New lovebirds

[crimson.snwbnny]

This is the first year ive owned any type of birds period. I have 2 parakeets, Drumstick and Tweety. And they're great. Love to sing. my brother recently asked if I wanted a pair of love birds. After seeing how they were living I said heck yea. they were ins a rusty cage, no toys, the bottom line full of feathers poop and I some other looking fluff. So yea I felt like I can give them a better home. Even though I had no idea about love birds. I did do research about what they can and cant eat and toys things like that.

Ive only had them one day. They seem to enjoy singing back to me when I whistle. they will also go to the side of the cage that is closest to me. Even when I open the cage door they will come perch really close to me. they are still weary of my hands. As long as I dont move them they sit next to it.

My question is, they look a bit "tattered" from the pictures and videos ive seen, love birds look plump, with vibrant feathers. My brother said his GF's family had them for a year, so im not sure exactly how old they are. But they do look a bit skinny. With a better diet and environment will they brighten and plump up? If not is all well. They are so adorable and playful. I named them Mango and Coconut


Below are pictures of what they were kept in and their new home.

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[Kiwibird]

That old cage is pretty horrific. I wish they'd stop making those style of cages, they're too small for any bird to live in

New cage looks great though! A healthy diet and more room (plus toys) should help a bit. Be sure everyone is getting fresh fruit and veg daily and since there are 3 birds in one cage, I'd recommend each have their own food dish so one can't be a big piggy and kick the other 2 off a shared dish. They also need a bath! Parrots of all sizes should be bathed at least once a week to keep their plumage in good condition. Use a new spritz bottle that has never had anything but water in it on a gentle mist and keep the room warm until they dry so they don't catch a chill. In the cooler months, it is also nice to use warm (not hot) water to bathe them (I know I wouldn't want a freezing shower when it's freezing cold out!). For little birds, there is also a variety of little bird baths on the market as well, you can always see if they'd like to bathe in one of those instead.

With proper care and nutrition, it'll still take some time for the damaged feathers to be replaced and grow back. Likely over a year before you see real improvements to their tails. You also need to get them both in for a wellness check at an avian vet just to get a health baseline and specific suggestions to get them back in good shape. Best of luck with your new little flock!

 

[LordTriggs]

as kiwibird said a healthcheck is top of the list now

as for the birds themselves although scruffy they do look happy. Can sort of see it in their eyes. That's a much nicer cage for them, see if there's a corner you can get the cage in to make them a bit more comfortable, it might help speed up improvements but don't expect a miracle. Sounds like they're already wanting to open up to you, or at least are interested in your existence. Give them some time to trust you I can see some really good companions hiding in there!

As for the old cage, ew. Was it ever cleaned? I'd say at most a canary could live in one of those but really it's not suitable for parrot birds. At most it could be a semi-decent carrier

 

[clark_conure]

yeah toss the old cage, I don't think the birds will be all sentimental about it. At least you know anything new you get them will look like a suite at the Ritz Carlton hotel.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Thank you for giving these birds a better life. I agree, that filthy old cage looked pretty horrendous. The first thing you should do is get the birds vet checked.

 

[crimson.snwbnny]

That old cage is pretty horrific. I wish they'd stop making those style of cages, they're too small for any bird to live in

Be sure everyone is getting fresh fruit and veg daily and since there are 3 birds in one cage, I'd recommend each have their own food dish so one can't be a big piggy and kick the other 2 off a shared dish. They also need a bath! Parrots of all sizes should be bathed at least once a week to keep their plumage in good condition. Use a new spritz bottle that has never had anything but water in it on a gentle mist and keep the room warm until they dry so they don't !

I ordered more stuff from amazon for them. Yesterday only had $30 to my name and spent it on dishes and perches for them. I just felt like they suffered enough they deserved something even if it wasnt alot. Ooo I can do the spray already have those for my hair, just plain old water to manage my tangles. Lol.

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[crimson.snwbnny]

Thank you all! I will be looking for a vet today.

With the parakeets and the Lovies my apartment sounds like an amazon forest. [emoji7][emoji7] I wont have to play nature sounds anymore hahah... I have an enclosed balcony that I usually let my parakeets fly around in. The Lovies are LOVING it too. Just singing away. cant imagine when was the last time they were out to fly. And they get fresh air too.

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[Terry57]

I am so happy you took these lovies in! They already look happier for sure. That old cage was horrendous. Great advice above, I would just add that my Lovies LOVE to chew! When adding more toys, get them some with wood and they will destroy it in no time
Best of luck with them!

 

[HenryC]

Thank you so much for giving them a better life.

Don't toss the old cage, you can dissasemble/cut it, sand down any remaining pointy parts and put it on a wall and attach toys/perches to it so they can have a little playplace.

Just like this fella did: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYbBj2YFNrt/?hl=en&taken-by=hordygurdy

Good luck with your new birbs!

 

[LordTriggs]

Thank you so much for giving them a better life.

Don't toss the old cage, you can dissasemble/cut it, sand down any remaining pointy parts and put it on a wall and attach toys/perches to it so they can have a little playplace.

Just like this fella did: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYbBj2YFNrt/?hl=en&taken-by=hordygurdy

Good luck with your new birbs!

That's a good point henry! I saw one person had used cage panels to block open windows so they get fresh air and have the birds out. It was pretty in-depth, will have to see if I can find a picture of their design

 

[crimson.snwbnny]

Thank you so much for giving them a better life.

Don't toss the old cage, you can dissasemble/cut it, sand down any remaining pointy parts and put it on a wall and attach toys/perches to it so they can have a little playplace.

Just like this fella did: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYbBj2YFNrt/?hl=en&taken-by=hordygurdy

Good luck with your new birbs!

Thats a great idea. I can use the parts to those wire cube shelves. The cage was wayy to rusty to reuse.

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[crimson.snwbnny]

They also need a bath! Parrots of all sizes should be bathed at least once a week to keep their plumage in good condition. Use a new spritz bottle that has never had anything but water in it on a gentle mist and keep the room warm until they dry so they don't catch a chill. In the cooler months, it is also nice to use warm (not hot) water to bathe them (I know I wouldn't want a freezing shower when it's freezing cold out!). For little birds, there is also a variety of little bird baths on the market as well, you can always see if they'd like to bathe in one of those instead.

!

So I tried this. And my birds are genuinely scared of the water. Is this normal?


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[clark_conure]

not generally but your birds didn't come from a healthy environment by the looks of it.

By bath, what did you try, there are several methods:

1)take a lukewarm shower with the bird,
2) put washclot over the drain of a sink so it fills but also drains so they can shower.
3) straight up bath, in a bowl or sink with the stopper in
4) oh i dunno filling an ice tray and a crazy conure crawls down your arm and plays in the ice tray under the water while you question...is there a bird god?
5) Misting with a water sprayer.
6) jumping up in terror as your bird sees the hampster bowl water dish you got him suddenly looks like a bath and begins tossing water all over your desk and keyboard.


there may be other methods as well. I'm just VERY familiar with some of these.

THe whole point of my post is try different things, the birds might not like a sink or tub but might like to sit on you in a room temperature shower, or vise versa. Maybe just misting from a spray bottle at first.

 

[crimson.snwbnny]

not generally but your birds didn't come from a healthy environment by the looks of it.

By bath, what did you try, there are several methods:

1)take a lukewarm shower with the bird,
2) put washclot over the drain of a sink so it fills but also drains so they can shower.
3) straight up bath, in a bowl or sink with the stopper in
4) oh i dunno filling an ice tray and a crazy conure crawls down your arm and plays in the ice tray under the water while you question...is there a bird god?
5) Misting with a water sprayer.
6) jumping up in terror as your bird sees the hampster bowl water dish you got him suddenly looks like a bath and begins tossing water all over your desk and keyboard.


there may be other methods as well. I'm just VERY familiar with some of these.

THe whole point of my post is try different things, the birds might not like a sink or tub but might like to sit on you in a room temperature shower, or vise versa. Maybe just misting from a spray bottle at first.

I tried the warm shower. Its the only place with no drafts in my apt. I sprinkled some water over them with my fingers. Coconut sorta snuggled into my hand and let me run through his feathers. Mango just tried to flee like cat was chasing.

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[GaleriaGila]

Good for you for reaching out! How LUCKY these darlings are to have YOU now!