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Ok, I have been noticing some common references to not upsetting the birds' routine but I have encountered conflicting information. Some say to be very careful to keep things constant and not introduce too many changes in a bird's daily life. And then I read that gentle, non threatening change is necessary to adaptation in changing invironments. (ie, boarding,
introduction of new toys and people, possible new ownership, etc.) So in order to avoid behaviorial issues, like plucking,screaming,biting... what's the scoop? Always keep everything the same? OR Subtle changes on a regular basis? Thanks you guys !
Cheryl

It is my opinion that birds need some change, but that overly dramatic ones can really disturb them. It seems to me that change is especially a good thing for younger birds, so that they have a wider experience. (The same thing is true of humans!)

It is odd that there are some things that really disturb a bird, and these things are often unpredictable. Several months ago I got a dark coloured table that I put in the kitchen across from the stove where it is convenient for food preparation. Wendell is STILL terrified of it. Tonight we went in to the kitchen, and he was instantly upset by the mere sight of a simple little table.

Cockatoos seem particularly likely to dislike dramatic change, in my opinion.

A little change here and there, every once in a while is good. I change things around all the time, inside their cages and out as well. It takes Bubba (zon) a little longer to get comfortable with her changes, so I make them slower or fewer. Yogi is used to me making changes, and just goes with the flow. I think doing this from the get go (since they were babies) has helped them to be well adjusted, and more able to cope with new and different things.

However, just as Robert has stated, Yogi, (cockatoo) freaked out just the other day when I removed a shadow box from the wall near his cage. It's been there for a couple years...he's seen it everyday, but just the fact that it moved, and is now gone, freaked him. If I were to go get it, and bring it into the room, he would freak again. So, as much as we like to think that we are domesticating these guys, they still have the bit of wild in them.

I got a new leather desk chair, that Bubba is fearful of. When we walk into the room with the chair, she will start leaning away from it, if I get closer to the chair, she will run to the other side of me, and if I approach the chair, she will scream and flee away from it. I take it slow with her, a little at a time, as I know that once she gets brave enough.....comfortable enough.....accustomed to it being there, enough, to touch it, her fear will melt away and she will be fine with the new chair.

A girl can't be too careful you know. It is a big dark chair that moves! It could be a zon eating monster!!!

I know this went from making small changes to out right fears but they seem connected to me. Sorry I got so wordy.

Cami,
I love reading your posts.......no matter how short or long they are always interesting.
I change things around often (monthly) in Annie's cage and I'll switch Twinkie and Pebbles cages completely about every 3 months. I'll do a really hard cleaning on them and then put Twinkie in Pebbles old cage and Pebbles in Twinkie's old cage. They seem to like it.
BUT..........a few months ago I highlighted my hair and Annie freaked out!!! She couldn't quit staring at me and was kind of afraid of me for a few minutes. Tomorrow I'm going to get it re-highlighted (it got pretty drab and I need a pickmeup) so we'll see how she does this time.
Gloria

You never know what will set them off. LOL I use a secretary chair at home a lot, and when I bought a new one a few years ago, it was red. Bingo HATED that chair. Every time he saw it he would back into the corner of his cage and stare holes into me. I finally went out and bought a black chair and now he's happy!

Wow. I am glad to hear that you are all experiencing similar lives with your feathered friends. Winter (U2) is just so different from Isaac ( CAG) and Makira ( SI Eclectus). He seems fearful of just about EVERYTHING . That's is why I thought it might be good to broaden his horizons. (on his terms,anyway) I bought a brand new spiffy playstand to put in my computer room so they could play and watch and hang out with me. Isaac and Makira are fine with it.... Winter clings to my arm like he is about to face a firing squad. I guess he didn't get out much before I brought him home with me. So we're going slow and making it subtle. But when there is something different... oh my... his little eyes throw daggers my way. I think he has some chicken blood in him.
Cami, I love reading your posts too...long or short. Thanks everyone !
Cheryl

I don't personally have a cockatoo but I have experience with them. It seems that every adult U2 I have known, that was not used to a stand when they were babies, was afraid of them when they were older. My Aunt has a wild caught U2 that is around 25 or and he is deathly afraid of playstands. I brought one over to their house since they didn't have one and all he wanted to do was kill it! I found the best way to get them to like it is just put it somewhere where they are not close to it, but see it on a regular basis. Then slowly bring it closer, over a long period of time. If your other birds like it, maybe your U2 will see how much fun they have on it and get jealous!

Aw, gee thanks Gloria, and Cheryl!

The same right back ya cha!

I live a pretty chaotic lifestyle...work shifts....etc...so nothing in my life remains constant...and my birds have always adjusted to that...They know they will be fed and watered and played with...but it probably won't be at the same time each day...toys are always changing cages....Now sometimes it might take a day or two for them to get used to the new toy....but not usually a big problem...as Robert said...you just never know what might upset them...Cami's was a shadow box....I changed a light fixture once...and my too stayed glued to the top of his cage for a day or two....
I think that making changes has to be good...unless you can guarantee that your life will remain without change forever....to me, it makes them less neurotic....

The only thing thats routine here is wake time and bed time- everything eles gets done when it gets done- Life with a 10&14 yr old- Husband, family, friends in and out and 6 dogs. Life is always moving and never a dull boring moment. I dont think in 2 years we have had a day- to ask what are we going to do today. Even snow days start at 5am, nice though not to have to gets kids up and off to school, I get my cages cleaner quicker and house done. All have been out and cleaned, now they are talking among themselves and We love listening.As Cyndie said they know they will be fed and have their time- its good for them to wait a bit, and adjust to new things.

Well. everyone, thanks for your responses. All helpful info and good comparatives. My life really is pretty predictable, so the changes that I make have to be made up. My work schedule stays the same, pretty much and because I live alone there are no big events going on. My family lives out of state and the biggest decision that I have to make is which day should I go buy birdy stuff. SO I move the cages around and take the birds to work with me once in awhile ( one at a time) and take them into different rooms. Once in a while a friend will visit so there is a new face to look at.The nearest bird club is more than 30 miles away and meets on an evening that I have to work until 8 pm. Makes it hard to get there. SOOOO any suggestions on changing things up a bit would be welcome. Of course nothing that will prompt a neurosis. and I am pretty open to anything but major home renovations.
Thanks ! I really love this forum.. you guys are great!
Cheryl