Please ban me... from Craigslist!

I have been searching for matching cages so the house looks nice and what do you know, a male Ekkie who is a plucker and likely on the wrong diet. I couldn't help myself and emailed them. Rob told me he's gonna kill me and then laughed maniacally. We agreed if all Ekkies are this amazing and obviously the right species for us, then if we have 2 we might as well have 3, 4, 5!

I just can't turn my back on someone who obviously needs me, especially when I know I'm the right place for them to be even on a foster basis. I made so much stinking food, it would still be two months' worth if everyone ate it. But Molly the CAG hates fresh food and violently picks up her dish and throws it as hard as she can across her cage. Time for locking dishes so she can just pick up the food and throw it on the ground.

What is with all of these neglected ekkies? You're going to have a whole house dedicated to them soon if this persists!

Do you really think you'll be bringing home another rescue soon? I can't help but be excited about it, to be completely honest haha~

cottontiel said:

What is with all of these neglected ekkies? You're going to have a whole house dedicated to them soon if this persists!

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Eckies are just one of those species... they're extremely diet sensitive birds, and if not properly socialized, they tend to bite.

Back in the day, you almost never came across them in the rescues because the people who bought them kinda had their own little thing going. (Kinda like Toucan owners that way. They were well aware of the extra work involved in feeding these guys.)

These days? They are more readily available, and less people are aware of the potential downsides, UNTIL THEY CAUSE THEM TO HAPPEN...

So now they're getting dumped, frequently for diet-related health problems.

When I got Dexter, I was aware of his special diet needs and asked the seller (who hand raised him from a hatchling and has a large business doing so with many species of parrots) about it. He was like "Yeah, it's no big deal, give him a few pieces of fruit or veggies with his pellets and he'll be fine. And here, feed this parrot mix I make that is what he was weaned onto (which I quickly learned was junk)." I knew better, but someone who had not done their homework beforehand could have easily brought that bird home with no idea about the high-maintenance diet needs. I was also told that he would have plenty of room in the 24 x 20 x 36 cage I bought thinking we were getting a conure. Again, I learned quickly and adapted to his needs. I have the desire and financial means to do so, but not everyone is so lucky. Or every bird.

I understand the desire to save the world - trust me I fight the urge constantly. But, please make sure you're not getting in over your head. I'm not trying to discourage you, but sometimes with pets (especially those with special needs) 1 + 1 does not equal 2, but more like 4.

They never responded to my email so looks like it wasn't meant to be. A majority of birds I take in have been fosters so I've been a temporary landing spot until a good home can be found. This is especially the case with people who don't care about the birds where they'd end up in an equally as bad environment.


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