Getting on a schedule

[Willie68]

Hi Everyone.

I am new to the site; well I should say I have been lurking and absorbing everyone's knowledge and wisdom for the past few months, but just joined today. My wife and I put a deposit down on a 5 week old baby male Eclectus 3 weeks ago, after doing quite a bit of research and deciding that this was the bird for us. We are not first time bird parents, our last was a Jenday Conure who passed quite a few years ago. We won't be taking our baby home anytime soon; the breeder estimated late September/ early October. We are visiting at least weekly.
I decided to join today to ask a question on a topic that had I had never considered and have not seen addressed anywhere. The breeder made a comment that, once the bird is home, and generally throughout its life, to not allow him to get on a relatively set schedule, ex. up at a specific time, shower every morning at a consistent time, with a specific person, eating at a set time, etc. The reason was that if this is allowed to happen, any changes to this schedule could cause significant stress for the bird, ex. If we are on vacation, even still staying home, or if we went away and the bird has to be boarded, the bird would expect to adhere to this schedule and any changes could be very difficult for him and cause some behavioral issues.
So, I am curious what everyone thinks and/or if anyone deals with this issue and how?

Thanks.

 

[moni.k]

The only schedule I have Nalani on is waking up, going to sleep and feeding times. Aside from that I change things around as much as possible. Some days she'll have more hours outside of her cage, other days less. I shower her every other day (random times). I find it best to change things up in their routine so that they don't get bored. Plus, I go to school full time and every few months my schedule changes. But here's the feeding schedule I have her on.

7am: wake up, feed her fresh fruits/veggies and sprouts
1pm: give her lunch, fresh fruits/veggies/sprouts and cooked mix
6pm: give her a small portion of fruits/veggies
8pm: put her to bed and give her a small bowl of seeds/organic pellets to hold her till morning.

I don't go on vacation. I actually passed up a trip to Alaska this summer so that I can care for my birds. I have boarded Nalani before, when she was really young. However, now that she's been raised in my home for almost a year, I wouldn't board her again. She's grown accustom to my home, family and environment. Not to say you can't go on trips, but it is a sacrifice I'm willing to make for my pets. I have a GCC and she's a doll, plus she's small and her dietary needs is much more easier than an eclectus. I wouldn't mind taking to a friends place and having them watch for a few days while I go on a trip. But an eclectus, I only have a handful of friends who can care for her (meaning: aren't scared of birds her size). Even still, the amount of care and time that goes into an eclectus, it would be difficult for me to leave with a piece of mind. Hehe, you could say I'm owned by my birds rather than owning birds.

 

[jroyal]

I can understand what the breeder is saying. I think it's a good idea to kinda mix things up. It makes for a well rounded bird and not one who get scared or anxious easily. Usually if you have a schedule then your birds will observe and go along with it so this may mean changing up YOUR daily routine. My bird cages are in my room and my birds have gotten to the point where now when they seen me wake up they know that they are about to get breakfast. Some days I wake up really early and sometimes I wake up really late.
They've also learned that at night when I climb into my bed that its time to sleep. I have a lofted bed so I literally have to climb lol but by the time I get up there and turn the lights off, all the birds are in their sleeping places.
So it may be a little difficult to completely avoid a routine because your birds will go off of you.. Just don't let them get to dependent on it

 

[SoCalWendy]

The only schedule I have is up with the sunrise, to bed at sunset and I feed twice a day.

 

[Willie68]

Thanks for the input. I'd like to try and keep him off of any set schedule, but it seems like a bit of a difficult task given that my wife and I are on relatively set work schedules, etc.
Anyone else willing to share their experiences?