Life with a Too....

Allee

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....is often just crazy! Poppy has been a brown eyed hormonal monster for weeks now. I exhausted all means of keeping the peace weeks ago, my last resort is always covering her cage, I hate to do that, but I have, several times. We all know there is no magic to lower the hormone levels but some tricks do have positive results. For Poppy, it's changing things up a bit, diet, more sleep, and above all a cage makeover and new toys. I took her beloved swing (I was desperate) and replaced it with a hanging woodpile, she went after it, most of the toy is now bare chain where the blocks once were. My mom donated a phone book, Poppy loved that too. My migraines were starting to subside.

I can't blame hormones for all of Poppy's nonsense, I'm sure a lot of her bratty nature is simply due to being a Too. She's also lovable and funny and easily forgiven for naughty behavior, she knows this. Maybe all the wood-chipping and paper shredding she's done lately has effected her appetite, she's notoriously picky about food, but lately she's been ravenous. She's actually eating a lot of her food rather than decorating her cage with it, that's a pleasant change. This is also new for her, Poppy doesn't talk very well or very often other than cockatoo gibberish, occasionally though, she will clearly repeat something she's heard recently. When she does, I usually realize it's something I've said to her several times.

Last night I gave Poppy her treat, sang her bedtime song with her and covered her cage. She climbed down below the cage cover and screamed loudly enough to wake her wild relatives (we are in Texas). I stomped over to her cage and in a stern voice ordered her to climb back up to her perch and go to sleep, she was hanging on the side of her cage, she bounced at me a couple of times and said clearly, "you started it!" I'm still laughing at my clever girl, that's exactly what I tell her when I cover her cage for a time out for screaming. "You started it!" Proof, dealing with hormonal cockatoos may rapidly reduce your I.Q. Should I mention it's always pointless to argue with a Too, you can't win.

More proof that Toos cause a loss of brain power, the first woodpile was a major success, I ordered a similar one only this one came with three huge cowbells. I started to remove them before I gave her the toy but that seemed a little mean spirited. After she climbed to her perch as ordered, we were treated to a symphony of clanging bells.
 

SailBoat

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Clearly, Mark Twain's statement: "She is not refined. She is not unrefined. She keeps a parrot" applies here!

It may help to leave the house and have a long discussion with a Rock or a Tree. At least, they will not repeat what you said! :D
 

Scott

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Definitely crazy, Allee, but the absence of a too would be unthinkable! They are perpetual children yet their endearing traits are essentially unchangeable. Sort of puts it in perspective, and sadly, why so many toos are re-homed.
 

plumsmum2005

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Clearly Poppy is ensuring she is not forgotten by anyone within hearing. Sorry that the symphony of clanging bells did nothing for your poor migraine. I can feel one coming on just thinking of the cacophony. As Steven says perhaps best to leave the house and just enjoy the peace and quiet of somewhere else for a while and claim what is left of your sanity LOL.

PS "it's always pointless to argue with a Too, you can't win" - oh god yes!
 
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LordTriggs

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I wish people saw more stories like this and got a real idea of what living with a Too is like. The amount of birds it would save from cruelty and from becoming adoption home residents would be ridiculous!
 

Anansi

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Poppy, why are you driving your poor mom crazy?

"You started it!" Hahahaha! Even when being hormonal, she's hilarious! How long do her hormonal bouts usually last?
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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Allee...I think Poppy wants a new hat :rolleyes:





Jim
 
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Allee

Allee

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I am going to take the excellent advice and attempt to "claim what's left of my sanity", I must find a friendly rock to have a long chat with.

Doc, Poppy just experienced her worst hormonal episode ever, it started with a heavy molt. Poppy is a darling, even at her worst she is a sweetheart and she always cooperates, (in her own sweet time).

Scott, I can't imagine life without a Too, it wouldn't be home.

Jim, thank you, now that you mentioned it, I think a new hat for Poppy is a fine idea!



She doesn't understand what all the fuss is about! She doesn't have a clue what the song of her people does to human ears. :)
 

plumsmum2005

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Not sure I can believe my eyes on dear Poppy, 'butter would not melt'.

I am sure you have at least thought of this Allee but have you tried flying her, would she do drills back and forth? A tired 'too is usually a quiet one?
 
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Allee

Allee

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Not sure I can believe my eyes on dear Poppy, 'butter would not melt'.

I am sure you have at least thought of this Allee but have you tried flying her, would she do drills back and forth? A tired 'too is usually a quiet one?

Thank you, that exact "butter would not melt", look gets Poppy out of trouble daily.

Poppy can't fly, she was kept clipped for years and we aren't sure she was allowed to fledge. She's physically capable of flight, I've seen her take off and land maybe four times in four years but no amount of encouragement can convince her flight should be part of her daily routine.
 

plumsmum2005

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So it's an army style assault course then LOL?

Plum will mainly out of choice go to the floor, ends flying session quickly lol. Would some treats on the floor work to get them wings a flappin'? Toos also love plodding about on the floor but realise you have other pets so may not be so easy. Where would you like the ear plugs sent to LOL?
 
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Allee

Allee

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Hahaha, right! Talons on the ground!
 

plumsmum2005

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Allee, it's been bothering me since you highlighted the amount of noise that our dear Poppy has been making and the effect on you with those dreaded migraines.

So with some mashing of brain cells have come up with a couple of suggestions for you. I know you have more than enough on your plate with your existing flock, new additions and work will have started on Poppy's assault course I should think?

Here's hoping that peace and serenity will once again reign supreme in your household?

This is basically endeavouring to give our favourite girl a job, yes another job! I know she has hat modelling and gigs to attend to with her favourite musical instruments but clearly she has time on her side or is trying to learn to sing?

So here goes suggestion numero .....

1) teach her to count! You can stop laffing now! I mean it, seriously, call out ONE and then associate it with a movement she can do, eg a bow, TWO, arms/wings up, THREE, a twirl, FOUR, put a foot up. You get the gist by now and then when she has learnt the whole set of numbers mix it up and do random ones by just throwing a number at her. The whole family can join in and help teach her. Needless to say treats would be free flowing during this training process but hoping that eventually it will work as a distraction tool?

2) Give her a set of coloured plastic cups or buckets and ask her to present one to you, the right colour and the right way up for a treat to be inserted.

Love to know what you think when you've stopped rolling around the floor! :)
 

LordTriggs

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2) Give her a set of coloured plastic cups or buckets and ask her to present one to you, the right colour and the right way up for a treat to be inserted.

Love to know what you think when you've stopped rolling around the floor! :)

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRsfOGJ5lZg"]Harley my funny cockatoo - YouTube[/ame]

This popped into my head the second I saw "plastic cups"

I feel it's a good summary of a Too!
 

LordTriggs

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Oh god! So it's definitely ear plugs then?

I think with one who clearly enjoys making noise that loud when calm I'd just remove my ear drums!

I could never live with a Too as I suffer from hypersensitivity. Only in recent years have I been able to go to fireworks displays without being in physical pain to give you an idea of how bad I used to be

on the upside you know if I say a bird is quiet then it'll be near silent!
 

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