charlieboy
Jogging around the block
Welp, not sure where I went wrong, but I definitely did something because he just won't go in his sleeping cage!!
He is already used to the cage, he loves going outdoors in it, but when its to sleep or even just while I clean his main cage its a whole other story. I've also tried to get him used to the spare bedroom by chilling in there with him, but he still won't go in the cage during the day unless I'm taking him outside so we can only chill around it... Perhaps it's too soon and I need to keep trying. He seems to sleep well once he's settled down in there, it's been a few days since I started putting him to sleep in there and he hasn't been more tired than usual, still tries to flirt with towels, eats well, nice poops, plays, etc.
However, as soon as I enter the spare bedroom with him, he immediately becomes super alert. If i try to make him step up from my shoulder, the bed or the top of the cage, he will bite (not *too* hard thankfully, but still) and as soon as he is on my finger he will fly back to my shoulder or the bed. I've tried coaxing him with millet to no avail. I usually end up being able to get him in by ignoring the biting, insisting on him stepping up and backing him up in the cage while he is distracted, but that takes like half an hour lol. And I know doing this will hurt our relationship in the long run.
Once he is in... he will start screaming and climbing onto his cage bars, aggressively pacing from left to right!! Poor guy looks like I'm leaving him there to die or something! Once I turn the lights off he will stop screaming but keeps climbing for god knows how long. Usually after 1-2 hours he will be perched normally, but I don't like checking on him too often because sometimes he will be calm and start climbing again.
I hate leaving him there so distressed, but I don't know how to calm him down other than by letting him settle down there by himself or by taking him out, which I can't do. I did the mistake on one of the first nights to put my hand in to help him back on his perch because I thought he might not be able to see well, but he took the opportunity to slide right out of the cage!! I think that's exactly what he wants, which is why I assume he may have started doing this more and more. Should I ignore it or is he scared..?
I'm also wondering if the sleeping cage is too small to his liking since his day cage he used to sleep in is bigger. Perhaps he just needs to get used to it, or maybe a bigger cage makes him feel safer? I've heard smaller cages are better for night frights though, which hasn't happened in quite a while but still... The room is pretty dark but he has a night light as well as 2-3 toys, pellets, water and a long perch. Here is the cage in question: Vision Bird Cage Model M01, Medium: Amazon.ca: Pet Supplies
I don't know what to do at this point, not sure if there is something wrong or if he's just throwing a tantrum... S.O.S!!
He is already used to the cage, he loves going outdoors in it, but when its to sleep or even just while I clean his main cage its a whole other story. I've also tried to get him used to the spare bedroom by chilling in there with him, but he still won't go in the cage during the day unless I'm taking him outside so we can only chill around it... Perhaps it's too soon and I need to keep trying. He seems to sleep well once he's settled down in there, it's been a few days since I started putting him to sleep in there and he hasn't been more tired than usual, still tries to flirt with towels, eats well, nice poops, plays, etc.
However, as soon as I enter the spare bedroom with him, he immediately becomes super alert. If i try to make him step up from my shoulder, the bed or the top of the cage, he will bite (not *too* hard thankfully, but still) and as soon as he is on my finger he will fly back to my shoulder or the bed. I've tried coaxing him with millet to no avail. I usually end up being able to get him in by ignoring the biting, insisting on him stepping up and backing him up in the cage while he is distracted, but that takes like half an hour lol. And I know doing this will hurt our relationship in the long run.
Once he is in... he will start screaming and climbing onto his cage bars, aggressively pacing from left to right!! Poor guy looks like I'm leaving him there to die or something! Once I turn the lights off he will stop screaming but keeps climbing for god knows how long. Usually after 1-2 hours he will be perched normally, but I don't like checking on him too often because sometimes he will be calm and start climbing again.
I hate leaving him there so distressed, but I don't know how to calm him down other than by letting him settle down there by himself or by taking him out, which I can't do. I did the mistake on one of the first nights to put my hand in to help him back on his perch because I thought he might not be able to see well, but he took the opportunity to slide right out of the cage!! I think that's exactly what he wants, which is why I assume he may have started doing this more and more. Should I ignore it or is he scared..?
I'm also wondering if the sleeping cage is too small to his liking since his day cage he used to sleep in is bigger. Perhaps he just needs to get used to it, or maybe a bigger cage makes him feel safer? I've heard smaller cages are better for night frights though, which hasn't happened in quite a while but still... The room is pretty dark but he has a night light as well as 2-3 toys, pellets, water and a long perch. Here is the cage in question: Vision Bird Cage Model M01, Medium: Amazon.ca: Pet Supplies
I don't know what to do at this point, not sure if there is something wrong or if he's just throwing a tantrum... S.O.S!!