DeRita 4 month update

Hey All,

Sooo sorry we all fell off the net for a while...life has a way of taking over.

As of January 4th, DeRita has been with us for 4 fabulous months!

I can't believe how fast these months have gone by.

DeRita is the love of my life!

We have been blessed with such a well mannered YNA...the man who raised her deserves kudo's FOR SURE!

Unfortunately, she has not stopped plucking I always know when she plucks because she makes a snarling dog sound and I always tell her NO! NO!

She as a very enriched environment in all aspects of her life. I DID finally force her to have a bath, unfortunately she is not much of a water bird and spray bottles had been used as punishment in her previous home because if you show her one, she screams and runs away. (I found out on accident)

For her first bath, I waited to try it until I saw her trying to bathe in her water dish. When I saw her doing the "bath dance" I put the tub faucet on a trickle and put her on the far side of the tub...she about drew blood from my finger squeezing so hard when I placed her in the tub, but once she was down, she looked, she fluttered and very timidly walked down to the trickling water. A few droplets splattered up on her and she walked back up to the "safe zone" at the other end of the tub. She fluttered some more, walked back down and each time got a little closer to the trickle. FINALLY after a lot of praise with every step closer, she walked around the trickle stream of water, careful not to get TOO wet! hahaha!

I didn't force the issue, I was happy the bottom of her feet got "cleaned" off.

She has really become confident in her surroundings. She has explored every inch of our house, floor to ceiling! When I caught her climbing the drapes and watched her as she walked along the curtain rod, I knew we had a very curious toddler on our hands! The funniest part was she got up there, then couldn't figure out how to get down. "Mommy had to help her." But not until I had taken sever pictures of her trying to get down.

She loves to play, cuddle, talk, go bye bye, join me at work when I'm only going to be in the office. She eats so very good. She has destroyed many cardboard boxes (her favorite "toy")

I realize how much of a toddler mentality she has when one day put her out on her play stand and got busy with house chores, suddenly I realized I forgot I had her out on her stand and she was quiet, so very quiet! I ran to check on her and was a bit surprised to see she was gone! She NEVER left her playstand! I scanned the room, didn't see her...call out her name and she responds, but I still didn't see her...I call her again...she's all growling and grunting, THEN I found her...ON MY BOOK SHELF....Tearing up my books!!! LOLOLOL!!!

Another night, hubby had her out and she decided she wasn't going to bed....so hubby, being the softy he is...left her out. (our pigeons cage has a play top that DeRita hangs out on all the time) Anyway, I got home very late and was a bit surprised when I walked in the house and I hear a very tired soft voice..."Hello"

At first I didn't comprehend what I heard and proceeded to take off my shoes, hang up my coat, set down my purse and I hear again..."Hello there"

Then it hit me that's DeRita!...DeRita is out! I flip on the light and bless her heart there she is on top of the cage all hunkered down for bed.

She has not shown any aggression at all, if she doesn't want to do something, she simply walks away, or she will lower her head for scritches to avoid stepping up. I have to get a very firm voice and say...DeRita, NO, STEP UP! I usually have to repeat myself 3 or 4 times and then coax he with...Come on..let's have cuddle time...and then she very painstakingly slowly steps up...one foot at a time onto my hand...I can see her mind working...Is she REALLY going let me have cuddle time??"

So I always do...if I say it, she get's it...even if it's only a couple moments.

DeRita is very very smart and I know I haven't even begun to tap into her full cognitive ability.

She melts my husband, because...for months I have always said to her..."I love you." NEVER have I heard her say it...then a few weeks ago, my husband comes out with DeRita on his shoulder and he says...DeRita learned a new word...I said..OH?? He said...she says..."I love you" very softly in my ear.

I was all..NO WAY! He said...yep!

Well...here's the thing...she ONLY says it to him! Softly in his ear.

He says..I've never had a bird tell me it loves me and then he get's a tear. Awwwww...

I have been trying to upload new pictures to my album on this site but everytime I click add to album...it routes me back to log in...WTH?? Over and over this has happened. Some glitch I hope to get fixed as I can't wait to share some new pic's of her.

She is our very special Zon and I couldn't have been more blessed with such an amazing girl. She truly is my dream come true!

Well, as soon as I can I will upload some new pic's.

Take care everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Toni and DeRita

Yayy!! Finally got a few pics off my phone. Not the greatest quality, but pics none the less.

Yes...the book is one of several DeRita re did the cover to. . I wish I would have thought to take a picture BEFORE I removed her from her fun...but I was soo shocked! Ha-ha!

Nothing this girl does shocks me anymore.

Hope you enjoy the pics.

Thanks for looking.

Toni

DeRita just melts my heart every time I read about her. I'm so glad she is doing well! Such a wonderful little green chicken.

Nice to hear such a good update on DeRita! I'm glad she's having a great time with both you and your husband . Cute photos. It does look like you have a toddler on your hands .

What a great update!!!

I love her! I just want to rub her little belly, poor thing. And oh jeeze your BOOKS! Oh my god I would have jumped through the ceiling!

Aqiula....I darn near did!! Just remembering my reaction makes me crack up laughing.... When I finally saw her flinging bits of paper I gasped! Then I ran to her and saw what she had been up to....DE RITA!! OH NO!!! BAAAADDDD!!! I swear...She was smiling as she stepped up on my hand and said..."hello there" and did her squeal laugh.

I have learned that when she is very quiet, she is either sleeping or getting into trouble.

She loves to have loud talking conversations with me when I am in a different room from her... She hollers..."Hello! HI! I respond, she laughs, I laugh, she yells. HELLLLLP! Right now!! Right now! Helllp!!! She does back up beeper sound (which cracks up my husband)....she is just hysterical to talk to. She never ever makes squawking or flock call bird sounds... She only talks, sings her little opera blurb, or makes her menagerie of silly sounds, like ringing phone, squeaky dog toy, wolf whistles etc.

She is NOTHING like some of the "horror" stories I have read about.....and I am soo relieved for that...however... I know....I know....breeding season is just around the corner.. Right?

My son loves to make a joke of "teasing" her About her plucking...hey! You little shaved chicken! She raises her wings and laughs or he will joke about her being a little plucker....meaning of course the derogatory....she will strut off laughing....like she knows something we all don't.

As far as her plucking is concerned... She is not any worse at all...the vet gave her a clean bill of health and said her skin looks great...however its difficult because she plucks at night in her sleep. She will make that snarling dog sound. I think I'm going to make her one if those fleece collars one of the members hers made for their Too. Need to look that person up as I have a couple questions.

Aside from that...I'm sure it's obvious how much we love and enjoy her. She sure seems to be soo happy with us as well.

Oh...and yes...I rub her naked little belly a lot. Her skin is always very warm to touch. <3

Well...have a great day everyone!

Toni

She is one lucky birdy to have your family as her flock.
It's amazing that she is not selecting just one person but rather friendly to all of you, WOW!
My YSA destroying my books too...... . Unfortunately she got to some valuable books before I realized what she is after. Just like you say, if it's quiet in the house, most likely something is getting chewed on..... .
They are so smart. She has learned few things are BAD for her to do and what angers me, so she waits till I leave the room...... , just like kids.
I try too keep her in my sight when she is out of her cage.
You are doing great! Glad to hear.

Awwwww....such a sweetie!
I have a YNA as well, and it took almost six years for him to say "I love you" despite having heard it every day. He also says it very softly.....