Adopted U2 coming today - bedtime question

[JaneyB]

Hi, I have a 2-year old U2 coming to my house today that we are adopting. This little girl comes from what seems like a loving home, and while I anticipate there will be a "getting used to us" period, I hope to keep her transition as smooth as possible. We are getting her with the cage she's used to, which is a large Macaw cage. She will be in our family room with our other birds (macaws). The U2 is used to lights out and quiet at around 9 p.m. My husband stays up and TV/lights stay on in the family room until around 11 or so, which our Macaw is used to. (We actually have a curtain that we pull across the "bird end" of the room at around 9 or so but it doesn't block the noise of the tv.

My question is this: In order to keep her schedule the same, would it be wise to put our new 'Too to bed in a sleep cage, in a darkened room at her regular time? Or would it be better to keep her in her own cage and let her adapt to the different bedtime? Thanks in advance for any advice you could give me.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I have the same problem, hubby stays up late watching tv, so I use a sleep cage in the bedroom. I live in a RV, not too many rooms to choose from.

If she is not used to going in to a sleep cage at night, I would advise against it until she is settled in, and you can practice during the day. Maybe your husband can make some concessions during this transitional period of her life, or she might not mind the tv, if its on low. I would think that going from what she is already used to, to a sleep cage might upset her more than she is already going to be upset. IMHO - congrats on your new birdie.

 

[MikeyTN]

Birds can adapt to changes! Your able to change bedtime schedule as that shouldn't be a problem. I just wonder how your husband is going to tolerate her if she's a screamer and being in the living room at the same time. Watch the dust from cockatoos as a lot of macaws are actually allergic to them. Air purifier is wise to have!!!!

 

[JaneyB]

Thanks! Last night was her first night in her new home, and she did wonderfully! We kept her with the other birds and not a peep. We'll see how she does moving forward; I still have the sleep cage option if need be. The previous owner said she has a noisy period around 8 or 9 pm just before bedtime. We didn't see that yet, but I'm sure once she's used to her new surroundings she'll be much more vocal! LOL!