Disgruntled Family Members

[kendrafitz]

Since the New Year, I have been pretty much home bound. First I was sick, then the kids and this week my husband had a slight medical procedure so I was home to make sure he was ok. I have been stir crazy, but Rosie, my GW has been a happy girl. That is until the other night.

I finally got out for an hour or two and when I got home it was UGLY. That is putting it lightly. Rosie was on her tree in the family room, screaming, really loudly and obviously annoyed. My husband also in the family room, had his ears plugged and his arm over his face, just miserable. My daughter, who was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework, was crying from the noise. My son just looked at me and shook his head. Once I got Rosie settled down, all my husband would say was, "Rosie REALLY missed you." Evidently she was screaming the entire time I was gone.

So I had an unhappy parrot and a really unhappy family. I just wanted to turn around and run away from my disgruntled family.

I am not the only person this happens to, am I? Does anyone else have to deal with insanity when they come home?

[Honesty]

Oh yes Kendra. Codie is exactly like this when I am away! While I was visiting my Mum in the summer, my son Daniel rang me to say that Codie just would not stop screaming. I could hear him while I was on the phone. He took the phone into the room Codie is in, so he could hear my voice over the phone. When he heard my voice, he immediately stopped screaming :th_eek: This gave me an instant idea :) As soon as I returned home, I made a recording of me talking. I went away for the weekend a few weeks later and told Daniel to put the CD on and leave it on repeat! He did this, and hey presto, it worked! Codie did not scream once :th_chickendance:

[kendrafitz]

Oh WOW! I am going to try that. Thank you so much Wendy. I wanted to cry when I got home to the chaos and all the humans glowering at me. :(

[Honesty]

Oh WOW! I am going to try that. Thank you so much Wendy. I wanted to cry when I got home to the chaos and all the humans glowering at me. :(You are welcome Kendra :) I can't wait for you to try this to see if it works with Rosie as well!

[Blancaej]

It is often hard to leave our fids, especially if they are used to us being home regularly. I would try putting her on some type of schedule where she has "quiet time" everyday. Whether you are home or not. Time to spend in her cage to herself. Don't you work at home? I would try leaving the house in short intervals and build from there. Just to get her used to you not being in the house. Make it a normal thing and she will get used to it in no time. I always tell my fids I will be back. Quincy actually says it when I leave now. LOL! I have no idea what your schedule is like and if this is even possible. But all you can do is the best you can. Don't worry, the family will get over it. Marcus cries now and then when my birds get to squawking. But we deal with it and move on. It's just our crazy life! LOL! But even still, my kids love the birds!

I love Wendy's idea by the way!

[coltfire]

that's a great idea Wendy, if i dont tell my birds what im doing, and how long ill be when i go out they will start the screaming as soon i lock the doors, but if i tell them i have to go out for an hour or two they dont tend to scream as much, now i dont think they can tell time but like most afternoons if i say to them im going to lay down for an hour and for them to wake me after that time, they do. they will not start the screaming until the hour or what ever time i tell them im laying down for, smart birds:th_hehe:

[Turquoise]

Awww sweet Rosie was missing Mommy.:th_hug8: But I know that can be a nightmare to deal with when they get that attached to one person and that person suddenly disappeared in their life.

I love your idea Wendy. That is a great tip for anyone planning a trip out of town and it is out of the ordinary for their birds to handle. :goodjob:

I guess I have one of the few flocks of birds on here that has such a crazy unusual schedule (meaning no schedule really at all) that I don't have those problems with them very often. With my work/sleep schedule mine are so used to seeing me come in around 7:00am and then not seeing me til 2:00pm. Even on days off they do their own thing in their enclosures til I am up and let them out again. There is rarely a day anymore that they are noisy while I sleep. But then, they are not fully mature either so it is likely to change when the hormones kick in. :th_shakehead:

On my days off I am in & out so much as well that they just take life in stride and don't worry too much. My reason for getting the largest enclosures (my dog kennel enclosures) for my guys was that I knew there would be a lot of 'in lockup' time for them on work days. I have not been gone for several days with someone else taking care of them since getting any of them, so I have no idea how they would act should I have to. My biggest concern would be who to get to see to them as I have no one to rely on since my sister is gone. Thankfully I have no reason to be gone from home for any length of time. :dance55:

[PlaxMacaws]

Out of my 4, it's only Zaf and Maynard who protest vocally when I have to leave them alone. Zaf cries until I return and release him, since he truly misses my presence. Maynard simply seizes the opportunity to embark upon a scream fest - his favorite past time! Jack and Salsa are just fine with my short departures. Salsa spends the time talking to himself (and to whomever else will listen), as well as playing with his toys, which seems to keep him adequately content. Jack is usually always calm and content - as long as he has his huge mirror nearby, that is!


I knew there would be a lot of 'in lockup' time for them on work days.Haha! Spoken like a true prison guard :th_wink:

[Maddy]

I love your idea, Wendy!

Jester sometimes screams when we go out, and when we come home he will also complain until we let him out. His complaining is hilarious! He yells, "Rikki! Pick me up!" "God D*** it Rikki, pick me up!" And we are pretty sure he says "OH S**T". :th_eek: (We didn't teach him that!)

[Minamommy]

Oh boy Kendra do I EVER know what you are talking about. Thank goodness I started Mina out right off with her own time whether I was home or not so she could be in her room or cage and play independently. However she HATES my daughter so whenever she hears Lesleigh and I talking or God for we are in the same room she will just scream and scream not letting Lesleigh and I talk. She usually leaves in tears. I went to the grocery store today and my husband said " Do you know you can hear that bird scream outside loud and clear." I calmly said yes they can hear her 3 miles away too. Put the groceries away I'll go calm her down. I agree with Wendy. Get her use to her own quite time. She and you will end up being more happy. I got the Parrot Adventure DVD. Mina loves it. I also play soothing music while she has her quite time.