When you're not going to be home for dinner

[katie_fleming]

I have a couple work things coming up soon that I'm worried about. I ALWAYS go home right after work to feed Jasper/play with him, etc.

Unfortunately there's two things coming up that I need to go to and I won't be home for dinner.

I live alone and don't have anyone to help me so I'm looking for advice.

Is it OK to double up on his breakfast food and assume he will also eat it for dinner? And feed him when I come back? (8ish)

Then there's the issue of my work's Christmas party which will go really late. I think I'll have to go home first to give him an early dinner. I've NEVER left him alone for more than my usual work day time so I'm a bit worried.

Please help Need to make sure my baby is ok!

 

[Birdman666]

Honestly, mine adapt just fine when my schedule gets disrupted every now and again...

I would give him a little extra, not double. And then feed him when you get home.

 

[RavensGryf]

With the way my life is and has always been, I don't have an "always" routine. I've just assumed my birds would be fine no matter what. I have very independent species now, but I didn't always, and they were fine . I don't 'baby' my birds, I think they realize they have to be big boys when my body language and actions take for granted that this is the way it is. I baby them in "other" ways .

If you act overly concerned about it in front of Jasper, he might pick up on your body language or voice? He might think 'uh oh something's not right' and that alone might make him a bit tense since Ekkies are pretty sensitive to their environment.

I think you and Jasper will be fine. Have fun at your party!

 

[Anansi]

Well, considering that his main food should be fruits, veggies and legumes, I really wouldn't suggest doubling up on that. Spoilage becomes an issue after so many hours.

So what I do when I know I'll be home later than usual and there's no one there to feed them, is to put far more of their less perishable foods into their treat cup. By less perishable foods, I mean trail mix type dried foods, seeds, and even nuts. Having more than their usual share of those foods here and there isn't going to hurt them. Just so long as it's not a regular thing.

 

[Kiwibird]

It doesn't happen too often, but on those days no one is home to feed Kiwi his 2 regular meals (which include foods that spoil), he just gets an extra full dish of seed mix, dried/dehydrated fruit/veg and some nuts. It's fine for a bird to have that kind of thing every once in a while, and I promise a bird on a healthy diet won't suddenly starve or become nutritionally deficient because you went to the office Christmas party and didn't give them a gourmet dinner one night Heck, they'll probably be thrilled to get such a treat of 2 meals of all seed and nuts!

 

[katie_fleming]

Sounds good! Thanks guys, much appreciated

 

[katie_fleming]

So just a little update... (I keep a Skype call going all day when I'm at work so I can spy on Jasper)

This morning I gave him his breakfast as usual, with a little extra. And then before I left I gave him a small piece of spray millet, and filled up his "snack" cup with what he normally gets at bedtime (his favourite thing in the world) with a couple slivers of almond.

He didn't know what to do Had a little bit of everything and gave me a weird but happy look

I can see he's spending a lot of time at his seed dish, but hopefully he won't run out of food before I'm back later tonight!

I think he's in birdie heaven

 

[drlisaort]

I think it may be more tough on us than our pets when the routine changes. For the most part, my dog and parrot eat at the same times each day but life happens and once in a blue moon it changes or I have to fly out of town. I worry unnecessarily as they always seem just fine upon my return. Unlike you, I do have a husband and son home but both of them are a bit afraid of Oliver (parrot) with no reason...he's a sweetie pie...but even then all is well. I agree with the posts above that during times when I can't be home early I put extra dry foods in the forager and I also give him a few frozen birdy muffins that I make and store for emergencies. Enjoy your outing!!!

 

[katie_fleming]

I think you're right! I just don't want him to be lonely. Appreciate your help