Genlisae
New member
Taking a deep breath while I type this, Pepper burrowed very firmly in my hair and not budging for anything. It's been a long day for both of us.
He got a little miffed with me this morning when I was "evil" and rubbed some mashed banana on his tiny bit of a millet spray that he is so addicted to (much to my dismay). Went for a nice long pout in his cage after that. I grinned the whole time because at least I know he tasted it this time. That was the good point.
From there I noticed that he does not glide at all when he tries to fly. So I looked closer at his "clipped" wings (haven't wanted to push it yet while him being new) and noticed all his flight feathers have been clipped off. Little bit of panic and playing "what if" What if he falls really far, hits the floor too hard, crashes into something... *deep breath* How long till his feathers will grow back in?
The search for pellet food continued today, to a local pet store where I was told that there was no such thing as pellets for parrots of any kind... *deep breath again* Here is where I made a mistake though... I have had him with me a lot when I go places. He seems to love shopping peeking out of my hair chirping quietly at people as they walk past. The @%#! in the pet store said "Let me see this bird." I should have walked out then.. instead I moved my hair and she reached for him... he spooked and jumped... and headed for the lily pad in the open fish pond. I came to two very rapid conclusions. 1) I was never stepping foot in this store again and 2) Pepper is getting a harness. He spent a few minutes using my hair as a towel, cuddled lots once we got home but is none the worse for his "bath". I feel like an idiot, I should have seen this coming, things will spook him. I can control what I do, not what other people and things do around him. *sigh* It was a stupid risk to take.
This though is what started the real panic and ensuing slew of questions, so here goes.
Tomorrow I order pellets for him, any brand recommendations or places online that anyone can recommend for ordering pellets? I looked at a few online today but I am unsure exactly what I am looking for. I am used to feeding robins and starlings which all got "homemade food" (and comments like "Hey Kate, what's for dinner? Can I come over?... no not for you, the birds, they eat better than any person I know of!").
As for the harness. I do want to take him with me most of the time, I am a single mother and work from home he can be with me most of the day anyway, trips to the store included, but I am not risking his safety to do it. I have looked at "flight suits" and the harnesses on Fredbird.net. Does anyone have experience with either of these for a bird this small?
I am also planning a "travel cage" for longer trips like to the vet or further than the corner store. Any recommendations for a good size?
As for the vet, I have failed to locate an avian vet closer than 2 hours away (have a few more calls to make tomorrow) The vet I consulted with for the orphaned wild birds being rehabilitated for release is not confident enough is his abilities with birds (Kudos to him for admitting it!) to do more than a general check or set a dislocated joint. I have however located a vet that "also treats birds". I am willing to give it a shot as I would prefer someone close "just in case". So I am compiling a list of questions. Anything I really need to ask them?
There has also been a question raised by my mother in her attempt to help me through my panic (she knew it was coming). The Canadian veterinary association recommends a cage of 2x2x3 feet (12 cubic feet) for a single lovebird. I would love to give him more room than that, at present that is not what he has though. His current cage is 17.5 inches x 13.5 inches x 19.5 inches. Is this really that much too small? He uses it for eating, sleeping and a few hours of "down time" (he naps and plays, I get the down time) through-out the day. The rest of the time he is with me or playing on the couch or climbing the drapes. He appears to have tons of room, but the doubt has been planted...
I think that is all the questions I have for now, more later I am sure. On a more positive note, he almost played WITH me for the first time today. I was playing with a handful of plastic buttons and he scuttled down my arm and nipped at one of them before running back up to hide under my hair. I was actually giddy! Though I managed not to squeal and bounce for worry of startling him, he did get lots of praise and a snuggle though!
Sorry this is so long and there are so many questions. I'm new to this, and until I know as much as it is possible to know without having experienced things directly I won't be able to rest
it's a blessing and a curse I suppose. Thanks for baring with me, I will settle down soon I promise.
He got a little miffed with me this morning when I was "evil" and rubbed some mashed banana on his tiny bit of a millet spray that he is so addicted to (much to my dismay). Went for a nice long pout in his cage after that. I grinned the whole time because at least I know he tasted it this time. That was the good point.
From there I noticed that he does not glide at all when he tries to fly. So I looked closer at his "clipped" wings (haven't wanted to push it yet while him being new) and noticed all his flight feathers have been clipped off. Little bit of panic and playing "what if" What if he falls really far, hits the floor too hard, crashes into something... *deep breath* How long till his feathers will grow back in?
The search for pellet food continued today, to a local pet store where I was told that there was no such thing as pellets for parrots of any kind... *deep breath again* Here is where I made a mistake though... I have had him with me a lot when I go places. He seems to love shopping peeking out of my hair chirping quietly at people as they walk past. The @%#! in the pet store said "Let me see this bird." I should have walked out then.. instead I moved my hair and she reached for him... he spooked and jumped... and headed for the lily pad in the open fish pond. I came to two very rapid conclusions. 1) I was never stepping foot in this store again and 2) Pepper is getting a harness. He spent a few minutes using my hair as a towel, cuddled lots once we got home but is none the worse for his "bath". I feel like an idiot, I should have seen this coming, things will spook him. I can control what I do, not what other people and things do around him. *sigh* It was a stupid risk to take.
This though is what started the real panic and ensuing slew of questions, so here goes.
Tomorrow I order pellets for him, any brand recommendations or places online that anyone can recommend for ordering pellets? I looked at a few online today but I am unsure exactly what I am looking for. I am used to feeding robins and starlings which all got "homemade food" (and comments like "Hey Kate, what's for dinner? Can I come over?... no not for you, the birds, they eat better than any person I know of!").
As for the harness. I do want to take him with me most of the time, I am a single mother and work from home he can be with me most of the day anyway, trips to the store included, but I am not risking his safety to do it. I have looked at "flight suits" and the harnesses on Fredbird.net. Does anyone have experience with either of these for a bird this small?
I am also planning a "travel cage" for longer trips like to the vet or further than the corner store. Any recommendations for a good size?
As for the vet, I have failed to locate an avian vet closer than 2 hours away (have a few more calls to make tomorrow) The vet I consulted with for the orphaned wild birds being rehabilitated for release is not confident enough is his abilities with birds (Kudos to him for admitting it!) to do more than a general check or set a dislocated joint. I have however located a vet that "also treats birds". I am willing to give it a shot as I would prefer someone close "just in case". So I am compiling a list of questions. Anything I really need to ask them?
There has also been a question raised by my mother in her attempt to help me through my panic (she knew it was coming). The Canadian veterinary association recommends a cage of 2x2x3 feet (12 cubic feet) for a single lovebird. I would love to give him more room than that, at present that is not what he has though. His current cage is 17.5 inches x 13.5 inches x 19.5 inches. Is this really that much too small? He uses it for eating, sleeping and a few hours of "down time" (he naps and plays, I get the down time) through-out the day. The rest of the time he is with me or playing on the couch or climbing the drapes. He appears to have tons of room, but the doubt has been planted...
I think that is all the questions I have for now, more later I am sure. On a more positive note, he almost played WITH me for the first time today. I was playing with a handful of plastic buttons and he scuttled down my arm and nipped at one of them before running back up to hide under my hair. I was actually giddy! Though I managed not to squeal and bounce for worry of startling him, he did get lots of praise and a snuggle though!
Sorry this is so long and there are so many questions. I'm new to this, and until I know as much as it is possible to know without having experienced things directly I won't be able to rest
it's a blessing and a curse I suppose. Thanks for baring with me, I will settle down soon I promise.
), but when we got Cecil, she had a severe clip and it took her a long time to grow in. She was not an avid flier (or, I mean, making attempts). Mojo developed acute kidney disease and it was very evident in his ravaged plummage and discoloration. He would take flight at unexpected times and fall constantly. I was given the suggestion to play with him over a bed mattress--providing him a safe landing since his wings were not working properly at the time.
