bettyboop

Hello , I sub to Bird Talk . They just did a huge story a couple of issues back on Grey's. Every month they choose a different species.They also have great tips , I read it cover to cover . M<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/09/30 12:52

Pat , not only does Sammy love ice cubes, he loves pop cicles. Strawberry is his favorite . I only give him one every now and then . When my Grandkids have one , he goes nuts , after he eats it , he then enjoys the stick . M

How exciting !!!!Congratulations Pat , that is so exciting .I remember Zsa Zsa's first words , she said "NO NO NO " I nearly passed out .I was so shocked , she had been on top of my fridge chewing on the rubber molding and I had been telling her no no no several times .She flew over to her playstand and said it . I was so excited ...They are so cute. Oh yeah that would be a bummer if the adoption place just showed up .That is what I don't understand why , do they make it so difficult ? Her is a person who would give her a great home and then they throw in the shock and awe of home visits unannounced .No way , I don't like it when someone , just drops in . No way .... It was a nice thought. Mary

I completly understand , I have one also .I handled her when she molted but mine never lets me pet her , very rarely do I get the pleasure.... You know, we know you are a great bird Dad, so no explaining to us ........They are great birds , and if they are handled alot when they babies, they can be real sweethearts.I still think alot of their disposition is from genetics.Unfortunatly , their are no books about them , somebody needs to write a book .Also , I have the female , that explains alot .They are or can be the more difficult bird . M<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/09/30 12:28

Go for it Pat, if she is that gentle , sounds great . M

Do you have an opinion about adding another Alex to my flock .Since Zsa Zsa is so attatched to me , do you guys think she would accept a male of her own kind into the flock . I am just wondering if she hates my CAG because he is a different species or because he is another bird ? M

I know they are like our kids . I remember loosing our TAG , it was so sad for a long time .I still think about him and his big stainless bell hangs by my back patio door . Sometimes a bird will sit on it and it rings , I always think of him .He will always be missed... M

You can ask Zooman , when these guys molt they turn into little green monsters.If you plan on Raja continuing to stay sweet , keep on petting , because if it stops they loose their tamness. I am so sorry about your Cockateil .I didnt catch the post till this morning .My Mom was ill this week and I have been running .I am so sorry Pat , I hope you are OK . That is tough , loosing a baby .So sorry..... Alexandrines are great birds , I wish I could get one for $200.That is a great price, however I don't like the idea of starting out with one that is 2 years old.Do you know her history? Hugs , Mary

Sorry Pat about the cockateil , what happened ? For the most part Zsa Zsa is always sweet .However the first 6-8 months wasn't so.She was quite a bluffer with that beak .It has taken a lot of one on one with her to get her where she is . She despises our Grey , so that part is not fun anD it takes a lot of handeling to keep her tame . M

So glad you and Tiago are doing better . You know the lost interest in wood , ZsaZsa has done this very thing before , so I bought a huge bag of these things that look like pop cycle sticks and she loves them .There isnt too much to them and they are very soft but it at least got here interested in wood again .Which is a beak conditioner as you know .I know I have three sets of toys , that I rotate every week and that helps to beat the boredom. As far as pellets , she may eat like three teaspoons per day , but not everday .She likes food , our food .So when I prepare our dinner , hers is dished before I season .She loves baked fish , chicken , pork but not too keen on red meat .She eats potatoes , mac and cheese, veggies , eggs, of course these are all in very small amounts .She loves collard greens. I used to hang these leaves on her cage and she would really go after them .I have foraging cups which I place carrots, apples ,almonds . grapes in and she has a blast .She is a big eater and always has been.... M

Well , I am sure you will figure something out . How is Tiago doing , is everything OK with his wing clip? Hopefully he has adjusted . Zsa Zsa is getting more verbal , and eating like a piggy . She has been so lovey this week , perched upon my shoulder like I am a tree . She preens on my shoulder and slaps me in the face with her tail , and wings .She is so funny . M

What about just buying an inexpensive bird cage with a nice lock on the door ? That is basically what my travel cages are , but strong enough to withstand their beaks . Or go down to the local feed store, or farm and ranch store , they sell galvanized wire caging ,used for rabbit cages, that you can buy in sheets , you cut to the size you need , put 4 pieces together .Crimp the edges and put together with these brad things . You cut a whole in the front and brad the front door on and then they sell the lock for the door.If there is a Feed Store around you , they can help you build small carry cages with a handle on it for a very small amount .They are very safe , because of the way they are put together .We had rabbits at one time and my husband built all of their cages.It's just so you can take them outside , it isnt as though they will live in there.I have seen people use these at bird shows when they buy a bird , gotta get it home some way .Just some ideas , hope it works . Mary

Oh my birds are not in the same cage, no way Zsa Zsa hates Sammy . She picks fights with him all the time .My birds are not friends , I can't have both out at the same time and I never let Zsa Zsa see me working with Sammy , she has a fit . LOL.... Good for you , making your own travel cages . My husband says you can buy stainless steel cage material at garden /feed stores .He was going to make our birds , but we found these from our breeder for $45 each and he said that was a good deal .Hope it works out for you . Then you will be really proud of it .It won't look like a girls carrier either. M

Hi Pat, yes they do have the cutest little faces. I love them . If he is practicing , it won't be long .Males are better at speech than females or at least it seems that way .Zsa Zsa is talking a bit more than she was , who knows why .I love their voices , it is so clear .They learn so quickly , as you know. Mary

No , I don't have an outdoor area designated for my birds ,but I have a large patio which is covered and off of the patio there are 5 foot wide sidewalks that go around the back of our home .So I take them out in their travel cages and they have sun and shady spots . I mostly get them out on the weekends .During the week with work , I am just too busy and tired to stay out with them .They love it when they do get out . They are so quiet and calm when they come back in , it must be good for them .Natural light and fresh air .We have 29 Oak trees in our yard , so there are many types of birds and squirrels everywhere.They listen and watch so intently , and always try to mimic the bird sounds .It's neat , I enjoy watching their reactions. Mary

Hi Pat , perhaps the seed is bitter ? I have no idea. Mary

Isn't it funny , we know when they get mad at us , and the fact they do get mad and moody is amazing . They each one have a personality, they do learn from us and it is so funny to me they do what we do , like wanting to eat what we eat , when we eat , because they are social , they are not loaners , thay love comapany and attention and they show excitment over certain things . Last night , Zsa Zsa was mimicing some sounds that I make to her , and some of my whistles , she has started talking a bit more .I have noticed when I make her stay in her cage , but in the room with me she talks more . I actually read once a while back , birds who are in their cages more talk more than birds who are out .That does it Sammy is never going back in his cage again , LOL....As I have told you guys , he talks non stop . It is OK with us that he is such a jabber box , but when people come over , they just look at us and always say "Doesn't that get on your nerves "? Lets us know for sure it gets on theirs .Oh well , he is our baby . They are outside today , and I am loving it .It's like they are at the baby sitters .LOL..... Mary

My Alexandrine does that when she is mad .Seriously , if we go somewhere at night , when we return all of her seed and pellets are on the floor , she has also learned to flip her bowl and OMG , what a mess .So when I hear her messing with it , I take it out for a couple of hours .You might try getting him a deeper dish , that has sort of helped with our Grey .He shreds apples on this skewer that hangs in his cage , and when it is all gone in about 5 mins after you put it in his cage or playstand , he sit there and says A P P L E , SLOWLY OVER AND OVER until you give him more , then he does it again.I have tried carrots , pears , squash , he knows , that it isnt an apple and he sits there saying A P P L E , it drives me nuts , so I am always looking for ways to get his mind off the subject .They are a mess.He is so funny , but like you say , it is expensive and wasteful . Give him less. M

That is a very good point Zooman , I never thought about it like that but I guess us Moms are seasoned at not beating the bird to death due to a little mishap , ( that is a joke , I never beat my kids or birds ) . I used to really get upset with my birds if they nibbled on me but I know it is their only way of protesting . I don't care for all the attention my face seems to have gotten from my birds . They always go at my face .?????? It's funny when one of them bite on my Husband , he gets so upset , LOL, just like when the kids were little , I was always the one who held it together. I guess since you are raising birds first , you will be an awesome parent ,LOL.... if you decide to do so . It certainly will help you stay calmer LOL.... How is Tiago doing with his clip , and you , feeling better I hope ? Later, Mary

You got that right ! I was thinking that very thing today , when they are out , you can't sit , you have to follow them around and watch their every move. They want everything you eat , drink , or pick up .I told Zsa Zsa earlier it's time for a nap , you are getting on my last nerve.That is exactly how I felt when my kids were 2 years old .. How's that new baby IRN of yours .Is he talking yet ? M

I guess I should say , I 'm really not hacked at my CAG , when he does some of the things he does. He is a wonderful bird .He is very smart and talks non stop, he does tricks , dances and we laugh all day long .We do love him very much .It is almost like he has this learned behavior to attack , for no reason , which I really don't think it has a thing to do with hormones.I have jerked back , when he lunges and they love the drama . So it is alot of things that we ourselves do wrong that causes this. With our Alexandrine , I have never jerked my hand away , I think it is because she is somewhat smaller . I have never been afraid of her , so I have always kept my cool when she does this stuff . Which as I said she is easier than he is to handle .So , when she did this , I really think it was because she did not get her way . M

I agree. M

Cute , about Tiago drinking from the bottle lids .They think they are doing what we do . She didnt bite , I guess you would say but boy ahe got my attention , she was telling me give me that lid.....They cant express themselves , like we do , so I have always noticed the nip at us when they are unhappy with what is going on .Baically , Zsa Zsa is always happy , except at bed time , she loves to go night night. My CAG, Sammy stays in this mode most of the time .He acts as though he thinks it is funny .If he does get us or not , he says OUCH afterwards and laughs this devilish laugh .It's so easy to stay hacked at him . He is older than Zsa Zsa and acts very ready , always to make a funny , even though to us it isnt always funny . I would think Tiago is entering into the sexual maturity phase .Almost three , that's the age , or so I have read.What do you think ? M<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/09/18 17:12

Well , you just follow Tiago's lead and let it be .All will work out .You did what you felt best for his safety.I understand about the clipping , I would if our Breeder was closer to us .I am so busy and our weekends are loaded, we do have to be very careful and we are , as well as we can .Hopefully we are taking every precaution. Now if you want to be upset , be upset with the vet ,making sure you find a qualified avian vet for the next visit or some nice groomer/breeder who knows what they are doing . We will make a Fall trip probably sometime in October to see the Fall leaves.Havent decided where yet. Last night Zsa Zsa was on my shoulder and she saw my bottled water . I keep her little lid sitting close and pour water in her lid and she drinks out of it , spoiled , I know .Well anyway when she is finished she throws the lid on the floor , for some reason I wouldnt let go last night and she grabbed me on my cheek with her beak ......She didnt break the skin but put enough pressure on it . I told her NO NO NO ..... She was acting rather arrogant all afternoon , I had even told my Husband she was acting weird.Anyway she flew off and acted rather quiet the rest of the evening.Today she acted like nothing happened , however I would not allow her on my shoulder which she has never been told no or not allowed to be there.So who knows what she thought about that .I am totally in shock about it , not like her at all.Does Tiago ever do anything like this or still bite ? Mary

That is so good for you that you had a positive time with her and that you were brave enough to step her up , after the bite .Good for you !!! As said before Birds are wild , and they are going to bite , so as Judy said keep her/him at arms length. Keep up the good work .Hope it continues to be good. Mary