Is it time to say goodbye?

[zazanomore]

Any updates?

[liz]

It could all be caused by fear of the other parrot. Myrtle, BF Amazon, is a totaly different personality now that she is away from the African Grey that wanted to kill her. I do have to give her more things to amuse herself. A paper towel tube, a clothespin or a paper bag keeps her busy. I tie things to a rope above her. She is not the timid scared parrot she used to be.

[Grey_Moon]

Hi guys,

Here's an update...

My flock still numbers two

I tried and thought long and hard and gosh darn it I love the little bugger so I'm 100% committed that this will be his forever home. He's been through too much and put up with way too much of my teenage stupidity. I think I just panicked because of money stress (Its really, really hard for me to find work with a disability...I mean, legally they can't discriminate---but at best I whine and raise hell at Ministere de normes de travail and they can force the employer to take me. But really? Does anyone really want a job where they will be forever 'that #*$(% who forced us to take them' and you know the boss will be always up my butt and *looking* for reasons to fire me ) and because I was verging on burnout. I was (ok, still am) caught in some nasty credit card debt thanks to Sully's vet bills---which is frustrating because the problem *never goes away*.

In essence, things will be tight. And those new kings cages are gonna have to be x-mas presents to the flock...and I won't be taking Sully to the vet unless his Giardia gets out of control because frankly its hard to kill and he seems to be getting along just fine. Poop is a bit runny, but really...he's active and happy. When the crunch is over and I've found work and my bursary is back up to speed then he'll be going in to do the big showdown. But for now, they're both eating well and have toys----which is something I couldnt afford to do with Sully's darn bills.
The houseplants are gone now save for one, and the aquarium is going next tuesday. So its just me and the fids. If I can destress and get out of burnout then all will be well.

I think the major thing is I'm an owner that will do *anything* and spend any money necessary to keep them happy. Not being able to do it all because money is tight makes me feel like I'm neglecting them---and the money crunch is making me face some unpleasant realities especially with Sully's medical needs. But...I'm digging myself out of the hole. It may not be perfect, but I do what I can and love them both and intend to make good on the promise I made at 15---I wouldn't leave them behind no matter what--because they're my family and its my job to protect them.

[liz]

One more little cockatiel won't cost that much to keep and will keep him quiet except for singing.
They will eat people food too. When you open a can of vegis or fruit offer a piece. If you eat out bring home a green something for them. The heel of bread gets them excited. They really like any kind of whole grain cereal. If you eat it offer them a piece.

I don't know how you live but if you can get tree branches and rinse them with cold water before you give them to them, they will tear them to shreds. It really keeps them busy.

I save all my plastic lids and run them through the dishwasher, put them on a string and hang them in the cage. The close to knock themselves out climbing to chew up the top one.

A toilet paper or paper towel tube is fun. I also fold cereal boxes to poke through the bars. They try to pull them in and chew them.

Okay - that's all I got.

[MandyG]

I don't know how you live but if you can get tree branches and rinse them with cold water before you give them to them, they will tear them to shreds. It really keeps them busy.

This is a little off topic, but always make sure the branches are from a bird safe tree. Also make sure the trees are not in an area that any chemicals are sprayed, some cities will spray for insects and other things and the chemical stays on the branches. It's also a good idea to bake branches before giving them to your birds to make sure any bugs or anything else is killed.

[rebeccaturpeinen]

Its nice that you are keeping both even though your situation is so hard right now.... I really hope it works out for you. If you were living closer I would have offered to send you some home-made toys, I am making so many at the moment.

Anyway, hang in there, it must get better soon