|
|
Post by cnyguy on Apr 17, 2016 19:51:54 GMT -5
Yesterday, a friend asked me if I'd be willing to take in her female CAG. She needed to find a new home for the parrot right away, because her husband is suffering from cancer and the requirements of his care and treatment are leaving the parrot a bit neglected. So, of course, I agreed to take the Grey. I'm not sure at this point if it will be permanent, or just a shorter-term foster; I have the feeling that my friend will be wanting her Grey back before long. The Grey, named Scooter, arrived this afternoon, complete with large cage, food and toys. She's rather nervous and confused now, which is to be expected. She is a mild plucker and her feathers aren't in the best shape. I'm told that she doesn't like baths (I hope to change that eventually) and her diet is susceptible to improvement (we'll work on that too). Ralph is naturally curious about the new arrival, but his general attitude is "Another parrot? Big deal."  We discussed things yesterday and looked at pictures of African Greys, and Ralph nodded his approval. We kept to his normal routine as much as possible and will continue that way, hoping Scooter will fall in with the way we normally do things here. No pictures yet, not until Scooter is calmer and more comfortable. |
|
|
|
Post by Caseysmom on Apr 17, 2016 21:53:17 GMT -5
That is very kind of you to help out your friend. I hope Scooter settles in nicely with you. My friend has Greys, it's always fun visiting, they are such perfect talkers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 18, 2016 5:06:04 GMT -5
Congratulations on Scooter - no matter how long he stays. Don't you go upsetting the Gentleman Quaker - his tolerance will only last as long as he is No. 1.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Apr 18, 2016 8:58:59 GMT -5
That's cool! I've always wanted to spend more time with a Grey... What fun!
|
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Apr 18, 2016 12:49:31 GMT -5
That is super nice of you to do this. I am confident they found the perfect person to take care of this parrot. Certainly... in no time at all he will be eating better and bathing. Thumbs up to you.
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Apr 18, 2016 13:07:08 GMT -5
It sounds like Scooter has a lot in common with my grey, Allie. If you find the secret to bathing, please do let me know.  Actually a reluctance to bathe seems to be so common in greys that I suspect there is a biological explanation for it. |
|
|
|
Post by siobhan on Apr 18, 2016 17:02:27 GMT -5
Scooter has definitely found a soft berth to hang out in while that family copes with this crisis. Whether it's for a short time or forever, I'm sure she will come to appreciate your hospitality and Ralph's.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Apr 18, 2016 20:28:01 GMT -5
Scooter is still pretty nervous and jittery, and isn't interested in any close-up interaction yet. She likes to watch what I'm doing and squeaks at me now and then. She was intrigued with Ralph's duck imitations this morning and was staring in his direction to find out who was doing the quacking. I've started offering a better variety of foods, but so far, she only eats her familiar seed mix. Apparently, she's never had a bath in eleven years, so bathing will be a challenge. Maybe when she sees Ralph enjoying his bath, she'll be inspired to have one too. Ralph is still only mildly curious about her. Of course, we're following First Parrot protocol. I'm happy to take her in, for however long it will be. Greys have always been near the top of my list of Parrots I'd Like to Live With Someday. I've met quite a few, in pet stores and other settings (the nursing home where my mother was for a few months had a resident Grey and there was a loquacious Grey in a gift store in the area where I used to live), but never lived with one before. So it's a new experience for Scooter, Ralph and me. |
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Apr 19, 2016 2:25:41 GMT -5
Scooter is in great hands, even if only for a short while! |
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Apr 19, 2016 4:14:06 GMT -5
I did a little research yesterday on powder down feathers. It's thought that the constant disintegration is an aid in grooming. In the wild it helps to protect them from mites. They don't molt, so they always have a pretty much full set. From this I'm guessing they don't need to bathe as often as others. Eleven years seems like a long time, though. When Scooter gets more comfortable, you might try running the vacuum in her vicinity. It often stimulates Allie to bathe. She will only use her water dish. Unprompted, she bathes probably once a week or so. She splashes the water everywhere, but somehow emerges bone-dry, except for her feet. She may never have taken a drenching bath in her 14 years, either, but she gets as wet as I can get her with a misting. ![]() |
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Apr 19, 2016 8:08:30 GMT -5
Gary you are amazing for doing this for you friend and Scooter I'm sure she's going to be very happy with you and Ralph |
|
|
|
Post by siobhan on Apr 19, 2016 11:43:35 GMT -5
The vacuum inspires Rocky to take a water bowl bath, too. And in the summer, the sound of a lawn mower. LOL I can't get him to take a real bath in a tub big enough to actually get wet, and he doesn't like being misted, though we're trying to convince him to. So you might offer a container of water and then vacuum nearby. Worth a try.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Apr 19, 2016 13:21:24 GMT -5
I wonder why the vacuum has this effect... It certainly doesn't for Cupcake-- she just goes crazy when the vacuum comes out. Haha |
|
|
|
Post by siobhan on Apr 19, 2016 15:01:28 GMT -5
No idea. What's really bizarre in Rocky's case is that he's afraid of so many things. Yet he will sit on his play stand inches from the vacuum (his play stand is really a cat tree) while I vacuum the carpet covering the platforms and never raise a single feather of his crest. But let me move the footstool two inches and he freaks out.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Apr 19, 2016 21:02:44 GMT -5
George the YCA often would start splashing in his water dish when I was running the vacuum. I figured that he thought, "Well, if the house is going to be clean, I ought to be clean too." I'm hesitant to get the vacuum out until Scooter is more settled (though the apartment sure could stand vacuuming-- it almost always needs vacuuming, even ten minutes after it was just done). I decided today that Scooter might benefit from some chamomile tea. She really seems to like it and it does seem to calm her. She also had a short visit from her owner today, and that helped too. She's begun trying some of the foods I'm offering. I found out that she likes pasta, and coincidentally, that's what I was making for dinner tonight. She enjoyed her plain spaghetti (what she didn't drop on the floor anyway; she's not the most fastidious eater). A big step forward-- she accepted some treats from my hand today. She can see me interacting with Ralph and I think she's catching on that I might not be such a bad guy after all.  I've discovered that two parrots are not twice as messy as one. In this case, it's more like five times as messy. She is sloppy.  |
|
We discussed things yesterday and looked at pictures of African Greys, and Ralph nodded his approval. We kept to his normal routine as much as possible and will continue that way, hoping Scooter will fall in with the way we normally do things here. 
Actually a reluctance to bathe seems to be so common in greys that I suspect there is a biological explanation for it. 
