paleale

I love that she enjoys her showers. She'd stand there for an hour if I let her...

I have to say, I have this cage and it works great for Pearl. I do remember when I was shopping for one, some complained of this same cage coming to their home damaged. I suppose I was lucky. No damage at all, went together easily, no missing pieces. I like the size of the bowls for her... and I don't even fill them halfway usually. The color is darker than it looks in that picture which I like because it goes better in my home that a white one would've. It's easy to clean and the trays are strong. Also comes apart easily to get a complete spray down every couple of weeks. It seems like a perfect fit for Pearl- she's not cramped one bit. On that note I have to say I think she's a small Grey. Recently when I was at the parrot supply store, there were little ones in their baby room who were much bigger than Pearl! I hope the replacement you get works out better!

Carousel! Too cute!

Good luck, Nancy. Will be sending good vibes and hope that Kiki is found safe and sound as soon as possible. You WILL get her back!

No she is not plucking. She has one feather that is irritating her and she is trying to get it out.

I put plucking in quotes because I knew this wasn't the typical... "pluck". I only posted to make sure she's okay and see if there's anything I can do to help her. Sorry if it seemed like a stupid question...

Is Pearl "plucking"? She has messed with the feathers on the edge of her wing since we got her. The clip looked like a hack job to me (which I didn't want, but the breeder had done before we picked her up). It has always seemed irritating to her and we did return from a week's vacation recently. I don't know if she's messed with it more because she was stressed? It doesn't seem to bug her much until I point it out (which I haven't except for the sake of pictures). Not sure what to do... if anything.

Update!

My mother has done most of the babysitting and Pearl is doing great! My mom says she's chowing down, very talkative, and even stepping up and lowering her head for scratches. I'm so proud of her for being so sweet and very thankful for my mother's help with her. I appreciate the advice, everyone. We leave tomorrow from Gulf Shores and should be back late tomorrow evening. It was a nice vacation, but I'm ready to get home.

Paleale, where in StL are you located?

South County

I never knew! Thanks, Dan!

Yay Shelby! Good job!

M's, do you need help with the picture? I have found the easiest way is to set up a Photobucket account and do it that way.

Thank you, Nancy! You are always so reassuring.

I think you already know which the best solutions is! LOL Is there time to get the two mother's some time with Pearl? Maybe have them give her treats. Have them change the water and feed Pearl. Maybe even handle her if there is time to train them. If not, she is still bette at home in my opinion.

Hi Kelly! I think I already know too. Unfortunately we leave town around 12am on Friday, so there's not much time to train them. They will both be over for the rest of the week. I think having them (especially my mother in law) give her treats is a great idea. Grandmas love to spoil- maybe what I really need to worry about is coming home to a pudgy birdy.

Wow, what a disappointment that your arrangements fell through! I'll let those with experience answer your question. As for me, I'd probably go with the "mothers." At least Pearl would be in familiar surroundings with people she knows anyway!

I was leaning towards the mothers too, Jamie. But! I am also no expert.

Another point I wanted to make is that neither of the mothers will be spending the night with her. I've also explained to them that if this is the decision we decide to make, Pearl will climb out of her door and back into her cage. I don't know if that's a good idea or not... If she decides to glide off her cage (she was clipped before I got her from the breeder), then they'll have the task of getting her back in. Decisions, decisions...

Our family has had 10 day vacation planned out of state for summer vacation for quite some time. We had arrangements with Pearl's breeder to care of her while we were away. The breeder has had some health problems and recently informed us she will be unable to care for Pearl.

Option 1- My mother in law comes over to our house nearly every day while my husband and I are at work. Occasional days, she's here all day with our young son. She has never touched Pearl or even opened up her cage door for her. Pearl does like her voice and listens intently when my mother in law approaches her cage. She likes my mother in law, but probably isn't sure enough to step up for her or let her touch. My mother is also willing to chip in and help with her, but Pearl is even more unsure of her- sometimes even flapping and making noises when my mother approaches the cage. Although they don't know each other that well, my mom would be happy to come over, open the door for her, feed her, clean her cage, etc.

Option 2- The local parrot supply store offers boarding. She will be in a room with other parrots and will have a TV on. They made it very clear she will not be let out of her cage.

So do I leave her home in her own house with her own toys and her own surroundings? Or... Do I send her off to the professionals in a strange surrounding? I will miss her very much and she's still just a baby. I fear coming home to a mad, plucked bare, grudge-filled little Grey. :eek: (If it makes a difference, she is still a "baby"- 7 months old.)

I do too, Nancy! I'm not sure what the answer to your question is, but I sure liked reading your post!

Here's something you can try. I turned it into a game. It's also pretty handy if your traveling or just out and about with your bird and away from food/water. Ollie picked it up first time and does it like clockwork. FWIW, I don't normally speak baby talk, only to the bird.

 

Pearl LOVES the water bottle. (And I only speak baby talk to the baby bird too. )

Hello there! I have Thusie's sister, Pearl. I visited with them many times from about the time they were three weeks old (you can see them together in one of the pictures below in my signature). From what the breeder explained to me, it may have had something to do with the temperature in the incubation unit from when they were teeny tiny. Pearl is missing a toe also, but she perches and steps up just fine. She doesn't like to play too much on the floor, but loves walking around on our dining room table or her playtop floor. She's got a basket she rolls around in and attacks and that's really what gets her off the perch. Like Thusie, she prefers to hang out on the boing thing or her softer Booda brand perches (the rope kind). Glad to see you here, and I know for a fact you have one sweet and mischievous little guy!

Nancy, you posted on my vet visit thread! It went well!

Just wanted to let our birdy family here know that Pearl's first vet visit couldn't have gone better! They had me fill out a little paperwork on her and brought us back to one of their two exam rooms (love small clinics!). The vet's assistant, Steve, was amazing and spent a little time with us in the room before the vet came in. We chatted a while and as soon as he opened her travel cage door, she hopped right out and onto his arm. By the time the vet came in a couple minutes later, she had snuggled right up under his chin on his chest. Steve and the vet, Dr. Baebler, joked that she had to be "part Cockatiel". (I don't know a thing about Cockatiels... I assume the reference was because she's snuggly?) After a little bit more chatting about her diet and home life, she sat on the scale like she's done it a million times. She's been with us two weeks tomorrow and has gained 20g. They were happy with that. Steve snuggled a towel around her following a little more chatter and they examined her beak, talons, etc. Pearl didn't seem to mind the towel at all... in fact I think she liked being snuggled in. Reminds me of how my son liked to be so tightly wrapped as a newborn baby. A couple of "I-don't-like-that" peeps escaped while they were heavily poking and prodding at her, but mostly she didn't seem to mind a bit. Steve suggested always keeping a white towel around the house to use with her when she needs it. They always use white towels and explained to me when some birds come in and see "THE TOWEL" they immediately start freaking out. Dr. Baebler left the room and Steve packed up Pearl and gave her a little treat while he took us on a tour of every room in the office... we even got to see the boarding area, x-ray room, surgery room, lab. They were so welcoming and didn't have a thing to hide. We happily left the vet's office after being there about an hour. Got back home, she got on her play top and chowed down on some pellet like nothing ever happened! I have to say I am very impressed with our girl! (And the vet and staff, of course.)

A couple of suggestions were made while we were there. They suggested switching to Harrison's over Zupreem Fruit Blend- no big deal to me. Getting her microchipped- they do not put them to sleep. A Psittacosis blood test- I declined for the time-being as my breeder said she would be happy to do it for us at about half the price. Daily bathing- we've only been bathing her twice a week. Lastly a "Behavior Class" which I am very excited about! $72.00 for one hour- bring husband, 6-year-old son and spend an hour with the vet to "Teach you what to do, and what not to do, to end up with a well behaved and well socialized pet. Helps avoid aggressive and screaming behavior." Honestly, my husband needs this more than all of us- they're both a little nervous around each other. Lots of information was given including a flyer to our local parrot club, feeding information, etc. Hope the next visit goes as well as this one did! If anyone lives in or around St. Louis and needs a good avian vet, I know the place! Thanks for reading, guys.

It was an unusual one, but she hasn't done it again. The vet said not to worry and the droppings at the bottom of her travel cage looked perfectly normal. She's a healthy girl! I'll have to post about our visit! Thanks for checking on her.

Thanks Dave.

I read through the poop thread and wonder if I have cause for immediate concern. The section on bubbly poop says it could indicate Clostridial disease. Conveniently, Pearl has her first appointment with the avian vet tomorrow at 6:30pm. Can this be brought up at our appointment or is it emergent? If needed, I can take a picture to post. :eek:

Thanks all!

I don't ever see Pearl drink water. She'll take a tiny sip out of a cup if I give out to her, but other than that she never goes to her dish. Is there a general rule as to how much our parrots should drink?

Cutest stalker ever!