Merlin & Charlie update thread!

Mayden

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Merlin & Charlie (Senegals)
Basically going to just throw everything Merlin&Charlie related here, unless it's a specific question. But just so I can look back myself and see how they've progressed and to keep you folks updated too. Will try for pics and videos as much as possible, but I can't guarantee it'll be interesting before Charlie's out of quarantine!

Today I haven't had any energy to get up and play with Merlin (working late AND it's going to be a real hectic night too, so need my energy!). Merlin is currently in the office with the budgie's, which is obviously off limits to Charlie. Charlie is based in the bedroom. We have Merlin in the office because we like to have him downstairs with us too most of the time but thats where Charlie was going to be - we'd put Charlie in the office, but Budgie's reside there and there aint a chance Budgie's are coming into the bedroom, they're too noisey :p

So, Charlie resides in bedroom. Merlin & Budgie's in office. Merlin's 'play area' is livingroom.

I've had Charlie sat in bed with me pretty much since waking up. But I've been resting, he's been very good, exploring a little but being very well behaved. He's also been very cuddly, letting me scritch him a lot. I got a pinch from him earlier as he was nibbling at a scar/lose skin type thing on the back of my hand - he bit and didn't want to let go! Other than that he's very good at warning you when he doesn't like something.

During this time Merlin and Charlie have been chatting! Charlie is mostly very quiet and I'm a little concerned (right now as they're separate rooms) that Merlin can't hear him! But they seem to be doing fine on that front. Lots of back and forth calls and whistles, it's really lovely to hear. :)

Makes me so excited for when they can finally meet, I really need the next 3/4 weeks to just zoom past :p

Charlie's poops are a little bit concerning for me, but I think that's just from the stress of the move - as looking at his past cage at the pet store they were fine. They're just very very small right now here. Plenty of water and solid in it, just... small. But then again I haven't seen him eat tooo much whilst being here.

He's also picking out specific seeds, so god knows what the state of his liver etc is like! He's on a parrot mix at the moment but will be put on Harrissons as soon as he lets me! We're going to start offering him Harrissons as of tonight. He'll be getting fresh fruits and veggies with the rest of them too soon. Not sure how he'll take to that, but we'll see!

Hoping to get his vet visit after 2 weeks now instead though as his claws need trimming, he's getting caught on my tshirts, on blankets to cover his cage etc. Last thing I want is an injury caused by that (and obviously he gets stressed being stuck!). So will see about getting him in during the middle of quarantine rather than later and see what the vet says regarding a 3 vs 4 week quarantine. Not going to lie, wish I didn't have to quarantine him, but I can't risk Merlin and the Budgie's just because I'm impatient!

Anywho, need to go lock Charlie up now. Andrew's promised to grab Merlin out asap when he's home from work as I've neglected him today with being so exhausted. (4hours+ of travel yesterday & anxiety!) But we're hoping to get some form of rota going regarding who does what with which bird when!

Need to grab some dinner, then off to work I go! Will keep you updated! :)
 

Blancaej

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Thanks for the great update! I look forward to checking back on how Charlie is doing! He is in a great home. I'm sure all will be fine. His poop is probably small since he hasn't eatin' much. I'm sure he is ok. Lots going on the last few days and stress may be the cause as well. Hopefully YOU can get some rest! :D
 

JerseyWendy

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Great update, Cat! I can imagine how worn out you must be. :( You had a LONG, hectic, emotional day yesterday. :)

Happy to hear Charlie & Merlin are whistling to each other.

Try not to worry too much about the poop, I'm sure it'll be back to normal in a few days when he starts acclimatizing.

I also think it's a great idea about getting him to the vet in 2 weeks for his nails.

Can't wait to see more pics of him (AND Merlin) and to read further updates. :D

I hope you'll have a nice, calm day tomorrow.
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Thanks guys! Got work for 4 hours tomorrow but other than that I'm just gonna sit on my butt at home and spend time with the two of them. :) Played with Merlin when I got home from work (finished at 11pm but he's still wide awake) and gave Charlie some scritches through the bars too and let him go back to sleep. Won't disturb him now until I'm going bed (light on for a few mins etc).

Going to go food shopping now (12am, I know, I know!:( ) buy some bits and pieces (and probably some yummy things for the pets, Bunny's just been spayed too so she deserves some treats :p).

Hoping to start on some socialisation with Charlie tomorrow in regards to Andrew as he's still quite skittish with him, it's expected but I want him to learn he can trust Andrew like he can trust me.

Got him on his back earlier too by the way! (Something we do with Merlin a lot) He was holding on to my fingers and I had my other hand supporting his back and just rolled him, he was nervous but he accepted it and did well! Didn't keep him down for long as I don't want to spook him, but yey! Being on their backs is a huge sign of trust, so it's nice he was so good about that :)

More tomorrow/soon! + hopefully some pictures! :)
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Still exhausted. I have a chronic illness and boy has the past few days really worn on me!
Andrew has been the one spending most of his time with the boys today. Dedicated time with Merlin but 'offhand' time with Charlie as he is cleaning the room that Charlie's in.

Both been chatting to each other - making me too excited for them to meet/see each other.

We think Charlie is picking up on Merlin's "Whatya doing?" It's hard to understand, but the syllables and stuff all match up and since Merlin says it ALLLLL the time, we've also said it to him too but I imagine it's from Merlin more than anything.

Got a little bit of a concern about Charlie's feathers -made a separate post for that. Link here:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/32984-charlie-his-feathers.html#post278996

Been giving him single pellets of harrissons to see how he takes for it, he's eager for more, even licking up the crumbs off my shirt - so I think we'll start with the change over soon :)

His poops are still a little weird to me, small but frequent. Not worrying, just its very different to Merlin but they both have different habbits and diet.
 

JerseyWendy

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I think you've had WAY too much excitement, Cat. ;) So sorry to hear about your chronic illness. Try and get some good R & R, lost of sleep and you'll feel like new hopefully. :)

AWESOME news that Charlie is responding SO well to Merlin's sounds. :D
 

Wdlodge

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Still exhausted. I have a chronic illness and boy has the past few days really worn on me!
Andrew has been the one spending most of his time with the boys today. Dedicated time with Merlin but 'offhand' time with Charlie as he is cleaning the room that Charlie's in.

Both been chatting to each other - making me too excited for them to meet/see each other.

We think Charlie is picking up on Merlin's "Whatya doing?" It's hard to understand, but the syllables and stuff all match up and since Merlin says it ALLLLL the time, we've also said it to him too but I imagine it's from Merlin more than anything.

Got a little bit of a concern about Charlie's feathers -made a separate post for that. Link here:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/32984-charlie-his-feathers.html#post278996

Been giving him single pellets of harrissons to see how he takes for it, he's eager for more, even licking up the crumbs off my shirt - so I think we'll start with the change over soon :)

His poops are still a little weird to me, small but frequent. Not worrying, just its very different to Merlin but they both have different habbits and diet.

I feel for ya on the chronic illness. I have fibromyalgia and I am currently out of remission. Yuck! I also have a shoulder injury from last year that I am dealing with and since I have been out of remission the pain is so bad. Just try not to push yourself too much, eat good, and stay hydrated. Looks like your new baby is settling in nicely.
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Thanks both, I'm enjoying spending time with the both of them but I can't wait for my next day off so I can really rest up! & the sooner they can be in the same room together, the better!

I have ME/CFS which is similar to Fibro regarding pain and stuff so I understand. Hope you're having as easy a time as possible with it atm. Going to go get more to eat now and then have an early night after a little one on one time with Merlin! :)

We set up Merlin's playstand in the bedroom (Merlin HATES it) but Charlie seems to appreciate it. He's quite good at spending time on his own, although I dont think he knows how to play. (Which angers me greatly as he's 12!)

He's also taken to sitting on my lightshade in the bedroom and just hanging out up there. He'll just sit and watch the world go by up there. Just need to watch out for stray poops and my bed is right underneath, doh!
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Weighed Charlie (right now!) and he's weighing in 118g.
Senegals are apparently supposed to be between 120g -170g.

I believe Merlin is around 178g... *hides* He is on a strict diet and exercise regime though.

Will try and weigh Merlin later. He's nervous of the scales though. Charlie's going to be weighed daily and we'll see if he improves with harrissons. Ordered the normal adult lifetime stuff, not high potency as they'll be sharing and Merlin needs to lose weight.

He's taking to Harrissons quite well, but seeems to only really eat when someone is around as far as I can tell. Which could possibly explain his low weight despite being on a seed diet. I'm sure he was only really eating the sunflower seeds too, so wasn't really 'getting his fill' from his feedings.

Who knows.

WP_20130702_003_zps5056f7ba.jpg


Eating with us at the dining room table just now :)

He also doesn't seem to know how to play. So will be ordering him some more foot toys (he picks and 'plays' with bottle caps) to encourage him there. Hoping he'll see Merlin and the budgie's play with their hanging toys eventually and he'll pick it up.
 
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SoCalWendy

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Weighed Charlie (right now!) and he's weighing in 118g.
Senegals are apparently supposed to be between 120g -170g.

I believe Merlin is around 178g... *hides* He is on a strict diet and exercise regime though.

Will try and weigh Merlin later. He's nervous of the scales though. Charlie's going to be weighed daily and we'll see if he improves with harrissons. Ordered the normal adult lifetime stuff, not high potency as they'll be sharing and Merlin needs to lose weight.

He's taking to Harrissons quite well, but seeems to only really eat when someone is around as far as I can tell. Which could possibly explain his low weight despite being on a seed diet. I'm sure he was only really eating the sunflower seeds too, so wasn't really 'getting his fill' from his feedings.

Who knows.

WP_20130702_003_zps5056f7ba.jpg


Eating with us at the dining room table just now :)

He also doesn't seem to know how to play. So will be ordering him some more foot toys (he picks and 'plays' with bottle caps) to encourage him there. Hoping he'll see Merlin and the budgie's play with their hanging toys eventually and he'll pick it up.

I would put Charlie on Harrison's hi potency if you haven't already.
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Merlin & Charlie (Senegals)
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Weighed Charlie (right now!) and he's weighing in 118g.
Senegals are apparently supposed to be between 120g -170g.

I believe Merlin is around 178g... *hides* He is on a strict diet and exercise regime though.

Will try and weigh Merlin later. He's nervous of the scales though. Charlie's going to be weighed daily and we'll see if he improves with harrissons. Ordered the normal adult lifetime stuff, not high potency as they'll be sharing and Merlin needs to lose weight.

He's taking to Harrissons quite well, but seeems to only really eat when someone is around as far as I can tell. Which could possibly explain his low weight despite being on a seed diet. I'm sure he was only really eating the sunflower seeds too, so wasn't really 'getting his fill' from his feedings.

Who knows.

WP_20130702_003_zps5056f7ba.jpg


Eating with us at the dining room table just now :)

He also doesn't seem to know how to play. So will be ordering him some more foot toys (he picks and 'plays' with bottle caps) to encourage him there. Hoping he'll see Merlin and the budgie's play with their hanging toys eventually and he'll pick it up.

I would put Charlie on Harrison's hi potency if you haven't already.

I don't want him on high potency, if he appears to struggle with the conversion and weight then I'll put him on it. But for now he seems to be taking to adult lifetime okay. Will be speaking to our vet about Charlie's needs soon enough and I do understand the importance of HP for most converting birds. I don't want to blast him full of vitamins and protein, rather take it slow and steady instead - until I've spoke to my vet :)
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Merlin just weighed in at 139g :)
 

JerseyWendy

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Hey Cat, you said Charlie doesn't know how to play? I see you provided him a wrench. GREAT idea! I put my fids to work around the house, too. ;) :D

He's looking goooooood!!! Are they still communicating with each other?
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Hey Cat, you said Charlie doesn't know how to play? I see you provided him a wrench. GREAT idea! I put my fids to work around the house, too. ;) :D

He's looking goooooood!!! Are they still communicating with each other?

Haha! That was for fixing the baby gate we have up to stop the bunnies climbing the stairs. :p

Yes they are, it's lovely! I can't wait! He's moulting a fair bit but I've been giving him some serious scritches and I'm seeing everything come from him and it just looks like a moult. It is around that time of year I guess! Ringing vets on thursday to book an appointment for him and Merlin (separate days) to get their nails trimmed and health check. :)
 

JerseyWendy

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Oh suuuuure...for the baby gate. :D

So happy to hear that everyone's doing great!! I know you are counting the days until you can introduce them to each other. :)
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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Sure am Wendy!

Charlie had his first bath/shower today. We used low crock dishes to start with, then he decided to test out the tap on the sink, then he joined me for a bath! He was very good with it all and seemed to enjoy just being stood in the water and drinking some of it too. We'll work on 'real' bathing, but yey! :)
 
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Mayden

Mayden

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You are making such great progress with him, Cat!!! How's his poop??? Has it gotten bigger?

It's still small, but very frequent. He's eating plenty and pooping enough too. Spoke to the Avian Vet about it on the phone and he said that it seems to be okay. I'm probably just thinking they're tiny because Merlin does some MAMMOTH poops.

I'd actually appreciate it if people would post pictures of their poi poo! (eurg!) Will start another thread on the poi forum asking for it. :)mad:) Just to see who's is more normal and whos is not. I'll be taking samples from both birdies to the vets either way!

We also failed, hard, on quarantine. I won't get into it, but basically the idea is now moot. We spoke to our Avian Vet and he said that going from what he's heard about Charlie and his current state. From his weight, the feel of his keel, his droppings, his feathering, behaviour, his eating and drinking etc. He's okay for them to be out of quarantine (since I screwed it up anyway). He's basically not worried and we'll obviously get in touch if we find any cause for concern. But all seems to be well. I know it's stupid and I realise things could have gone drastically horrible if Charlie 'is' sick but I can't emphasise enough how bad we feel and we'll be keeping an eye on both. Just as we don't want Merlin to get sick, we don't want Charlie to get sick either.

We've gone and put Charlie in the same room as Merlin now and their cages are next to each other with space between so there's no toe grabbing or anything. Merlin is VERY curious and they're chattering and stuff. We only had one whinge from Merlin when we left the room as he was so preoccupied with 'getting' at Charlie.

No hackles raised, no signs of aggression. Just curiosity and interest. Charlie started nodding off during the introduction which I guess is a good sign.

Also, Merlins lost 2grams! We rang the vet and he was a podgy 140g (where did I get 170g from?!) and he's gone down to 138/139g :) Hurrah!
 
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