Switching schedules need advice

[LittleLULU]

My half moon conure has been on a 12noon to 1am schedule to match my working schedule. She had no trouble being on that schedule but my work schedule has changed. I will be working midnight to 8am. I want to change her to a 9am to 10pm schedule. I will be moving her cage in front of a window to utilize daytime light as opposed to her uv bulb. Any suggestions on what i can do to make this a less stressful change for her?

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Well, just like us humans, changes in lifestyle affect us, our moods and require adjustments.

I think the best thing you can do is gradually change her over to it.

The schedule change is not a dramatic difference, so I don't see any problem there. But I'd just try to minimize the change by maybe making the changes in steps, if at all possible. (11a-12m for a period and then 10a-11p etc) until you reach the 9a. I think as long as the amount of time YOU spend with her, there shouldn't be any major issues.

Skittles was on a 12n-8p schedule for quite a while. (He is free-flighted and VERY active during the day so he requires a LOT of rest). But there have been times his schedule has been interrupted by my own sleep difficulties by a few hours and I've not had a problem because the amount of time I spend with him doesn't change and it's not a huge disruption in timing.

 

[khaiqha]

My life is a constant flux due to my job. While not ideal for my bird, he's adjusted and basically uses time he's by himself for sleep, and time I'm home for play. I always leave my room door open, and if he's tired, he flies back to his perch to sleep for the night, whether I'm home or not.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I think the bigger issue is ensuring that you are still spending the same amount of time as well as providing your bird with enough toys and entertainment to keep busy while your away. These tend to post bigger adjustment problems than anything else. Though no one can say for certain how a bird will react to any change, being proactive can make a difference.

 

[LittleLULU]

Ive decided to keep her as a night bird. She wakes up at 8pm and goes to sleep around 9am. That way she can have all my attention on my nights off. She has ample toys available and on my days off she's pretty well glued to me. She gets an hour of play in the morning and some scritches and snuggles before bed.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Just make sure she gets enough light. I'm not sure what effect having a night bird will be, so you may want to consider that.

I was told when I first got Skittles that the 'ideal' schedule for him would be from 7a-7p which wasn't going to happen. I am not up at 7a and I live in an apartment building so having him screech that early wouldn't bode well with the neighbors.

I tend to wake him up between 11a-1p and put him to bed between 7p-9p. So, he is up and out of his cage for 8-10hrs each day.

I only have an issue with that if he has spent too much time in his cage. On the days I go out, however, I tend to get up earlier so he has more time out of his cage.

I think birds can adjust to just about any schedule if it's done properly.

 

[LittleLULU]

She has a full spectrum light above her cage because she has been on an evening/night schedule. She's used to the light.

 

[LittleLULU]

Thanks for your comments. Lucy is doing great. She is on a 10pm to noon schedule now. She seems happy. And is quiet when i sleep and back to her normal antics during the "day"