What to do about Jo Jo

[skysmum]

Since having my buds inside for almost 5 months i have noticed more and more how elderly poor Jo Jo is becoming. He is almost 11 now and his movements are slow and careful, i think he has arthritis and im sure he doesn't see as well as he used to. He is a little bent over and his feathers no longer recover from his French Moult. On the plus side since having him inside ive only had to deal with one big bleed from his braking feathers, it was happening quite often in the Aviary. He panics when the others start flying around and getting athletic and retreats to the safety of a quite corner.
The thing is i don't feel im going to have him for very much longer and i really don't think he will fare well going back into the aviary in a couple of weeks when the others are all returning.
Would it be unfair to keep him in the house alone so that he can see his last few weeks/months out in comfort or am i being cruel separating him from the others, im not quite sure what to do.

[Moogie]

Qwww little mite.....i myself have no clue but i suppose if he seems content to you inside then maybe thats a good place for him to be with you xx !!??

[birdguhl]

Poor old Jo Jo - I can see that it'-s a dilemma - maybe the right solution will emerge over the next few weeks.

[Deleted]

Is there another old chap you could keep with him?

[stace]

I'm not sure, and I can see why you too are uncertain. Somehow I don't feel that keeping him alone would be kind for him if he's used to having the others around. I could be wrong. Is there another bud who likes it inside and who gets on well with him who could come in as well?

[Hezz]

See how he goes being on his own, Skysmum, and maybe bring Teddy, or whoever is calmest, to visit regularly. To me it seems it may be kindest to keep him calm inside. Poor little man - I have a soft spot for Jo Jo. The extra warmth inside with you will help him with his arthritis too. I think it would be more cruel to put him out where you know he isn't always comfortable.

I'd keep him in.

[skysmum]

Thanks for feedback everyone. Its a tough call and i have thought about keeping his beloved fern in with him but she is very active and i don't think is fair on her. Think i may try him on his own and see how he goes. The other option would be to bring the floor level right up in the outside flight, ive done this in the inside mainly for him and Freddy who also doesn't fly but is like a mad road runner anyway. I will see how goes, its good to sound it out among people that know where im coming from .

[Hezz]

Maybe Fern can commute?

[skysmum]

Mar 12, 2013 0:54:09 GMT Hezz said:

Maybe Fern can commute?

Think it may be a bit stressful for her keep bringing her in and out . Had a new idea in bed at 2am this morning, you know the one, ahh bed time, time to start over thinking . I may get a cheap large breeding cage and put it in the aviary at the side of the inside flight to keep him and Fern in, that way they are with the others but he cant come to any harm, then on nice days i just hang the cage in the outside flight for him, eye roll .

[Deleted]

Could you rig up something that's half in and half out so they have the option to go in and out.

[Shirls]

Mar 12, 2013 20:01:28 GMT skysmum said:

Mar 12, 2013 0:54:09 GMT Hezz said:

Maybe Fern can commute?

Think it may be a bit stressful for her keep bringing her in and out . Had a new idea in bed at 2am this morning, you know the one, ahh bed time, time to start over thinking . I may get a cheap large breeding cage and put it in the aviary at the side of the inside flight to keep him and Fern in, that way they are with the others but he cant come to any harm, then on nice days i just hang the cage in the outside flight for him, eye roll .

That sounds like a good idea skysmum. All the best ideas come when one is trying to sleep aye??

[skysmum]

Well ive made my mind up , ive brought the wood and im going to raise the floor of the outside flight right up to the bob hole so that the inside and outside floor levels are the same and im going to try him and see how he goes, if i see any probs i will fetch him inside. I feel i must try and keep him with the others as long as i can because i feel it could stress him even more if i isolate him. Watch this space .

[stace]

Mar 16, 2013 21:17:43 GMT skysmum said:

Well ive made my mind up , ive brought the wood and im going to raise the floor of the outside flight right up to the bob hole so that the inside and outside floor levels are the same and im going to try him and see how he goes, if i see any probs i will fetch him inside. I feel i must try and keep him with the others as long as i can because i feel it could stress him even more if i isolate him. Watch this space .

I think this is good. See what works and go with what you feel is best upon observation. You never know with these birds. While they are flock birds, they are still individuals. What works for some or even most doesn't always for others. 

[Hezz]

Good luck. Hope your work isn't for naught. I feel sorry ......... for Jo Jo

[skysmum]

Little update, i brought Mr Jo in a couple of days ago, he was doing fine and getting about the aviary ok but its sooo bitterly cold and because his feathers are such a mess at the moment he seems to be having more trouble than the others keeping warm, it is heated but not enough for him, he also has a little arthritis i think. So until it warms up, if ever, he is being kept cosy .

He is lording it up and being spoiled and doesn't seem to miss the others . OH wants to know exactly what is wrong with him because he was loud enough to wake us up at 5.30 this morning .