Alexandrines

[bettyboop]

Hi Pat ,

Actually , I think the whole story on this lady is , she divorced and lost a Grey in the divorce , a Grey she loved very much .....Then she purchased Sammy as a replacement . Rule # 1 ... A pet you love can never be replaced . Then she hooks up with this guy and they are living with this man's Mother ....

Now , she did screen me pretty much and had several others inquiring about him who were willing to pay her twice what I paid her .So , I do give her credit that she didnt just snatch the money and run .

Now , he has been with us since Febuary .....I can tell he was a problem in that Mothers home , he chews furniture, wood tables , chairs , fabric etc.... plus he bites , he is very quick , there is no body language , no pinning eyes nothing . So he is a problem child who has never been trained . So , we are taking it slow and I can handle him when my husband isnt home and when Zsa Zsa is out of sight . He is never allowed on my shoulder and never anywhere near my face . He can jump about 15 inches and I almost got my eye punctured from this guy .He is extremly noisey , talks non stop ,and throws food everywhere .So , unfortunatly due to this man she is living with and money issues , the Mother probably said the bird has got to go . Sad , but thats the story.He gets a lot of attention with us and is starting to actually work some what with us ...

Also , some pets just don't work for some people , which is most likely the person's fault , but if it doesnt work , isnt it better in the long run to find the animal a better home ? I think a lot of people buy a bird not knowing what they are getting into , birds are awesome companions , but work , time and money.

I would hopefully never sell an animal , but you know we are all facing some economic issues and honestly we can't say we would never .If I couldnt afford to feed my pets , for their well being they might have to be rehomed .I agree with you completly , I would never sell a pet for money ,that is cold .This lady I guess did what she had to do . Actually , I was afraid he was stolen , but I searched all over the internet before we picked him up and didnt find a thing .

Sorry this is so long.

Hugs,

Mary<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/09/11 19:27

[bettyboop]

Hello Zooman,

There is a Bird show October 17-19TH at the Richmond Green Sports Centre . I don't know what the details are , or if they will have bird products for sale .Probably if you call they could give more info. Also , I don't know if this is any where close to where you live .

Mary

[zooman]

Thanks for letting me know ill have to look it up and see where it is. There is usually a parrot conference near here but i never understood if it was the same thing it seemed more of a dinner, and guest speakers etc.

 

So I have to say im very disappointed in my vet today and will not be ever getting her to trim my birds wings for sure and hopefully i can find another vet near me. I went today with my boys for their annual check-up and everything was going fine. Tiago I asked her to give him a pretty wing trim and nail trim on top of the check up and they encourage the cosmetic one. I told her he can fly too well still and told her to cut those off. She had her back turned to me because he was squirming and her assistant was having trouble so instead of cutting the flight feathers she left the 3 longest ones and hacked and i mean hacked the rest to his inner ones. Poor guy has the worst look ever i almost freaked i told her i wasn't paying for that trim the wings weren't even . I was livid. Its not like a haircut in 2 months will be back he looks awful. Im hoping he finds them ugly to and encourages them to fall out naturally.

On a lighter note they are in great health and tiago weighed in at 235grams so im happy and the beak thing she shaved off the peeling skin and says birds do that during molting due to his body taking up the vitamins and nutrients more but said vitamin supplements if it keeps peeling would be an idea.

 

I know that will be my last visit there. Even if i have to drive far, they will not do that to my boy again. As for zuri he was quiet as a mouse during his time for nail trim no wing trim for him.

[bettyboop]

OMG , YOU POOR THING .I am so sorry about the wing trim ..Hopefully it will be OK . That is mostly why I don't have my birds trimed .My breeder will do it but it is about 45 mins. from my house and I usually don't have time .Glad the health check up was good and that is so interesting about the beak .Good info .

I'll be thinking about Tiago , keep me up on how he does.

Mary

[bettyboop]

Hope Tiago is OK , Zooman.Let us know

Mary and Zsa Zsa<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/09/16 02:53

[bettyboop]

Here are some current pics of Zsa Zsa ,

 

Mary

[zooman]

oh shes so cute..miss those nice wings that tiago had like hers. Im so sad about it and i can tell he's noticing a difference. Last year he hardly cared it was perfectly done by the same vet. 2 things happened and i think caused it. 1 she ran late with the last check-up with another grey so my appointment was at 2 but took us in at 220 and so she felt behind, and 2 that he was soo skirmish that i think she got upset, which isnt tiago's fault, I cant even take a picture of him his one side of the wing is ok again more than shoudld be but the other looks horrible. Wish i could do something im giving him lots of love and bought him a new toy to take his mind off of it. Hes soo vain it has to bother him you know? Im looking around for a new vet and so far he closest is a vet at the local university hospital 20mins away, its a vet school and they have avain vets. I need to clip mine because of a aquarium and a ceiling fan i have and being on the 6th floor its too dangerous. They both know how to fly so i cant take a chance. I took him to my familys house and they tried to cheer me up but i cant help feeling really bad.

[bettyboop]

I feel bad that I posted a pic of Zsa Zsa , with all her feathers .I did'nt mean to upset you . I apologize...

You are not to feel guilty over the wing clip ! You were trying to protect Tiago , you are a great parent and we know you love your birds , so remember he still loves you and birds are so forgiving . The Feathers will grow back and he will adapt , just give him a little extra time , it will all work out .

Alex's are so light , he will figure it out very quickly and will return to normal faster than you think .....You might speak to a breeder and ask if they recomend making both sides the same later on , after he gets over this clip . Are you near Darlene ? My Little Darlings Avairy , she would have great advice ...She would also recomend a great vet for you .Just be kind to yourself , it's going to be OK .

Mary

[zooman]

I know its not all my fault but i took him there so im trying to make it up to him. He seems better today hes still trying to preen but he's more active then the last couple days.

I'll try again and email her just the last time i sent 3 and no replies i figured because i hadnt bought the bird from her so she would be less likely to give me advice but its worth a shot. Thanks for the kind words and dont worry about the pic i wasnt mad or sad...just reflected ya know? Its been raining all weekend due to Ike made its way up here so today is finally dry so i think ill take one of them out for a walk.

[bettyboop]

Have a great walk .

It is awesome outside today , actually down in the 50's last night .I am ready for Fall . I bet you guys get great Fall Leaf colors up there .We don't, but we always go somewhere to view .My favorite time of year .

Everthing will get better, Alex's are tough birds .

Mary

[zooman]

It was really nice outside it was about 22 degrees Celsius..oopps lol forgot you use Fahrenheit umm prob 72 for you for the daytime high. Nice comfy temp and finally sun. We do get amazing colours the trees are finally feeling the cool nights so its started im on the 6th floor so i see a great view. I know hes a tough bird we have been through a lot in the 2 and a bit years together, Did you ever clip yours?

[bettyboop]

She was clipped when we purchased her , our request . However she was so light she could still fly . Also this may sound funny to some , our breeder when she clips , she likes to do it slow , she takes a couple off at a time stretching it out for about a week to see how the bird does.She has birds of her own that are able to go outside and fly back to her , trained , so she really doesnt approve of clipping .She also says it is less drastic for the bird .Well she is 45 mins.away and I just don't have time .

Sammy had a couple of accidents prior to our having him after wing clips , he has been sewn up a couple of times so he doesnt get clipped either , he really doesnt fly that much .He circles the house a couple of times and then he is finished for the day.When we have company they are always in their cages.

It's probably not wise but I have heard of so many loosing their birds with clipped wings , so we just choose to be careful all the time .

How is Tiago ?

I bet you have a lovely view on the 6TH floor , sounds awesome.....

Mary

[zooman]

I struggled with deciding as well they were both clipped at the store when i bought them so in my eyes they wont miss what they never fully had you know? Like i said if i could get the harness on Tiago it wouldnt even be a question i would do a cosmetic trim just in case so i know he couldnt fly perfectly so i have a chance in a emergency. As for Zuri he lets me put it on so hes got a cosmetic clip which i did and im very happy he can still fly 10ft or so and drops safely. Tiago is ok i think im more struggling with it than him.

I do have a nice view and hopefully you'll get out and see the fall colours too somewhere. I enjoy Aug and Sept and most of Oct now Nov to Apr those are hard sometimes.

[bettyboop]

Well , you just follow Tiago's lead and let it be .All will work out .You did what you felt best for his safety.I understand about the clipping , I would if our Breeder was closer to us .I am so busy and our weekends are loaded, we do have to be very careful and we are , as well as we can .Hopefully we are taking every precaution.

Now if you want to be upset , be upset with the vet ,making sure you find a qualified avian vet for the next visit or some nice groomer/breeder who knows what they are doing .

We will make a Fall trip probably sometime in October to see the Fall leaves.Havent decided where yet.

Last night Zsa Zsa was on my shoulder and she saw my bottled water . I keep her little lid sitting close and pour water in her lid and she drinks out of it , spoiled , I know .Well anyway when she is finished she throws the lid on the floor , for some reason I wouldnt let go last night and she grabbed me on my cheek with her beak ......She didnt break the skin but put enough pressure on it . I told her NO NO NO ..... She was acting rather arrogant all afternoon , I had even told my Husband she was acting weird.Anyway she flew off and acted rather quiet the rest of the evening.Today she acted like nothing happened , however I would not allow her on my shoulder which she has never been told no or not allowed to be there.So who knows what she thought about that .I am totally in shock about it , not like her at all.Does Tiago ever do anything like this or still bite ?

Mary

[zooman]

I can say that both my birds get into very odd moods, more so Zuri than tiago. Tiago bites me when i try and touch his toys or cage, hes very possessive of it, not hard but pinpoints his eyes and will come and grab my hand but with more force than i want, also still touching him he goes for a bite but i wont let him do it, im probly not helping doing it but im trying to get back to light touching atleast. Zuri some days wont shut up and others like the other day seem all quiet and a mute. So i know what you mean im thinking they are like us and get into bad moods maybe a thunderstorm the night before they get grumpy because they got woken up, my guess after a night of storms and they both were edgy. I cant say ive been bitten by Zuri since the first time i took him out of his cage the day after he came home, mouths me all the time but never bites. As for the bottle cap think that is really cute ive actually seen tiago do it by himself i give him my caps all the time and he dips them in the water and seems like he tips it up to drink not sure if its co-incidence or what but seen him do it lots of times.

[bettyboop]

Cute , about Tiago drinking from the bottle lids .They think they are doing what we do .

She didnt bite , I guess you would say but boy ahe got my attention , she was telling me give me that lid.....They cant express themselves , like we do , so I have always noticed the nip at us when they are unhappy with what is going on .Baically , Zsa Zsa is always happy , except at bed time , she loves to go night night.

My CAG, Sammy stays in this mode most of the time .He acts as though he thinks it is funny .If he does get us or not , he says OUCH afterwards and laughs this devilish laugh .It's so easy to stay hacked at him . He is older than Zsa Zsa and acts very ready , always to make a funny , even though to us it isnt always funny .

I would think Tiago is entering into the sexual maturity phase .Almost three , that's the age , or so I have read.What do you think ?

M<br><br>Post edited by: bettyboop, at: 2008/09/18 17:12

[Tycos_mom]

I think all birds get moody like that. I don't think that its meant as a mean thing I think they have to learn to deal with their hormones changing constantly like a teen ager or a woman going through menapause. their hormones are always up and down until they reach about 8to10 yrs old then their hormones start to equalize a bit so there more steady again.

[bettyboop]

I agree.

M

[bettyboop]

I guess I should say , I 'm really not hacked at my CAG , when he does some of the things he does. He is a wonderful bird .He is very smart and talks non stop, he does tricks , dances and we laugh all day long .We do love him very much .It is almost like he has this learned behavior to attack , for no reason , which I really don't think it has a thing to do with hormones.I have jerked back , when he lunges and they love the drama . So it is alot of things that we ourselves do wrong that causes this.

With our Alexandrine , I have never jerked my hand away , I think it is because she is somewhat smaller . I have never been afraid of her , so I have always kept my cool when she does this stuff . Which as I said she is easier than he is to handle .So , when she did this , I really think it was because she did not get her way .

M

[Tycos_mom]

:evil: :laugh:Thats what it sounds like to me also she was throwing a little hissy fit so to speak. she is spoilt and used to getting what she wants when she wants they are so much like little kids its almost scarry;)

[bettyboop]

You got that right ! I was thinking that very thing today , when they are out , you can't sit , you have to follow them around and watch their every move. They want everything you eat , drink , or pick up .I told Zsa Zsa earlier it's time for a nap , you are getting on my last nerve.That is exactly how I felt when my kids were 2 years old ..

How's that new baby IRN of yours .Is he talking yet ?

M

[zooman]

haha you guys are so right they are little kids. They always want what you are playing with even brushing my teeth they'll both have this urge to play with my toothbrush while they are on my shoulder. I think your right its cause she is spoiled like you said and she didnt get her way so she lashed out. I think thats why women in general and im not being sexist its just in my experience women are the majority of parrot owners and deal better with them because especially when you have had kids you can work with parrots better, im still learning and Im doing my best but men and women who have had kids and raised them already have a def advantage in my eyes, course no scientific evidence but my opinion.

[bettyboop]

That is a very good point Zooman , I never thought about it like that but I guess us Moms are seasoned at not beating the bird to death due to a little mishap , ( that is a joke , I never beat my kids or birds ) . I used to really get upset with my birds if they nibbled on me but I know it is their only way of protesting . I don't care for all the attention my face seems to have gotten from my birds . They always go at my face .??????

It's funny when one of them bite on my Husband , he gets so upset , LOL, just like when the kids were little , I was always the one who held it together.

I guess since you are raising birds first , you will be an awesome parent ,LOL.... if you decide to do so . It certainly will help you stay calmer LOL....

 

How is Tiago doing with his clip , and you , feeling better I hope ?

Later,

Mary

[Tycos_mom]

I raised 5 kids of my own and 6 or other people's mabie thats why I'm so good with rescued parrots. I have three rescues and they are all well adjusted naughty,sweet, loveing birds now. Tyco is my newest and she has come around wonderfully but what little brats they can be. If you don't have patients then you should never have a bird because they will try your patients everyday. Tyco has this new thing she does and I don't know how to stop her from it. She empty's her seed and pellet dishes she throws every bit of food out of them and I hate it. They charge a fortune for pellets and good seed mixes and for her to just throw it on to the dirty papers at the bottom of her cage just irks me. I spend at least $100. just on Seed mixes and pellets every 2 weeks. There is always a big waste with that stuff, but shes makeing it ten times worse. I think I'm just going to give her a tiny bit in her dish and if she empty's it she won't get anymore until supper time mabie that will stop her from wasting so much food

[bettyboop]

My Alexandrine does that when she is mad .Seriously , if we go somewhere at night , when we return all of her seed and pellets are on the floor , she has also learned to flip her bowl and OMG , what a mess .So when I hear her messing with it , I take it out for a couple of hours .You might try getting him a deeper dish , that has sort of helped with our Grey .He shreds apples on this skewer that hangs in his cage , and when it is all gone in about 5 mins after you put it in his cage or playstand , he sit there and says A P P L E , SLOWLY OVER AND OVER until you give him more , then he does it again.I have tried carrots , pears , squash , he knows , that it isnt an apple and he sits there saying A P P L E , it drives me nuts , so I am always looking for ways to get his mind off the subject .They are a mess.He is so funny , but like you say , it is expensive and wasteful . Give him less.

M