. Perhaps he'll readily adapt?

If you sketch out the floor plan, maybe we can put our heads together to figure out something. Have you considered Murphy beds or dual use furniture?

wrench13 said:

If you sketch out the floor plan, maybe we can put our heads together to figure out something. Have you considered Murphy beds or dual use furniture?

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Photos taken when all was still quiet this AM. Did not bother to tidy up, please forgive the giant clutter fest lol. We are basically working with the living and bedroom. The bed in his room is a sofa bed and once I’m not sleeping in there any longer, it’ll go back to being a sofa. The stairs will be gated off soon. Our loft is where we sleep and have a workout/yoga area and we just don’t want to super baby or bird proof it up there. I’m going to be putting that piano into storage and kind of thinking I might put fish and newt in front of the real fireplace/gating off and move the fake one where that cart is (we do use in the winter for supplemental heat). Sofa is kind of fixed where it is because of where our projector/screen are, everything else is fairly negotiable regarding positioning.

A diagram and pics worth a million words, April. You've made admirable use of every square foot. At this point it might be best to try the modifications and observe Kiwi's reaction. You'll quickly know and be in the position to reverse and preclude any psychological damage. Might be a process of trial and error and he won't have periods of dormancy to fret in your absence.

Scott said:

A diagram and pics worth a million words, April. You've made admirable use of every square foot. At this point it might be best to try the modifications and observe Kiwi's reaction. You'll quickly know and be in the position to reverse and preclude any psychological damage. Might be a process of trial and error and he won't have periods of dormancy to fret in your absence.

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I’m hoping he will just accept the changes. With parrots being so emotionally sensitive, even though Kiwi isn’t the most sensitive of birds, I’m still worried for his mental health. But the entire downstairs has to be baby proofed within the next month or 2 and his area creates a lot of issues. I also feel bad when he sits on a small swing in a closet for several hours in the bedroom (though he seems perfectly content doing so and does let out some squawks if he wants to go home). I’m also concerned the overwhelming-ness of the entire space will cause stress or anxiety to Cas like it does me. Babies are affected by environment. I try to keep it to just stuff we use, but it still feels so cluttered and is a constant source of anxiety for me.

Like most appartment folks, stuff is always the problem. Too much of it. Happens to home type people, but hosues usually have more room so the stuff is spread out more. SO first order is to de-stuffify. Imagine moving into one of those tiny houses. You make 3 piles. One is must haves, 2 is maybes and 3 is yard sale donate. Its hard to do! I know, my garage and music studio are packed with tools,motorcycles and musical instruments. I just sold some of the music stuff, to clear up the studio. In the fall ( post CoVid) we'll have a yard sale. Less stuff gives you more choices for whats important.

DO you guys use that dinning room table a lot? WHy not move most in front of the fireplace, and put the critters on that way next to the kitchen, Newts, fish and then Kiwi, so he's far from the heat.

Projection TVs take up space better used, and flat screens are almost cheap these days.

I know this might not be typical of most birds, but so far my Sunny has been happy with all the rearrangements I've done since getting her, As Long As she got to Supervise them. That to some extent has included "Consulting" her about the rearrangements before hand, and then explaining it to her While I was doing it. (While she was Supervise me moving things around, that is. Mostly from my shoulder, and occasionally from the safety of a cage which I moved to a "Supervisory" location.)

So, that's my main suggestion here. Let your Kiwi have some input and more importantly let him supervise every aspect of the move. This will reassure him that you still know he is in charge, and you are just attempting to be a better servant to him by improving his locale.

I dont have any suggestions but I wanted to say I am sooo impressed by how organized you home is!

I've been working on getting rid of stuff like Wrench is talking about. Easier said then done, but I'm seeing some good results. Its a good method IMO.

Maybe splitting up Kiwi's playstand and his cage is ok. You can get some addon stuff for the cage that would make it a fun place too. (perches, hooks etc)

Good luck with the changes, I'm sure it will turn out great!

Vertical, vertical, vertical! Amazon's view of this World is fully 3-D and they are far more comfortable with climbing up, plus it provides a few years of separation before Cas becomes a climber. Also, one can build from high to low by hanging and in doing so, create an interest in Kiwi as he supervises the ongoing changes.

The downside is that you may feel the effect of being buried and cramped in when structures develop height.

As you are well aware, multi use items are very important. Really target in on those tiny home shows that define multi use and how to build such items.

I realize that six months ago would have been a better time for me to suggest this, but, look closely at the walls and define, which is structural and, which only define rooms. This will allow you to move even more to an open concept design for your first floor. It will also help when you elect to sell at some point in the future. But, your layout doesn't offer much. Possible a small section of the Kitchen separation wall?

So, we have began the process of rearranging the living area and Kiwi has taken well to the temporary change of only his cage being in here. We are still working out how to get his play tree or another play stand situated to work with the current needs. Cas is going to get a good sized play yard (approximately 50x50") so he has a safe area to be during times I can't be right on top of him keeping him out of trouble. Still going to construct 2 PVC surrounds for around the aquariums and Kiwi's cage, but don't think I want to rely on those alone if I need to take out the trash or take a shower etc... Cas is already so curious and gets bored so quickly. He's totally going to be one of 'those' babies whose curiosity might get him into trouble once he's mobile, I'm sure of it

I will post some updated pics towards the end of May once I get everything set up !

pins and needles until the photos arrive!

So it’s been a while, but I did finally get my living room rearranged as best I could for a too small space. I split Kiwi’s cage and tree, but that worked out fine since he can now sit by Cas while he’s in his play area. Also, who else loves the aquariums in front of the fireplace? I’m not the build a fire type, so it’s never been used and was just kind of an awkward space with the tiny electric wood stove. Now it’s a really nice focal point.









And for those of you who enjoy a good DIY project. Salvaged this rather unpromising looking bookshelf on trash day, added some trim I already had and painted. Voila! Cute toy shelf for Cas that cost next to nothing (just a little paint)

Beautiful job April! And WOW, Cas is getting so big. What a little bruiser he is

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Wow! Even tho you say your place is small,I just LOVE what you did with it April . Where were you when I needed my place rearranged? lol.


Jim

Looking great, April. You are a master of space efficiency!

Gee, kind of like a 'space warp'(in room, not time) -- way to maximize space April!

It alway amazes me what wood glue and a few bits will do to recreate press wood furniture...