Wingy

Jake really likes to work on getting treats. This morning I took a toilet paper core and suspended wrapped in shell almonds in it. I used a knife to make holes on each side of the core in several places. Then I wrapped the in shell almonds with coffee filters so they looked like a piece of wrapped hard candy. I put the wrapped almonds inside the tp core and used a skewer to push the coffee filter wrap through to the outside on each side suspending it in there (start on one end and work to the other). I did place one near the opening so he was able to grasp the idea that there was something good in there. He really worked to get all the almonds out and it took him a bit to figure out how he was going to get the ones out of the center. It was fascinating to watch him work the problem.

They would not be better off with someone else. VStar is right on about giving yourself permission to be. Your emotions and moods are going to cycle but that is to be expected and is part of the grieving process. Surround yourself with those that love you, and that includes your parrots, and let their love comfort you.

I tired pine cone treats with Jake and he is scared to death of them. He freaked and started growling the minute I carried it into the room. He doesn't growl at much so it really got my attention.

I am getting ready here too. I have started making my "winter" shopping list because I hate trying to push a cart full of canned foods in the slop. I hunted out the window insulating kits the other day. It is a good thing I did. Some of the tape had lost its stick and I'll need a new roll.

Jeff I don't think size means anything. Jake is a DNA sexed male and is tiny for a TAG. He weighs just 283g and that is with us working hard to keep him eating.

Ewww no. I don't even think I could watch that being eaten.

The only hatching of my breakfast eggs had better be from me cracking them into a bowl before scrambling. LOL

My partner and I both work full time and are out the door well before daylight. Like Dan there is out of cage time until we go to bed, almost all day on weekends, holidays and vacations.

You won't treat Gilbert any different once you know for sure. It is only us humans who concern ourselves with what we consider gender specific names.

My vet suggested using a towel over a forearm for step ups. I had to laugh because I was already doing that. She said that the "new" thought is that some birds really don't like skin and to try covering up if they are bitey or appear afraid of hands/arms. If they are happy stepping up on a covered arm or gloved hand than go for it. In our case Jake doesn't like skin. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that a parrot would tell me that my outfit was to skimpy and to go change. ROFL. I have told my partner never to let Jake see pictures of a burka or a childs ghost costume because he just might decide to have me wear that.

What size beads are on the one with the spoons? My guy can snap pony beads. Does the chain size allow for the clasp at the top be swapped out with a quick or pear link?

Its getting to be that time of year when we say good bye to the warm temps and have to start thinking of winter. How to keep your feathered friends warm and draft free needs to be part of your home winterizing rituals. After reading the article below I moved Jakes thermal perch from the shelf where evil bird toys are to his cage in hopes that he will accept it by the time the cold sets in. If I wait until its needed he won't have enough time give it the close up stink eye as opposed to the far away stink eye. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57600023/farmers-almanac-predicts-a-bitterly-cold-winter/

I guess it depends on the kind of juice she means. If she is talking fruit juice then yes that is a lot of sugar but if she is talking vegetable juice, especially from vegies she juiced herself that should be ok. My TAG has sensory issues has has deemed most foods I offer as bad because he doesn't like the way they feel on his beak. He will accept many vegetables if they have been turned into juice. I find it funny that whole vegies are yuck but the same vegies as a liquid are delicious.

They sure are something when they decide they are not going into the cage for bedtime.

I must have been a bad parent. All I ever did for the kids was oil up the slide on the swing set with cooking oil and tape a hose to it.

The vet and I have been playing phone tag since Thursday and we were finally able to speak today. The result from the lab shows that his beta globulin is at .71 which is higher than the normal .66. This may be Jakes normal or there may be something going on. Right now the plan is for a follow up blood test in 4 to 6 weeks and we will touch base in about 10 days. I found this on avianweb http://www.avianweb.com/aviancbc.html and it was a bit helpful. Jake is a DNA tested male so the increase would not be from egg production. The CBC showed that kidney and liver were good. I cannot seem to find what is meant by acute inflammation. So for now I guess we wait and see. Jake is still very upset from the vet visit. Most of the time he will shake and run to the back part of the cage top whenever my partner or I go near him. Occasionally he will want to be with one of us but that only lasts a few minutes before he wants back to the safety of his cage top. It makes me sad knowing that we lost his trust and while we are more than willing to slowly work at earning it back we are a bit concerned over what another vet visit in a few weeks might do.

I really thought hard on how to go about altering the cage so that he can't play periscope parrot out the top. I am going to get some untreated sisal and weave it through the top and probably one of the sides too. I can weave it through loose enough to allow him to see out but enough so there isn't room to put his head through. I will still be able to fold it down and Jake might like the "security" of not being exposed on all sides and above.

Judy the cage I got looks exactly like that only in blue. What is the bar spacing on the top?

It just said fold flat pet carrier and on the box it showed a cat, dog, rabbit, guiena pig and a CAG. The difference between the bar spacing of his cage and the travel cage is 1/4 of an inch. The carrier has 1 1/4 inch bar spacing around the body but 1 1/2 inch on the top. I don't think Jake could squeeze through 1 1/4 inch spacing but might through the 1 1/2 inch if he worked it. I wonder if I could cut down a piece of waffle panel (the stuff that covers tube lighting in offices) and attach it to the top.

Jake would be all over and would be telling me to cook. He only stays still when he is resting or tired.

In the city we have a different set of wild life. Airplanes, buses, window shaking bass blasters, fire trucks, ambulances, helicopters, robins and seagulls (and a few very lonely crickets that will be relocated if I can find them).

I bought Jake a fold down travel cage. We have been walking and playing near it every day and today he went in it for the first time. Horray. He climbed up to the top, hung upside down and stuck his head through the bars and out the top like a periscope. ACK! After all that coaxing to get him in I had to coax him out because he wanted to explore and thought sticking his head through the bars was a neat trick. I need to get some kind of barrier and attach it somehow across the top and around the sides. Any ideas?

The vet has not called so I have nothing to update.

I laughed all day at "oh waiter".

I started by giving Jake some in a thick shot glass. He prefers it as ice cream though. I pour the juice into ice cube trays and whir it in the mini food chopper to make a bowl of ice cream for him. He thinks he is hot stuff.