Changing it up

[ScottinVentura]

I'm curious if anyone else is doing what I've been doing....

Boo's cage has 6 places to put bowls. I never put more than 2 in at a time, about 3 months ago I started putting them in different places each day. Before this I always used the same spot for water and food. At first he hated it. He spent the first day sulking where his food bowl usually went. Since then he watches me closely, to see where it's going today, and he climbs right to it.

Maybe it's my imagination, but he seems to be handling other new things better, too. A toy he had avoided and ignored for 2 months is now his favorite. Going new places in the house with me (like the garage) no longer provokes his panic growl. He still insists that his schedule be maintained - upstairs to his night perch at 8:00 on the dot, don't try to get him up earlier than 6:00, and he has to ride on my shoulder for at least 30 minutes after I get home from work. But everything else has become more flexible. I'm comfortable with his sleep schedule and don't want to change it, but getting him used to new things and making him more comfortable with new places has been a welcome side effect of a small change.

 

[Colorguarder08]

he might be seeing that some new things can be fine.

 

[henpecked]

I wanted to see what others might have to say on this subject but not much action so i'll throw my 2cents worth out there.Amazons love a routine,same dish,same place,bed at same time,same toy,same picture on the wall,etc.you get the picture.The problem arises when something changes and they are upset or are then "hormonal" or screamers.The only birds that have a real routine around our house is the breeder birds,which are outside.ALL of the pet birds have a constant change in their daily routine,bed time,wake up time, who's spoken to first,who gets a bath today,who's turn is it out on the porch,the cages get moved around etc.They seem much happier and don't stress near as often,something different is no big deal.Rescues are quarantined at first and have a chance to adapt to the house hold before becoming part of the circus,many come "out of their shell" rather quickly when their day is not so "boring" and they are not in control of their daily life.I'll try to keep this brief and suggest that a little change might not be such a bad thing.

 

[suebee]

thats great when we got nut, she was petrified of the hoover! she is still unsure of it now, but she no longer flies in terror when she see's it!
simply i just carried on and ignored her behaviour, she could always fly to another room etc, but now she just goes onto open door etc

as long as i keep her routine about the same each day, she's managable lol