Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2020 21:25:02 GMT
Hi all, I've boogied on over from Budgie Health to continue as a blog for a while - mainly about Siri's path to recovery. Briefly, on getting him home from the pet shop last week I discovered he couldn't fly and had a missing toe and under-developed claws. He also couldn't perch, eat from a seed-pot, didn't seem to know what fresh food was & was very scared and poorly. I and my daughter (his owner) took him to the vets as soon as we could and was told Siri might have a broken or damaged wing and that he didn't think he would ever fly. He gave him a thorough look over and his feet are fine - no bumblefoot - and had healed completely. The vet also gave us advice on feeding, how to introduce him to my two budgies & how to care for him so he makes as full a recovery as possible. This morning Siri was clinging to the side of his cage flapping his wings like billy-o. My jaw dropped and my eyebrows are still on the ceiling... The vet had told me it would be ok to let him out of his cage as long as the other two were confined to theirs, so between us me and my daughter did a rapid-build floor-level play area. Siri did a lot of exploring and roosted for a long time between explorations. He's responding really well to DeeDee (daughter), already eating from her hand and not panicking when she changes his water/seed in slow-mo. I might add that she's autistic and adult, I've been surreptitiously observing her and been moved by the gentleness and patience she shows. I told her that Siri has special needs like her and it seems to have struck a chord with her. He responds to her voice with little chirrups - I've had to find a tissue or so a few times DeeDee grew up with a cockatiel, Digger, who lived for 16 years with us, so she's used to caring for birds. She asked me to write a poem about him a few years after he perched on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge: DIGGER THE COCKATIEL
‘Tiels are native Down Under and so to choose a name I wondered… ANZAC soldiers years ago were called ‘Diggers’, maybe that’d be a suitable name. It seemed good so we called him the same. Right from the very start Digger would sing out his little heart, Imitating all sorts of things, His repertoire just grew and grew, DeeDee loved him so much, too. She called him ‘Feisty Feathers’, She giggled when, in rainy weather, His cage beside the window, He’d perch with wings outstretched, Chirping in delight as he took a ‘shower’. He went crazy for a millet spray, He’d imitate a squeaky toy, Scatter seed like litter, Perch preening on her hand, Often on her head he’d land, On leaving him he’d chirp a kiss, A hand-in-cage provoked a hiss. Known as ‘DeeDee’s Little Chirper’, He’d tickle her face with his tail, and twiddle her hair for a while; But by far his cutest trait Was his uncanny resemblance to McKay in Porridge, The way he jerked his head, We called it his ‘McKay Manoeuvre’! *** I'm nearly 60 so didn't want to buy a 'tiel as they live a long time so bought Jesse last year. I had a budgie as a kid and knew they're fantastic little characters. Max followed 6 months later and Sirius almost a year after him. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how Siri gets on. I'll post a couple of times a week with lots of pics
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Post by Hezz on Jun 14, 2020 0:26:41 GMT
It sounds as though DeeDee and Siri have developed their own bond; how lovely for them both.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 14, 2020 16:47:33 GMT
Thanks @cal for keeping us posted. It is so good that Siri and DeeDee have found each other. It sounds like he is doing much better than the vet predicted - great news! We all love budgie pictures! Looking forward to your updates.
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2020 19:23:54 GMT
Hi all, Siri's still doing well, making his presence known VERY loudly! He's been out for a short time today with Jesse as Max can be a bit unpredictable. I've rearranged the play area with a series of gradually lowering platforms (aka boxes) with connecting ladders and raised the cage as suggested (thanks, Hezz!) I've even fashioned a sort of board-walk between the two cages. I did a short vid: The cover on Siri's cage, I have to add, is my favourite cashmere pashmina whisked off the chair where I'd left it by my daughter. I didn't have the heart to complain - all in a good cause! I've done a bit of research online re complaining about the pet shop where I bought Siri. Not much I can do, it seems. The RSPCA need the event of injury/neglect to have been witnessed as it happened - preferably by more than just me, in order for it to make a prosecution/take action. Trading Standards apply simple criteria for action involving animal welfare in such places - basically as long as the basic needs of the bird are met... So I looked at the requirements for a pet shop licence by our local council. The standards are set by DEFRA (Ministry of all things animal etc) in legislation, The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. I downloaded "Guidance notes for conditions for selling animals as pets (Last updated: April 2020)". For every type of animal apart from birds there is a section: "Protection from pain, suffering injury and disease". Birds start at page 63, there is only this: "Habituation - Handling must be kept to a minimum at all times except where the licence holder can demonstrate that it is in the best interest of the animal e.g. for the purpose of health checking, flying birds of prey etc." In fact, it looks as though this section is missing some text. Anyway, I'll email the local council tomorrow and a word to the wise might get something done. I'll also email DEFRA and tell them they're committing avian discrimination
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 14, 2020 20:07:54 GMT
Good that he's flapping both wing. Hopefully he'll be flying without problems.
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2020 12:44:33 GMT
Hi all, honestly Siri is wearing my thinking cap out! He was getting all flappy & agitated trying to get to my other two & calling and screeching a lot. There's us trying to keep him calm, even covering his cage on one side so Max & Jess were out of his view. Not a chance! Not so much as three's a crowd, more like three's a party! So, in the interests of keeping my hearing I've put Siri's cage higher than the other one and placed them side by side. Sorted, they're all in snooze mode and the peace & quiet is ... ahhh .... Now, if he starts to fly he'll need a safe-learning-to-manoeuvre-rapidly-in-flight-area. I'm thinking some long, smooth fabric of some sort that I'll fasten to the ceiling somehow and drape in a curve to the floor so Siri will slide down harmlessly. Hmm...sounds more like an avian amusement park The idea would be to drape a section of the living-room off and let him get some flapsercise. In a big cage he'll be able to hop-fly from low perch to low perch so that'll get him started. Still thinking...maybe set up a tent in the living-room - like a small aviary/flight space. He may not fly, of course, but I like to be prepared for all eventualities as far as poss! DeeDee said yesterday, "I never knew budgies could make us laugh so much!" Why am I thinking the best is yet to come? Oh, Lord, give me strength & genius level ingenuity & creatively lateral thinking abilities...
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Post by blue48 on Jun 15, 2020 15:36:17 GMT
Flapsercise Love it! Siri seems to be settling in so well and it's great you are putting so much thought in to caring for his needs. I do hope he manages to fly, without any mishaps.
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Post by Hezz on Jun 15, 2020 20:05:30 GMT
Why not move him to a small room for his first outings, so that he isn't trying to go too far too fast? Cover windows, pull curtains etc so that he doesn't crash into them and make sure he has somewhere to perch.
If you have large expanses of glass with no covering, you can use sheets of paper taped up over the windows, they don't need to overlap but just break up the outside view so that he doesn't fly smack into the window. Also, if you're not sure about his flying ability, I'd be giving thought on how to pad his landing so that he doesn't hurt himself. Using a bed or large comforter on the floor of a small room might work, and make sure you take a perch with you to hold up as a landing place if he seems unsure on how or where to go.
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2020 11:49:46 GMT
Hi all, I can't find who gave the advice to put a fleece on the cage floor, but thanks. I've made a padded bottom by using the hood from an old rain-coat with a fleecy lining. Siri won't get his claws caught in the fabric. I guess paper wouldn't be a problem, just erring on the side of caution. I've just got to hem the cut side and it'll work a treat. Sewing machine all set up for later. The back of the coat I'll use for his bigger cage. Thanks Hezz for your suggestion above, DeeDee is going to take care of that as her room is quite small. I think you asked a while back how old Siri is, I reckon over 4 months as he's lost the stripey head of a youngster. He's also got a light iris ring, grey I think. The guy who sold Siri to me said that he had this years & last years birds for sale when I asked for some background. I forgot to ask the vet, so not sure really. Siri's been out this morning with Max & Jess, he saw Max off with an open beak when they were sharing fruit/millet. Max retreated then slunk around the other side of the saucer they got on well after. I was glad to see that, I thought it shows he can stand his ground and not be driven off. Is that a good thing?
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2020 10:58:28 GMT
Hi all, A pic of the final budgie play area lay-out. The table in the background with the grey legs and bars I decided to put out on the balcony & placed it near the balcony door. Siri tootled over to it and stood underneath it for ages as if to say, "Mine!" So I put it back pronto! My daughter is teaching Siri to mimic R2D2 from Star Wars. She found a video on youtube which plays R2D2 sounds for 10 hours. I've threatened dire consequences if I hear more than 2 mins of R2D2 per play. I envisioned coming home from work to find 3 budges and 1 daughter with flashing red eyes & making loud beeps, whistles and whirring sounds There is so much info on this forum, thank you so much to those who maintain it. Brilliant. Hoping you all have a beautiful budgified day/evening.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 17, 2020 16:12:41 GMT
Wonderful and fun play area for the little budgies! You and your daughter will have so much fun watching them! I'm laughing thinking about budgies making R2D2 sounds. Hope your sanity isn't affected!
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2020 19:02:44 GMT
My sanity is holding up really well. I just have this irresistible urge to buy a huge feather boa, flap my arms & dunk my face in a plate full of wet spinach. Tweet-bip-bip-chirp-whoop-whoop-ting-beep-beep
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2020 12:38:37 GMT
Hi all, This is the fleecy-half-a-hood-landing-pad I've made for the bottom of Siri's cage. It's washable so I'll make a few. Budge 'n the 'Hood lol The other pic is a youtube playing of a budge doing R2D2 sounds with Siri looking on. And today's lesson is... He's already mimicking a few sounds, Max is imitating Siri's little cheeps. I'm just confused, was that Max? Siri? I know it's not Jesse 'cos he's totally zoned out with the new raffia toy I bought for them. I once saw him twiddle a strand of a similar toy for 4 hours solid - eyes half closed, totally zonked. Budgeriffic lol
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2020 20:11:49 GMT
Well, it had to happen sometime. I was sat with DeeDee in the lounge and she asked, "When I was little and you found out I had autism, did you reject me?" I'd seen her looking worriedly at Siri a couple of times. "Siri?" She nodded. "I feel like rejecting him because he can't fly. I wanted the three of them to fly together." Shiny eyes and looking all woebegone. "No, I had no feelings of rejecting you, I just got on with it, caring for you and teaching you." Half an hour later, "I do love Siri, you know. It's just that..." So we talked for a while about disability in animals, expectations unfulfilled and that the feelings she had were completely normal, a bit like grieving for someone - disappointment also leads to a type of grieving because it's a loss or unfulfilled expectation. Being realistic, I told her I thought the vet was right in saying Siri would never fly, but he was our responsibility now and we had an obligation to help Siri reach his full potential and provide him with the best home possible. Anyway, long and short I suggested she take a break from interacting socially so intensely with him but she had to see to his needs - food, water, a period of time with him and clean his cage. In the background I've started working with him - the goal being to get him to step up. He's terrified of hands, so as with all goals I wrote down the starting point and the end point and the stages in between to get from one to the other: A Terrified of hands due to trauma - reinforced by not being able to fly away from perceived danger. Z Goal - get Siri to step up onto DeeDee's finger and interact with her and me in the same way. A to B is to Gain Siri's trust & overcome his fear of hands. I always wait until close to a bird's bedtime for training - short sessions of up to 15 mins. They're quieter and not so excitable. So, both bird cages on the floor, Siri on top of Max & Jesse's cage and me half-sitting behind the cage with my arm around the side of the cage and my hand just peeking over the top with a small piece of millet. I've reduced the amount of millet all the birds are getting this week as I find it the best food for training. Siri's now eating plain birdseed & spinach, though I offer sweet potato, apple & banana either mashed up, grated or sliced. Jesse will eat anything going - he loves apple, I've got a wall liberally splattered with tiny bits of apple he's chucked - he had me in a panic first time I saw it as I thought it was poop and he wasn't thrilled at me examining his backside Max is the pickiest eater ever! Anyway, there's me on the floor watching Siri out of the corner of my eye and talking, singing, cooing, tweeting, and generally gibbering to Max & Jess in their cage (Avian love convo I got cramp in my arm so slowly moved it from around the cage and Siri shot across the top of the cage towards my face. I started singing Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain and he fluffed up, shut his eyes and almost went into a swoon. I think we've got a lurv thang going on lol! (Max went into one-legged-snooze & chunter mode), Jesse was watching me and cooing along. I tell you, I've really learned to value the self-control I've developed over the years with kids and animals - apart from the twitching facial muscles, deep breaths and high pitched voice you'd never know I was on the verge of hysterical giggling (I am sane, honestly lol) I also got a pic of all 3 of them together which I'll use for my avatar. Max is very territorial about his beaded swing and tends to get nippy when there's another bird above it, so I put a tray with millet clusters on above it to spare Siri's feet. Jesse's a little tormentor and likes nothing better than to jump on the swing and have a spat with Max over who gets to sit on it. I've ordered another one to try and keep the peace... I'm going to drill a small peep hole in the tray so Siri can still peek into their cage and engage with them. One thing I will be delighted to see and hear is Siri sleep with his head in his feathers, beak grinding and chuntering. Poor chap, he's missed out on a lot of development it seems & is probably overwhelmed. I'm ensuring his time outside his cage and interactions with my other birds & DeeDee are no more than about 15 mins to avoid stressing him out and overwhelming him. He does retreat to his cage when it all gets a bit much, it's great he can communicate his needs like this and shows how important it is to get to know your bird (or any animal) to develop the best relationship possible - observe, learn, adapt so the bird leads. Gentleness, patience, kindness & a nice friendly atmosphere work wonders. In return, your bird will help you develop extraordinary qualities as a person which transfers to people skills. It's so important when working with stressed birds to take it slow & steady, no pressure or rush. Lecture over lol I've also cancelled my order for a larger cage, given the amount of falling off cage bars Siri's doing at the moment. I saw a much better one from the smiley parcel people - much more floor space but not as high as a standard cage. I think this will be more suitable to Siri given his lack of flying ability. It's to be delivered 1st July, but I may not introduce him to it immediately as he's obviously feeling safe in the small cage. I think it's best to set the new cage alongside the small one so he can use both - sort of transitioning from one to the other rather than just put him in it straight away - less stressful. Another thing I've found necessary to do is to prevent Jess & Max from entering Siri's cage and vice versa - his own cage is his retreat and Max can be very bossy in his own space, I don't think Siri would be able to cope with that now or ever given the trauma he's already suffered. Not to worry, he's making excellent progress, I couldn't be more pleased with him!
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Mar 28, 2024 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2020 20:14:52 GMT
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