advice about our moluccan cockatoo with a toddling toddler

Jayeh

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Jan 22, 2015
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Hi all, I'm new to this forum and I'm just wondering how I should approach this. This is a long post, so I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read and comment!

Our family has had a moluccan cockatoo named Fireball for 17 years (he's 19 now), and yes he bites and screams, but he's a sweet bird and loves to be pet when he's in a calm mood. We used to also have a female umbrella cockatoo named Snowball who was unfortunately attacked and killed by a dog about 3 years ago (she was 14, and we've had her since she was able to come home with us). He seems to have been sad since then, but he's probably more reliant on human interaction rather than companionship from Snowball.

Fireball lives at my mom's house, and my son who is now 14 months old is now walking and is very interested in him. I know that he won't hurt my son, but Fireball doesn't know him so I don't want him to not be watched and be bit because my son gets too excited too quickly or startles Fireball. We've thought about building an outdoor aviary for him with heaters, but we don't want him to feel like he's being kicked out for doing something bad, and hurting himself or something.

So I guess the dilemma is that we love him, but we love my son and his safety more. We don't want to bring Fireball to a sanctuary because if we do decide to have him leave us, we'd like for him to go to a family that maybe has 1 or 2 additional birds (max). But, are there questions I should ask to filter through potential owners? Or are there other suggestions/possibilities we should explore?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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Why not just put up baby gates around Fireball's enclosure? And supervise the interaction when he's out.
 

SilverSage

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Third man took the words out of my mouth. I know it is. Or quite the same, but I live with a cat who would LOVE to eat the vast majority of my birds. I spend time with all of them, even together, I simply insure safe barriers that keep them from interacting when I am not looking, and supervise to make sure nothing dangerous is happening when the barriers are down. Maybe fireball needs his own new birdy wonderland play stand now with tons of new things to shred because he will be spending a bit less time on laps. I have seen kiddie corals made out of bright plastic, a set of those around the cage are easily stepped over by adults but they keep tiny fingers from the cage. Just don't leave the baby and the bird alone in the same room, take one with you when you go. Don't hold them both at the same time, etc. I would hate to see a companion bird ripped from his home even though he has done nothing wrong.

I have a friend with an Eclectus who used to be quite the biter. She also had two small children, not quite so small anymore, who learned very quickly NOT to touch the bird. It doesn't have to get to a bite for this to happen, most of us were taught not to touch a hot stove before we actually tested it out. Simply practice good safety protocols, watchfulness, and when the time comes, strong and firm, easy to recognize boundaries for both the bird and the child.
 

sonja

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I agree with Birdman. I don't see any reason Fireball needs to leave.
 

getwozzy

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Feb 26, 2013
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I personally don't think rehoming Fireball would be the answer- since the loss of Snowball, he is probably feeling a bit "lost" and sending him away will only cause future behavior issues.

I understand your fear of something happening between the two, but having the two under the same roof is possible :)

Although not on the same size scale as Fireball, my galah has to co-exist with my toddler. Supervision is a must. We also have a baby gate that encompasses her area to keep her safe as well as keeping my son from poking his fingers in the cage



Always supervise the two, and let Fireball observe from a safe distance until they get to know each other...I think it's important that you help build the relationship between these two since your toddler is also one of Fireball's flock members ...and one day those two might be best friends [emoji41]
 
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Jayeh

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Jan 22, 2015
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I personally don't think rehoming Fireball would be the answer- since the loss of Snowball, he is probably feeling a bit "lost" and sending him away will only cause future behavior issues.

I understand your fear of something happening between the two, but having the two under the same roof is possible :)

Although not on the same size scale as Fireball, my galah has to co-exist with my toddler. Supervision is a must. We also have a baby gate that encompasses her area to keep her safe as well as keeping my son from poking his fingers in the cage



Always supervise the two, and let Fireball observe from a safe distance until they get to know each other...I think it's important that you help build the relationship between these two since your toddler is also one of Fireball's flock members ...and one day those two might be best friends [emoji41]

This setup is SO AWESOME! We've never really been part of a bird loving community, so if anyone has any other ideas/pics I can reference, that would be great!!

When your toddler was young did he/she cry when the bird screamed? I'm not sure how loud a galah is, but Fireball is LOUD when he screams and my son cries :(

He's located in the kitchen so he screams sometimes when my son is eating, and my son cries (sounds so sad!) when he screams. I think it's because he wants a snack too, but after the screaming scares my son, he can't eat afterwards. We've moved him out since then, but it's so difficult having the two of them coexist. AND, I'm due with my second in 6 weeks, so we're just trying to figure out what the best solution is.
 
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Jayeh

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Jan 22, 2015
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Why not just put up baby gates around Fireball's enclosure? And supervise the interaction when he's out.

until I just saw the image of the gate around the cage, it didn't occur to me! it's really a great idea!

Fireball is actually really considerate of my son, and won't even climb down when my son is crawling/walking around. I think he knows he could hurt him.. but I'm not sure he's that aware.

I think the last thing I mentioned in the post I just posted was the screaming. Anyone have any suggestions for that? That part isn't a deal breaker, but it's really hard to hear my son cry (or even wake up from a nap) because of Fireball.

Thanks everyone for your comments! and pictures are DEFINITELY helpful!!
 
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Jayeh

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I personally don't think rehoming Fireball would be the answer- since the loss of Snowball, he is probably feeling a bit "lost" and sending him away will only cause future behavior issues.

I understand your fear of something happening between the two, but having the two under the same roof is possible :)

Although not on the same size scale as Fireball, my galah has to co-exist with my toddler. Supervision is a must. We also have a baby gate that encompasses her area to keep her safe as well as keeping my son from poking his fingers in the cage



Always supervise the two, and let Fireball observe from a safe distance until they get to know each other...I think it's important that you help build the relationship between these two since your toddler is also one of Fireball's flock members ...and one day those two might be best friends [emoji41]

Oh! I also have the same cage as you :)

The swing to to the right is a swing right? it looks so fun!
 

getwozzy

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Feb 26, 2013
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Thanks! Yep- the thing to the right is a hanging playgym I made out of grape wood [emoji41]

If Fireball is screaming and interrupting your toddler's meal time- feed them both at the same time....meal time is a flock-oriented event, so make some snacks for Fireball and give them to him before you sit down to feed your toddler.

For nap time, I usually have a box fan and a radio going in the bedroom my son is sleeping in (with the door shut) -those help cover the noise of squawks and screeches.
 

gracebowen

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Jan 14, 2015
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I have ways used a fan to drown out background noises. It works great. It might help to always run a family. Around him to help him get used to the sound.
 
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Jayeh

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Jan 22, 2015
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So sorry, I haven't checked back!! Feeding Fireball at the same time actually really helps, thanks! :)
 

getwozzy

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Feb 26, 2013
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Hi, our family is looking for a home for our Moluccan male. I'm not sure how to go about this, but please contact me if you're interested so we can talk? Thanks!


I'm sorry to hear that things are not working out :(

You should also know that at some point Fireball needs a new, much larger cage -if his cage is the same as my galah's cage, then that's way too small for him.
 

RavensGryf

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I had also seen your post on the other thread... I'm sorry you had to make the decision to rehome Fireball. Too bad it didn't work out even with the suggestions given by our members who also have a similar situation. However, we have to respect that the decision ultimately is yours. Best of luck finding his next home, someone who will be the perfect fit.
 

JerseyWendy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Oh! I also have the same cage as you :)

Even though I do not own any cockatoos, I'd say if you are using the same cage as our Shirre (getwoozy), then the cage is considerably too small for big bird like a Moluccan.

And what about your post from earlier today? Are you now contemplating on rehoming your bird?
Hi, our family is looking for a home for our Moluccan male. I'm not sure how to go about this, but please contact me if you're interested so we can talk? Thanks!
 

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