Ha! I knew I would get your attention with that subject!
We get Roxie & Stitch out ALMOST every night. We do make attempts every night but sometimes they just don't wanna come out- which I think is because they're still new & they have an awesome cage <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
When we do get them out for tent time, they usually play & run around for about a half hour & then after that it seems like they've had enough. They either go back into their pouch or if it's not available they park themselves on our backs and just sit. I know it's recommended to have 2 hours a day- but they don't seem to want it yet! Is this because we're still in the bonding process or could they be depressed? They are active when they're in the cage during the night at least. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />
Re: 1/2 hr a day enough play time?
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#37530 02/21/0504:21 PM02/21/0504:21 PM
I usually spend about 3 hours a night w/ mine...anywhere from 9-1. Depends on how tired I am...and on school nights usually only about 10-11. When mine are still sleeping I sit down, watch tv or get on the computer...and they wake right up. This may help a little...not sure though. Someone will come along w/ better answers.
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#37531 02/21/0504:23 PM02/21/0504:23 PM
I spend about 1 1/2 to 2 hours a night with mine. They do have their moods when some nights they are really playful and want to come out right away. other nights one of them might not be as in much of a playful mood as always.
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#37533 02/22/0501:24 PM02/22/0501:24 PM
What exactly do you all do when you play with them for 2 hours?? I've tried tent time, but I'm not really sure how to "play" with them. So how can the rest of us make our play time as fun as yours?!
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#37534 02/22/0502:49 PM02/22/0502:49 PM
For me, when I go to play with them, they really don't take interest, I mainly just watch them so they don't get into trouble and talk to them. The only time they actually want to play with me is when I have feathers on hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />
I don't have a tent, they play in my bathroom. They like to hoop around, stretch, roam free...jump from place to place, just be gliders.
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#37535 02/22/0503:16 PM02/22/0503:16 PM
You might try finger wrestling also. Mine just absolutely love to finger wrestle. It makes them feel so big and bad. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Re: 1/2 hr a day enough play time?
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#37536 02/22/0509:59 PM02/22/0509:59 PM
Having 2 families in 2 different cages and allowing only one group out at a time, each family knows that an "hour of free time" is their limits! They have an entire room devoted to playing (my guys call it the glider-torium) and the only limit is not to crawl into the washer or dryer--on or off, it doesn't matter! Sometimes they're ready to go back into their cages (with a little bribe called dinner) and sometimes I have to chase them for 15 min. before they give in. No matter, they know how to put a smile into my night.
Minkasmom (Papillon Kisses) Slave to: 25 gliders,4 cats, and ONE husband (can't handle two, lol!) Remembering all my lost loves
Re: 1/2 hr a day enough play time?
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#37537 02/23/0508:06 PM02/23/0508:06 PM
Well how big is their cage? I used to have mine in an 18x18x30 and many nights she had free roam of a glider-proof room. Now I have 2 in a 260 rept which now i consider my minimum allowable, and sometimes she just scampers right back over to the cage during playtime. I still give them out of cage time, but I think it is very important for gliders in smaller cages.
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#37538 02/23/0508:22 PM02/23/0508:22 PM
Their cage is about 24x36x48" (I think). It's at my boyfriends so I can't measure it- but it's way huge. I attached a picture of it before it was finished (we added a mesh screen since the bars were too far apart).
We're working on getting a nice toy collection going for them still but they have a wheel, a bendi rope to sit on, a hanging rope for climbing & a few pouches. Every weekend we've been adding more and more stuff for them! Do you think you can put too much in their cage? I hope not- I still have a long wishlist!
Did you notice when you upgraded their cage any difference in the amount of time they spent outside it playing?
wow, forgot to check back to this thread. I noticed a HUGE difference in the amount of time they wanted outside of their cage. When i had 1 in a smaller cage she would always try to get out to play, so i let her as much as i could and until it got too cold in the house she had free roam of a whole room. (our apartment was heated by a gas fireplace downstairs and we had to keep her door shut, so as winter set in it got too cold and i had to get a space heater for her room. I didnt want her to get burned by the heater even though i got a safe one, so i kept her in the cage.) I got the 260 rept about a month before getting a second glider and she loves it. instead of trying to get out she would try to get in her cage! I go to bed earlier than I used to because i am pregnant and tired a lot, so they get their play time in the morning more often than evening, and when they get tired and want to sleep for the day they go back into their cage. It used to be a search every morning to find my single glider when i had her in a little cage but free to roam her room. She would just find a spot to curl up, but wasnt too interested in her cage. (We were lucky enough to have a spare bedroom just for the gliders and there was nothing dangerous and she couldnt fit under the door.) Your cage is a pretty decent size too though! I know with mine sometimes they get a spurt of energy during the day, and i let them have some play time then. I hope this was more helpful than rambling.
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#37540 02/28/0512:39 AM02/28/0512:39 AM
Thanks for checking back! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
Your response was helpful... at least it made me feel better! I think they're just having too much fun in their cage! I'll be moving out this summer & I'm getting a 2 bedroom place just so they can have their own room <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" /> I think it'll end up being more fun because Chad & I won't have to be crammed in the tent...
Now we just have to work on teaching them that we have a front side that's just as fun to sit on! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />