Brittany741
New member
- Feb 9, 2015
- 384
- 0
- Parrots
- SI Eclectus (Ruby) - 11 / Eclectus (Wrangler) - 7 / Eclectus (Pinto) - 6 /
Red Sided Eclectus (Oliver) - 4 mos. /
White Bellied Caique (Dan) - 2 /
Foster Congo African Grey (Molly) - 6
It's been a crazy few months. Every single foster bird was successfully adopted, each into the perfect home. After Molly's (CAG) departure, the house was eerily and sadly quiet, with no voices to greet us upon visiting the kitchen.
I have been trying desperately to find a Grey to fill the void after having Boomer for so many years (the bird my parents rehomed without consulting me when I moved to college in '99.)
The perfect opportunity presented itself two days ago when my bird lady friend told me about a TAG from her most recent clutch who has its toes bitten off by its parents. I have yet to order DNA sexing. I've had 3 Greys in my life and upon meeting this bird, I was shocked. This bird might as well be a miniature Umbrella cockatoo in disguise. S/he is so cuddly and loving. Loves to be scratched all over, extremely gently with its beak, and very engaged in everything. This bird has all the qualities I've been searching for over the last 16 years. A cuddly, loving Grey. She was hatched in May and already is mimicking so many sounds. She still loves to handfeed formula twice a day but is completely weaned and eating on her own. She just loves handfeeding for bonding, which I just love :07:
Her disability has not affected her personality or attitude whatsoever. When my friend told me about this bird, my immediate thought was a resounding no. I wanted a bird who was perfect and new, with no bad habits. Then I met her. She jumped right onto my chest, laid down, lowered her head for scratches, and would nudge my hand when I would stop rubbing her feathers. Since I am handicapped as well, I felt an immediate kinship. I knew within seconds, this bird had chosen me.
Her right foot has no toes. Her nub is able to flex and curl somewhat and she uses the leg just as if it had toes.
Her left foot has two perfect front toes, but the back toes were chewed off just before the nails. I guess the benefit is only having two nails to groom? Of course, the left foot works perfectly and does a majority of the work. If she has a good balance on the right foot, she will attempt to step up. She is able to climb from the perch onto the edge of her bowl. She has slipped, and fallen quite a few times. She is also a baby, so some clumsiness is expected anyhow.
I do have a few questions for those of you with special needs birds.
What cage modifications would you suggest? I am thinking of removing the bottom grate and putting a folded fleece blanket under the potty pad in the tray to minimize injury if she falls, which I am certain she will.
Should I put her in the full length cage (6 feet tall) or the half length cage (4 feet tall)?
I am going to use a variety of perches and platforms, ladders, netting, hammocks and the like to promote activity and increase her dexterity and strength. I want to encourage her to have as normal a life as possible, and since she is my largest bird, I want her to have as much room as possible, but obviously the taller cage means a longer fall.
The best news is I've finally found my match. A handicapped bird for a handicapped mama! Since I'm in a wheelchair, I feel like she understands I am different too. She is always jumping onto my chest for cuddles.
Thanks for reading if you made it this far
I have been trying desperately to find a Grey to fill the void after having Boomer for so many years (the bird my parents rehomed without consulting me when I moved to college in '99.)
The perfect opportunity presented itself two days ago when my bird lady friend told me about a TAG from her most recent clutch who has its toes bitten off by its parents. I have yet to order DNA sexing. I've had 3 Greys in my life and upon meeting this bird, I was shocked. This bird might as well be a miniature Umbrella cockatoo in disguise. S/he is so cuddly and loving. Loves to be scratched all over, extremely gently with its beak, and very engaged in everything. This bird has all the qualities I've been searching for over the last 16 years. A cuddly, loving Grey. She was hatched in May and already is mimicking so many sounds. She still loves to handfeed formula twice a day but is completely weaned and eating on her own. She just loves handfeeding for bonding, which I just love :07:
Her disability has not affected her personality or attitude whatsoever. When my friend told me about this bird, my immediate thought was a resounding no. I wanted a bird who was perfect and new, with no bad habits. Then I met her. She jumped right onto my chest, laid down, lowered her head for scratches, and would nudge my hand when I would stop rubbing her feathers. Since I am handicapped as well, I felt an immediate kinship. I knew within seconds, this bird had chosen me.
Her right foot has no toes. Her nub is able to flex and curl somewhat and she uses the leg just as if it had toes.
Her left foot has two perfect front toes, but the back toes were chewed off just before the nails. I guess the benefit is only having two nails to groom? Of course, the left foot works perfectly and does a majority of the work. If she has a good balance on the right foot, she will attempt to step up. She is able to climb from the perch onto the edge of her bowl. She has slipped, and fallen quite a few times. She is also a baby, so some clumsiness is expected anyhow.
I do have a few questions for those of you with special needs birds.
What cage modifications would you suggest? I am thinking of removing the bottom grate and putting a folded fleece blanket under the potty pad in the tray to minimize injury if she falls, which I am certain she will.
Should I put her in the full length cage (6 feet tall) or the half length cage (4 feet tall)?
I am going to use a variety of perches and platforms, ladders, netting, hammocks and the like to promote activity and increase her dexterity and strength. I want to encourage her to have as normal a life as possible, and since she is my largest bird, I want her to have as much room as possible, but obviously the taller cage means a longer fall.
The best news is I've finally found my match. A handicapped bird for a handicapped mama! Since I'm in a wheelchair, I feel like she understands I am different too. She is always jumping onto my chest for cuddles.
Thanks for reading if you made it this far
