Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    I know Jean has budgies available for adoption, and I will probably
    see her next Wednesday. Why don't you send me your home phone number
    and I will give it to her. She usually has a answering machine on
    here phone, you could try her over the weekend.
    
It sounds like you are doing the right things, but the first thing I
    would have done is get rid of the mirror. Also Super Preen on the
    food and other Vitamins in the water could be overdueing it. I bought
    a nice Hagen parakeet cage at the Fair in Auburn.
    
    Doug

    
    
    Every Friday night Larr doesn't know who we are.  Every Sunday night
    he's our best friend.  I suppose it's because I would let him have
    his mirror over the week while we are at work.  Again, I want a
    happy budgie so if he *needs* his mirror for companionship, he can
    have it.
    
    Over the weekend he did more scoot'en around than ever.  Only partly
    moody.  
            
    I used the Super Preen on his seed.  The pellets do not need it.
    So says the vet.  I'll give him some broccoli tonight and every
    night for now on. 
    
    The plan has been modified a bit.
    
    He has food in the AM, 6-8.  Then once we get home he can have a 
    healthy new food in his little treat feeding dish.  On one side he 
    will have a piece of fruit, the other side will be a vegetable. The
    food will stay in the cage for an hour or until Deb and I are ready
    for dinner.  Then Larr can come out and have his meal with us. 
    If he's hungry and doesn't want to wait he'll have to get used to
    this new and strange stuff we offer him. 
    
    Another question.  I want a larger cage for him but I don't care
    for the cages I've seen.  Anyone have a catalog I can look at?
    Also,  what toys have you seen that keep a budgie happy?
    
    Rick.
    

    HI,
    
    Debbies Petland in Chelmsford has a large assorment of cages but they
    tend to be a little expensive. There is a pet supply store in
    Chelmsford that I stop at now and then but don't know the name that has
    a good assortment. I got a nice big cage from a Flea Market, and alway
    look for more. 
    
    My budgies like the inter-locked colored rings, the litte peguins,
    small linked chains, key chains, Balsa wood blocks and the color
    plastic balls like the one for cats with a bell in them. They also
    have little plastic clowns that they like to play with and sometimes
    feed.
         
    Doug 
         

    
    
    Re -1.
    
    Funny, I just put those rings in yesterday.
    
    Cages. I don't really like any of them.   I would very much like
    to make one myself.  24 wide, 24 deep and 36 high.   Some sort of
    heating pad built in below to maintain winter temp. (We have a cold
    house with *ELECTRIC* heat. Mega-bucks thanks to Seabrook.)  With
    the heat on some sort of control I'd also want the Vita-light on
    a timer.   Lot-o-room with lots of toys.  
    
    Rick.
    

    
    
     Well it's been awhile since I've wrote anything.  That's because
     evrythings been fine. (Almost.)
    
     I tossed the mirror.  Larr is a happier bird for it.  No doubt
     about it.  No so moody, much more active.
    
     He gets misted every morning and he does NOT like it.  He sees
     me walk over and he checks for the little mist bottle.  He's also
     wise to me hiding it behind my back.  If he can't see both my hands
     in the morning off he goes to the other room.   I win in the end,
     after either talking to him for five minutes or misting him where
     ever he lands.
    
     The new __insert_french_name_ pellets are great.  He now likes
     them and he seems the better for it.  He has an Avicake for dinner
     with us at 6 or 7:00.   I still can't get bird brain to eat vegetables
     or fruit.  But I'll keep up the good fight.  Someday he'll come
     around.
    
     I'm still unhappy about the cage.  I really would like to build
     something for him.  Any cage builders out there?
    
     Rick.
    
     PS.  
         Since the base note we've decided not to get another keet.
         He does indeed seem happy and we would like to maintain the
         bond we now have with our friend.  I am not convinced at all
         that two will bond considering we both work 8-5.   Meaning
         not too much time together.
    
    

                     <<< Note 196.5 by WOODRO::OLOUGHLIN >>>
                   -< I'd still like to see Jean's Aviary! >-

    
>     I'm still unhappy about the cage.  I really would like to build
>     something for him.  Any cage builders out there?
    

    In .4 you mentioned a cage 24Lx24Wx36H.  You can build one for about
    $35 out of 1"x1/2" galvanized wire mesh, complete with a 2" deep
    galvanized slide-out tray for the bottom.  You can make a bunch of
    perches of different sizes from hardwood dowels, or, better yet, use a
    likely branch from a live, unsprayed apple tree.  If you're interested,
    I can work out plans and a materials list.  It takes about 4 hours to
    build one.  Tools required are wire cutters, a file, a pair of needle-
    nosed pliers, and a pair of special pliers (inexpensive, and relatively
    easy to find).

    You're on your own for a heater, although I suspect a good heating pad
    might do the trick if you can keep your budgie from chewing on it.
    
						    GK

    See note #116 about Bird CAge Building - I inquired about this a
    few months ago
    
    I haven't gotten around to building mine yet, so I cannot offer
    first hand advice yet.
    
    	-Nancy

    
    
      The heating pad, or rather, the chosen heating source, would be
    under the bottom of the pull out pan.  'Least that's the way I was
    thinking about doing it.
    
      I was thinking about Lexan(tm) for the bottom.  Does anyone know
    where I can have it formed?  That with a galvanized tray would be
    a nice design.
    
      Hmmmmm, what about the sides? Wood?   Or bend the wire mesh to
    a square?   
    
      Rick
    

    
    
      
       After a loooong time, this past Monday night, while I was reading
    the paper at the kitchen table, Larry flew over and landed on my
    shoulder.   
    
       It was the first time he had ever done that and it clearly freaked
    him out.  As soon as he realized what he had done he took off.
    
       Almost a year later, here's the status.
       
       Larr will not eat veggies or fruit.  No way.  Never will.  
    
       At present he is molting and it is also time to take him to the vet
    for his toenails/beak trimming/ 10,000 mile check up.   Would you
    please give a referal?   I live in the Nashua area.  Without violating
    the rules of the conferance...  I will not go to the vet in Milford,
    next door to McDonalds. 
    
       Rick. 
       

	Countryside Vet
	Route 110 (almost to Westford)
	Chelmsford, Ma

	508-256-9555

	I use Brian Holub for my Macaw, but the other Vets are good also,
	they have Sat and evening hours....

	-dick

    
      Thanks.   Chelmsford isn't to far.  I grew up there.
    
      Rick.