upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

OMG the Olympics - can I just say I'm so glad to be out of Vancouver? I will not be going anywhere near that place while the Olympics are on.

Yeah, I'm surprised at all the new faces ... and the aggression. It seems this too chat is far different from the other one. It's too bad, we were such a group before. It felt like a tight knit group of friends.

I don't really like the style of this place either. Hell, I still like the very first Too Chat. I miss that!!!

I hate that you have to find the last response..Where before they were under the original post. I couldn't believe all of the construction they were having to do to prepare for the Olympics. Atlanta is still paying for the '96 ones..Heck Calgary is probably still in debt from when they were there...Well, gotta go feed the feathers and furs and get some sleep...

New posts have a button next to em that takes you to the newest last response...



Unless you aren't speaking about this place...


I haven't been here long so I don't know what it was like in the 'old days' but I'm sure I have a very good idea! I've been on a couple forums that were very popular and great forums, then all of a sudden they became quiet, almost deserted... and one's now gone. I haven't a clue why the other is still up...

See, I didn't know about a button...Thanks... This group was so bonded years ago, that we would plan trips to bird events together...It was easy to ask a question and no feel that you were going to be attacked for it...or made to feel stupid. It was a true learning experience. Plus, we had fun...We had the too olympics, the election etc...the toos would post...one lady even wrote a book after the title was suggested..My Human My Slave...was a parody of My Parrot My Friend. Dancer, the senior too at the time pretended to write the book... Maybe it was the times, and they were just easier...I don't know.

Welcome!

I do remember reading "My Human My Slave" and it was an interesting read. I would have to say it was the times! Forums don't seem like the same as they were 5 or so years ago! It sounds though as if it was a great group, and it's too bad "it's" still not around.

Hi Rachael:

Good to see you. Most of the people who used to post here have dumped/rehomed their birds. There are the ones who didn't listen and went ahead and bought birds anyway, the ones you try to help with behaviour issues but they don't want help, they want a quick fix and you know there is no such thing. I have 2 greys and 2 goffins now. All female and the challenges are tremendous but it's like I say to people "the very moment you bring the second bird into your home, you knew what you were getting into". Always it is the bird who loses.

And while I hear it is not easy living with a parrot and I know you know this, it can't be easy for them living with us. We take away their right to procreate and fly and then blame them for the maladaptive behaviours that crop up.

I give up much for my birds but they gave up much more. They also give me much and most days I'm thankful for that because after all, I am human and we all have bad days. LOL

Anyway, it is really good to see you Rachael and how is Frances. Somebody was just talking about that "bad bird" the other day. I told them there was no such thing. She was actually an interior decorator.

Bev

I will have to say that if people didn't rehome their birds, I wouldn't have 18 of my 19 precious flock...I don't think the word dump is always appropriate... I have one that was sort of tossed in my lap, but I had the choice of keeping him or finding him another home..4 of my birds came from a man that had cancer...he looked high and low for a good home, and my vet referred him to me...He died 2 wks after he found the birds homes..I also have Sassy, goffins that was a NEEBS rescue...if you've ever read about that place...she was not dumped, but saved. Leigha was bought from a petstore that was closing and having a half price sale...he was bought by Connie P. to keep him from going to a home that could "now" afford a bird, but maybe wasn't the best of places..I have rehomed two cockatoos...I don't feel that any of these guys were dumped on me...or given up for any reason, but to better their quality of life..You're right, Bev, sometimes people do buy birds before they've researched them thoroughly...but I do think it's better to realize your mistakes...and cut the loses for everyone...most of all the bird...I would much rather see a bird go to a good, loving home that to be kept...in the basement, garage, back room etc...as we know how many times that happens, because the person doesn't either want to admit defeat..or pretty much just wants to forget about it....I have Yoda...mealy amazon, that was rescued by one of my first UAS-RTC friends...she bought him for 15$ at a yard sale...he had been kept in a small dog crate for almost 15 years...he vet wouldn't even do any tests because he said...that the bird was so debilitated that he would be dead if he had anything...he will never be able to fly, because his pectoral muscles are so atrophed. She kept him for 5 years...but finally, the screaming got to be too much...He came to me 8 years ago...He is still very loud, but not as bad, because he is around other amazons...I think that makes a big difference. I think Alex and I both quit asking why, when someone says they want to rehome a bird...basically, it doesn't matter...they've made the decision...I won't take in any more birds...I'm at my total max..like I said in my first post...I rehomed two...one was the best thing I could have ever done for Peaches...and the other, I'm not so sure about now...I won't place any more, because of this person...as long as my health holds up and I can provide them with the food, toys and care that is best for them...when that is questionable...I'll rethink it.

I currently am owned by 3 B&G macaws, 3 patagonians, 2 hahns macaws, 2 CAG, 3 quakers, 2 green cheek conures, 1 elclectus, 1 tiel, 1 lovebird, 2 english budgies, 2 regular budgies, 1 red-rump parakeet, 1 hawk-head, 2 DYH amazon, 2 blue-front amazon, 1 rose-breasted too, 4 U2's, 2 sulfer-crested toos, 3 senegals. I have to agree with the statement about trying to talk people out of getting a too. Every single one of the ones that I have were all given to me because their owner "could not take it anymore". Both of the sulfer-crested's were screamers, 3 of the U2's were pluckers and screamers. The people just gave up and quit giving them the attention the needed. They are all very happy now. The pluckers have stopped plucking but the feathers have not grown back. It has been about 2 years since they quiet plucking. The vet says that they caused permanent damage. The only time any of the cockatoos screams now is in the morning and evening or if they get startled or the lights have not been turned out when they think they should be. The only birds that I have actually bought are the 3 B&G macaws, 1 of the hahns macaws, 1 of the quakers, 1 of the CAG, and 1 of the Green cheek conures. The rest of the birds were given to us as adult birds. At least now they have all found their forever homes. I guess I will quit for now.

Andy

Cyndie, that's why I said dump/rehome. Someone once explained it like this: When you are doing it for yourself - dumped, when you are doing it for the bird - rehomed and there is a difference but you and I know that when it comes to cockatoos, a lot of them have been dumped. I do agree that the birds are better off with someone else than with someone who does not want them. What would be even better would be not breeding them at all. They do not make good pets and they are certainly not easy pets. Even here in Canada, good homes are hard to find especially for the goffins and bigger toos.

It is really very sad for the birds. They always lose.

Bev

ZazuSally wrote:And while I hear it is not easy living with a parrot and I know you know this, it can't be easy for them living with us. We take away their right to procreate and fly and then blame them for the maladaptive behaviours that crop up.

More than just that. We take away their identity. We are taking birds and trying to make them into human toddlers. (think "fids") We often isolate them from others of their species when they are flock creatures. I know with dogs they stress exercise and socialization, socialization with other dogs and humans. With birds, "we" (generally speaking) clip them, stick them in cages, and most often do not take the birds anywhere with us. The most socialization that most of them may be able to get would be at the breeders, the petstore, and in the home. Now, considering the majority of general petstores, what interaction they may get would be close to nill, or wouldn't be good a experience.

If you think about it, is it really any wonder there are so many birds with problems? Sure, a lot of them turn out just fine, or don't have behavioral problems, but a lot of them do. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many 'problem' birds.