Ashley
Weaned Todd
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 29
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Post by Ashley on Mar 13, 2005 9:52:34 GMT -7
Hi! Kasey is doing so much better, but there are still a few things I am tring to get right. How long is she supposed to sleep? I keep her cage covered up for 12 hours, but she doesn't sleep the whole time. Should I not keep her covered up that long? Also, being that she was so skinny when I got her, The vet got a liitle weight on her and when I got her back I have kept her food in the cage all the time. Now all she does is eat. She looks like she is becoming over weight. Should I worry about her weight? If so, how do I get her used to not having her food all the time? And I work 3rd shift, so she gets put to bed about an hour and a half before I go to work and she gets woke up about and hour or two after I get home. The only time she is put in her cage during the day is if I am asleep (which is about 4 or 5 hours) is that okay? I mean I'm not with her all the time, but if I'm not my husband is. But now she doesn't even want him in the room. What can I do?? I just want to keep her from plucking her feathers again because they are starting to grow back now. Please help!!
Ashley and Kasey
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Post by Jane on Mar 13, 2005 11:09:08 GMT -7
It is always said that they should have 10 to 12 hours sleep but it doesn't have to all be at night, they can doze during the day if need be. Mine are covered up for about 10 hours every night and they stay quiet until I get them up but they might not actually be asleep all of that time. They usually have a quiet period in the afternoons when they just settle down for a rest. Birds in captivity don't expend as much energy as birds in the wild. If you can keep a record of her weight, do so, but you can also feel the keel bone to check for a general level of fat. The keel bone should not be prominent but you should be able to feel it - it shouldn't be submerged in a mound of flesh! She might just be eating to make up for the fact that she was underweight. Mine have food available all the time but they choose to have a big feed when I get them up, another one in the evening and little snacks at other times during the day. I don't think you need to worry about her being in the cage for a period of time during the day, but I am not sure what you mean when you say she doesn't want your husband in the room - do you mean that she wants you all the time instead?
Jane
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Ashley
Weaned Todd
Joined: February 2005
Posts: 29
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Post by Ashley on Mar 13, 2005 13:16:08 GMT -7
Yeah, I guess that is what I mean. She doesn't mind if he comes in her romm, but she will not let him pick her up. If I try to pick her up she doesn't mind. Actually if I am in the room she acts like she is going to fly off the cage if I'm not tring to pick her up. The only reason i am concerned is because she hasn't done this before. We haven't had very long, but she wouldn't care to go to him before. She always has favored me over him but now she won't even let him pick her up to put her on her playground. The only thing I know as far as her weight, She gained 40 grams in about a week. That is what the vet said, so I'll try to look into getting her weight. Thank you for all of your help, Jane. You have helped me so much!!! Thank you.
Ashley and Kasey
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Post by Jane on Mar 13, 2005 13:53:14 GMT -7
This often happens when a grey favours one person. That person has privileges (being allowed to pick them up, stroke them etc.) which are denied to others. Although you haven't had her very long, greys often make quite firm decisions. Everything was new to her to start with and she had the visits to the vet, but now she is getting more settled and she is showing her preferences more strongly.
Jane
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Post by bkaschak on Mar 16, 2005 15:53:02 GMT -7
also u dont have to cover ur cage at all. Some birds actually prefer no cover. But if it lloks like it needs it, then so be it.
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