pearllyn

Hi FOlks, SO now I know h ow to resize my photos, there's a ton I'm going to share! Starting with the this one. Alfie looks particularly beautiful don't you think? xx <br><br>Post edited by: pearllyn, at: 2009/09/23 11:30

Hi Folks, I just discovered how to resize my photos, so here's one of Alfie with me looking a little less scary...? Lyn & Alf xx <br><br>Post edited by: pearllyn, at: 2009/09/23 11:19

He's gorgeous Pat. He seems to have settled in really well with you. x

Thanks Dave, I'll stickk to once a week at the moment, untill she's happier with it, then concentrate on the more vulnerable areas. Going by her reactiion so far, it won't be long before I can tackle these areas. Thanks again everyone for your help - I really would be a little lost without this forum! Do you know, in another post lately I said I was for pet owners needing to sit a test before being permitted to own a pet. If that were the case, and there was a test in this country to own a parrot, hands up, I'd fail. But I do love her to bits, and that must count for something? Thank goodness (alfie says!) for you lot! Lyn. xx

Dan, thats very helpful, thanks. WIth the one or two problems that have crept up lately, I just started to thinkk it MUST be my fault. But it maybe sounds like Alfie is an African grey being and African Grey! Woop! So should I keep the showers going or give her a break - I've been showering her once a week? Thanks again. Lyn & Alf xx

Thanks for the encouragement Judy, I do take it personally, I know I shouldn't tho! Dave, thanks for breaking it down for me - I do try to stick to a routine cos I thought they liked it - will try to shake it up a little to break the cycle. I can't think that I've ever done anything bad to her, but she might see a particular action a different way. She's always calm when going in and coming out of the shower, and will sit on my hand happily till i get her back to the perch. I just wondered if her action could be a delayed reaction to the showering. I realize she hasn't cut me out all together, I'm just scared it's heading that way and wanted to try to take steps to avoid it. But maybe Judy is right and I just have to accept it. But you're right about being greatful for her love of David, and I really am. Before we got Alfie, David was very bird phobic (don't know the right word for it), and I worked hard from day 1 to make sure she accepted both of us, and I'm thankful it's me she's biting and not David - that would be awful and I'd feel guilty as hell! But I'm hoping it's not going to be a "him or me" situation! Thanks for your comment Jane, I really didn't get Alf thinking there would be no problems, I just didn't know she'd be so complex, and I need some advise is all. Thanks again folks. x

Hi Folks, I've already posted how Alfie had been attacking me about a fortnight ago, and honestly, since then, she hasn't bitten me maliciously at all - I've had maybe 2 mischievious nips, nothing nasty. For the last couple of days, maybe 3 at most, she's been kicking up a fuss when I need to put her back in her cage in the morning. Since I got her, the morning routine has been Alfie getting out as soon as I wake, breakfast for her, cup of tea for me - this lasts an hour, hour and a half, then she goes back into her cage with what's left of her brekky while I go and tend the rest of my stock! It's been this way for 18 months with no hassle - until 3 days ago, now, when i try to put her in after her breakfast, she's just flying from perch to perch and refusing to step up - in fact, as soon as I approach her, she's off. Then, this morning, after the now usual runaround, I went to put her harness on so she could come with us, she was a bit fussy, but we got it on (david had to take her to a neutral room for me to put it on her, but she didn't object too much). When we came home, about an hour later, I could have done with a pair of chain mail gloves to take her harness off! She totally freaked. I usually steady her shoulders with one hand while I undo the harness with the other, but when ever I went to put my hand on her back she went nuts, trying to flap away. I'm wracking my brain as to why she is suddenly acting like this, she was afraid of me. I'm thinking perhaps one of two things. 1)I have started showering her lately (see recent post) she might be resenting me for this. 2)I've been a little down lately - can parrots pick up on your mood (I'm sure yes) like dogs can? Maybe this is her trying to "slap me out of it"! When Alf is doing her "don't go near lyn, she is evil" routine, she's totally sucking up to david and being a real daddies girl. The thing that I really don't get is, through all of this, she is still REALLY affectionate with me of an evening - cuddling right up for an hour or so. I urgantly need to re-establish a bond with her but haven't a clue where to start, I feel I'm out of my depth and it's so upsetting. I think she's rejecting me in favour of David. At the moment, I'm just keeping my distance in the morning - I don't want to upset her even more. Any suggestions will be most greatfully received. Hope you and yours are all well. Lyn x

Glen, so sorry to hear of your sad loss. Hope you are feeling better soon. Lyn & Alfie x

Thats excellent news about the reed diffusers - thanks folks. I do like nice smells, I'm off to check out your link now Jilly! x

Hi Folks, Can anyone suggest a parrot safe room fragrancer? In the past, I've used like some cinnamon or a vanilla pod in a pan of boiling water, I assume thats safe? BUt my kitchen is a mile and a half away from the living room and wondered if any of you have found a safe way to make nice smells!? Hope you and yours are all well. Lyn & Alfie xx

what a well designed cage - no food waste inside the cage? Like it, a definite thumbs up! Lyn & Alfie x

Hi there and welcome to the forum, I have only been on here for little over a year and the help I have had from these people has been invaluable. It follows then, that there are many members on here who have had birds longer than me and who could offer very helpful advice, but I have certainly learned quite a lot from my grey in the past 18 months or so! Well done for putting so much thought into getting a bird - too many buy on a whim. As to which species, when you say red breasted, I assume you mean cockatoo? I don't know so much about them, but certainly an African grey can do/be all you mentioned you were looking for, but, as with any pet, the time and effort you put in with which ever bird you choose, will determine what kind of pet you will eventually end up with. Working from home is a good place to start from, and certainly socializing is very important - perhaps you could invite trusted friends/family round for regular visits while your bird is still young? As for safety with children - if your bird is brought up to realise your child is part of the flock, I see no reason why you shouldn't have a happy family, but never forget, little fingers are curious and vulnerable, while your bird is essentially a wild animal with a seriously sharp beak! I found the following link on another thread in the forum, it is an excellent video and a must for anyone thinking of getting a parrot. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5101167n&tag=contentMain;contentBody Good luck with your choice making - I'm sure the info you find on this site will help you come to the right decision! Let us know how you come on. Lyn & Alfie x

This is an excellent link, thanks for posting it Happyingreece. I'm not entirely sure that all the opinions of all the owners are correct - Tweti said any parrot will bite the hand that feeds it, and I think there are owners on here who have never been bitten by their birds! As for the legislation to govern pet ownership, I have to say I would be for it - there has to be thousands of rescue centres all over the world, that are testament to the fact that there needs to be some sort of law that controls the buying of animals for pets. Banning pet ownership altogether would would be a disaster (personally speaking - I would be lost without my animals) but at the same time I have long thought that you should have to pass some kind of test and/or obtain some kind of permit to keep an animal. The story of the feather plucking cockatoo who was being rehomed was just heartbreaking. Thanks again for the link and Karma to you for posting it. Lyn & Alfie xx

she wrote: Lol She - that sorts that then! Thanks Bernie, right back at ya! Oo-er Jilly - I think you are joking! Maybe our birds bring out the best in us!! xx {Feel-good-00020069}

Bernie, that is sooo nice of you! I agree 100% about this being a friendly forum - I'm quite shy and don't make friends easily, but everyone on here is so nice - it's a doddle! Thanks for posting this. x

It is, Bernie. Thank goodness I have my animals to see me through these diffocult times!

so sorry to hear of your sad loss. lyn & alf xx

I will do Judy, but thanks for the offer - it's the thought that counts! X

Good afternoon all! Sad news! I no longer live in a pub - I now live in an Ex pub! The worst of it is, there is quite alot of alchohol left over and rather than throw it out, it looks like we're going to have to drink it! It's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it! Wish us luck! Have a good meeting tonight folks, wil try and pop in before I have to go out! x

Wow! She's beautiful! Congratulations! Lyn & Alfie x

I'm so sorry for your loss. If you want to talk about it, you know there will always be someone on here ready to listen. xx

Hi Tom, Congratulations on getting your grey, and Karma to you for rescuing an older bird. I've had my grey now for 16 months and had originally intended to rescue one too, but after reading how complicated greys can be, decided that I wasn't experienced enough to take on an older bird who may come with "problems". I've since found out that it's easy enough to make new problems, so no need to have worried on that score!! The folks on here tho have been terrific and have always been ready with advise when I need it. I wish you and Bailey many happy years together. Lyn & Alfie x

I'll bet you are relieved to have even a little good news! Thanks for updating us, I hope Macey continues to improve. Lyn & Alf xx

Haha Jan - Tobie is a bit of a smarty pants! Thanks for sharing. x

What an incredibly sad story. The fear and distress this poor bird must have gone through in his last moments is very upsetting to think about. Trying to understand what made this woman make such as obvious mistake is hard to say the least - you wouldn't leave a small child alone while it played with a plastic bag!! Then I thought of a situation I had recently with one of my horses. A spot of mud fever popped up on one of them, I was surprised as I haven't been bothered with the mud fever for years. I slapped some lotion on to soften it, but after three or four days, it was no better. I've had horses for 25 years, and I think, have taken good care of them, but it wasn't enough in this case. WHen I mentioned the problem to a friend, she suggested honey. Of course! How could I have been so stupid - I used to use honey all the time, on all sorts of wounds, but not having needed to use it for a while, had forgotten all about it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, sometimes you can get complacent and forget even the simplest of things. On a lighter note, I think the stuffed parrot idea was genius! WHen I first got Alfie her Aviator I practiced (and got it wrong) on a stuffed bird a couple of times before I put it anywhere near Alf, when I did she accepted it with minimal fuss. We have used it many times, and the only time I've had a problem putting it on actually came about a fortnight ago - she started to scream as I put it on her, I tried for a few minutes, but she was obviously saying "no thank you!) so I put it away. Tried the next day and she was fine! She just mustn't have felt like a walk that day! Thanks for sharing this with us Jen - it's reminded us to always remember the little "common sense" things that sometimes, as this woman tragically found out, we can take for granted. Lyn & Alf xx P.s. Geez, sorry my posts are so long! It seems I can't cut a long story short!! x