FoxersArtist
02-08-2009, 02:15 AM
They are here! Today was a huge day for us and also for a family who had to give up 30 of their 35 birds - which included every one of their parrots. We originally thought there were going to be 40 and though the family had 35, they decided to keep some of the wild birds they had including a crow named Corey. Sadly, the parront of these beautiful babies became extemely ill and after some extensive testing, her newly diagnosed pulminary disease was linked to the parrots dander. These people loved having the birds around them so much that they clung to them until the very last second, when they were afraid she would not recover from an attack after snuggling her cockatoo, Sugar.
Unfortunately this is a very good example of how health can go downhill when parrots are not properly kept inside. This family kept the ionizing air purifiers that actually do not attract very much dust an aid in lung damage. I am assuming that they did not soak their birds too often (as they are quite powdery) and maybe did not wipe down cages regularly and places where dander collects - like food tubs. With a lot of cockatiels and other dusty parrots, the debris can build up quickly and when there is not a seperate structure for the birds, it is hard to avoid breathing large amounts of dander and keeping the mess contained. I feel horrible as if I could have stopped this from happening as I knew the family and know how they could improve quality of life for all but never said anything for fear of coming off as rude or a know-it-all.
We did not take in any of the wild birds even though they were all raised in captivity. I do not seem to have the magic with wild birds and feel like they are better off being with someone who really knows how to care for them, so they went to a friend of mine who is skilled with wild birds. Among the parrots that are now under our care are several macaws, african greys, eclectus, lovebirds, a sun conure, and lots of little cockatiels. We took an umbrella cockatoo also, but she has already found her happy ending. It just so happens that a good friend of mine knew her family because he raised Sugar (the U2) when she was a baby - and he did a fantastic job as she is very well adjusted! He was very excited about adopting her and it was a very happy reunion! She will share her life with a new daddy and a new sibling, a moluccan cockatoo.
We understand that we do not have great super powers so we were unable to keep all of the birds here in our home. We fostered many of them out to caring foster families until we can work with them or place them in wonderful homes. Still we have the eclectus, greys, lovebirds, and some of the cockatiels (the ones that are not doing well and will need a vet.) One of the eclectus is plucking and the other is blind. We are holding the lovebirds for observation before placing them in foster care as they were showing signs of stress. Some of the tiels have medical conditions - one being super underweight (at 68 grams) and another showing lack of coordination at one point. Another looks to have an infected wound on her head - and she is such a little sweety pie too. The group we decided not to foster out are also the most plucked and I would like to get to the bottom of that - so we will see what the vet says once their office opens again next week. Most of the tiels are sweeties as well as the male eclectus but there will be a great deal of work to do in lowering the hormone levels of the female who is nest-crazy! I have never worked with a female ekkie and have heard that they are a challenge and that the nesty behavior is somewhat of a hopless thing - but I won't believe that until I see it. She just needs a job to do - I believe that's what eclectus hens were designed for - hard work building and protecting the nest! Anyway, we will see how wrong I can be!
Here are some photos of some of the new birds. It was too crazy today to get pictures of all of them.
Enjoy (and please spread the word about these guys needing new homes.)
Tiel, Easter:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Easter047.jpg
Tiel, Huey:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Huey012.jpg
Tiel, Dewey:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Duey019.jpg
Tiel, Louie:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Louie020.jpg
Tiel, Mickey:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Mickey029.jpg
Tiel, Romeo:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Spanky030.jpg
Tiel, Scooter:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Scooter046.jpg
Unfortunately this is a very good example of how health can go downhill when parrots are not properly kept inside. This family kept the ionizing air purifiers that actually do not attract very much dust an aid in lung damage. I am assuming that they did not soak their birds too often (as they are quite powdery) and maybe did not wipe down cages regularly and places where dander collects - like food tubs. With a lot of cockatiels and other dusty parrots, the debris can build up quickly and when there is not a seperate structure for the birds, it is hard to avoid breathing large amounts of dander and keeping the mess contained. I feel horrible as if I could have stopped this from happening as I knew the family and know how they could improve quality of life for all but never said anything for fear of coming off as rude or a know-it-all.
We did not take in any of the wild birds even though they were all raised in captivity. I do not seem to have the magic with wild birds and feel like they are better off being with someone who really knows how to care for them, so they went to a friend of mine who is skilled with wild birds. Among the parrots that are now under our care are several macaws, african greys, eclectus, lovebirds, a sun conure, and lots of little cockatiels. We took an umbrella cockatoo also, but she has already found her happy ending. It just so happens that a good friend of mine knew her family because he raised Sugar (the U2) when she was a baby - and he did a fantastic job as she is very well adjusted! He was very excited about adopting her and it was a very happy reunion! She will share her life with a new daddy and a new sibling, a moluccan cockatoo.
We understand that we do not have great super powers so we were unable to keep all of the birds here in our home. We fostered many of them out to caring foster families until we can work with them or place them in wonderful homes. Still we have the eclectus, greys, lovebirds, and some of the cockatiels (the ones that are not doing well and will need a vet.) One of the eclectus is plucking and the other is blind. We are holding the lovebirds for observation before placing them in foster care as they were showing signs of stress. Some of the tiels have medical conditions - one being super underweight (at 68 grams) and another showing lack of coordination at one point. Another looks to have an infected wound on her head - and she is such a little sweety pie too. The group we decided not to foster out are also the most plucked and I would like to get to the bottom of that - so we will see what the vet says once their office opens again next week. Most of the tiels are sweeties as well as the male eclectus but there will be a great deal of work to do in lowering the hormone levels of the female who is nest-crazy! I have never worked with a female ekkie and have heard that they are a challenge and that the nesty behavior is somewhat of a hopless thing - but I won't believe that until I see it. She just needs a job to do - I believe that's what eclectus hens were designed for - hard work building and protecting the nest! Anyway, we will see how wrong I can be!
Here are some photos of some of the new birds. It was too crazy today to get pictures of all of them.
Enjoy (and please spread the word about these guys needing new homes.)
Tiel, Easter:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Easter047.jpg
Tiel, Huey:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Huey012.jpg
Tiel, Dewey:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Duey019.jpg
Tiel, Louie:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Louie020.jpg
Tiel, Mickey:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Mickey029.jpg
Tiel, Romeo:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Spanky030.jpg
Tiel, Scooter:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Scooter046.jpg