Robin's Nest
Just Hatched
Sterling
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 8
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Post by Robin's Nest on Feb 23, 2005 7:01:36 GMT -7
Hello, Just thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Robin. And I'm currently owned by six fids, 4 kids and my husband. The newest fids are Sterling, 10 month old African Grey, and Simon, 7 year old Mitred Conure. Both have been mistreated and require extra patience. Wich I think God is growing in me....hopefully. And tons of love----wich is easy as pie. I have so many questions about Sterling. How do I teach him to bath without stressing him out? Why does the skin around his eyes turn red sometimes? Is it bad for me to make him do step up like I do with my other fids? We've put rope perches in his cage because he's not too steady due to his lack of feathers from his shredding. Is there any other thing we can do with his cage to make it more clumsy-friendly for him? Thank you so much. I keep going back and forth thinking that Simon and Sterling will be alright---then I find myself in tears. Sterling has been shredding his feathers because he was in a cage for a few months, that had a chamelion (or some sort of lizard) cage ontop of it. The lizard was loose all the time and chose Sterling's cage as his favorite spot to hang. Sterling's breeder ended up getting a phone call to "come get this bird cuz he don't have feathers any more." Simon was loved my his previous owner, but when his owner died and the wife tried to take care of him---things didn't go well. He was hit and chased with a broom and hands. Well, my flock is waking up now.....Thanks again. Robin
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Post by Jane on Feb 23, 2005 8:20:38 GMT -7
Hello Robin It is always sad to hear about birds that have been mistreated but great when they have found a loving home. Have you tried using a plant mister to spray Sterling, that is what I use. The trouble with greys is that many of them hate water, and it is a question of gentle persuasion. I use a sprayer for air plants, it is very small with a fine spray. The skin round the eyes sometimes looks red if they are either very hot or very annoyed/stressed, it is a bit like blushing. Teaching him to step-up is a good thing, just take it slowly if he isn't keen. If he is falling you can put towels on the floor of the cage, as you would for a baby bird but the rope perches should help him a lot. Good luck, keep us up to date.
Jane
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Robin's Nest
Just Hatched
Sterling
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 8
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Post by Robin's Nest on Mar 1, 2005 6:34:37 GMT -7
Goodmorning, I'm sitting here at the pc and Sterling is in his cage whistling every sound he knows, and making up a few. He's trying some non whistle sounds too. His feathers are looking better. And he's moving around in his cage and playing a little more. I believe he's settling in. My question is, how do I get him to feel comfortable coming out of his cage? His lack of feathers is causing him a problem with keeping his balance when he perches on my hand. So, I usually hold him close to my chest, sorta like a baby. And even then, he still shakes and shakes. Any suggestions on how to help him feel safe coming out of his cage? Thanks in advance, Robin
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Post by Jane on Mar 1, 2005 6:52:05 GMT -7
Can he sit on your lap instead, mine sometimes get wobbly on my hand and they have got all their feathers! Anything with a rougher or uneven texture will help him to grip, so fabric is better than hands for an unsteady bird. (Don't wear a glove though, he will probably hate it!) Or you could try getting him out with a stick but this would have to be roughened up as well.
Jane
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Post by Rony0007 on Mar 1, 2005 19:43:08 GMT -7
Hello. Im also new here and i am happy to say that my wife and i are expecting our baby grey to arrive in 1 month. she was just born 1 week ago, we went to meet her last sunday. my wife and i are very excited, and we cant decide on a name..lol. im glad i found this forum and im sure it will help us in making our house the proper place for our baby bird.
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Mar 1, 2005 20:57:07 GMT -7
You have lots of help here... Needless to say I have a broom for the other person in this thread!
Meaning the person that hit the bird.
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Post by Robin on Mar 2, 2005 22:13:51 GMT -7
Tonight was the third night of medicine for Simon, our Mitred Conure. Because he won't let me touch him, but allows my husband to rub his neck, through the cage, I've been chosen to give him his antibiotic. (He's got an infection that's causing his cere to drain, and his stools to be really loose.) So, I am towelling him twice a day for fourteen days, to give him medicine. I feel two ways about this----1. (jumping up and down inside) I get to hold and touch him!!!!! Yeah!!!! I talk calm and low and tell him why I'm giving him this medicine, that I'm not trying to be mean, how much I love him and how awesome he is and what a great bird friend he is. Tonight I let him close his claws around my finger and told him that's what a step up feels like. He seems to be listening to me....and seems to be getting better. -----2. This poor bird is going to end up just hating me, isn't he? I'm the bad woman forcing him into a towel and to take medicine. It seems like a no win situation. I give him treats afterwards, and he takes them from my hand without biting me, but he'll still lung at me when he gets a chance....big beak too! On the other wing.....Sterling, our Arican Grey is healthy and is starting to whistle alot, make clicking sounds and say a few words. It's like he's coming out of his shell. His feathers are even coming in a little more each day. He's even begun to play with some of the toys in his cage and chew on his sleeping hut. Our littlest bird, Nikko, the parakeet, is sick also. He's got a yeast infection in his beak/mouth. And he's also on medicine twice a day. But he's so easy to give it to! LOL And his demeanor is changing already, with two days on this med. He's eating more, and learning to step up nicely. And while I'm being long winded, have any of you guys heard of Nutra Berries? Have you tried using them to switch your bird from stictly seed to pellet? Thanks for listening. I sure am wore out tonight, and should be in bed already. I hope everyone out there is doing alright.... Blessings, Robin
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Robin's Nest
Just Hatched
Sterling
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 8
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Post by Robin's Nest on Mar 2, 2005 22:16:15 GMT -7
Ooooops! I must be tired. I forgot to sign in before I posted that.....
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Post by Jane on Mar 3, 2005 2:10:17 GMT -7
Yes Nutriberries are very popular with mine, all the flavours and they have them as part of their diet. Any diet should be a good mix and there is as much controversy about all-pellet diets as all-seed diets. The best option is to give a mix of pellets and seeds as the basis of the diet. Seeds (a variety of seeds) provide essential fatty acids which pellets, being a processed food, tend to lack.
Jane
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Post by ronald on Mar 3, 2005 17:51:54 GMT -7
robin are u in miami, fl.?
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Robin's Nest
Just Hatched
Sterling
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 8
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Post by Robin's Nest on Mar 4, 2005 6:11:57 GMT -7
Ronald, I'm not in Miami. However I did go to Marathon for 5 days last July and visit my Mom. I know, I know, it's not the same as living in FL. Oh well. Robin
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