kave70

The "old cage" is the first one we bought for him. We threw out his gross, rusted cage the weekend he arrived and replaced it with cage #2. Sam was an unexpected rescue, therefore it took me a few weeks to order his #3 amazing cage!

What a different perspective. Thanks! Right now it's covered in the room. Do you think if I uncovered it a bit more every day, it might help? Or would you uncover it and just let him scream it out? As far as the new fid, we've been bringing Sam with us to visit, and so far, he has come home making baby noises, and happy. We have almost a month to go until it comes home, so there is time to figure this out. Any thoughts?

Ouch- I guess I will see if anyone in my area would like to trade cages, or just bite the bullet and buy a new one. Thanks for the advice- I will be heeding it. Karen and Sam (who must love his home very much if he has such a reaction to his old one)

When Sam first arrived last year, we quickly bought a cage for him. (He was left in a vet parking lot in something smaller than I would even put my cockatiel in). It was of decent size but we wanted better for him. We moved him to a palace within a month or so, and the first cage was stored in the attic. We are preparing for our new FID to come home in a few weeks, so we pulled out the cage to clean it and get it ready for the baby. Sam has been doing his stress scream/pacing all morning. It suddenly dawned on me that it might be the sight of the other cage. I first talked to Sam and told him that it's just for the new baby, that he would never have to leave his big home. He was looking intently, but continued to stress and scream. I covered it and told him not to even worry about it, that it's gone now. The screaming and pacing have totally ceased in the matter of minutes. So, here's my question. Do I leave it covered till the baby comes home? Do I move it out of the room? Leave it uncovered for parts of the day? Suggestions?

That must've been a great feeling, to hear her speak. WWWOOOO HOOOOO !!!

I got a HAAN Deluxe Total Steam Cleaning System - Includes FS20+ and HS20 So far, I'm exceptionally happy with it. Here is a link on amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027AK4WA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 Talon- I didn't find it messy at all. I have a horse stall mat under Sams HUGE cage, and I can actually step in his cage to clean it. I didn't have any excessive mess- it was actually easier than when I used a rag and a bucket of water. As far as the mop, it was less water than I normally use too.

I bought both a steam mop and a steam cleaner and I am having way too much fun with them. After a lot of research I ended up buying Haan products and so far they are GREAT!! Sam's cage was so much easier to clean. The steam loosened all the poop and spattered food and it took me almost no time at all to wipe it all down. I just steam cleaned the cage we will be using for the new baby, and will spray vinegar and peroxide on it too, when it's dry and assembled. What a great find! Thanks for all of the suggestions. Karen and Sam

Does the feed store you go to have more of that wire? If it does, would you mind checking the name for me the next time you are there? I'd love to try and find something safe, and reasonably priced. The project is OUTSTANDING! Lucky birds!

Sam came from an unknown situation and exhibited some of the same behaviors. What helped us a lot was having the cage where he could see us (mostly me, since I've home all day) all the time, and sitting next to his cage, reading to him. I also played music and sang. It took a long time to get him to allow me to hold him. Only recently have I been invited to pet his head - we're a work in progress. My personal advice would be to move the cage, if at all possible and then just interact with him through the cage, until he's more comfortable. BTW, what's his name? Good Luck ! Karen and Sam

Great cage - I too, am a fan of that feeding station. Karen

Sam's cage is surrounded by windows on two sides. I took a clear shower curtain liner and tacked it to the wall under the window sills to protect the walls. Joe (my husband who welds) made a track on outside of the cage, where I slide a small peice of plexi glass in and out to protect the windows. I can clean the plexi and just put it back in. It's a never ending task to clean up after his messy eating, but we've found ways to manage it. Karen and Sam

Thanks- I'll definitely be trying one.

The bird store that I love to visit clicker train ALL their birds. Right now Sam and I are just practicing targeting, just to get him to like the stick (that accompanies the clicker) and accept treats. It's a real bonding time that he willingly participates in. It will take a while before we move on, just because I'm more interested in bonding than having him perform lots of tricks. If anyone has facebook, this is the store and there are plenty of clicker training videos posted. http://http://www.facebook.com/#!/theparrotandbirdemporium

Such wise, excellent advice. Thank you for the important reminders. Unfortunately, I think Sam has a lot of "baggage issues" but I'm hoping with time some of them ease. I have been telling him that he has found his home and we will never leave him. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad one? I absolutely love him and feel we have made such tremendous strides. We have years to go, and we're in for the long haul. The fact that he now whistles and comes out of his cage more are all good signs. He seems to look for me in the morning when I go outside to tend to all the outdoor critters and I can hear him whistling and making lots of noises. :-) Karen and Sam

Great advice, thanks. I was making the situation worse by allowing Sam to stay up late and get very tired and cranky and then worked up. I truly believe that by finally making a cover for that huge cage and making sure he is well rested, the screaming has subsided some, and I am good at ignoring it. My concern was always for that tizzy he worked himself up to. I think we're on the right path, and will make sure Joe explains to him that he will be back. This board is so very helpful! Karen and Sam

Sending good thoughts that Archie will end up with someone not connected to the scam, happy and loved. I can't imagine how you are feeling- please know that you are in my thoughts as well. Hopefully a new feathered love will come into your life , not to replace Archie, but to fill the other space in your heart. Karen and Sam

So glad I read this thread. Sam has been having 3 almonds a day. Time to wean that down. We're still working on veggies. I've offered every day for almost 10 months now and he still only eats a carrot, now and again. I will keep offering though- I'm definitely more stubborn than he is :-) Karen and Sam

Thanks for the positive responses. I just love him and I'm so proud of our steps forward... however small they may be. :-) Karen and Sam

Great words , Ray. May I print it out to share? Karen and Sam

Such a cute name! Thanks for sharing the photos. Chicken looks quite content. Karen and Sam

A quick update- the screaming/pacing has diminished a lot. I still see that when Sam is looking for my husband (he has started a night class and it's messing up Sam's cuddle time) he gets himself in a tizzy. Once he's in that mode, there is no consoling him. My husband has been getting up 15 minutes earlier, to spend a little morning time with Sam and then in the evening, when I can begin to see the stress signs, I give him an almond and cover his cage. Sam has that enormous cage, but I used my trusty sewing machine to make a cover. It's not the perfect solution, but it seems to have helped a lot. Now, if only I could get that cover on easier :-) Karen and Sam

Love it! Turbo is a good sharer :-)

Sam has been with us since last June, and he is finally beginning to show enjoyment when he comes out of his cage. It took months for him to voluntarily come out, and I still have to have lots of patience knowing that we're moving on his pace, not mine. He is afraid of most toys and generally would prefer to be a perch potato. We've made great strides though and this is a photo of him, as I typed this note, sitting next to me, playing with a marker. The fact that he finally picked something up and interacted with it, while not in his cage was a HUGE ! It sounds like you are doing a great job- Stewart is a lucky guy to have found a human that cares so much. Karen and Sam

I think it's going to take a very long time to get the entire world on board about proper treatment of animals. I thank you for the very vivid reminder how far we have to go. It must've been harder for you to be right there. Thanks for sharing- you take great photos.

Congrats- it sounds like the trip went great. Welcome scritches to Buddy.