Hello everyone! New member from HK - worried about moving my 3 senior cockatiels( moving to a smaller HK apartment + new routine)

[CYTJ]

Hi everyone! I’m a newbie here and just wanted to say hello to this lovely community. I’m writing from Hong Kong and I’m looking for some advice (and honestly, a bit of comfort) regarding a big move I have coming up.

"Hello~we are 2 not so gentlemen and a lady"


I’m getting married this September and will be moving into a new home with my husband. My three cockatiels, who are all 10 years old now, will be coming with me. For the last nine years, they’ve lived with me and my retired parents. Since my parents are home all day, the birds have basically had the run of the house—they are almost never in their cages.

However, our new life will be quite different:

• The Work Schedule: My husband and I both work full-time, so the birds will have to stay in their cages for long hours during the day and will only get "out-of-cage" time when we get home in the evening.
• Small Space: Since we’re in Hong Kong, our new apartment isn’t very big. We don’t have room for massive aviaries or "super-sized" cages, so I’m worried about them feeling cramped.
• Stress & Age: Because they’ve had the same free-roaming routine for a decade, I’m terrified that this change will make them depressed or stressed out, especially at their age.

I’m already so worried for them even though the move hasn't happened yet. Does anyone have tips on how to get senior birds used to being in a cage for longer hours? Or maybe some advice on toys and setups that work well for smaller apartments to keep them happy while we're at work?

I just want to make sure my feathered family stays healthy and happy during this transition. Thank you so much for any help or stories you can share!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's going to be hard for free birds to find themselves in "prison" for long stretches of time after having

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Opps! After being free to roam. I let 11 of my budgies fly free in our living room from about 7am to 7pm daily and I think they would be distressed if I suddenly "locked them up" all day. A few years ago I began letting them stay out even when we aren't home because I didn't have the heart to cage them.

I made sure the room is as bird safe as I can and while I'm home I observed their habits. Do they go to places and objects that are unsafe for them? Mine stay out of trouble. I have one budgie I do keep caged when we are not in the room because she can't be trusted to stay out of trouble but I give her an enormous cage so she has plenty of flying space (1.25m x .5m x .5m). My free flying b7dgies have never gotten into trouble when we aren't home. We even went away for a week last month and I had bird sitters come evertly morning to feed them and let them out and come back in the evening to put them to bed. I worry about them less when I know they're free and happy than if I caged them.

I guess I'm asking if there's a chance that you can keep them out safely while you aren't home? Like in a closed bedroom perhaps? Much of the time my birds just hang out on top of their cages and eat, preen, and nap.

 

[texsize61]

I don’t think 10 year old cockatiels are old.
My youngest Tiels (Popeye, Mango, and Angel) were hatched in 2016. My oldest is 25 and slowing down.

But that doesn’t answer the question.
In my opinion quality is better than quantity.
Spending 2 hours in the morning or evening with direct interaction may be better than a 12 hours of….free roaming.
I never gave my Cockatiels lots of free roaming time. Mostly due to their tendency to walk around on the floor. I was to worried that they would get stepped on.

The real problem is how well they will accept a new routine. Only you know your bird’s personality and how well they accept “new”. My Tiels don’t like “new” anything.
I wish you luck however you move forward.

 

[Jcas56]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! My birds have so much energy in the mornings, less in the afternoon, and then a burst of energy before bed. If yours are similar, perhaps you could let them out for a little bit before you leave for work to let them get out the morning energy and then let them out when you get home? Since you have until September, it might be good to gradually acclimate them to a new routine that involves more cage time. I know you said space is limited, but giving them the biggest cage you can fit in your new apartment would likely help as well.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I totally understand why you'd hesitate to leave your tiels out all day. Do what you can make sure they have lots of stimulating toys in their new home and leave the TV on for them to watch when you're not there.

 

[rheashard2]

TV, alternate with different types of programs, movies, audio books plain and dramatized for variety. Some birds have preferences. Lots of bird safe toys rotated for variety. Try to get the largest cage you can afford that will fit. Look at play top. That will help when you can give them out of cage time.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

TV, music... maybe even a special toy or foraging treat they get when you've got to leave them might help. I leave music on for my guys, Sd for making use of small spaces, I'd work my way up, Hang stuff from the ceiling. I know the general idea is to have longer flight cages than taller, but in your case, I think taller might be better, especially if space is at a premium.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If any of them like to chew on cardboard give them a cardboard egg carton or small box to keep them busy when you're away (no box if it makes them hormonal).