Here's Scooter the CAG

[cnyguy]

About six weeks ago, a friend asked me if I could take in her 12-year-old female CAG named Scooter, who was being shortchanged on attention and care because of serious health problems in the family. Scooter is gradually settling in with Ralph the QP and me. She's now brave enough to sit on the fold-down door at the top of her cage, but isn't quite ready to explore beyond there yet. She has been an intermittent feather-chewer and plucker all her life and had never had a bath until she came to stay with me. We've been working on improving her diet, and she'll even splash in her water dish now and accepts a misting. She loves watching Ralph and I think she really appreciates having another feathered flock member to squeak and squawk with.

 

[Allee]

Welcome Scooter, you gorgeous girl!

Gary, this is wonderful news! I'm so glad Scooter is home with you and Ralph! I know she is enjoying your attention and Ralph's company. I'm sure she will thrive in your care. Looking forward to hearing more of this success story.

 

[LeaKP]

I love that you took Scooter. CAGs are my favorite bird, although I love all of them! I bet with lots of time and patience, Scooter will be amazing and we hope quit plucking. Best of luck. Welcome!

 

[cnyguy]

One thing I've learned in 46 years living with parrots is how to be patient. Scooter has already come a long way from when she first arrived. She's much less nervous and jittery, and a lot more adventurous in trying new foods. I don't think it will be too long before she's ready to take a look at the world beyond her cage. Greys have always been one of my favorite types of parrot (though you could name just about any other kind, and I'd probably say the same thing ), and living with one is a new experience for me.

 

[Terry57]

Awww, Scooter is gorgeous! am so happy she has come to live with you My CAG, Justice, also did not have baths before we got him, and it took him a lot longer to like them than it has Scooter. I can't wait to hear more stories about her.

 

[Scott]

Thanks for giving Scooter a great new home. With lots of love, TLC, and a bit of luck her feathers will match the look of her beautiful face!

 

[cnyguy]

I've been misting Scooter regularly. At first she hated it, but gradually learned to tolerate it more and more. Last week, she started splashing in her water dish all on her own. I think she learned that from watching Ralph enjoy his baths.

 

[SilverLining]

Scooter looks gorgeous! I am glad you found her and took her in! I have been working with my grey for a while now and you won't believe how far a little love and attention goes. I would really emphasize on diet since she is in a new home. Food alone can bring upon drastic, positive changes. Good luck!

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Hi there Lovely Scooter you are stepping out into a whole new life full of wonderful things and you have a new buddy in Ralph too...life couldnt be better eh Scooter? You have done a wonderful job getting her to this point cnguy and Scooter is Adorable ...it wont be long before she is exploring a little more. Lovely to watch her trust grow isnt it

 

[LeaKP]

Yes feather condition will totally change with baths, love, and good food. My Nigel was a bit of a scalawag when he came but he's consistently improving in feather condition. Loves to eat and eat. I always give him fresh foods first in the am when he's really hungry. The vegetables especially are good for them. Then I let him have some fruit and pellets when he's had a good chow down of fresh veggies. I mix a bit of palm oil weekly (like 1/2 tsp) into his dry pellets for his feathers as well. Here in Africa we can get that easily. CAGs actually eat the palm nuts here in the wild so once it's season, I'll get the fresh palm nuts for him.

 

[cnyguy]

Both parrots get some fresh vegetables for breakfast, and a few more at dinner. Neither Scooter nor Ralph is much for eating fruit-- a little apple or banana is about it, but we keep trying different things. Along with the vegetables, the parrots get a cooked grain (quinoa and barley are best liked) or cooked pasta. Scooter loves scrambled eggs and the yolk from hard-boiled eggs-- I think they're her favorite foods. So far, she can do without Ralph's favorite, fresh green peas, but in time she may try them.

Today was bath day. Ralph requested a bath and splashed in his water dish, and got misted too. After that, I gave Scooter a good misting, which she accepted readily (though not quite delighted about it).

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Both parrots get some fresh vegetables for breakfast, and a few more at dinner. Neither Scooter nor Ralph is much for eating fruit-- a little apple or banana is about it, but we keep trying different things. Along with the vegetables, the parrots get a cooked grain (quinoa and barley are best liked) or cooked pasta. Scooter loves scrambled eggs and the yolk from hard-boiled eggs-- I think they're her favorite foods. So far, she can do without Ralph's favorite, fresh green peas, but in time she may try them.

Today was bath day. Ralph requested a bath and splashed in his water dish, and got misted too. After that, I gave Scooter a good misting, which she accepted readily (though not quite delighted about it).

Try pineapple..Smokey,my TAG loved pineapple! I'd get a can of Doles pineapple "chunks" and slice a chunk in half. That would be the first thing she went for in her nummy bowl. She'd pick up a piece in her hand,and her eyes would go nuts..pinning then going wide then pinning as she munched away,the juice dripping from her beaky..I swear I could hear her say "MMmmmmm...GOOOOODD!!" lol.

Amy loves pineapple too..trying now to get BB to have a taste.

Jim

 

[DRB]

So interesting how some CAGs love this or that and others simply don't. Perjo doesn't seem too interested in pineapple, but she loves watermelon.

 

[cnyguy]

It is pretty remarkable how parrots (of all kinds) have such individual tastes. My old Amazon George loved blueberries, but Ralph thinks they're so evil they deserve a Quaker alarm call. I haven't offered any to Scooter yet, but will soon see what she thinks of blueberries-- and I'll try some pineapple too. Ralph didn't care for it when I've offered it to him in the past, but I'll try again when Scooter gets some.