So the adoption application is in..

[blackhawk007]

We have finally decided to send in the application to adopt the Ruby Mac that we had been researching. Luckily she is coming from the same rescue that we got Teka from, so they know us and we know them.

Ruthie is an 8-10 year old Ruby Macaw who's owner died over the Christmas holiday. Though very sad, you will see the "upside", for a horrible lack of a better term at the moment. Over the last few years Ruthie had been boarded with this rescue for various reasons, so they know her pretty well. They already knew her temperament, preferences and vet history.

What they did not know is that Ruthie had lived in a dog crate! How the heck do you keep such a wonderful bird in a dog crate? I was also told that her owner did not take her out because the owner said she could not be handled. I am very confident it was just her that could not handle this wonderful bird. I say this because at last weeks pet expo I saw about 20 people handle her, even stepping up nicely for little children! We held her for about 30 min ourselves and really had to hold back from leaving there with her that day. It would not quite have been an impulse adoption because we had been following her for a few weeks. Now that its been a week since we met, Jenna any I have made the decision. Jenna actually gets a little irritated whenever she sees new photos of Ruthie pop up with other people holding HER bird, LOL. She will be primarily Jenna's companion because Teka has bonded to me so very well.

So we will have to just hang out until Thursday, and hope they approve the application by then. But from talking with them they seem pretty happy from knowing us already. Yesterday they offered to hold her for us. Personally I want to go get her tomorrow. But Jenna is working and wants to be a part of the process, as she should being her companion and all.

Me being the photo person I am, I feel threads are always better with a few pics of the situation.

 

[wwendy104]

Im so excited for you. I remember the other post with the pics from the pet expo. I wondered if you were going to end up getting that one. She is beautiful and Im so happy she will now have a forever home!

 

[Turquoise]

Oh My!! Ruthie is a gorgeous doll!!! I am so excited for you also. It is so wonderful that she has a sweet personality despite her previous situation.

I love her looks & I will be eagerly waiting for more pics of her when she comes home to ya'll!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Ruthie is SO stunning! And I understand EXACTLY why Jenna would get upset looking at pictures of other people holding HER baby. They just better back off. "Look, but don't touch."

Only 6 more days until Ruthie will be with Jenna. Those days will fly by, and there is NO doubt in my mind that you guys will be approved for the adoption. They know what a phenomenal home you gave Teka, and how happy she is with you.

Poor Ruthie had it rough there for a while, living in a small dog crate. She will flourish in your home, no doubt in my mind.

And thank you for sharing all those pictures (even though strangers are playing and kissing on Ruthie in some of them)

 

[SandyBee]

She's a beauty!!
Yep more pictures please!!!!

A small dog crate, that is so awful. So happy that she will be in a better place!

 

[plax]

It's easy to see Ruthie is a real sweetheart, and her color is just captivating! Best of luck on application approval... sounds like you've more or less secured it as a done deal, though. Congrats!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

That is so exciting for you I can't wait to see more photos when you bring her home and she is settled in

 

[blackhawk007]

Application approved! We now have until Thursday (unless I sneak up there behind Jenna's back and get her sooner ) to gather up Macaw size supplies since all we have is Amazon size stuff, well besides the cage and tree of course.

Any suggestions or recommendations for materials, toys, supplies. Its ok if you suggest stuff that we may already have on hand due to Teka. Its good for everyone to read what you all have to say, and it helps us for when you think of things that we have forgotten about or even overlooked. We are starting fresh with her 40x40x80 cage empty. And the double Java tree pretty well setup for Teka.

NOTE: she will only be in the cage at night and about 1-4 hours three days a week.

 

[plax]

Application approved! We now have until Thursday (unless I sneak up there behind Jenna's back and get her sooner ) to gather up Macaw size supplies since all we have is Amazon size stuff, well besides the cage and tree of course.

Any suggestions or recommendations for materials, toys, supplies. Its ok if you suggest stuff that we may already have on hand due to Teka. Its good for everyone to read what you all have to say, and it helps us for when you think of things that we have forgotten about or even overlooked. We are starting fresh with her 40x40x80 cage empty. And the double Java tree pretty well setup for Teka.

NOTE: she will only be in the cage at night and about 1-4 hours three days a week.

That's terrific news! I'm so glad to hear you were approved . I'm guessing you've done plenty of research and will have many necessary large parrot essentials on hand at the time of Ruthie's arrival. Two things that come to mind at the moment are pedicure perches and lots of nuts (unsalted, preferably in-shell ones like: almonds, pecans, cashews, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, walnuts, etc.) and plenty of fresh veggies and fruits. Also, a supply of good quality large parrot pellets. Then, of course, lots of toys, toys, toys!

Please keep us posted

 

[blackhawk007]

Good call Tony. We do have 4 pedicure perches of different sizes here. I found out the rescue has a sale of buy one get one, so we will be stocking up on most things while there. For some :54: reason I did clear out the nut section last month as the holiday sections were going away at the grocery store. I now feel really good about catching that sale also. We have been researching quite a bit, but never feel like we have enough knowledge. We are always open to more suggestions to further our understanding if you have any. The photos are of the snack section we have on hand and some of what has been read. We have not gotten any Macaw specifics books yet. Does anyone have preferences for good Mac books?

 

[plax]

Great selection of nuts and pellets you have there, Steve . I'm actually not much for the fruit blend pellets, but it looks like you have planty of Harrison's on hand as well.

Does anyone have preferences for good Mac books?

If you can get your hands on "The Large Macaws" (by Joanne Abramson and Brian Speer, DVM) at a reasonable price, go for it! There's currently a used one for $389.99 on amazon.com right now:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Large-Macaws-Breeding-Conservation/dp/0963596403"]The Large Macaws: Their Care, Breeding, and Conservation: Joanne Abramson, Jorgen B. Thomsen, Marsha Mello, Brian L. Speer: 9780963596406: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

 

[JMarie]

Ok, so I've been slacking on the forums a bit lately... But I want to tell everyone how incredibly excited I am that we will be getting Ruthie this week! The remainder of the week until that point will include endless preparation to increase our knowledge on macaws, making/getting toys for her cage, and prepping the cage. She will be spoiled rotten (minus the rotten) with us.

Again, any and all recommendations and advice will be welcomed!

 

[blackhawk007]

Great selection of nuts and pellets you have there, Steve . I'm actually not much for the fruit blend pellets, but it looks like you have planty of Harrison's on hand as well.

Does anyone have preferences for good Mac books?

If you can get your hands on "The Large Macaws" (by Joanne Abramson and Brian Speer, DVM) at a reasonable price, go for it! There's currently a used one for $389.99 on amazon.com right now:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Large-Macaws-Breeding-Conservation/dp/0963596403"]The Large Macaws: Their Care, Breeding, and Conservation: Joanne Abramson, Jorgen B. Thomsen, Marsha Mello, Brian L. Speer: 9780963596406: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

Wow that's one high end book. The next higher listing is more than what it's costing to adopt Ruthie :53:. Now I'm not complaining at all, its just the first time I have seen a book cost more than my college textbooks. I will for sure keep an eye out for it. For right now I may take a look at the others that are recommended on that page just to keep that ball rolling.

Aside from Harrisons do you have another pellet that you recommend? It can be difficult to find at times. Teka actually refuses to eat the 2 types of Harrisons I have on hand now.

 

[plax]

Aside from Harrisons do you have another pellet that you recommend? It can be difficult to find at times. Teka actually refuses to eat the 2 types of Harrisons I have on hand now.

You're not alone. My guys mostly refuse to eat Harrison's as well. Sometimes I can get them to eat a bit of the lifetime pepper variety. That's always short-lived, though. After a few helpings they start ignoring it or just hurling it out of their bowls.

I've had fairly good success with Roudybush, but I always have good luck with Zupreem Natural. Some are of the opinion that Zupreem Natural isn't the best pelleted food. It actually contains adequate nutrition though and my birds like it - which is a big plus! I often mix some Goldenfeast Nutmeats & Fruit blend with it as well. The price on Zupreem Natural is very reasonable, too.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Many congrats on the application approval!

I also feed Zupreem Natural. I mix my pellets with a few Goldenfeast Blends (Goldenfeast Madagascar Delight, Caribbean South and Fruits and Nuts).

 

[Merlee]

Hmm. I have the book Guide To A Well Behaved Parrot and like it very much. It just reinforced what I learned over the years. I am wondering though if there is big difference in behavior between an amazon and a macaw other than size. It's been a 20+ years while since I have had an amazon in the house. I have a macaw now so I am pretty much ready for anything. lol.

 

[Parro]

She is so cute and im so excited for you, but putting her in a dog crate..... That's sooooooo horrible and it's really depresses birds, poor bird...

 

[blackhawk007]

I've had fairly good success with Roudybush, but I always have good luck with Zupreem Natural. Some are of the opinion that Zupreem Natural isn't the best pelleted food. It actually contains adequate nutrition though and my birds like it - which is a big plus! I often mix some Goldenfeast Nutmeats & Fruit blend with it as well. The price on Zupreem Natural is very reasonable, too.

I also feed Zupreem Natural. I mix my pellets with a few Goldenfeast Blends (Goldenfeast Madagascar Delight, Caribbean South and Fruits and Nuts).

Thanks Tony, and Wendy. I will definitely pick up some Zupreem Natural. This is exactly the help I needed. I never would have thought of that. But it just makes sense.

I do have some Goldenfeast on hand (its the jar next to the Cheerios). I have received some criticism because the store I get it from has the "pull handle " bulk dispensers. Just place a bag under the dispenser and they charge by the pound. The price there is really good, but I don't know if I am taking a risk by buying bulk vs individual bags. The store is pretty reputable though. Let me know your thoughts on that.

I keep Totally Organics (jar on the left in photo) on hand for Teka. I know its great for Amazons but have no clue if the same goes for Macaws. I am still looking that up. Teka also loves Cheerios. They seem pretty safe all around.

As you may have noticed I have over 20 of those little glass jars with a wide selection of foods. I have enough for Teka, but now I need to stock up on Macaw specific stuff. I just think its good to have them used to a nice variety for a few reasons. First if you only feed only one product and its deficient in something then over time that can be a problem. Second, I never know what will be out of stock on my next food run. So I don't want to be caught in a situation where they only eat one thing and I can't get that product. I recently bought a 20lb bag of Pretty Bird HI-Pro for Amazons. Teka will not touch the stuff. Honestly I don't really blame him. The stuff kinda smells funny compared to all the the natural smelling stuff he is used to. Lastly, if there is ever a disaster I know he will have plenty of food for a while. Just have to make sure it's rotated for freshness.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Steve, whenever I go to a local bird store (not TOO local, 1 hour drive), they keep their Goldenfeast in the SAME manner you describe, with the pull handle, hold bag underneath, and I've never had problems with it. I do get the occasional pantry moths, but they're easy enough to take care of.

And TOP (Totally Organics Pellets) are GREAT and affordable, too.

I think the more variety we get out fids to eat, the better. Here is a link to my homemade recipe as well. All my fids LOVE it, especially when I serve it nice and warm.
http://www.parrotforums.com/recipes/22594-cook-portion-freeze-my-recipe.html

AND, here is the recipe I use for when I bake birdie bread:
Bobbi's Birdie Bread

You can REALLY play around with the birdie bread recipe. I add heaps of Palm Oil to it, and whatever fresh fruits and veggies I have.

 

[chadwick]

My birds all like the high potency harrisons versus the regualr harrisons...thought i'd throw that out there...congrats