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Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/9/2024, 7:42 pm

Rico Quaker is blind, or nearly so. He had to go to the vet for a scratch on his "good" eye. He was in pain, keeping it closed. After it got better, He walked off the top of his cage. The vet had to give him fluids because he was dehydrated. 2 weeks later they did bloodwork. His bloodword is great! He's a little old birdie. It's so strage, realizing he's 24 now, and not the young bird he was when he came to live with me .

I figured out that he can't see. I gave him his drops of medicine, and made sure to give some drops of water to keep him going, and made sure he found his favorite foods and treats. He's doing better now. He's eating more, and he has learned to put his foot on his water dish to see where it is, so he can drink. He climbs on his cage, and explored the table his cage is on. He gets love and cuddles, too, when he's not hormonal.

I've come to the theory that he scratched one eye last year when he lost sight in it, because like us, birds will rub their eyes to see better, hoping to clear away what's blurring the vision. He did the same to the other eye this time. The scratches aren't blinding him, he's blind and the scratches are from rubbing his eyes on his cage bars. He stopped doing that, so I think he figured out it wasn't helping. He's on a new medicine, every other day, some drops to help heal the cornea scratch. It's minor. His other senses are taking over. He did alarm calls when I was putting a cage together and for a minute I thought he could see it. He hates seeing big square things coming into the room. Turns out he was hearing the rattle of the cage. He still head bobs and dances to songs and loves a good scritch!

THe tiels are okay. Solomon is my old man, who has been blind for years. He still sings loud and proud. His neck is crooked from arthritis, but it doesn't stop him. He's at LEAST 33 years old. Maybe older, maybe not. Rainbow, Riley and Tweets are in good health.

The budgies? Hurricane had a hurt leg, so I put him in a small hospital cage. He got better. When I put him back with the other 3 budgies, Snowgirl picked on him and bullied him and he started limping again. So he and Meadow have their own cage again, and Snowgirl and Summerboy have their own cage. Snowgirl is hormonal right now, I believe. First hormones coming in.

She and Summerboy came to me together. And Meadow and Hurricane came to me together, so everyone is in their original pairs.They seem content!

Between the bird issues and the care issues, it's been a busy few weeks, for sure. We've got it all under control. Rico is adjusting, budgies are settled, tiels are happy. Now it's my bedtime, I'm pooped!

Re: Flock update

Posted by Cathy on 12/10/2024, 3:43 pm, in reply to "Flock update"

Wow, seesthru, you're amazing! You make it all seem effortless. But it makes me happy that Rico Quaker is adapting and settling in.❤ And double wowsie--Solomon--33?!!❤ I can't process that. Is Solomon a normal grey? They seem to be the ones who live a really long time.

Cathy

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/10/2024, 9:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

Solomon is a normal grey. He's the first cockatiel I ever had the pleasure of caring for. He was a tiel that a tiel breeder gave to a budgie breeder who gave to me in 1995. He was full-grown and estimated to be 3 to 6 years old. I figure he was closer to 3. The tiel breeder didn't want him anymore for some reason.

He never got hand tame, but he shows his appreciation by singing and playing whistle games with me.

It's not easy, but the birdies' determination to overcome their challenges makes it all the more important to come at their issues with optimism.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Cathy on 12/11/2024, 4:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

It's less upsetting, too, when you think that if they were in the wild they wouldn't have a chance at all. You've expanded their life spans.

Cathy

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/12/2024, 7:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

I do think about that a lot. I know, Solomon and Rico would not survive in the wild like they are. None of my older ones would.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Cecilia on 12/11/2024, 6:50 pm, in reply to "Flock update"

Such great care they are getting from you! Happy to hear Rico is adapting to his blindness. My oldest tiel is a normal gray male. He is about 25!

I have 7 birds and just their routine care is time consuming and so far, I have not had to deal with major health issues. You are amazing!

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/11/2024, 10:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

Thank you. 25, wow! That's a good age, too!

It's very time-consuming, but it is a good thing. I credit the birds for getting me out of bed every day, LOL! Looking back on times when I was sick, or depressed, knowing they needed me got me through.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Nancy on 12/12/2024, 5:54 am, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

I so admire how you take care of your flock. I was getting tired just reading about your routine. No truer words even at our worst our treasured birds give us the motivation to get up and tend to their needs. I have never had more then three birds at the same time and they certainly are alot of work .

Re: Flock update

Posted by Cathy on 12/12/2024, 12:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

Over the years I only always had two and that kept me busy. They do give us structure.

Cathy

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/12/2024, 7:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

That they do.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/12/2024, 7:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

THe older I get, the longer it takes!

Re: Flock update

Posted by Diane on 12/12/2024, 11:18 am, in reply to "Flock update"

You definitely have a talent. I'm trying to do the best I can with Max. I'm sitting with him at least 3 to six hours a day. I'm making sure I eat next to him. When he sees me eating he goes to his food. I had to be gone the whole day on Tuesday and when I came home he looked so terrified. I can only do the best that I can.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Cathy on 12/12/2024, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

That's good that's he eating, Diane. I know that you were worried about that for a while.

Cathy

Re: Flock update

Posted by Diane on 12/12/2024, 3:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

As I'm writing this he's sitting on my head. He flew to my head around 3 times today and he's staying there longer and longer. I put a lot of time in with him today. Cockatiels are definitely flock animals and can't be alone to long. He's still on my head. This is the longest he's ever stayed. Other people outside the board would think I'm crazy. He just flew to his cage.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/12/2024, 7:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

Mr Tweets isn't tame, so when he lands on my head, I'm thrilled if he stays even for a minute!

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/12/2024, 7:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

I know one day, I'll be down to 1 bird. I worry about how it will be for that bird when I have to leave teh house, etc, just like you do Max. You're doing great with Max. I'm glad you eat with him, and spend time with him.

I know people have routines when they are single bird parronts. Over time it helps the bird to have a routine, to know what to expect when and all.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Diane on 12/13/2024, 8:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

I'm doing everything on his time schedule. I'm waiting for him to go back in the cage before I go out, then I close the door, I'm lucky I can work at home. I try to do everything before 10:00 in the morning and then I let hm out of the cage and when he goes back in the cage at the end of the day I lock him in the cage. This is new. Also now I won't go out without locking him in his cage. I'm lucky so far that he goes in the cage a lot but he is now staying out longer and longer.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Seesthru, TC advisor on 12/14/2024, 10:53 am, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

In my old place, I didn't mind leaving them out while I left the house for an errand. Now, I'm like you, they go in before I leave.

Last night, Riley and tweets didn't go in their cage until after 9 pm. I was so exhausted, wanting to go to bed at 7.

If I have to leave, now I leave earlier and don't let them out til I get home.

I hope Max being out more means he's doing better and just wants to explore more. I'm glad you can work from home.

Re: Flock update

Posted by Cathy on 12/16/2024, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

It's not easy walking around a room with a bird on top of your head, LOL, LOL! There were a number of times that Shiloh landed on top of my head and then oh so s l o w l y slid down my face to settle on my shoulder.

It sounds as if Max is finding a new routine now that Dorian is gone. Bless you for all of your loving patience with him.

Cathy

Re: Flock update

Posted by Diane on 12/16/2024, 8:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Flock update"

Today was not a good day. He came out of the cage and sat on the porch landing of the cage and turned his back to me. He spent most of his day in the cage but he did eat.
It's going to take a long time for him to become slightly comfortable around me if ever. I'm just hoping he won't be scared.
Cockatiels are so flock oriented. I feel terrible for him.

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