now, i don't intend to intentionally deprive my babies of sleep goofy is always awake when i get up around 6 am. i know this because i hear him either make the microwave sound or he says, "woo woo!" from beneath his cage cover. i'm not sure if louie is awake that early, but assume he is due to the activity level when ian gets ready to leave - he's not the most quiet lol.

my question is, would it be ok to get goofy out at 6:30 when i take my shower and take him with me? and louie too, on alternating days? that would give each bird an extra half hour of one on one time with me, and a regular bathing schedule. another concern: would this upset the "top bird" balance if goofy is out before louie is uncovered?

normally i uncover them just before 7 am and get them breakfast, letting them "rest" a little longer while i shower, but then we leave about 7:15. i feel like i should be interacting with them a little more in the morning (read: i feel guilty), but am concerned because of things i have read about sleep deficit.

if i get them up at 6:30 am and bedtime is 8:30 pm, will this cause them harm due to loss of sleep? i'm sure they nap, but naps and birds don't work the same as with humans, right? as in, they nap but don't make up for sleep lost. the routine we have currently seems to be working with them, but there's always room for improvement. as it is now, i have about 3 late days a month, and on those days one or the other bird will come with me in the shower.

kris

Now I'm not an expert on this but I know that my birds seem to have adjusted their schedules around my wife's and mine. I try to put them to sleep but they honestly want to be up if we are. We even have covered them but if they know we are up they will not sleep until we go to bed. You will hear them chattering under the cover, so we just abandoned covering them because it wasn't working. I know I have come home from work several times and found both of them napping so it seems that they get sleep at other times of the day. I haven't noticed any mal effects from this like grumpiness or aggression or anything for that matter. Perhaps some one else will post that has a better answer to your question, but I don't think a 1/2 hour will make a huge difference, now as far as "top bird" I'm not sure because my birds don't seem to have that issue. Good luck

are you sure they would be deprived?...I know mine likes to have several naps through the day. ( i know this because he does it weather I'm home or not! ) LOL

He will adjust to what schedule you have.

lol well considering the one is hooting and hollering as i'm coming down the stairs, i doubt he would be too put out by me uncovering him.

tomorrow is late day, so goof will get a bath and a normal time. we can start this early riser thing thursday.

thanks for all the input.
kris

The best way to tell if they are getting enough sleep is by their temperament. If they start to get squawky in the day and temperamental, then they need more sleep. If they stay their cheerful self then it is fine.

I am always for trial runs if it works and they dont seem crabby etc well then why not?? Sides I know you spoil your fids woman! hugs