Working out the sleeping arrangements

Now it is just Bezukhov & Phineas, sleeping arrangements needed to be renegotiated. This has been a delicate & complicated operation & a settlement appears to be in sight. The table below summarises the comings & goings. The added notes give some explanation, though I doubt any real insight into the workings of a budgie mind.

Table 1: Two week log of Bezukhov & Phinny's overnight sleeping pattern between the Manor & the Ferplast — *Table 1: Two week log of Bezukhov & Phinny’s overnight sleeping pattern between the Manor & the Ferplast*

Note 1
Bezukhov seriously considered staying overnight in Phinny’s cage. In the end, it did not happen but I sensed Bezukhov would prefer to sleep next to someone (even Phineas) rather than alone in the Manor.

Note 2
Bezukhov experimented by sitting in Phinny’s cage after he had eaten. Unfortunately, at one point Bezukhov did not get out of Phinny’s way fast enough & was pushed to the floor of the Ferplast. Being a sensible toyboy he decided quite quickly that sleeping overnight with Phinny was NOT an option… so he returned to the Manor.

Note 3
Bezukhov again considered sleeping overnight with Phineas. However, I thought it best he stayed overnight when the next morning was not medication morning, so I encouraged him back into the manor but he was restless. I imagined the following evening the probability of him staying overnight in the Ferplast was high, but I was foolish thinking I could predict their movements!

Note 4

For some reason, they both stayed out late which was unusual for Phineas as he tends to go to bed relatively early. Anyway, they both landed up in the manor, so I quietly locked them in. Phineas seemed a bit surprised but he was tired so settled quickly. Unlike the previous night when Bezukhov was restless on his own in the manor, he seemed ok with Phinny in there with him. Just to be sure, I set my alarm for extra early the following morning… In fact, I set my alarm for 3am to see the blood moon (very nice!) but then set it again for early morning…

Normally I hear them chirping before I enter the room but it was silent, until I entered, when Phineas was clearly in need of some attention (regurgitation and/or jiggy-jiggy). Bezukhov was looking shell-shocked & had an expression that seemed to say, “What have I done, Mama?” I immediately got Phineas out (he willingly jumped on my hand) & transported him to his own cage. If budgies could sigh, then Bezukhov gave a massive one! He was then able to chirp (he was dumb struck before) & preen & eat.

Note 5

I really felt for Bezukhov this evening; he spent about 30 minutes getting comfortable in Phinny’s cage but then sat on the perch outside looking lost, like he did not know where his home was… However, he decided to persevere with the Ferplast. Phinny was already in bed on his ttmss swing so it was a good time to go in the cage – when Phinny is too tired to be troublesome. Bezukhov was looking a bit worried though & unsure where to settle. The doors were still open in case of a change of mind.

As I covered them over, Bezukhov made his way to the swing next to Phinny’s. He sat there normally for a moment, but then climbed to the top & was balancing precariously there (reminded me of dear Cagney as the two of them would often sit on top of swings, especially on a swing their pudding was sitting on). Bezukhov then started to stretch across as if to sit on the other side of Phinny’s swing which made my heart go in my mouth, especially as Phinny noticed & leaned across with his beak open…. Bezukhov, being a sensitive & observant soul, thought better of that idea & settled on his swing in the normal fashion.

Note 6
Another night in the Ferplast. Bezukhov experimented with roosting positions. He sat on the corner perch behind the ttmss swing, looking longingly at the free side of the swing (Phineas was already snoozing on the other side). Bezukhov took some time to psyche himself up to sit there, but he finally did! The two of them were on the ttmss swing! Bezukhov did not look entirely relaxed but at least the mirror in the middle afforded some protection from Phinny, & potentially it was the safest place to be in the cage. Phineas looked slightly put out because he could not slump like he usually does due to Bezukhov’s weight levelling out the swing.

Note 7
Once again, they both settled in the Ferplast for the night. Though it is now Bezukhov’s preferred location for sleeping, he is still not entirely relaxed; he keeps having to look over his shoulder. He was preening at one point & did not get out of Phinny’s way quick enough so Phinny pushed him off the perch. I opened the cage doors again in case Bezukhov thought the Manor would be a better option, but he stayed in the Ferplast.

Note 8
As usual, they both settled for bed in the Ferplast. Unusually, Phineas sat on the other side of his ttmss swing, the side he never sits on, so he could stretch across & shake the other swing that Bezukhov was trying to sleep on…

Note 9

I decided to swap the positions of the Ferplast & the Manor. Bezukhov appears to have moved into the Ferplast, at least for the overnight stays, & this makes it difficult catching him for his medication in the morning.

Because of the change in position, the Ferplast was ignored & they both spent most of their time in & on the Manor. Phineas was totally confused as all his routine regurgitating spots were in the Ferplast! During early evening, whilst they were both in the Manor I locked them in. Bezukhov was restless as he clearly did not want to share the Manor with Phineas. I put my hand in, hoping Phinny would jump on & perhaps I could transport him into the Ferplast but he just came to the nearest perch, stretched across to bite me, then returned to the loft area!

So, Phineas was annoyed with me as I upset his jiggy & regurgitating routine & Bezukhov was annoyed with me for locking Phineas in the Manor with him! They did eventually settle down for the night but not without Phineas first hitting Bezukhov on the head.

Note 10
After the biting from Phinny the previous night, in the morning it appeared we were friends again, which had to happen in order for him to do the hand-jive.

They both decided to return to the Ferplast for overnight sleeping, despite the cage being in the wrong location.