Argyle Update

[madparrotwoman]

Well reluctantly we took Argyle for his wing clip yesterday, I found it really stressful having to towel him while the AV carried out the clip, whilst in the waiting room and afterwoods he was strangely subdued allowing us to rub his head, beak and feet but his cries whilst being towelled were heartrending and I could feel his little heart beating like crazy. I decided to keep him caged for the rest of the day yesterday to give him chance to settle which he did pretty well.

Today was the real test having both birds out together - something I've never been able to do before and Argyle took off as usual making his way to Beau's cage. I was really pleased that the clip has still allowed for him to fly the short distance to Beau's cage but without allowing him to gain height enough to reach it, this was pretty much the plan. Argyle is still his usual happy and confident self and I am less stressed, the result being that Argyle will get daily out-of-cage time together with Beau. My guilt over having Argyle's wings clipped has now evaporated and ours is a happy contented house and if Argyle gets used to not going on Beau's cage we may never have to repeat the clip.

We also had Argyle's nails clipped and a feather sample is being sent for dna. I will let you know when I get the results, hopefully within the next 10 days.

Oh I almost forgot, I am planning to get Argyle a new cage, hopefully next month and hopefully something like this one: PARROT CAGE EDEN PARAKEET / BIRD PLAY TOP CAGE. on eBay (end time 12-Jul-10 1636 BST) Argyle is approx the same size as a conure.

 

[antoinette]

Oh Argyle, you poor baby, glad you have settle down after that stressful incident.
Hopefully Argyle does not go back on Beau's cage, then everyone will be happy and less stressed.
THE CAGE IS AWESOME can I move in?

Must mention this, when Mishka has her wings clipped and nails trimmed, we go in the room with her. When clipping her wings the avian vet holds her head, in a firm gently way. I asked him does he ever towel a bird, he said he thinks it is stressful and frightens a bird. To date he has not, BUT if need be, he certainly would.

I LOVE MY AVIAN VET SO DOES MISHKA

 

[Aussie Ben]

his cries whilst being towelled were heartrending and I could feel his little heart beating like crazy.

I know the exact feeling, you poor thing. Eddie made those cries the first time i had his nails clipped, it's an aweful feeling.

Glad that the wing clip seems to have been worth it, because i know you didn't really want to do it. Keep us posted on Argyles progress.

That cage is awesome btw. I've seen that style in person and they seem really great.

 

[SharonC]

I'm so glad you're happy with the clip.

I did the same with Freddie and it really changed his attitude a LOT. We have no Avian vet here, so I had to do it myself. I think it was more stressful for me, than Freddie!

Like you, I may let his flights grow back...I'll decide that later...but wing clipping is sometimes necessary, IMO...

 

[apatrimo94]

Glad to hear everything went well with the wing clipping! Love that cage!

 

[madparrotwoman]

Well I don't think I'll be bothering with a re clip as it didn't stop Argyle reaching Beau's cage this evening. I had to phisically unpick his feet from the bars as Beau went in for the attack lol. One good thing has come out of it though, it has given me the confidence to allow both birds out together, although it bothers Beau he is too much of a coward to come anywhere near Argyle (except on his cage of course) but I can see he is slowly becoming a little more inquizative. Argyle is so damned confident though, it's scary he will stand his ground no matter what and Beau is twice his size, it is me that gets scared when Beau gets too close to him!

 

[antoinette]

Argyle sure has a mind of his own, as he has shown you.
Beau's not being a coward, just being cautious.
They remind me of David and Goliath.

 

[apatrimo94]

madparrotwoman, If it's possible, could you please put up a pic of Argyle and Beau next to each other if you can? And could you measure them in inches please? LOL, sorry if I sound demanding, I would like to get an idea of how big Argyle is. As in the near future, I hope to get my own mini macaw of some sort. Thanks!

 

[GreenCheek]

I'm not sure I'm 100% aware of your situation (I remember reading your other thread, but it's a little fuzzy), but is there any reason you can't just move the cages farther apart? That way he won't be able to make it all the way over with the clip?

 

[HRH Di]

I'm so glad you're feeling better about the clip and that you've already had successful results. And especially if all goes well, you won't have to do it again.

 

[madparrotwoman]

madparrotwoman, If it's possible, could you please put up a pic of Argyle and Beau next to each other if you can? And could you measure them in inches please? LOL, sorry if I sound demanding, I would like to get an idea of how big Argyle is. As in the near future, I hope to get my own mini macaw of some sort. Thanks!

apatrimo94, Argyle is approx half the size of Beau who is a small CAG weighing approx 415-420gms (normal for a small-boned CAG)

Greencheek, The cages are as far apart as is possible, they are at opposite ends of adjoining rooms.

 

[Birdamor]

Awww, poor Argyle, clipped and still in trouble! I am telling you, minis are cantankerous, cantankerous, cantankerous - and you are right, they are also fearless! Mine are a pain in the neck (especially the male) but I do admire their spirit!

IMPO, clipping doesn't really help with their disposition. It might give them a terrible feeling of insecurity that makes them more malleable for a while but it's not a cure, just a band-aid. The only long-term solution is to win them over with love, patience and consistency.

 

[apatrimo94]

Wow, that is small. LOL, Thanks though for putting up the pic!

 

[madparrotwoman]

Wow, that is small. LOL, Thanks though for putting up the pic!

Argyle is roughly the same size as a conure, very slightly bigger I think.

 

[apatrimo94]

Oh ok, maybe like a Nanday Conure. Those conures are pretty big!

 

[Birdamor]

Nandays are slimmer, Hahn's are a bit chunkier, I think - or, at least, mine are.

 

[apatrimo94]

Nandays are slimmer, Hahn's are a bit chunkier, I think - or, at least, mine are.

Fatty, LOL! That's my nickname for my cockatiel. He is a very fat cockatiel, in a healthy way. He's healthy, just a little fatty.