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10 PM ET: Long Term Illness Support Chat
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10 PM ET: Long Term Illness Support Chat
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PHCoosmom: Mike Hutchison of Iowa Parrot Rescue rescues, rehabilitates, and gives sanctuary to parrots in need. Mike has also been involved in the education of bird owner as an online Community Leader for AOL. Please welcome Mike to The Aviary. mikeoso: thanks for having me GA PHCoosmom: Lets get started. FIrst Mike, can you give a short run down on your work ow many birds you have, how many you have placed, etc. mikeoso: we accept birds offered via the web and phone contacxts... mikeoso: we have 21 today mikeoso: we've placed around 300 in the last 8 years GA PHCoosmom: MIke, can you tell us what some of the problems you see with birds coming into your rescue. mikeoso: we see biters, pluckers, screamers, phobic birds mikeoso: lots of issues mikeoso: most are from either inadequate info or just abuse mikeoso: troo many birds are bought by people who don't know what they're doing mikeoso: GA PHCoosmom: When a bird comes to you, what is your protocol for acceptance and treatment? mikeoso: we have an intake info form, and an interview...we quarantine as nedded and do exams as indicated mikeoso: we take as long as necsessary to eval the bird before looking for a home mikeoso: some are not available for placement mikeoso: we sanctuary permanently a few PHCoosmom: Slotlady, your question please. mikeoso: hi dd slotlady53_nr: what would you do for a too that chew because of trama from a vet mikeoso: sorry, I don't underdstand that ? deb mikeoso: you mean a bird that was harmed by a vet? mikeoso: and chews feathers because of it? mikeoso: or one that was scared at a vet? mikeoso: GA slotlady53_nr: yes slotlady53_nr: too that was tramatized at the vets mikeoso: have to deal with calming and anti-stress, and try to see WHAT the trauma was slotlady53_nr: one was handled ruff mikeoso: then you work to free the bird from that phobia by proving that handling or whatever is safe slotlady53_nr: misdiagnosed and started meds before test came back mikeoso: could be just very gradual approaches slotlady53_nr: so this could take A LONG time mikeoso: winning trust is the main thing, and that requires individual assessment slotlady53_nr: she is just now after a year not having to be with me all the time mikeoso: I have a couple birds that have been here 6 years and aren't ready to be placed yet mikeoso: we do what it takes mikeoso: some may never be OK mikeoso: GA PHCoosmom: Jackie, your question please. slotlady53_nr: is there a chance she will stop the chewing mikeoso: ya never know deb slotlady53_nr: okay thanks PHCoosmom: Jackie, your question please. slotlady53_nr: so diet isnt needed to change jackieszoo: adopted 3 this last weekend - phobic 3yo male CAG -- wing was hurt about 5 months ago in grating and he can really reall bite jackieszoo: falls off perches - vet check fine jackieszoo: has dowling - will get other perches but what more should I do? mikeoso: time and gentleness...CAGs are often clumsy....let him get comfy with you, then with handling, then you'll be able to rehab the wing mikeoso: it'll be able to rehab even after years mikeoso: we've had a couple with crippled wings...they are OK once they can be worked with jackieszoo: His feathers are all twisted in the left primary area mikeoso: have to make them safe first mikeoso: are they ingrown? jackieszoo: what about changing cage? Vet hopes they fall out with molt mikeoso: or is the wing itself twisted? jackieszoo: no, just all the feather shafts mikeoso: low and long, lots of ladders mikeoso: we did one a couple years ago that fell a lot...she flies now jackieszoo: this is a tall cage and I don't think it is good for him mikeoso: takes a long time to rehab, but they do heal and grow sometimes mikeoso: we used a large dog crate mikeoso: long and lower jackieszoo: I felt so bad when he fell off the perch today.he HATES the crate! jackieszoo: vet visit = bleedinghands! mikeoso: maybe a long low tiel flight or like that? PHCoosmom: Mike, can you explain 'crate" It is not an enclosed crate right? It is an open crate. mikeoso: something with space but no elevation Geckosgirl: ? jackieszoo: I have one stored that is a brand new cage and not so long and slender like the one he came in - I hated to freak him out by changing cage mikeoso: ya...looks like a cage, but is horizontal mikeoso: if he's in a new home already, a new cage isn't the woirst thing....if it's needed, do it now jackieszoo: Ok Thanks! mikeoso: GA next ? PHCoosmom: Gecko,your question please. Geckosgirl: any suggestions or tips on getting my pair of tocos to produce? mikeoso: nope...I don't encourage breeding mikeoso: sorry...IMHO there are mopre birds than good homes mikeoso: jackie, your ? jackieszoo: Lollipop is a 6 yo MM and has biting baggage mikeoso: stick trained? jackieszoo: adopted him too and he is OK with me but wants to bite everyone else jackieszoo: no - I am his like 4th home jackieszoo: can he be stick trained by other that want/need to handle him? mikeoso: if YOU can handle him, start working him on a stick...that way others can handle him....bting is either fear or manipulation mikeoso: he should be able to step on a stick for anyone, ideally...I said iderally lol mikeoso: prolloy you'll have to do the first training tho jackieszoo: a pet store had him and the people I got him from wih the CAG said he would BITE the ower and she got along with about every bird there was mikeoso: he'll likely be afraid of the stick at first jackieszoo: Uh, what stick is best? mikeoso: they are often easier to pick up from the floor, or an empty bathtub mikeoso: I like a natural branch mikeoso: let's have next ? jackieszoo: Ok Thanks! PHCoosmom: mike can you tell us what you tell new adoptors to get their birds comfy in their new homes. mikeoso: safe space...a wall at their back...familiar toys, comfy perches...very quiet and dark at nigfht mikeoso: familiar foods, soft sounds, NO loud noise or chaos mikeoso: lots of routine mikeoso: familiar talk mikeoso: make them secure mikeoso: GA PHXue: how many did you say you have at one time? max? PHXue: and, isn't it difficult to set up a routine like that? mikeoso: most we ever had was 56, but that was exceptional, and most were little LauriT: ? PHXue: so you have lots of space? mikeoso: it takes a lot of time and space...fortunately, I'm an organization freak mikeoso: we have a 6 BR house, and the kids are all gone PHXue: and money too mikeoso: we converted the attic, 850 square feet, into the area for big birds mikeoso: not a lot of money...I'm a teacher mikeoso: we make most of our own stuff mikeoso: GA PHCoosmom: Lauri, your question please. PHXue: ty sassy3n8fan: The pics of that attic on your site are amazing mikeoso: tks LauriT: Hi Mike, nice to meet you mikeoso: hi lauri LauriT: I was wondering if you are familiar with the work of Susan Friedman? mikeoso: not sure...sorry, I don't recall PHCoosmom: Mike, she has an online behavior class. Very interesting stuff. Breaks down a behavior to determine the cause. PHCoosmom: Usually it is us. LOL LauriT: that's ok - I was thinking her site and online class might be a good resource for you to give to people who are either thinking of adopting, or have parrots with behavior problems mikeoso: I'll have to check it out LauriT: her website is www.behaviorworks.org mikeoso: sounds interesting, thanks PHCoosmom: Can you explain your requirements to adopt a bird and some of the things you look for in an adoptor? mikeoso: lauri, I have a ? for you...is that your scarlet in the logo? PHXue: ! Budge_nr: ! mikeoso: we take an appl;ication form, then a home visit, then a visit to our place and an interview.. Rorox_nr: Hello Mike. Do you mind there is any concern to put together a couple of Zon inside an apartment? Do you see a risk of turning to a bad behaviour? PHCoosmom: And you look for? mikeoso: we want to watch a person interact with birds, and see their own environment mikeoso: no smoking of course...physical safety mikeoso: calm and routine mikeoso: time at home, stable life mikeoso: some knowledge, depending on the bird's needs PHCoosmom: Xue, your comment please. mikeoso: after that, it depends on the bird's needs Rorox_nr: The question is about a behaviour change on parrots by putting together a couple inside a cage? People say that they use to turn agressive. Rorox_nr: Leaving the owners mikeoso: they may...but it's not automatic PHCoosmom: Mike, I believe Ror is talking about a couple of zons. PHCoosmom: That might change your answer. LOL mikeoso: i see Rorox_nr: Is that a major concern. Exactly, a couple of Zons. mikeoso: ror, IMHO, if the zons bond to each other, and don't want people, that's the right thing for them to have... mikeoso: they should have a bird if they want a bird, and a person if they want a person mikeoso: I've done this with a couplke amazons here Rorox_nr: Good Mike, thanks. What was the outcome? They turn agreessive guys? mikeoso: if you'll email me, I'll send you an article I wrote on that topic PHCoosmom: mike, do you mind if we put your email here? jackieszoo: ? mikeoso: one bacame more agressive, the other is as always...hates people...but they are happy birds mikeoso: my email is open to all Rorox_nr: That's wonderful. I appreciate that. Thanks a million. BTW. you can mail me mcaldas@gmail.com just in case. mikeoso: my email is mikeoso@aol.com Rorox_nr: Great. I will send you. Thanks. PHCoosmom: Thank you mike. Niobex, your question please Niobex: There are so many people who want to adopt but there is no place close for them. How can this be overcome? mikeoso: it's hard, because we can'r place with someone we can't visit mikeoso: only way is if we have someone we trust who can make the visit for us Niobex: Couldn't there be volunteers in other states to help out? mikeoso: if they were known and trusted by the rescue, sure...I've done that mikeoso: coosmom and I have referred people to each other for years Niobex: I tried for a year to find someplace and never suceeded...I bought a baby instead. PHCoosmom: Islandrn, your question please. mikeoso: where arer you Niobex? Niobex: Kentucky. mikeoso: GA island Niobex: Thanks, Mike. PHXue: ? islandrn_nr: do you have a problem with putting birds for adoption with people who work during the day? mikeoso: not if they have adequate time for socializing after work...I work during the day mikeoso: gott ahave a job to buy food LOL mikeoso: actually, I have more problem with people who work nights islandrn_nr: OK, great... LOL on the food! mikeoso: they tend to want it quite in daylight, and that's hard mikeoso: GA PHCoosmom: Sassy, your question? sassy3n8fan: I live in Cedar Rapids, and I'm wondering do you let people come out and just visit? I would love to see your place and the birds mikeoso: we do take visits...have to make an appointment, tho mikeoso: we're about an hour away from you sassy3n8fan: I don't have birds anymore since my rescue died, but I miss having him mikeoso: come visit PHCoosmom: Island, your question. islandrn_nr: what advice would you give to someone who wants to buy a 'too? besides DON'T! I have a number of people I run into who ask mikeoso: well, don't is first...but if you reall have to, quit your job and plan to stay home all day mikeoso: toos need 24/7 love, and get crazy if they don't have it islandrn_nr: good advice.... I also tell them to visit Mollywood mikeoso: also, armor plate your house islandrn_nr: lol PHCoosmom: Xue, you have the last question. PHXue: what about people that suddenly appear and announce that they are a rescue? those you have doubts about but don't really want to discourage? because there is a need, but it's so easy to get in over your head. And, so many want the big birds instead of the little ones. It seems the little ones are overlooked a lot, especially tiels and budgies, since they don't have the "flash" of the big birds mikeoso: and check out bad badfrancis PHXue: (I love bad bad frances, lol) islandrn_nr: bad bad frances? mikeoso: the ones that are really just looking for free birds will overload and quit...the hoarders are the scary ones....you have to go look at them and see what their facilities are jackieszoo: ? PHCoosmom: Jackie, one last question. jackieszoo: Avian flu - how and if rescues will be affected if there is a run from uninformed and panicked owners? mikeoso: we'll get more birds mikeoso: and we'll care for them until people get over it mikeoso: all we can ever do PHCoosmom: Mike, thank yoiu for your time tonight. And thank all of you for coming. sunnysmomjen: I had rescued a 16 year old blue and gold and she was pad locked in her cage with no toys, 1 perch well anyways I have had her now a year and I havent kept her locked in her cage at all because she never left it but now she has became real comfortable here at home that she now checks out everything. my question is how do i intruduce her to staying in the cage -- im going to buy her a new one this weekend - do i get one larger than the one she was in or what? she now likes to get into my greys cage when my grey is with me....help! The cage she had was real old and falling apart... Im sorry didnt know i had to do the ? PHXue: http://www.geocities.com/kia67/badbadFrances.html mikeoso: good night all
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