HI BIRD LOVERS!!
My whole page got erased because it said I didn't have a title and it did!
I'm from phx AZ. I'm the proud mom of KYLE, a 15yr old female Umbrella Cockatoo. An abused, neglected rescue, feather chewer and still hater of men, but working at that! She is finally learning to play basketball, and 20oz plastic bottle hockey/bottle toss and chase! ( I LOVE THE WADDLE RUN)
She is a junk food junkie. I'm now cooking her meals of rices and types of beans, the only fruits, orange and grapes. She prefers hemp and safflower. I think I tried EVERY cereal. She wastes them. WILL starve and is underweight. I have to force her to eat. She would rather be with me 24/7 and would love to sleep in bed snuggling me.
I will re-type my intro later. I have to go to the dr appt. I'm disabled so she has become my best friend. I'm an animal rights activist. Kyle is starting her own page at
Kyle | MySpace.com. I just started it. There will be tons if info, links and petition links world-wide to things I think we should all be aware of.
I have a HUGE problem with GRAIN BEETLES, flour and confused are the worst. Carpet and drugstore beetles and on occasion INDIAN MOTHS. I have done all Ican think of. I have 24yr old carpet I am trying to get rid of. Hope that helps. Outside bug guy said they are also coming in from the massive beehive in my roof, eating dead pupa and honey! I also worry about poison around my guinea pigs, cats and dogs. I do animal rescues and foster too.
I believe I have tried everything to stop Kyle's feather chewing. It seems to be a comfort thing for her, similar to thumb sucking. She won't do it when she is out with me, she has GREATLY improved in the 2 1/2 yrs we have been together. The next 2 things the vet said were, sweater, or flight suit, but I'm scared she will get worse with her finally growing primarys and tail feathers. A collar, which I know she'd hate. I can barely bathe her, she thinks I'm murdering her, spray bottles were used as punishment by one of her three past owners to get her to be quiet, when you hear the conditions she was found in, you will all want the address~
I had a hard time holding myself back physically and verbally. I'm just happy I got all the birds OUT. :)
Prozac has been suggested. Anyone have any luck? She seems to do it to get my attention, which has never worked, I don't punish or acknowlegde it at all. I don't believe in that. Parrots are too smart sometimes. I found out she could even pick her padlocks by listening to the clicks. After her third nighttime escape and plucking HER off my husband's back, I discovered keylocks! She still hates men, but they get along great if she is caged. They have nightly tummy rubs now! She has not bitten me in a year and 1/2. Boy do I have scars! She is improving. She loves me too much, probably, and it's mutual! They call them the VELCRO BIRD for a reason! She is the best thing to ever happen to me. I don't recommend them to anyone who dosen't have the time they require. If you do. They give so much love!
Last question. PLEASE remind everyone. NON-STICK cookware can be deadly to parrots! I am even confused between HARD ANODIZED ALUMINUM and HARD ANODIZED. Get stainless steel. If anyone can clear all the confusion on this, please do. I got an e-mail from another bird place about yet another feathered friends death, I can't imagine how many just wound up on the ground for seemingly no reason. I would feel awful if mine died simply because this isn't widely known. I can't use the brand name that kills. I did read the short thread on it here though. It still seemed a bit confusing.
THANKS FOR THE GREAT SITE!
I look forward to hearing from any of you!
SINCEREST BEST WISHES AND HAPPY HEALTHY BIRDS!
LAUREN AND KYLE
