Hello from Boston

by **Navre** » Thu Sep 10, 2015 11:56 am

When I say that she "let's me" put the harness on her, it's in the same way that a 2-year-old lets you put him in a snowsuit.

by **liz** » Thu Sep 10, 2015 12:27 pm

by **Navre** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:09 pm

The bird has discovered that she can fly to the roof the trim around the Windows and doors and stand perch there. She then chews on the wood. When I go to get her off, she will fly from one to another. Since the house is old and the trim is painted, I'm worried about lead paint. She is never out unsupervised. She actually only flies up there if I'm with her, but she has managed to pull off paint chips.

Even if the house has been deleaded in the past, it is generally only done to a height of 5 or 6 feet.

I have to keep her caged until I can figure this out.

by **Wolf** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:16 pm

Replace the trim with unpainted and unstained trim, Go with a natural wood look. Most trim is made of pine or fir and those are safe for the bird to chew on. Another option is to place a painted strip of quarter round on the top of the window and door trim so that she can't land there.

by **liz** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:03 pm

They always find a way. I am having the same trouble with an old house.

by **Pajarita** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 9:53 am

Yes, Wolf's suggestions are good OR you can do what I do and put corner beads in all the edges.

by **Navre** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:45 am

There is just too much old belly molding to replace it all. I can't even get the same side and would have to have it all custom milled. We are talking 9 windows and 3 doorways, along with a china cabinet.

I can find a way to cover the top edges. I have already caught her with some paint chips.

The kitchen woodwork is also painted, but is new and won't have lead paint.

by **Pajarita** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 11:26 am

I use no other paint than the non-toxic, zero VOS kind. It's not really that much more expensive that 'regular' and it gives me peace of mind.

by **Navre** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 11:42 am

I used to have some apple bitter spray i used to teach snakes not to bite. They hated the taste of it. I wonder if it's safe for birds or if it would even work. I could spray it up where she tends to try to chew the wood.

by **Pajarita** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:24 am

Nope, it won't. They like bitter. Besides, they don't actually taste anything when they are chewing because their taste buds are in their throat.

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