BaileysPapa

After about 10 months of putting the harness loosely on Bailey, every day, we are finally out walking with it on. About 3 days ago, I tightened it around his body. With much protest, growling and squawking, he has sort of accepted that he has to wear it. He tries to bite and chew it off, but, after a few minutes, somewhat settles down, and we can enjoy the walk outdoors. I know that eventually he'll accept it. He is glad when I remove it, and holds no grudge. I, on the other hand, am so thrilled to be able to take him out on a daily walk. Advice to anyone trying to get their bird to accept the harness, KEEP AT IT! It took 10 months of every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day, of just putting it on him for a few minutes. Don't force them more than they'll tolerate, but, DON'T give up!

If you have not done anything, and do decide to pull it, do it fast. Use pliers, if you don't have a hemostat, so you can get a good grip. Pull it hard & quickly, directly outward from the follicle, while holding the base area of the feather securely. Do not jerk her wing. If unsure, or hesitant, have the vet do it.

My Bailey, TAG, loves to hang upside down. He can actually run across the ceiling of his cage upside down! I marvel at the strength they have in their legs & feet. And their fearlessness of falling. But, maybe if I had wings, and knew that I'd never fall to the floor, I wouldn't be afraid either.

I've had old birds with arthritic feet. Flat perches and platform perches make their lives easier. If they let you touch the feet, you could gently manipulate the toes to exercise them. But, GENTLY! Any resistance, or obvious pain, discontinue. Also soft massage can feel good. But, again, SOFT massage. Letting them walk on flat surfaces like the floor can also be beneficial. As long as they are not in pain.

It could be just stress from losing her 18 year guardian, and may be temporary, now that she's happy. Other than baths, give her some direct sunshine, a few minutes most days. Also redirecting her feather chewing will help. Shredding & preening toys will give her something else to concentrate on. If she hasn't been doing it very long, it is fixable.

How do you guys trim/file your birds' nails? I'm thinking of getting a Dremel tool. What size is best? And what type of file bits should I use? A nail file just isn't sufficient anymore. Anyone who uses a similar tool, how does your bird react? Ideas?

Welcome to our flock. There is a lot of good information here. Plus, many helpful, knowledgeable, friendly folks. If you can't find answers to your questions in past threads/posts, just ask.

Sorry, I'm in Florida.

Breeding her has always been a considered option. But, since she is bonded to the Lovebird, we've been afraid of what might happen, or not. Coincidently, this is a true case of unrequited love. The Lovebird is a chronic masturbator, plus tries to feed all of his toys. It seems that even though they can never mate, they stimulate each other so much, it causes these problems. But, we're afraid of what might happen if I separate them. I've tried it with disastrous results. They call to each other constantly, go off their feed, and get very moody or aggressive. Maybe I should change their names to Romeo & Juliet.

There are hormone shots that can be given to chronic egg layers to stop them. But, with smaller birds, they try to keep that as a last resort. I do have a beautiful male 'tiel, but my female 'tiel is somewhat bonded to my Lovebird. They've been together for a long time, and it would break my lovie's heart to lose his girl to someone else. I've tried separating them, and both become very upset. So, we're not even sure that the female 'tiel would accept a mate. She's not overly friendly to that male. Plus, with 9 birds already, and being a former rescuer, I really do not want to bring more baby birds into this world. As for your bird eating her own egg, it is my understanding that females will often eat unwanted eggs. To replenish the nutrients lost laying that egg. And if they feel that things are not right to properly raise chicks. Such as threats, insufficient food supply, environment issues, etc.

I have a Cockatiel that is a chronic layer. No mate, of course. She sits on them interminably. I have usually removed her real eggs and replace them with plastic dummy eggs. They're supposed to keep her from laying more. Sometimes she just adds hers to the clutch, and I remove them after a while. If I remove all the eggs, about 3 weeks later, we have another clutch. The vet & I are at a loss for what to do. Everything we try is to no avail. The eggs just keep coming. I keep her calcium up with cuttlebones, mineral blocks, boiled eggshells, etc. Two years ago, I lost a beloved Budgie to a prolapsed cloaca from being eggbound. She, too, layed infertile eggs often. Unfortunately, this is a sad aspect of not having birds breed. My vet jokes that my girls love me so, that I stimulate them to lay. Of course, I do know not to touch them inappropriately, and try to minimize contact when they seem hormonal or broody. That's why I was so happy that my Grey is male.

How great to be able to have offered your bird such natural moments. And have a record of them, to remember him enjoying them.

Bailey loves oatmeal. And sweet potatoes. And warm birdy bread.

I agree with everyone above! I love my mornings when I have oatmeal, and Bailey climbs onto the rim of the bowl, and helps himself to breakfast. He eats probably about a tablespoon of oatmeal with any combination of berries: blueberries, raspberries, goji berries, cranberries, dried cherries, currants, raisins, sultanas, whatever. He also likes coffee. He gets a tiny bit of his own, less than a teaspoon of decaf. It's so much fun watching him enjoy himself, also making lip smacking sounds.

I can only echo what my colleagues have said. That cage is way too small, (especially for a Congo), and they need much more out of cage time than you are giving. Maybe the scratching is them trying to increase their surroundings.

All good advice above. As for toys for birds who don't know how to play, keep it simple to start. Things like paper cups, plastic drinking straws, wadded up paper balls, those cat balls with bells in them. Show him by rolling these things to & away from him. Crunch the paper wads, the sound will be interesting to him. All our babies love bells. Later add more intricate toys. Just like food, what they do not like today, they may like tomorrow, and what they do like today, might be left alone tomorrow. Everyday there should be different things, even if they are not really new, but were not enjoyed yesterday. These are very intelligent, curious, sensitive creatures. And as guardian & flock leader, you are responsible for their stimulation and enrichment.

As said above, give him time. Talk to him a lot. Read to him if you don't know what to say. A happy, enthusiastic voice will gain his trust fast. Offer him treats, like nuts or bits of fruit, from your hand. Things sound good, just remember to go slow. If you force him to do anything he's not comfortable with, it will be anti progressive. Good luck with your new friend.

Pistachios & pine nuts here, too. Expensive taste indeed! They're worth it!

I agree. My birds make the rest of my life & problems fade away. My happiest times are with them all over me. When Bailey allows, of course!

It is thought that dogs do not have flat depth perception, and so only saw movement on a flat surface, not your daughter's face. Birds have that depth perception, and can tell it was your daughter. That also works with mirrors.

A prayer for Zoey!

That law will discourage some pulling & hand feeding. The chicks (and puppies & kittens) cannot be advertised as "hand fed". I see it as a positive move in the pet business.

A friend bought a house about 2 years ago. Since she had more room, she expanded her flock, and adopted a Macaw and a Grey to keep her Cockatoo company. A little while later, she developed headaches, runny nose, and other cold like symptoms. She refused to believe she was allergic to the birds. But, after extensive testing, and further complications, it was assumed it must be the birds. She tried everything to minimize dander, air conditions, and even exposure to the birds. But, she got worse as time went on. So, about 8 months ago, she sadly & tearfully rehomed all of her birds. Her health did not improve very much. Two weeks ago, she & her husband decided to do some remodeling. When they tore down some walls, they discovered that her whole house is full of mold & mildew, between the walls, etc. A very common problem here in Florida. Her doctor has now established that she was reacting to the mold, and is probably not allergic to birds! She's just devastated. The birds are all in good, loving homes, and have adjusted to their new guardians, who love them very much. She's besides herself. I took two old Budgies from her, and have since returned them. But, she feels that it would not be fair to the big birds to even ask for them back. They've gone through rehoming to her, then rehoming from her, and she thinks that wouldn't be fair to them. Though, she would love to get them back. She has not approached their new guardians. What do you guys think about this?

A good move forward. I'm glad to see that this extends to many species.

I use a steam cleaner on the cages & playstands. If it is not heavily soiled, clean with brush in a water/bleach mix, rinse well, set in sun to dry completely. I also use vinegar & water to clean & disinfect things. Try to find out why they're selling it. I wouldn't take anything if the previous bird has died.