blynnrhodes
Checking out the neighborhood
- Joined
- 2/25/17
- Messages
- 2
- Real Name
- Brooke
Hello!
I recently acquired two African Grey's from a friend who rescued them a few years ago and no longer has time for them due to having other birds as well. They are both set up with vet appointments this Sunday just to get an overall health and wellness check.
I will tell you each of their stories bellow. Currently I have them each in the same cages they came in as I have only had them for a couple of days. They are in separate cages but they are both set up the same way. They are in what appears to be a rabbit or guinea pig cage with a perch set up low to the bottom of the cage in case they fall. They each have a water bottle and a food dish that is attached to the side of their cage.
The first one is said to be about 12 years old. The story I was told is that she was attacked by a dog 10 years ago leaving her handicapped. She can use a perch but not easily and looses her balance often but not enough to fall or hurt herself. She cant turn around far enough to reach her uropygial gland and cant preen any of the feathers on the back half of her body. Aside from these challenges she is a kind and loving bird.
My questions about this girl are
1. Does anyone have experience with birds who cant reach their uropygial gland? What should I be doing for her to help compensate for that.
2. With her loosing her balance so easily are there any special perches or things you would recommend to make her cage be a better fit for her?
The second one is about 3 years old. The story I was told is that he was recused from a breeder who let him sit in his own filth as a hatchling so parts of his toes rotted off. This little guy is quite the character and is very well adapted. He uses his feet to swing around his cage like a little monkey. He has a REALLY hard time perching and needs something to lean against or to stand on a flat surface to keep him upright. He is not as tame as the other bird and is going to need time and patience to build a good relationship with me.
My questions on this little one are.
1. How can you teach a bird with little use of their feet and toes to step up or to be taken out of their cage comfortably?
2. Since he cant perch when he sleeps he sleeps on the bottom of his cage. Is there a type of bedding that would be safe to have in their for him to sleep on? I just worry about him shredding it or consuming it. I Haven't seen that behavior in him yet but you never know. Currently he has newspaper in the bottom of his cage as that is what they have been using the whole time they have had him. I just want him to be comfortable.
FOR BOTH BIRDS
Does anyone have experience setting up cages for special needs birds? I want them to have the best possible set up with as much enrichment as possible but I want them to be safe as well. I'm willing to do whatever they need to make their lives as happy as possible, they deserve it.
I recently acquired two African Grey's from a friend who rescued them a few years ago and no longer has time for them due to having other birds as well. They are both set up with vet appointments this Sunday just to get an overall health and wellness check.
I will tell you each of their stories bellow. Currently I have them each in the same cages they came in as I have only had them for a couple of days. They are in separate cages but they are both set up the same way. They are in what appears to be a rabbit or guinea pig cage with a perch set up low to the bottom of the cage in case they fall. They each have a water bottle and a food dish that is attached to the side of their cage.
The first one is said to be about 12 years old. The story I was told is that she was attacked by a dog 10 years ago leaving her handicapped. She can use a perch but not easily and looses her balance often but not enough to fall or hurt herself. She cant turn around far enough to reach her uropygial gland and cant preen any of the feathers on the back half of her body. Aside from these challenges she is a kind and loving bird.
My questions about this girl are
1. Does anyone have experience with birds who cant reach their uropygial gland? What should I be doing for her to help compensate for that.
2. With her loosing her balance so easily are there any special perches or things you would recommend to make her cage be a better fit for her?
The second one is about 3 years old. The story I was told is that he was recused from a breeder who let him sit in his own filth as a hatchling so parts of his toes rotted off. This little guy is quite the character and is very well adapted. He uses his feet to swing around his cage like a little monkey. He has a REALLY hard time perching and needs something to lean against or to stand on a flat surface to keep him upright. He is not as tame as the other bird and is going to need time and patience to build a good relationship with me.
My questions on this little one are.
1. How can you teach a bird with little use of their feet and toes to step up or to be taken out of their cage comfortably?
2. Since he cant perch when he sleeps he sleeps on the bottom of his cage. Is there a type of bedding that would be safe to have in their for him to sleep on? I just worry about him shredding it or consuming it. I Haven't seen that behavior in him yet but you never know. Currently he has newspaper in the bottom of his cage as that is what they have been using the whole time they have had him. I just want him to be comfortable.
FOR BOTH BIRDS
Does anyone have experience setting up cages for special needs birds? I want them to have the best possible set up with as much enrichment as possible but I want them to be safe as well. I'm willing to do whatever they need to make their lives as happy as possible, they deserve it.