JillyBeanz

{Feel-good-0002006E} Spock might be a little under the weather - but still can out-class Salsa any day!!! Spock's definitely the smarty pants of the flock! Poor Salsa though

I came across this and thought I would share...... A rescued parrot poem Will you take me home with you? I can't promise I'll be good. No one taught me how to act, Or behave as a parrot "should". My first owner didn't treat me right He said I was "bad". He never forgave me for that first bite After that, he was always mad. He shoved me back into my cage, And I started to scream. Then he hit me in rage And my life became a bad dream. So, now I scream and yes, I bite. I'm angry and misunderstood. But, please take me home with you, Love me and I'll be good. Please let me come home with you And spend some time with me. I can be sweet again, I know. Take me home, and you'll see. My next owner swore at me, I learned to say things back. So now my words are crude and rude, Please cut me some slack. If you let me come home with you I'll learn some nicer speech. If you are kind and give me the time I'll change my vulgar screech. I'm really just a baby, And so misunderstood. Please let me come home with you, I can learn to be good. My next owner just HAD to have me. She thought I was "way too cool". But now she doesn't have the time for me. She's busy with boys in school. That's why I began to pluck, I'm not pretty any more. I won't be much of an ornament, If that's what you're looking for. I may never grow new feathers, My chest may always be bare. But my soul, I know, could heal itself If I only had someone who cares. My last owner died and left me, She said she made plans. But she never followed through on them, And I've fallen into bad hands. Please take me home and treat me right. And let our friendship grow. Please let me come home with you, This time it will work, I know. Please overlook my failings, Please end this pain and strife. Please, please take me home with you, And I'll be your friend for life.

I think you've done your bit for nature Jay & Maggie and all of those birds have you to thank for their wellbeing. I'm worn out looking after one, so I commend you and take my hat off to you for doing this for so long. Now's the time you have decided to kick back and enjoy your companion birds ~ take it easy, relax.......

danmcq wrote: Agreed!! I'll toast that too! There's nothing greater than being elsewhere in the house and shouting and they come flying to you! They keep you on your toes - but birds were born with wings! Let them fly

Ha Ha! We all need one of them to prompt those blokes to do something!! What's she like!!! I hope it made him work quicker. When you are actually paying someone to do a job it might jolly them up and cost you less! I wouldn't have been able to stop laughing!!! Good old Chocko!

I love the noise they make - this is obviously their "happy time" and the squeaking and squawking is fab!! Mind you - not sure that I'd like it going on in the house!!!

How did I miss this photo! It's an absolute corker!!! What a little tinker Salsa is! Great picture Maggie - thanks for my early morning laugh!!! Karma to Salsa too!

bigbird519 wrote: :laugh: Don't you worry about it - you can talk to us all day about your baby - it's your friends at home who won't want to listen and will start talking about the "mad bird man and lady" that lives down the road!!! That is a fabulous picture on the boing. He is obviously enjoying himself and his time with you. Great pictures - thanks for sharing

I agree with Judy - those scales need replacing!! I am sure their internal organs would weigh about that - let alone everything else! You need to try some new scales! Harvey, like Spock, weighs in at about 450g after the morning "deposit". What I found though is if you look at the "how much does your CAG weigh" thread I posted when Harvey was 7 months that he weighed 475g - I guess it must be all the flying that is keeping him so svelt!!!

In one of the grey rooms there has been a discussion about foods that contain toxins and the fact that parrots often eat clay - this video shows exactly that - Amazons having their dessert! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZRtPNSro9g

What fab pictures! Charlie and Keeko look so comfortable with each other, makes me want to get another (NOT!). What a lovely picture of them both. Jasper looks like a little cuddle muffin and looks so happy to be snuggling in. And Tully, well, the improvement in him is just so obvious! He is looking great Caroline. Thanks for these photos - it's lovely to see them all.

Hi there - try just putting them in his bowl instead of giving him them. If he's interested he'll prod them about a bit and eventually pick them up. I found that Harvey used to love the actual flesh of the palm - but now just digs straight down to the nut and slings the flesh! Try breaking the flesh a bit to show him what's inside. Hope this helps!

Thanks very much for all your replies - two stands in the living room it is then!! Remember the Yucca! Oh yes! My avatar just shows that big scary plant (for those of you who don't know - he was only about 14 - 15 weeks old when he decided to land in it)! Summer - I got it from a company in the UK called Beck's Barn - big sale, big bargain!!!! I'm sure I'll get a video of the stand Robin - but not sure whether the bird will be in residence!!! Thanks again everyone

Ah, he's beautiful! I remember the honeymoon period well........!!! Lyn has obviously given excellent advice and another thing to note about "whoopsie" time is that he will squat just prior to "going" and give a little wiggle. If you see this happen before you're planning to take him just whip him up, take him to your nominated poop point and say "go poop". You'll find once you catch him and disturb him he'll not go until he reaches the destination. What a great question about the chest - I've never read that - but just thought Harvey was a little anxious or cold! Like Lyn, haven't a clue and will await the answer with interest. If he is downright refusing to step up, just put your hand level with his feet and slightly push at the front of his chest - you will knock him off balance and he has no option to step up - then give him heaps of praise. And as for saying you have stupid questions - they aren't stupid - you are a caring parront wanting to find the best way forward for your new baby - we don't class any genuine questions as stupid - so ask as many as you want - we are all here to learn from each other and if I hadn't asked the "stupid" questions too I am sure Harvey wouldn't be the bird he is today!

It is great ~ the difference is immense (as you have seen). Harvey is going through a massive feather fest at the moment and his pins are hard and spiky - a quick dowsing with aloe and it settles him - I think it's helping open them up too. Perhaps you will now read about the benefits to human digestion system and start partaking yourself :sick:

Ah, I love baby photos! What a little cutie Mojo is. You'll find he now takes up all your time - you keep popping back for a quick peek and you never want to send him to bed! Keep us updated on how things progress

Dave007 wrote: ......if only they would cover my sins :laugh: Anyway - thank you Father Dave!

What a nightmare! You are quite right that it's not the poor dog's fault - your brother and sister in law need a swift kick up the jacksy!! Harvey went to my parent's house last year when we went on holiday and they have a four year old Weimaraner, who is the sweetest dog you could ever meet - but had never seen a (captive) bird and Harvey had never seen a dog either. Obviously the dog (Suzy) was in her own home and therefore it was the exact opposite of our house (Harvey's out all day) and obviously Suzy was out all day. We introduced Suzy to Harvey in his cage - for a few moments there was a bit of hissing and uncertaintly from Harvey, but then he was fine. We went off on holiday and my folks sent pictures to us of the dog and the bird together by the end of our trip! Suzy wasn't bothered by Harvey and vice versa! Harvey would sit on his stand and Suzy would lie underneath in order that she got first dabs on the dropped goodies!!! Can you not tell your brother and wife that on second thoughts with the cat and the bird it's not a good idea - it's going to be like an episode of Tom & Jerry or Tweetie Pie!!! In answer to your question, I don't have anyone in my life that only calls when they want something - they were all told to get on their bikes a long time ago (but then again, I am a harsh, intolerant person!!!) Bite the bullet - tell them you're not having any doggie whoopsying on your bed - URGH!!!!<br><br>Post edited by: JillyBeanz, at: 2010/02/10 08:17

Harvey's new java tree is being delivered on Thursday and I am wondering how to introduce it? As many know, he is scared of nothing, and takes to new toys like a duck to water. Now, this isn't just a little toy - this is a great big thing, alien and replacing his usual "hang out" place in the living room. He won't know it's better for him, more challenging, more stimulating and will be much more fun when he gets used to it!! So, the query is - do I put it alongside his "old" playstand or do I just go hell bent and remove his current one and replace it with his new one? Like I say, he's not usually scared of anything - but this is a biggie for him! Your experiences are greatly appreciated!

I have a confession, and one which I don't wish to give as a "green light" regarding teflon (as obviously there are countless, sad instances where birds have indeed died). As many know I had a cockatiel for 17 years. It resided in exactly the same place that Harvey's cage is (right outside the kitchen door in the hall) and until I joined this forum and started reading about health and safety tips and read straight away about the horrors of teflon, I knew nothing of it! I used countless teflon coated frying pans, steak griddles, pancake pans etc over the years, as did my mother when both Spiky and I lived at home - to absolutely no detrimental effect. Now, like Julie, I am so cautious! I ensure completely that Harvey is not in the kitchen when I cook (either with or without Teflon) and ensure that the windows are open, and the back door mesh opened and the extractor on when I do use the Teflon pan. I have the silicone muffin "tin" though Julie - and they don't have any toxins to release just at "oven" temperature (because I made sure, after I'd read the effects of cooking on our birds)!

Ooh Janet! I have to say - I am 35 years old and been in love with Tom since I was about 13!!!! OOh, Magnum PI, three men and a baby - yum yum! Whoops, I think that is a yes!!! Would you let me tag along to your date with Tom Selleck?

ramsabi wrote: I have read this discussion with deep interest, and knew the subject of animal testing would arise if the thread kept momentum. Animal testing laboratories worldwide do not publish their data. You won't find it on the internet, in books or in press cuttings. The only data they release is the last "10 minutes" of the group testing where they find the "cure". They don't ever tell you what has gone on in the 20 years before they reached this point. But, taking this into account - they don't "practice" (for example) the art of force feeding apple pips to parrots to see how many they can take before they die due to cyanide poisoning. Medical laboratories "bring on" diseases in the animals and then strive to create a solution to man-held diseases. I follow any direction given, and I am a sheep (guided by this forum) - I used to give Harvey peanuts regularly - he loves peeling them, but then read about aspergillosis - he doesn't get these anymore. So, are these part of the harmful group too, or am I being over-cautious? PS. I am not a mad, animal rights protester - I just might have had some dealings with laboratories in the past PPS. I am thoroughly enjoying the interaction and data provided in this thread and looking forward to learning a little more about what and especially why these things aren't recommended.

It must be so itchy, bless them! I've just given Harvey a shower followed by an aloe spray (how awful am I)!! I just find the aloe works the way to his bear skin easier once he's had a good hosing down! There'll be no cuddles tonight - he's looking at me like I've taken his last sunflower seed in the world away!!! :laugh:

He did it deliberately! The yapping mutt would have made anybody drop it!!! :laugh: :laugh:

That is unbelievable! She squashes herself into that position and makes sure she's supported! I've never seen Harvey play on his back - ever! I've even tried lying him on my lap and he has none of it! Great video of Emma - she's such a sweetie