Kind of a mental health question

[trueblue]

I read somewhere here that another owner had a similar problem as this but I can't seem to find it. I read about birdie binkies but my bird store didn't have them so I bought my guy this fluffy toy that looks kind of like a mop and hung it over top of one of his perches because his tiny feet seemed cold in the morning. I figured he could snuggle up with it at night. He went nuts for it right away...love at first sight but now all he wants to do is climb up in it and cuddle. He comes out to play with us willingly still but isn't playing with any of his toys since the mop came. My boyfriend took it away from him this evening and poor Tsu was so upset over it. When I got home tonight I gave it back to him. I wonder if he could handle having it taken away during the day and put back at night to sleep with. This silly thing seems to put him into a trance he loves it so much. Any input on what's going on and why a baby would only want to snuggle with it and not play with his stuff?? I'm thinking he's not even eating as much because he wants to be with this thing.

[Evelyn]

I would let him have it, if he is still a baby, it is his security blanket, he is afraid and has something that makes him fell safe..Don't worry he will eat..He will start playing with his other toys in time, how long have you had him and how old is he..?

[trueblue]

He is 17 weeks old. I've had him at home since he was 9 weeks old and visited him at the breeders every day or 2 for weeks beforehand. He is a confident little bird who never seemed to have any fear or security issues. He has even traveled with us twice since we have had him. Bonding has never been an issue and he has never been afraid. He took one look at this mop the other day when I brought it home and got super excited. Weird little bird.

[Evelyn]

Well then, he thinks he has a girl friend..I did have to take a toy from my female Cockatiel, as she fell in love with it and for the first time layed eggs, not fertile of course, but to stop her from laying , I had to remove the toy.. He being a boy, will have um, do the dirty to it, he is still a baby so he just starting to find himself, so it is up to you if you think you should take it, they all fine something they are attached to, I know a lady who's little guy is attached to a small frizbee, and has to be with it all the time, another little one is attached to a hand sweeper, so he will find something else to get attached to, they fall in love with things, but that doesn't mean he will not still bond with you, if it gets too excessive, then you will have to take it away..Good luck..

[trueblue]

Thanks Evelyn, this is turning out to be a tough choice for me. He doesn't want to eat this morning and I'm thinking it's because I took the mop away this morning when he woke up. He refused his seed, apple, banana and only now is eating a bit of millet. When he has the mop all he wants to do is hide in it and he isn't playing. I think such a young guy should be having fun :) I'll see how it goes in the next day or 2.