What have I done?!?

TikiSas

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Aug 25, 2017
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I have had an exceptionally wonderful 3-year old female Meyer's for 2 years now. I answered a Craigslist ad for a bonded pair of male Meyer's. One talks 50+ words, other is very quiet. Long story short, Tiki is 17 y.o., Sas is 12.

She brought them over last night in a 17" square x 40" tall old wrought iron cage. They've lived in it for 7 years! She also brought what was left of a 20# bag of striped sunflower seeds (you know...the wild bird kind). She said they also like apples, popcorn and cookies.

Nails and beaks are very overgrown. At one time, they were both handleable. I don't know how I'll even get them out of the cage to get them to the vet, without making me their enemy forever.

Anyone have experience with such a situation?

Thanks for your help...
 

itzjbean

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Jan 27, 2017
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First off.... thank you for taking these poor birds in from this situation!! You'll find a lot of poorly educated people trying to take care of birds that end up like this, very sad. But lucky for them, you came along!!

Do you have a larger cage for them? Now's the time to get that, if you don't already. Next step would be to schedule that vet appointment as soon as you can, and you could either bring them in their cage, or towel them to put in a carrier. The vet should check them over for health issues and also do a trim. After that, that's when the work will start for you. But the first step is to make sure they're healthy. You'll have to work with them from square one. After the vet appointment it would be best to let them settle into their new environment for a week, it may take a couple weeks for them to settle and get comfortable. At this time, try to make every single interaction, even if just changing their food and water, a positive one. If they're frightened of you, talk to them softly as you change their dishes and try not to pet/touch until they are calm.
 

LordTriggs

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taking them in the cage to the vet will be the best bet. to get all the work done they may knock them out for a bit just to make things easier for them.

I do question why you would buy any pet without researching first but whatever. Good job on giving them a chance at a new life. After the vet a nice brand new cage big enough for both of them and a slow change in diet is in order and proving to them that humans are trust-worthy once more.

on a side note I'm actually looking into Meyer's and I gotta ask how loud is your ones shouts? and how painful would you say his bite is?
 
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TikiSas

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Thanks for both of your responses. I appreciate them. Just to defend myself a bit as to why I would buy a pet without researching...I didn't pay a penny for these two parrots and their sad cage. It was an issue of "false advertising." The deplorable condition they had been living in took me by complete surprise. They were advertised as "well loved and well cared for." Their ages were off by 5 -6 years as well (maybe...who knows?)

The woman presented herself as truly caring for them...as she plunked down the bag of sunflower seeds. She truly had no clue. So...do I tell her I'm not interested and to take them back, or do I step in and try my best to rectify their last 7 years of hell?
 

itchyfeet

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Good on ya.

Depends on your needs and expectations :) Did you want a flock of 3 handleable birds, who are out and about and happy? Could you be okay with the idea of them in a large cage should they decide human interaction isn't a goer? If you're good with either outcome, then I think it's a matter of keep on keeping on.
 

BeatriceC

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They're going to be a lot of work, but if you really want to do this, you absolutely can. You can definitely get them out of their cage to go to the vet. What I might do, if you think they won't absolutely freak out, is get a new cage completely set up for them, get them to the vet, then put them in the new cage instead of back in their old cage. They might not be super happy for a while, but if they're together, they will more than likely handle it. If they're too stressed out you can always move them back. It'll take a few days to acquire an appropriately sized cage, and that will give them a little time to settle down. Also, please make sure to quarantine the new pair from your resident bird. They need to be separated for at least 30 days.

I know people don't like to towel birds if they don't have to, but this might be a case of "you have to". They are small enough that you can reach in with the towel covering your hands and possibly trick them into not realizing it's you attached to the towel. Then let the vet be the bad guy once you're there.

Back to the cage. Holy moly! My budgie lives in a cage that size. I can't imagine a Meyers parrot living in my budgie's cage!

I've found most members of the poi family to be greedy little fruit bats. You will probably have luck getting them to eat other foods that are sweet, like carrots, yams, pumpkin, butternut squash, and things like that. I waste a TON of food when I take in a new bird or convert an old, stubborn bird (here's looking at my stubborn YNA). Just keep offering it. One day they'll take a bite. It took over a year to get Goofy to try the chop mix I feed the rest of the birds. Stubborn little thing he is.


Anyway, point is, you can do this. You have a great community here for support. Take a deep breath and settle in for the long haul, and it'll be worth it.
 
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TikiSas

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Thanks so much for all of the useful comments and support. Last night I was giving one of them a nut through the bars and he drew blood. Quick little bugger! He has taken food like this before, so I was surprised. Too much too soon. Their beaks are SO long and sharp.

They've been together in this 17" space for 7 years. When I really stop and think of how long 7 years is (not to mention the years she had them before they shared this space, it blows my mind! Did I mention there are no toys?

Thanks again for your support. I really have to think about what my expectations are. I'm perplexed right now. Maybe the vet can help with this, too. Thanks, all!
 

T00tsyd

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May 8, 2017
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I so admire you for taking these guys, though in your position I too would have had a hard time walking away. I do hope they learn over time to repay you without drawing blood. All the very best wishes in your efforts.
 

plumsmum2005

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Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
Thanks so much for all of the useful comments and support. Last night I was giving one of them a nut through the bars and he drew blood. Quick little bugger! He has taken food like this before, so I was surprised. Too much too soon. Their beaks are SO long and sharp.

They've been together in this 17" space for 7 years. When I really stop and think of how long 7 years is (not to mention the years she had them before they shared this space, it blows my mind! Did I mention there are no toys?

Thanks again for your support. I really have to think about what my expectations are. I'm perplexed right now. Maybe the vet can help with this, too. Thanks, all!

I think once you have got the AV visit over, that will help you. You have had a 'heart over head' moment and need to let the decision settle. In the short term just focus on AV visit and the new cage. Once quarantine is over they will be able to see your female interacting with you which may bring some trust. Don't push yourself it will be OK. You have a good heart to bring these two home. :)
 
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TikiSas

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Thanks, everyone, for your encouraging words. I do feel like I've jumped in the deep end. I love your comment that I've had a "heart over head" moment. Truer words were never spoken. I'll arrange the vet appointment for next week and take it from there. I have an awesome cage all set up for them, but I want to only make one transfer--after the vet.

You wouldn't believe how long their nails and beaks are. Totally intimidating! I'm sure they were never trimmed, and no perches or anything in their sad little cage to help. I put in a few shred-able toys today, and they both investigated them.

Thanks again for all of your helpful comments. I appreciate all of them.
 

GaleriaGila

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May 14, 2016
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All I can really think of is... thank goodness those birds have been rescued!
Yes, updates, please...
 

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