Gloomy Seattle Spring

Ah, for those of you who are not aware of the weather in Seattle... there is some truth to the rumors.  During the Spring time it can basically feel like dusk for days.  The humidity climes, the barrometric pressure drops, and boom, it's storm season.  A lovely nice drizzle that lasts for days, and actually sometimes weeks. 

That being said, when the barrometric pressure drops, well it's swelling season for some of my joints, usually entails that of the knee or ankle region.  I woke up the other morning with a knee the size of a grapefruit, and this has happened before, so I am not worried.  It will pass in a few days.  The whole issue with this is, I can't clean cages, and rearrange perches and toys like I wanted to.  Alas, I guess patience will have to be something that I wish for. 

While sitting here with the parrots, and watching their behaviors in the sunless day, I notice that they are a little more needy, and fussy.  Dexter is being his beepy self, and Cooper is doing this I want your attention, then go away dance.  In this kind of weather I wonder to myself if they want to do what most humans want to do in this weather.  Curl up with a bag of popcorn, and watch lifetime.  This even got me looking into the SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in animals, especially parrots.  This is indeed true, and shown to be a huge factor in mood with birds, and it is recommended that if you live in a similar climate to Seattle that you have full spectrum lighting lamps. 

I currently have a lamp with a full spectrum bulb by the cage, and I have a lamp that we got from IKEA that I am going to put together... let's see if we can all make it out of this Seattle Spring weather together alive.  lol!

CLICK HERE for Dr. Foster's article!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H46owcabAdM&feature=player_embedded

this is a VERY informative video by a vet.

"Chop"

Finally... made some time to get chop all together!

ingredients:

Fresh-Organic
Quinoa
Kale
Red Pepper
Yellow Pepper
Collared Greens
Yellow Squash
Sweet Potato
Radishes

Frozen (used em cause I had them on hand);
Carrots
Yellow Carrots
Broccoli
Caulifolower

Dried;
Oatmeal
Flaxseed

Quinoa

a little bit of this and a little bit of that!

Dexter loves radishes... and yet Cooper hates them!

I was lucky enough to have a friend let me borrow her Rachel Ray food processor, and without it a couple hours would have been turned into an entire days worth of work.

This small batch of chop yields all of this, and it all gets frozen.  This will feed the parrots for a few months, along with their beanie mix, and their daily supplemtental supply of pellets.

cooper demanding a head rub...

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Cuddling with Cooper

Now as you know some birds are much more likely to be lovey dovey.  Dexter however really isn't one of those, however we had a little triumph last night.  Cooper got pretty cuddly with Eric and myself, and we let the boys hang out on the couch , and see what kind of interaction they would have.  They did what they seem to be doing... ingoring and tolerating one another.  We really aren't in a hurry to get them buddy buddy, we actually just want them to respect one another at the least, and not turn the living room into Thunder Dome.  "Two men enter, one man leave"...

Their cages are almost next to one another, and Cooper is now sleeping pretty well through the night in his sleep/travel cage.  They get on average about ten to twelve hours a night.  I wish I was lucky enough to get that kind of sleep... lol!

New chapters...

well... where should i start?  Survived another weekend of sports, and interesting customers.  I was a little worried about how Shasta would be at home, and if he would even really notice that I was gone.  I had alot to think about during the weekend.  Mostly where I would take Shasta's training.  One thing that we decided is that because we know someone who has the same name, and there was a rather negative persona with this person, we decided to change Shasta's name.  I wanted something that seemed to fit his personality, and would be easier in the transition.  After juggling ideas around, we have decided to re-name him Cooper, also it was one of the suggestions that he responded to. 

When changing any animals name, it is important to use their old name first, and then follow with the new name.  So for the next few weeks he will be known and ShastaCooper. 

After that was decided (which its stressful to name something that will be with you for a LONGGGGG time) I was happy when his travel cage arrived.  We just ordered an Icrate off of Amazon, it is alot more inexpensive than paying the retail store price.  I add some perched and removable food bowls, and it's instant travel cage!

as you can see, he likes his new digs. 

Tomorrow Cooper gets to go to his first visit with Andrea at Petco, to get his dragon nails and wings clipped!  Dexter is ususally somewhat of an angel when this gets done... however Cooper is a little bit more of a biter, and I am concerned.  I may come out with some blood loss when it is all said and done.  

breakfast anyone?

Someone loves veggies and Beanie mix in the morning!

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dexter has discovered fish

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Day Two...pt.2

After moving Shasta into the dining room (so he may admire Dexter from afar) I played some music while I was doing my daily vaccuming (yes I use my dirt devil every day, I have messy parrots lol).  He loves music, as my last post indicates, and loves to dance.  This was a sign that he is starting to relax in his new environment.  A little sigh of relief is breathed when I start to see the signs this soon.  I however had to look into his cage and see what tools I would need to begin training.  First, there was a circular rope swing, that he sleeps on, and he goes to for cover.  When attempting to get him to step up, he runs there for cover.  He knows he can't be "got".  So that swing came out, and a couple of different size perches went in, along with some new colorful toys, and the classic "swing perch" that african greys love!  This is something I recommend anytime you train a bird.  Rearrange their cage, so they are not too comfortable, and they are not in their standard rut.  Give them new things to experience, and they will no longer view you as a threat, they look at you as the "thing" that is bringing puzzles. 

After getting everything all put together, we are letting him do his thing.  He is perched on his cage, going in and out, seeing what is new, and checking out the room, and lighting.  So much personality in such a little body... I can see where he will be the clown of the family.

I always try and look at every opportunity as a training session.  Well the opportunity pounced, Shasta was playing hide and seek around the cage and wouldn't go in... then took flight into my bedroom.  I decided to take the opportunity to make it a training session.  I had Eric grab the parrot stand and bring it into the bedroom.  I grabbed a dowel, and picked Shasta up, and got him on the stand.  Then it was on to "step up" training.  Eric brought me some tiny yogurt treats, and i put my forearm towards his breast bone... he struck me.  I will say it went into a firm pinch, which is what I expected.  You can't have a good training session, without at least one strike.
After a short fifteen minute training, and a dozen step ups, we went on a little walk around the house.  I gave him the grand tour, and placed him back into his cage.  He seemed proud in a way, like he knew he did good. 

Progress!

Ever seen a Congo groove?

I know that alot of us have "hidden" talents, but Shasta brings a cute one to the table.  Even though its the second day, he has warmed up a little, and showing some of his personality.  Here's a sample...

Day Two... pt.1

Well I have to say, Shasta LOVES my bean mix, I also steamed some veggies, blended them a bit, and mixed in for a healthy breakfast.  It gives me pride to see a bird eat my healthy birdie treats, unlike picky dexter who will nibble. 
Things last night went well, he gradually got over his attempts to strike while walking by the cage (which is normal for a new frightened bird).  We watched some television, and I covered him before Dexter (this gives Dex the alpha big dog feeling, kinda like the older brother). 

This morning I uncovered Dexter and gave him reassurance he was still the captain of the ship, and did a little bonding time, then uncovered Shasta and let him have his alone time, while he woke up.  I was told he is not a morning bird, and I can relate, it's all how you get woken up.  I am a cranky mutha if you don't wake me up correctly.  I took a few snap shots...

Our New Addition Comes Home

Shasta our new addition has been here for a few hours... and at the recommendation of a few people he is in the bedroom, for a day or so, just to lay low, and get the feel of the house.  You know that "not so at ease" feeling you have when you move, I think that's something that parrots kind of go through when they are subject to a new environment. 

So far Shasta has made some interesting sounds, I was told a few, so I knew what to expect... but it's definitely a good sign that he is not cowering in the corner of his cage.  However, he is a little territorial over his cage, Dexter was the same way, so I am not really worried about it. 

Speaking of Dexter, he knows there is something up, and I actually took him into the bedroom for a peak, so he would know there was another bird in the house.  At first I didnt think he was phased, but he was a tad pouty sitting in a corner of his cage that I never see him in.  I have him in the window right now basking in some sun... distractions are important to keep from over stressing.

I gave the "boys" some steamed veggies, and bean mix... Dexter of course picks what he wants out of everything... but the verdict is still out on Shasta.  Shas will probably be limited to what he eats the first 24 hours... and is going to rally through the motions, just to figure out what is going on. 

I have to admit that I was SOOOOO excited the past few days, and I think to be honest, I am feeling the adrenaline crash of the experience, and I may just let the boys, and myself take a little nap this afternoon.  Today is all about rest and relaxation, and coming into sorts.  Later this evening I am going to get a book and read to the boys individually, for a little one on one time.  Also, it gives me a reason to try and get back into my reading groove... I am very much a wait for DVD person, so let's see how this goes.  haha!

our new congo addition!

Our new addition will be delivered tomorrow morning, thanks to Elaine and James for sending this adorable picture!!

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