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Post by Loz on Jul 17, 2023 18:21:55 GMT
I am so incompetent.
I was happily photographing the two new girls as they excitedly tried to get to the boys who had come upstairs to chat with them through the door.
The door is ill-fitting but with it shut, there is a seal. Unfortunately the door must have popped slightly open. Whether it was because of a breeze or the wood is warped, I don't know. A larger than normal gap appeared.
Anyway, with the crack that had opened up, there was enough space to suggest there may have been contact between Smudge and possibly two or more of the boys. (One was Gurgeh, I think.) This is not certain, but there was very near contact if not full-on beak-to-beak.
I've never had a budgie try to squeeze herself through such a tiny gap. Even Boba tried although being bigger, she had less success than Smudge.
What do I do? Caution suggests maintain the quarantine, just in case but I really don't see how it hasn't already been broken.
Advice please!
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Post by Loz on Jul 17, 2023 18:23:14 GMT
I will post pics idc but I'm not sure they give any insight. I put down the camera when it had sunk in what was happening.
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Post by Loz on Jul 17, 2023 18:44:40 GMT
I took loads of photos but these were the first two snaps. After loads more pics I started to look at them ...   The second pic was what made me concerned, I'd never seen a budgie on the other side of the door so clearly - usually it's not much more than an silhouette. Whilst I was looking at this, I glanced up and saw Smudge had managed to get her head & shoulders between the door frame and the door itself. I would have sworn blind it wasn't possible, no one has ever managed that, not even smaller budgies than Smudge. Whilst I tried to dissuade Smudge from jamming herself in there, Boba took her place (but as I said, with less success.) There followed a bit of a Keystone Cops sequence with me trying to keep one girl then the other away from the door. Eventually it was safe to push the door closed again (that's when I realised it was partly open.) Ugh. My first day on the job or at least it felt like it. Ira is going to laugh so hard at me. |
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jul 17, 2023 19:20:16 GMT
I AM LAUGHING SO HARD AT YOU !!! Those are two determined little girls!
Most of the time when we put a new bird in quarantine, it is in case the bird has a latent illness that will show up. In this case, you know all about these two and their parents so I think that probability is slim. The other reason for quarantine is to get them used to you and begin training. I think that is a good reason to keep the quarantine going. The feeling I get is that once you put the girls with your flock, you won't be able to work with them for a long time.
Just my opinion - I could be all wrong.
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Post by Ira on Jul 17, 2023 19:28:49 GMT
Just excuse me whilst I go and cackle myself to death like the little witch I am. They've never had something so interesting on the other side of a door before. tweetiepiesmom Loz and I discussed quarantining prior to the girls going. We concluded that it was always better safe than sorry, although Yuki tested negative for viruses and I had no other signs of illness, etc. The trip and new surroundings was stressful for them, for instance. And in the next few weeks I could suddenly discover something in my flock, for instance, which would prove the quarantine valuable. However, the risk is probably slim. But the quarantine period can be good for bonding, establishing routines, etc. Whatever happens now is Loz's choice. |
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Post by Loz on Jul 17, 2023 20:07:04 GMT
TPM & Ira, I agree with both of you. I'll maintain the quarantine for the next few weeks, in order to establish a relationship with the girls. Also, I'd like to see just how far they are prepared to go in order to escape  |
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Post by Ira on Jul 17, 2023 20:16:10 GMT
TPM & Ira, I agree with both of you. I'll maintain the quarantine for the next few weeks, in order to establish a relationship with the girls. Also, I'd like to see just how far they are prepared to go in order to escape The Houdini sisters!  |
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Post by blueelephant on Jul 17, 2023 20:56:04 GMT
Lol🤣. Did you get a 14 day money back guarantee when you got them? Just in case you decide by day 3 you can't cope?
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Post by Loz on Jul 17, 2023 21:15:50 GMT
Quarantine is something I can do in my sleep. After sixteen budgies, it's a well-oiled machine here. No sweat. I do have a 14-day Return Policy. Right, Ira? |
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Post by Ira on Jul 17, 2023 21:31:55 GMT
Quarantine is something I can do in my sleep. After sixteen budgies, it's a well-oiled machine here. No sweat. I do have a 14-day Return Policy. Right, Ira? Just let me know when you're on your way. |
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Post by ariella on Jul 18, 2023 5:39:44 GMT
Oh dear! I am NOT laughing…much! 😆
In all seriousness, I’d agree to continue as normal with quarantine but that photo of the size of the gap with a full head appearing did make me giggle just a little.
Your buds are so determined and so excited to welcome the newbies. They’ve become used to there being a newcomer or two in the bedroom!
Have you got something to stick in the gap for today’s free flight time? Bet Smudge and Boba fly straight to the door to see if there’s any visitors on the other side.
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Post by Loz on Jul 18, 2023 6:40:34 GMT
Oh dear! I am NOT laughing…much! 😆 In all seriousness, I’d agree to continue as normal with quarantine but that photo of the size of the gap with a full head appearing did make me giggle just a little. Your buds are so determined and so excited to welcome the newbies. They’ve become used to there being a newcomer or two in the bedroom! Have you got something to stick in the gap for today’s free flight time? Bet Smudge and Boba fly straight to the door to see if there’s any visitors on the other side. I was thinking of sticking draft-excluder there Ariella. However, it would be shreddable and I am unsure of its safety. Probably a thin strip of wood, glued in place. |
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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: 28,787 
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jul 18, 2023 8:20:52 GMT
I would laugh, but Chipper managed to escape his quarantine cage pretty much right away when I was changing his water.
Never underestimate the determination (and in his case speed) of a budgie!!
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Post by Loz on Jul 18, 2023 8:28:14 GMT
At this morning's uncovering, Smudge was again hanging upside-down from the bars. She didn't seem to know what to do so I stuck my hand in the cage to help her down. The help was gratefully received and Smudge stayed on my hand for several minutes. She was quite happy there. A delegation came upstairs just now and there was some inter-flock discussions but with the door firmly closed, the conference soon petered out. If I am careful ensuring that the door is shut, the gap isn't an issue so I will simply be careful in future |
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Post by Loz on Jul 18, 2023 8:36:25 GMT
Oh yes, I forgot. Chocobo wanted in, first thing this morning. She must have been intrigued by all the budgie chatter yesterday 😀
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