Two Caiques walk into a bar...

[Jowelbg]

... I knew I should've gotten narrower cage spacing! *Bah-dum Ching*

Hey, I hadn't updated you guys in a while. So we did end having to split up Bunsen and Beaker into separate cages. This was back in January. They were getting very aggressive with each other. I had read about this possibility, but I thought since they were brothers it wouldn't be a problem. One day we had family over and they decided they had enough.

We made an emergency visit to the bird store and got another cage. Yes, my wallet hurts. The cages are in spitting distance from each other. I do mean that literally. There was virtually no adjustment period. I thought we were going to get pouty birds for a few days or weeks. Beaker's bald spot from Bunsen picking at him has finally grown back.

We're in a pretty good routine. They wake up and get their breakfast shake. Their pet humans get one too.

They have to clean up after themselves like good birds.

Then they take a bath using the Derek method.

When their pet humans come home from work, they have to vacuum up from the pellet-party they had all day.

If they're good, on the weekends, they get to visit girls with long hair so they can get tangled.

And of course, they get treats for good behavior.

One of the struggles I've had with these guys is how to incorporate them into our everyday lives. My past birds have always loved riding on shoulders. I'd set them up there and do chores, watch TV, fix dinner, etc. That's way too boring for Bunsen & Beaker. I took another note from Derek and just let them wander around on the ground. It's taken some SERIOUS bird proofing. They really do prefer walking to flying, though. They fly about 4 feet if we bribe them with hummus. They prefer to crawl down the perch, onto the floor, up my leg, onto my arm, and grab the treat that way.

They'll be one at the end of March, can you believe it? We've still got a lot to learn about these little guys, but they sure are fun. Thanks to everyone for the advice and support. :-D

-Joel + Sleeping Wife

 

[Bundiibird]

Thanks for the update on Bunsen and Beaker. I love hearing about their antics and hi jinks. I also love their pictures.....hint.....hint

 

[TessieB]

Sometimes brothers just can't get along.

 

[thekarens]

I couldn't have a caique, but I love hearing about them and seeing the updates. Thanks for sharing!

 

[JerseyWendy]

What an awesome update on Beaker & Bunsen, Joel! I just LOVE your narrative on the photos!

Those are 2 little firecrackers, aren't they?

Sorry about your empty wallet. :54:

Now who's the guy with the apron in the last photo, with the DYH Amazon on his shoulder?

 

[Jowelbg]

...Now who's the guy with the apron in the last photo, with the DYH Amazon on his shoulder?

That's Jody bird sitting on my stepdad. He taught Jody how to do the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant. I really need to record it. It's pretty hysterical. My mom's house is a zoo. They cram a B&G, a Pionus, 2 dogs, and a cat into that place.

Bunsen & Beaker are definitely a handful. If I could rig up a hamster wheel and teach them to run on it, I bet they could power our home.

-Joel

 

[JerseyWendy]

Bunsen & Beaker are definitely a handful. If I could rig up a hamster wheel and teach them to run on it, I bet they could power our home.

-Joel

That's the funniest thing I've heard in a long time! WHAT a visual!

 

[BirdyMomma]

Two Caiques would probably HOP into a bar, I think

 

[Jowelbg]

Two Caiques would probably HOP into a bar, I think

HAHA! That's so true!

 

[Starlit_Night]

Clicked in here to see the end of your joke
Don't know much about caiques, being a conure gal myself, but I have to ask - What is this about a breakfast shake? Something that could be used with other birds or do caiques have a specialty diet (like lorries)?

 

[Jowelbg]

Clicked in here to see the end of your joke
Don't know much about caiques, being a conure gal myself, but I have to ask - What is this about a breakfast shake? Something that could be used with other birds or do caiques have a specialty diet (like lorries)?

The breakfast shake started when B&B stole some of my smoothie. They're sneaky little devils. It's just frozen fruit, almond milk, bananas, and some whey protein. They go nuts over the stuff. The ingredients are pretty good for them. I haven't seen any concern with the whey protein. From my reading, the lactose levels are low enough that it's not a big deal.

As far as a Caique diet, it's pretty standard for a small parrot. They prefer to eat anything that you're eating, though.

 

[Starlit_Night]

They prefer to eat anything that you're eating, though.

LOL that does sound like small parrot diet! I now have a designated bowl for Aleta, so she will stop stealing my dinner!

I was imagining a shake with pellets or seeds in it. *facepalm* It's been a long day.. I never thought of sharing a shake with her. Haven't made one since I've had her (I use fruit only in mine) but I will definately think about that again once the weather here warms up a bit.

 

[dskidd]

Joel, this is a wonderful post (though--while I completely understand it--I'm sorry to hear about the separate cage arrangement). I definitely needed the laughs and the smiles. I always love reading about and seeing photos of B&B--many thanks.

That dishwasher really does the trick doesn't it? And no water splashes all over the place!

And yeah, I've had to caique-proof the house from the get-go--Eliza and Henry much prefer to wander around, climb up, etc. If they're really desperate to get somewhere, they'll fly, but it's definitely a last resort for them.

As it turns out, Eliza has trained me even more thoroughly than she had before. She figured out that if she just sits on my foot, I'm going to have to get her up eventually--assuming I actually want to move anywhere. Saves her from spending all that energy climbing up my legs.

It used to kinda bother me that I'm clearly the third most intelligent creature in the house, but I guess I've learned to accept my place...

I haven't posted anything for awhile myself, mainly because Henry's been sick.

Unfortunately, apart from it being a GI tract infection issue, the vet really doesn't know exactly what's going on. He basically wasn't getting enough nutrients (Henry, I mean...not the vet!) and became quite anemic. They've run x-rays, ultrasounds, sent the results off to specialists, and so on. Without going on and on, it's pretty weird: Henry will display the symptoms of condition X, but also display contradictory symptoms that it's NOT condition X, but could be condition Y, and so on.

He's on a couple of antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. He's certainly eating and drinking fine, and I guarantee if you saw Henry when I'm in the kitchen making dinner, you'd never guess anything is wrong with him.

He's slowly improving. We went back to the vet yesterday and his blood count is getting better, but I think it's going to be a long road back for the little guy. He's not a big fan of having to stay in his hospital-quarantine cage, but--hopefully--it will all be worth it in the end.

Derek

 

[Jowelbg]

I haven't posted anything for awhile myself, mainly because Henry's been sick.

Derek

Oof... sounds like a rough patch. If you lived closer, we'd bring over a Caique-Care-Package. It would include a set a electric drums to chew on. Let me know how everything goes. Hopefully Henry is on the mend. How is Eliza taking all this?

 

[dskidd]

Oof... sounds like a rough patch. If you lived closer, we'd bring over a Caique-Care-Package. It would include a set a electric drums to chew on. Let me know how everything goes. Hopefully Henry is on the mend. How is Eliza taking all this?

Thank you so much for your concern Joel--it is VERY appreciated, believe me.

Henry continues to improve, slowly. He's started taking baths again, and playing with his toys. The debris at the bottom of his cage scared the heck out of me this morning, as I was staring at it without my glasses...then I realized it was bits and pieces of one of his toys. It would have made for an embarrassing call to the vet: "Help! Help! Henry's droppings have changed to a green, red, and brown color and they're bigger than he is! And they rang like a little bell when I picked them up!"

Apart from seeing him once a week, the vet calls every other day or so for a progress report. Plus, all of Henry's test results have been sent to an avian pathologist, so I'm confident Henry's getting the best of care. As I said, it's going to be a long road back, but he certainly seems to be on the mend.

Eliza has been a jewel throughout all of this. I get a little misty-eyed just thinking about it. It's obviously not a mate-bond, but there is definitely a strong bond between the two. She spends a lot of time "talking" to him, and stays on the side of her cage that's closest to Henry's. It's very sweet.

Well, enough of the nice stuff--reality intervenes. Therefore, I must take this opportunity to inform you that I'll be sending all Henry's vet bills to you, and will be expecting prompt payment of same. The reason? The avian pathologist determined that all of Henry's troubles can be traced to switching him from single-malt scotch to sipping tequila. I think we all know where that inspiration came from, don't we?

Seriously, thanks for your concern. A big hello from my flock to yours!
Derek

 

[Jowelbg]

Well, enough of the nice stuff--reality intervenes. Therefore, I must take this opportunity to inform you that I'll be sending all Henry's vet bills to you, and will be expecting prompt payment of same. The reason? The avian pathologist determined that all of Henry's troubles can be traced to switching him from single-malt scotch to sipping tequila. I think we all know where that inspiration came from, don't we?

That's it! No more pellet parties for B&B. I'm also taking away their sombrero, and I will no longer hire a mariachi band while we're at work. They're going to have to earn a lot of money to pay all these bills! I've suggested they both sell a kidney. With Caique drinking problems on the rise, you can get a lot of money for them.

In all seriousness, that's a really sweet story about Eliza. Tell Henry to hang in there.

-Joel

 

[dskidd]

That's it! No more pellet parties for B&B. I'm also taking away their sombrero, and I will no longer hire a mariachi band while we're at work. They're going to have to earn a lot of money to pay all these bills! I've suggested they both sell a kidney. With Caique drinking problems on the rise, you can get a lot of money for them.

In all seriousness, that's a really sweet story about Eliza. Tell Henry to hang in there.

-Joel

Well, gosh--I'd feel terrible about depriving B&B of their entertainment, not to mention their kidneys! So I hereby rescind my previous post. Besides, Henry's back on single-malt scotch. I mean, it's pretty hard for bagpipers to get gigs to begin with; it's been a pretty steady job for them to play while Eliza and Henry sip their Laphroaig and smoke cigars. Besides, Henry's smoking jacket and ascot just doesn't work with tequila and a maricachi band...

Seriously, thanks for the good wishes--Henry has shown some serious improvement over the past couple of days. It's been very encouraging. For example, he'd still want to hair surf, but--during the past couple of weeks--it was very halfhearted. Just a couple of gentle tugs, and that was it. Yesterday he hopped up on the top of my head, and I endured twenty minutes of agony while he happily chattered away. Hard to imagine that being a happy feeling, but for me it was!

Derek

 

[Irishj9]

Sorry to hear Bunsen and beaker arent getting along. I belive the separate cages solution is the best. Good fences make good neighbours.

I have 8 of these, and they do ride round on my shoulders etc. Some of them are not close friends, but they have lots of space in the aviary to avoid each other.

The mad gang say hi!