Update no. 2 on Mickey and Mal

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Hi guys. I've been popping in and out reading threads but this is the first opportunity I've had to post anything and I thought you all might like to know how my two orphans are doing.

We had a wonderful breakthrough a couple of nights ago. Mal, who was out climbing around on the cage, decided to check out my Hubby. Jack was thrilled when he climbed onto his arm and checked him out! It didn't last but for just a minute or two. Jack's arm got a bit tired from holding it out with the bird on it, and when he tried to gently move it to a more comfortable position, Mal nailed him and ran off his arm and back to the cage but it was amazing that he even attempted to do it at all. He's done it once more since then, and as long as Jack doesn't move, he stays.

Also the AV ok'd me intergrating with the others, so we've been moving their cage into the room with the girls for a couple of hours everyday. The girls of course are delighted to have more parrot-sibs to talk with, and Mickey and Mal seem to have shown a remarkable improvement in temperment since we started. They've been less hostile and much calmer. I've been working them into the room longer and longer each day, and plan to try them out for all day and overnight this weekend.

Feathers are spotty, but definately growing back in, and no signs of plucking at all unless they are doing it to the other one. But I have noticed they seem less tolerant of this behavior from each other than they were. Mickey got quite put out with Mal recently when Mal removed a head feather and I've seen Mal nipping at Mickey for the same. Perhaps this self destructive behavior is at an end. At any rate, I believe we'll have to see another molt or two before they are 'decently covered' but they already look much better, if a bit 'ratty'.

In other news, Sam and Simon are still here, as well as their canine sibs. I think my friend Dave is falling into a depression or something, he doesn't seem to be looking for a place as hard as he was before, and he hasn't even begun to make plans for rebuilding his house. I as well as the friend who is fostering his Toos have threatened to claim the birds as our own by possesion rights if he doesn't do something soon. THe more these two boys are with us, the more in love we all fall with them, especially since they love to play with the children as well as us. Lola is our only parrot who does this. Bonnie wouldn't dream of it, and while Sunny and Hannah are tolerant of the boys, *playing* is out of the question. So anyway, its a matter of if they are here much longer, he may have to fight us for them. LOL. The dogs too, although its costing me a mint in dogfood and I can't go three feet without tripping over someone or someone blocking my way.

My grandmother is in the hospital again, due to complications with her surgery, so her two cats are here again. Not that I even notice them in all the fray from 850 lbs of dog and 8 large birds about. Poor girls don't know what to think when they come from my g'ma's nice quiet house to my loud madhouse. They are definately afraid of the birds now though, lol.

I have so loved the convience of the double cage I have Mickey and Mal in and the one Dave sent me for Sam and Simon, I ordered two more for the girls. I'm going to rearrange things a bit when they get here and put one double cage in each corner of the room. I haven't decided if I want to sell my singles or keep them, just in case. (Lord help me, the just in case better not be another bird!)

Oh, and Aunt Meg and the Little Sun Conure Chip are getting on marvolously. Meg says he does get a bit on the loud side, but she's found if she talks to him when he starts winding up that he'll settle right down. So that's worked out well for all concerned.

Anyway, wanted to let everyone know about the steps we're taking and the progress made on M&M. And I'm still working on pictures!

[Rue]

I'm so happy they're settling in so well!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!

[The Outlaw]

I just love reading this thread. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Can you post photos of the GWs? I'd love to follow their transformation. You have the biggest heart.Kudos!

[Spinnergirl]

I can not even imagine what it must be like in your house...silence must be something to be treasured, and I hope at some point in the day they all settle down and nap...I hoping that happens anyways!!!

That sure sounds like a very busy house are the Too's loud?? When the birds all start sqwaking do the dogs chime in??

Keep us posted, glad your Mal and Mickey are doing better :)

[OwnedbyMacaws]

I'm working on it Outlaw. I know it sounds like a cop out, but I really really am having a hard time finding time to go buy a new digital. I want to go into the nearest large town and buy a good one, but it's hard to get away.

[OwnedbyMacaws]

It's not really as bad as it sounds. The dogs stay outdoors most of the day, or at least until the kids get home, unless it's time to eat, when they stay underfoot and my hubby has them all trained to find a seat and get still if they choose to stay in the living room, and I either have the laziest or the sleepiest cats in the world because they mostly sleep all the time. They get active in the evening hours, but when the house gets quiet, they mostly do too. The birds chatter all day with each other but rarely get really loud. But yes, when one does, they all tend to. The birds are by far the noisest of all of them all though. I do admit I spend at least two hours every morning feeding, watering, cleaning cages, tanks (2 at the moment), litter boxes and pooper scooping though.

Sam and Simon are macaws, I don't have the Toos, another friend is keeping them.

[willowbirdy218]

Thanks for the update! It seems like they are settling in nicely! I am so happy to hear of their improvements. You are doing such a good job with them! Please continue to update us every now and then on their progress.

[Rue]

Two hours isn't bad, given how much cleaning I know there must be...you have it streamlined...

We've all split up chores so we're lucky:

We take turns looking after feeding the horses; hubby does them in the mornings, kids do them at night, I do them when no one else can, and of course when we ride, we each look after our own mount We also all look after the various barn (working) cats that come and go.

10 year old checks the snake and gives her water, looks after Raffi, and feeds the dogs (dry food, easy to do).

13 year old feeds the cats, looks after her finches, 'tiels and anoles, cleans and feeds the Guinea pigs, and feeds Speckles the Lonely Goldfish.

15 year old feeds the dogs if the 10 year old can't. Sounds like he's getting off easy, but he does the bulk of the farm chores along with hubby...so the rest of us pick up the less physical indoor stuff...

I look after my 4 birds, the tropical fish tank, change the kitty litter,feed and clean the snake, groom dogs and act as 'house doctor' for any minor ailments or routine care such as vaccinating the horses, worming, soaking snakes during sheds, etc....

Oh yeah...and I clean, clean, clean!

[Regina U.]

Glad they are getting better and things are going well.

I am sorry to hear your grandmother had to go back into the hospital. I pray that your grandmother will be better soon!



Regina

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Sounds like you have it streamlined too! I have to keep on a schedule here or I'd never get everything done. And the boys do help, but they are just 7 and 8 and not old enough to do some of it. Plus it's just easier if I do it sometimes.

Generally I start at 5 with a quick shower and then I get everyone in the house up and let the animals out of their crates. Then I make the rounds with food and water for everyone, and then I get breakfast for the humans, LOL. Then I clean up after breakfast, make sure the kids have brushed their teeth and whatnot and get them out the door for school. Then I make the rounds cleaning cages, vacuuming out the bottom of the fish tanks, clean the litter boxs (4), and go out in the yard to pooper scoop so it doesn't build up. As long as I don't get distracted and there are no unforseen circumstances, I can do it in two hours.

Then I usually spend a couple more on normal housework. I usually run my daily errands around 10 am, and get home by 11 or 11:30. I grab a bite to eat and then I work from 12 till 4. At least, when I am not busy with other stuff like vet visits and AV visits and what have you.

Then the kids are home and I make sure homework gets done and they get to whatever after school activity they have. (they play some form of ball or swim year round, and they both have music lessons, scouts, and children's choir) we're usually home by 6:30 and if I haven't thrown a meal in the crockpot or a casserole in the oven (which I generally do) I fix something quick and then its on to baths and whatever we're reading. THe boys do do almost all the brushing of dogs and cats though. Its a job I hate.

The animals go to bed when the boys do, at 9pm, and that's when I collapse in the chair and wind down before bed. I have a couple of TV shows I watch religiously (24, Lost, and The OC) and I generally hit the sack around 10:30 or 11pm.

Saturdays are usually full for us too. One Saturday a month we wash dogs. One Saturday a month we wash cats (what fun!!!LOL) and one saturday a month we REALLY wash down cages and break the fish tanks down and clean them good. The kids really are a big help with those.

Hubby doesn't do much though, now that I think about it. He cuts the grass and hedges every other week, takes out the garbage a couple of times a week, and will run the cars through the car wash about once a month. Hmmm, maybe I ought to delagate some more stuff to him...LOL. I'm sure he'd claim going off to work everyday to support us exempts him though.