All week & most of last week i've been working away from home - long hours. My husband & son have also been gone during the daylight hours.

Thank goodness the 2 Budgies have one another. Thru trial & error i have been addressing their time alone & the on-coming winter shorter days. I have to hang my head with shame as on Monday my son lectured me about the Budgies being in their cages when he got home before me. The room was darkish - one of the lights burnt out & they'd put themselves to bed at 5pm!

Despite the music, the lights, free use of our bedroom for flying all day - toys & food - they are lonely. I also think they are so used to freedom in 3 rooms that having only one room is cramping their style. I promise to spend time with them tomorrow after my class.

Tonight they are all over me - Laker especially. Talk about a shoulder parrot. [he did give me a bite tho when i changed his food dish. Bad tempered little guy.]

It's on weeks like this we are really happy they have each other.

Oh yes, I agree! I like that I have a "flock" of sorts that help them cope with the "lonlies" whenever I am away. Sure hope your schedule slows down soon, Jac. As much as you might the break from work, I'm betting you most of all want more time to hang out with your birdies!

It's definitely tough when we're away and/or working long hours, I know this all too well. When I get home in the evenings in the fall and winter it's already dark. I still take them out to fly and exercise but I feel terrible. I do think that if they're really used to the freedom that you're able to give them, Jac, that they are somewhat understanding about it - despite the initial crankiness Life does tend to get in the way but they do bounce back like we do. I've been out of town for 5 days now and I don't get to go home for 12 more days. Dave is getting them out every day and keeping them on their usual schedule, but this disruption with me not there is killing me.

But like you, I am also glad that both during the day and when Dave and I are gone for longer time periods, they have each other for company.

My little Pogo is alone most of the day, but he seems to handle it fine. I've been seriously thinking of getting another Budgie so he has someone to be active with when I'm gone. See my new thread about this.

I would think with 2 in the same cage that it would make a big difference to them while being locked up. At least they would have some company to hang or be active with.

I wouldn't worry about it at all.
You see, while you are away those little guys are partying it up.
You know that commercial with the cats? The cat litter one? Well, that is exactly what our fids do when we all leave the house.

Those two innocent looking boys of yours are bringing girls in.
Just look around and you are bound to see some sign of it happening, unfamiliar poo.., that innocent look on their faces.... Yup, that's what those little buggers are doin. They aren't lonely..., they just want you to feel guilty for leaving them.

LOL I was thinking the same thing, bringing girls in ha ha.

I would leave the lights off anyway, it's one less thing to worry about. Their natural time for bed (like they showed you) is dusk so they are perfectly happy to go to sleep then and wake up with dawn. (realizing they dont get to see you then but it's only temporary)

Cindy - I'm surprised you said that about the light. .... I thought that i should try & keep their lighting pretty consistent throughout the year. In the summer they still are encouraged to go to bed around 8:30 even tho it's light until 10pm. We draw the drapes & use light cage covers as well. I don't think they 'need' the covers but it adds to their privacy & as our place is small & the activity high - I think they need the added barrier to settle down.

Susan! - No girls around here - Budgie or Human [old woman here so even i don't count!] I admit they are capable of entertaining each other but are also opportunists. They take every opportunity to pester me.
I'm home today early so i can spend the afternoon with them.. I can almost hear myself think- they're above me squawking & chitting while peering down from the ceiling lighting fixture as i type.

Sarah - I was thinking of you & how hard it must be to be off to work every day & now away from home as well. Not only are my Budgies spoiled but i am as well. Being away all day is a nice change but i did it for years & really don't want to go back to the daily grind - how spoiled is that?! Not tha i don't work every day.

Scott - I'm off to check out your thread. I think it would be wonderful for little Pogo to have a pal. You have more experience than i do with Budgies.
Laker was alone for some time & it was all he knew but we worried when we saw he was so quiet when we got home & so boisterous when he has company. We/I thought about a pal for him almsot immediately but only got Rio after 10 months. Laker is a bit less friendly than he was but only a bit. Rios is very slowly getting friendly - way slower than Laker. But as you know they're all a bit different & you seem to know how to pick the best ones - or the ones with the big personality.