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Post by Loz on Jan 21, 2023 11:32:03 GMT
When is Hector's Flock day?! 3 Feb. Feels like a long long time away. Other, non-birb, developments may mean advancing that date (or pushing it back).
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,776
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 21, 2023 13:22:47 GMT
Well, it's only 2 weeks
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Post by Loz on Jan 21, 2023 13:37:41 GMT
2 weeks, since I retired, goes by in the blink of an eye. I have longer naps.
However, during quarantining, time moves at its normal, leisurely rate!
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 11:40:21 GMT
Update on Hector: As far as I can tell, the lad hasn't left his cage for the past two days. He's content to sit on his perches or his swing or the feed station. He doesn't seem to scale the cage bars like he had been doing. He reacts when I come into the room, wing and leg stretches, and seems to listen to me when I talk to him. He will not tolerate my hands at all now, no amount of millet or patience on my part makes any difference but I can press my face against the cage bars with Hector just the other side, showing no fear at all. The last time he was out of the cage I was able to touch Hector's neck and face with the tip of my nose. I think he found it annoying but not frightening. If I chirrup or whistle to him, he'll sometimes join in. I get the impression he likes my company. Hector seems to sleep a fair bit of the time. His appetite seems good and droppings are normal for an all-seed diet (no interest in veggies or fruit I've supplied to him). He is a dedicated preener but not obsessive or destructive. Hector perks up somewhat when the others are calling to him. He is alert when I focus my attention on him and watches me closely, seemingly without fear - so long as hands are not involved.
I've no specific concerns as to Hector's physical health or condition. He's been experiencing a light moult, that's about it.
My only concern is for Hector's morale and mental well-being. He's not displaying anxiety behaviours that I can detect but it'd hard to look at his passivity and not conjure theories of depression and loneliness. I tell myself that Hector is an exhibition budgie and prone to laziness but it's hard not to worry. I've not had a budgie quite like Hector, I think Patch was the closest in temperament, although sweet Patch did at least become marginally hand tame during the quarantine and had a liking for millet which I could exploit.
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Post by skysmum on Jan 25, 2023 14:00:02 GMT
Your almost there, im sure i speak for all of us when i say quarantine is rough. I always worry constantly about the new bird and look for anything and everything out of the ordinary, it's what its about i guess, protecting our existing flock. Ive always found the show type birds very different to the smaller ones, breeders refer to them as being 'steady', some rarely play with toys and are very sedate and aloof, ive had them in the past like this pre the forum. It will be interesting to see how he is when he joins the rest of the flock but don't be surprise if he keeps himself to himself, im sure he will be very happy whatever he does
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 14:24:30 GMT
Hector was happy just now to accept millet from a hand-held spray. First time in days! He was sat on the perch nearest his cage door so I took the opportunity presented.
He's a lot like Finarfin was in quarantine He'll usually assume a perching position which makes it difficult, awkward, painful or impossible for me to reach him with a millet spray!
He's burbling at me now, I'm feeling a little happier.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,776
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 25, 2023 14:27:02 GMT
Roswell and Snowy were quite playful.
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 14:30:30 GMT
Roswell and Snowy were quite playful. Goodness, they were playful, weren't they! I wish my buds liked water as much. What is the green stuff in the bath?
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,776
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 25, 2023 14:32:52 GMT
I have a feeling it might have been parsley.
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 14:41:09 GMT
I wonder, if I stuck mint in the bath ...
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Post by blueelephant on Jan 25, 2023 15:42:59 GMT
I think Hezz coined the phrase 'perch potato'. This describes the temperament of my two pretty accurately. We get periods of excitement and a lot of chilling. Even more so since Finlay left us and Barney has noone to run away from anymore. I'd not be too concerned by hectors behaviour. He has not got long to go now and I'm sure he will enjoy the company when they do get to meet him.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jan 25, 2023 17:12:20 GMT
My Tweetie Pie and Buddy are so different in temperament and neither are the show type budgie. TP is very much the perch potato and not inclined to come and interact with me. He is very much a seed eater but will nibble at some fresh foods that he likes. The vet assures me that he is healthy and has good pectoral muscles indicating he's getting enough flying time. He does come out of the cage to fly around.
Buddy, on the other hand, likes coming over to perch on me and demands that I give him my thumbnail to kiss and chew on. I think the texture must be like his beak. Buddy does eat a variety of foods, plays with toys and is quite active. He's always chasing after TP to play. If TP ignores him and I call him, Buddy flies over immediately to play.
Once Hector meets all your birds, he'll decide how he wants to fit in. He may learn to nibble at the herb garden with the others.
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Post by Loz on Jan 25, 2023 17:26:29 GMT
The Herb Jungle is a favourite with all the budgies and with Chocobo. Finarfin, for instance, was a confirmed seed eater in quarantine yet now he is one of the most enthusiastic veggies-nibblers these days. Peer pressure, ya know! Hector's previous owner said he just didn't gel with the other budgies, who behaved aggressively towards him. I'm bearing this in mind but my thought is, perhaps it was the humans that didn't gel with Hector - he is so inactive compared with her other budgies. We shall see and I will be able to accommodate the situation, whatever happens.
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Post by Loz on Jan 26, 2023 18:02:58 GMT
Poor Hector, his moult is growing in scope. Lots of fluffies on the cage floor and suddenly there's loads of pinnies. And lots of rubby-face, too. I've not seen him lose any flights for a few days though.
Slight decision to be made. I have a function happening on Sat 4 Feb which will mean being away most of the day. I don't feel comfortable leaving the flock to its own devices if Hector is released from quarantine as planned on the 3rd. Options: 1. Cancel the function 2. Move Release Day to the right (5 Feb) 3. Move RD to the left, probably 1 Feb
I suspect I know which way I'll go!
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Post by skysmum on Jan 26, 2023 18:56:05 GMT
Poor boy, that would certainly be the cause of his downcast mood 🙁
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