Basil has been reunited with the lovie flock. I'm happy with the decision. She and her friend/mate (who knows really) are repaired and Cilantro and his mate are still snuggly as well.
I feel like the past few weeks have flown by. So much has happened. So much happiness and heartbreak.
I got some pics that I will post soon of the lovie clan, and I have been making new toys that I hope they will love (they go through tearing toys like MAD! They love them!), I hope to have some time after work tomorrow to spend with them.
I'm very sure that Basil's issues were from outside causes and not illnesses so I am preparing for Cookie's arrival. Im going out of state at the end of the month to spend time with family, it will be awesome if he comes before then! I want to spend some time with him!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Basil
Basil is looking much better. She still sometimes seems to take deep breaths but she has been eating her fruits and veggies and drinking well, staying active and generally looking like a perfectly healthy bird. I'm pretty sure that the issue was the insecticide and I'm glad she seems to be recovering. I think she will rejoin the other lovies in the flight soon.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
NOT good.
Within a week of having the budgie pair, we lost the cock. Not entirely sure of the cause, as we've hit a very hard time financially and couldn't afford a necropsy. I rehomed the hen and disclosed what had happened. I still have one male budgie, Junior, that I kept with the intention of taming him and having him as a pet, and he looks fabulous and is very active.
So, cue insane cleaning of equipment, OCD-esque washing of hands, and even further quarantine of all birds. All was well for a few days and then I noticed Basil having a rough time breathing.
Immediately separated her from the flock, examined her, got her warm and hydrated and fed and watched her. I am fairly sure now that she is female, I checked to make sure she wasn't eggbound and felt the "stretchy gape" lovie breeders describe when trying to determine the sex of their birds. She looks great in the mornings and then looks rather ill in the evenings... on the perch or on the floor of her cage with tail bobbing with each breath and a bit puffed looking.
Of course I learned that my complex had not only sprayed for insects (uh, what insects?) but had also had the grass cut with a ride on mower that my neighbor said reeked of gas. Fabulous. I am supposed to have warning if they do either of these off schedule, and the birds are kept inside during maintenance.
I'm sure you can imagine how upset and angry I am.
So Junior is currently residing in our room, Kiwi in the second bedroom, and the lovies exclusively outside. Sanitary scrubs are in the bathroom between the two rooms, showers are taken, and the birds are not being handled much at all right now for obvious reasons. I really hope that the sprays and fumes are the reason for Basil's illness and I hope she recovers, and not that we have a respiratory illness on our hands.
Cookie's homecoming is yet again delayed, and we are on lockdown.
So, cue insane cleaning of equipment, OCD-esque washing of hands, and even further quarantine of all birds. All was well for a few days and then I noticed Basil having a rough time breathing.
Immediately separated her from the flock, examined her, got her warm and hydrated and fed and watched her. I am fairly sure now that she is female, I checked to make sure she wasn't eggbound and felt the "stretchy gape" lovie breeders describe when trying to determine the sex of their birds. She looks great in the mornings and then looks rather ill in the evenings... on the perch or on the floor of her cage with tail bobbing with each breath and a bit puffed looking.
Of course I learned that my complex had not only sprayed for insects (uh, what insects?) but had also had the grass cut with a ride on mower that my neighbor said reeked of gas. Fabulous. I am supposed to have warning if they do either of these off schedule, and the birds are kept inside during maintenance.
I'm sure you can imagine how upset and angry I am.
So Junior is currently residing in our room, Kiwi in the second bedroom, and the lovies exclusively outside. Sanitary scrubs are in the bathroom between the two rooms, showers are taken, and the birds are not being handled much at all right now for obvious reasons. I really hope that the sprays and fumes are the reason for Basil's illness and I hope she recovers, and not that we have a respiratory illness on our hands.
Cookie's homecoming is yet again delayed, and we are on lockdown.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Budgie Fundraiser
Arizona Budgie Club
Annual Auction Fund Raiser
Around 100 birds will be offered from top Arizona Champions & Breeders.
Date: October 17th
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Mesa Womens Club Hall on the NW corner of Second Street and
MacDonald Drive in Mesa
Contact: Scott Bloom, 623-936-9272
Annual Auction Fund Raiser
Around 100 birds will be offered from top Arizona Champions & Breeders.
Date: October 17th
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Mesa Womens Club Hall on the NW corner of Second Street and
MacDonald Drive in Mesa
Contact: Scott Bloom, 623-936-9272
Friday, October 2, 2009
Flight Cage
I got a nice big flight cage for the porch, it fits perfectly in the window. I decided to combine the lovies since they seemed to be getting along. They are doing well, but Basil pines for Kiwi. He clings to the side of the cage nearest the window so he can see and talk to her. Even when the other lovies come to preen him, he ignores them in favor of the conure. How FUNNY... a lovebird in love with a green cheek!
I will get pictures soon. Cookie will also be on his way shortly. I don't think I'm going to make the bird mart in Tucson. I would like to, but in the end I just need toys so I might as well just go to the new store for supplies (the lovies ADORE my homemade toys but Kiwi is not impressed LOL) and save myself the gas.
Sometime this week my English Budgie pair should arrive and from the sounds of it they will go directly to nest when they settle. I'm not too sure on the age of the lovies so we will see if we get lovie babies this year or no, two of them are awful cuddly so I'll stick a nest box in there and see if they show any interest in it.
I will get pictures soon. Cookie will also be on his way shortly. I don't think I'm going to make the bird mart in Tucson. I would like to, but in the end I just need toys so I might as well just go to the new store for supplies (the lovies ADORE my homemade toys but Kiwi is not impressed LOL) and save myself the gas.
Sometime this week my English Budgie pair should arrive and from the sounds of it they will go directly to nest when they settle. I'm not too sure on the age of the lovies so we will see if we get lovie babies this year or no, two of them are awful cuddly so I'll stick a nest box in there and see if they show any interest in it.
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