What IS quality time?

[goalerjones]

I work nights, in call, and have irregular work hours. I spend as much time as I can with Hahnzel but have to sleep during the day. So sometimes my "time" with her is when she sleeps inside my shirt at night if I'm home in between calls. Is this really "quality time" or not?

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[plumsmum2005]

It's whatever you both enjoy, no hard and fast rules.

Please be very, very careful when she is inside your shirt that you don't fall asleep, we have had some tragic stories of birds being fatally injured in this way. Don't let it happen to you please?

 

[goalerjones]

Yeah, I'm fully awake with coffee in hand when I'm on call. Once I'm done she goes back into her sleeping cage.

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[plumsmum2005]

From a health and well being point of view it would seem sensible to try and make sure she gets enough exercise. I know what nights are like and it is not easy.

 

[goalerjones]

But sleeping under my shirt doesn't really constitute "quality time" Though, does it?

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[plumsmum2005]

It does if she enjoys it LOL.

 

[goalerjones]

Yeah, she loves it. And I feel bad putting her back once she's all warm...

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[Loko]

In my previous job I had to work a couple nights every week. The most important thing I would say is if you are not up all day (I used to get up around 2pm) make sure that she is able to have time to fly around and excersize. Theres nothing wrong with spending time with her when she sleeps but birds need to use their wings in order to keep their cardiovascular system healthy.

 

[khaiqha]

I work 6pm-3am, but really with commute and things at work its more like 5pm-4am.

On work days i try my best to get up at 2pm, make my breakfast and lunch with my bird, do any errands with my bird (laundry, vacuum, etc) and if i'm lucky, go for a quick drive or walk with my bird.

I always can tell if i have or havent spent enough time during the day with him by what happens when i get home at night. If he feels it was good enough, he gives me a little chirp and goes back to bed.

If he feels it wasnt enough, he flies to me, in the dark, stays with me a little bit, then flies back to his perch.

As to your question of "quality" time that depends on your bird. I have an alexandrine, which are known to want to be around you but not necessarily doing stuff with you. So hin swinging from my shirt sleeve while i sweep is quality time with him, where as me trying to get him to play with toys is really boring for him.

 

[Anansi]

Her getting to sleep with you is an important flock activity, so yes, I think it is definitely quality time. I just think it is of a different sort than interactive time. How much time do you get, on average in a given week, to actually interact with her?

 

[goalerjones]

Probably between 11-12 each day I get up, make her fresh food breakfast for her. Then I stay up with her until around 5pm then I take a nap before my 8pm start of my shift. I try to be in bed before she wakes up in the morning and have her food/water available so she can eat until she's finally had enough of.me sleeping.

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[Scott]

Hard to define quality time, but it seems you are providing a closeness appreciated by Hahnzel. It also IMHO depends on the bird; cockatoos demand more hands-on tactile time than other species such as a macaw!