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Post by easttex on Dec 31, 2015 15:48:24 GMT -5
And from us to you Aussies! It's not quite 3:00 pm here, and I can tell you right now I won't be awake for midnight. It will surprise me if I see 9:00. Not much of a night owl.
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Sonic
Dec 31, 2015 15:44:43 GMT -5
Post by easttex on Dec 31, 2015 15:44:43 GMT -5
There's no way for you to be sure what happened. It could have been a heart defect he was born with. That's just one of probably hundreds of possibilities. Many things like that would probably mean a chick would not survive the nest, but when they are hand raised or fed by parents that are given an unlimited supply of suitable food, nature doesn't take its course. It could have been illness he was hiding. They are very good at that. Looking vulnerable is almost certain death for them in the wild. It's natural to beat yourself up a bit, but try not to do it for long.
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Post by easttex on Dec 31, 2015 15:34:12 GMT -5
I bought an Aviator for my grey, but she was seven when I got her, and phobic about a lot of things - none more so than the harness - so we gave up on that for now. I have had her for seven years now, but it can take a while for a grey to develop confidence. I'd encourage you to train her to it now, even if you are unsure if you will use it. You will never have an easier time getting her accustomed to it than now. The older they get, the harder it is. I would love to be able to use mine. Neither of my birds are big fliers, but I would like to take them outdoors free of a cage. Peppy has been too ill to consider it. Direct sunlight, the kind that makes the vitamin D that helps to process the calcium, will not come through glass windows.
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Post by easttex on Dec 31, 2015 15:21:50 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Aardman and TBD! A reward doesn't have to be food. You can use anything she values. Obviously, a favorite toy is out of the question, but she wants to spend time with you and you can work with that. I would decide on some very simple task to begin with, or something more complicated that can be broken down into tiny increments. When you take her out of the cage, before you do any cuddling or other affectionate handling, give her a two minute training session first. End on a positive note, even if it takes her a while to know what it is you want, and then give her some regular attention. She will figure out that to get the praise or the head scratch or whatever, she has to earn it. My Peppy, at 23 or so, is not much for toys, except for plastic chain links. Yours may develop more interest in them or she might not. Have you tried showing her how to play with them? Sometimes it works to look like you are having the time of your life with something and then act like you're trying to keep it from her. You might be able to attract her to a bath if you splash your hand around in it. For whatever it's worth, I like Zelda.
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Sonic
Dec 30, 2015 19:01:30 GMT -5
Post by easttex on Dec 30, 2015 19:01:30 GMT -5
I am stunned, Ricky, as I know you are many times over. I don't know that there is a right response regarding if/when to get another bird, but I think that people that have a second bird or are able to adopt another are kind of forced to deal with it quicker. Having to cater to another creature's needs can help. I do hope you will stay with the forum.
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Post by easttex on Dec 29, 2015 13:58:47 GMT -5
I sure do. If I take I-20 to go to Longview, Hallsville is just the second exit from where I get on. If I take Hwy 80, I go right through it. Most of my life, visiting Texas meant the panhandle, so it was shocking the first time I saw the Piney Woods region.
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Post by easttex on Dec 29, 2015 7:18:11 GMT -5
Almonds are a better choice, for them and us. Peppy won't touch his, but my grey loves them. I've never tried the blanched almonds. I buy the unsalted and roast them myself. They have gotten so expensive since the California drought!
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Post by easttex on Dec 29, 2015 7:10:14 GMT -5
It's important to compare weights at the same time of day. I go for first thing in the morning, after a poop. (For Peppy, that is. ) Weight usually does fluctuate during the day and over longer time periods. But it's possible that the boarding confused him, making him eat less. Just watch that it doesn't continue to drop. I've seen a general rule of thumb of 10% for normal fluctuation, but I wouldn't wait that long if it only drops and doesn't go back up at all. Beak discoloration is tougher. They have a blood supply to part of it, so if this is a new thing, it could be a bruise. It doesn't sound like malnutrition is likely, but the list of possibilities is long. If it developed after he was last seen by a vet, I'd take him in to have it looked at.
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Post by easttex on Dec 28, 2015 4:58:51 GMT -5
Peppy doesn't make that sound, either. It's very cute!
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Post by easttex on Dec 28, 2015 4:54:12 GMT -5
We're fine here. In all the hubbub I forgot to come back with an update. Our time in the gun safe room passed uneventfully. Poor Wanda was so afraid of the thunder and lightning that she just cowered. Peppy was a little vocal, and both birds were a little confused. A young chocolate lab arrived on our doorstep a couple days ago, and she has way too much energy for such a confined space, but we managed. That's the first time I've had to really take shelter from a tornado, and it was good to go through the process. I'll know better what to do if there is a next time. Thanks for the concern!
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Post by easttex on Dec 27, 2015 19:29:45 GMT -5
It's a warning now. We've been told to take shelter immediately in this area, so we're all in the gun safe room. The severe storm is expected to pass through by about 6:45. Creepy.
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Post by easttex on Dec 27, 2015 18:35:59 GMT -5
Thanks, Ricky. After many adjustments to the forecast today, the storms have begun. Of course I don't expect to be hit, but we have prepared, sort of.
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Post by easttex on Dec 27, 2015 5:25:07 GMT -5
We have some possible tornadoes in today's forecast, also, about 175 miles east of Dallas. I grew up in earthquake country (California), lived through hurricanes on the eastern US coast, and lived at the base of an active volcano in Antarctica, but nothing scares me like tornadoes. One touched down about a mile from my house a couple years ago, and it really tore up the place. Basements are not standard here.
More weird Texas weather: a blizzard in Lubbock today.
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Post by easttex on Dec 27, 2015 5:17:37 GMT -5
I've never had a bird behave like that, but it sounds pretty touching to me. It doesn't strike me as anything to worry about. If he starts to regurgitate for you after he eats, then you'll want to intervene, but short of that, I wouldn't. He might just feel safer. Birds can be especially vulnerable while they're eating.
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Post by easttex on Dec 25, 2015 7:22:45 GMT -5
Cupcake is very photogenic. She looks like she is holding the pose for you, Aaron. This pagan and her master and mistress wish you all Merry Christmas and good fortune, however you define it, in the new year.
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