Going out at 2pm and will be home after bedtime...What do I do about Ollie?

[Sunnyclover]

Hi,

So Ollie is never alone at night and always gets put to bed in his sleep cage by a Flock member. Tomorrow I have a unique situation where no one will be at the house from 2pm to around 11pm which is way way after his bedtime. I'm not sure what to do. Do I just put him in his sleep cage at 2pm and keep the windows open and lights off? Of I do that it will be dark way too early and he might go to sleep at like 6pm and get sad and confused​. Should I leave him in his day cage in the kitchen with the lights off? Then there is the same issue with falling asleep too soon...If I leave the lights on will he not fall asleep and be squawking from his bedtime until we get home? If I don't put him to bed on time he gets very vocal about it so I'm scared he'll do that and it will cause lots of stress. If I leave a spot for him to sleep (he has a cozy hut in his sleep cage but not his day cage) in his day cage and a light on do you think that is okay? My baby! I wish he could come but birds aren't welcome at Broadway plays. :-(

 

[Owlet]

I usually keep my curtains open all day so the animals in my room have a natural day/night sleep pattern. It doesn't really matter with my rat but it's crucial with my hedgehog and seems to be the same with Lincoln. My hedgehog is nocturnal so he needs darkness so he knows when to be active and what not. Lincoln zonks out as soon as it gets dark and if I turn on the lights for whatever reason he's immediately up.

So essentially I'm saying I'd be a good idea to leave the curtains open with your light off.

 

[Sunnyclover]

Hmm Ollie goes to bed at 8pm and at the moment has no behavior issues AT ALL so I've been keeping him to that schedule. I guess I could try to put him on natural light for one day. I love having my baby up in the evenings...Even at 8pm I miss him after he goes to bed. I always tell my fiance I need to get a night bird too so I always have a bird on me lol.

 

[wrench13]

The answer is....... you don't go out. Not unless a flock member can put the fid to bed.

 

[Sunnyclover]

I don't usually but it's my birthday today and I have tickets to the hottest play on Broadway. I think he'll live for one night as long as it's not a regular occurrence which it's definitely not. I think he'll be confused. :-(

 

[DRB]

IMO you should allow natural light to run its course for the day leaving the curtains or shades mostly open but maybe not fully open. Leave the lights off. Do you leave music or the TV on when you are gone at all on a normal day? If so maybe leave TV on and set it to go off later, not sure how long your sleep timer on TV is most are only 2 hours IIRC. I think for one day the bird will be fine. IMO the bigger concern is when one covers the bird come bed time, if you do this regularly than this will be what might throw the bird a curve ball if you don't do it for one night. If you don't usually cover the cage then don't worry about it.

 

[Sunnyclover]

That's all a very good idea and I'm sure this issue will come up again at some point. However, I managed to get my babysitter come over and put him to bed only an hour early and she is a flick member because she's here 2 nights a week! Yay. I'm so happy he won't be alone too. I hate when he is alone for such a long time...And he actually is never alone that long.

 

[itzjbean]

I love how dedicated you are with Ollie!!

These things just happen from time to time, life just gets in the way, and that's okay. We can't be with our fids all the time, 24/7. I'm glad you're reaching out here for advice.(happy birthday, by the way!! Mine's on Friday! ) and I'm glad you were able to get ahold of your babysitter to come over and tuck him in!! I'm sure it will make a world of difference to Ollie to see someone. When we leave for the weekend we have our close friend come by and feed all the animals for us and spend some time with them. It works out great!! Have a great birthday

 

[Sunnyclover]

Happy birthday to you as well! And thanks​...I love my baby!