I'm so, SO sad!

[smiler]

Here's the story....

My mothers co-worker has owned an African Grey for about 11 years now... She's kind of a friend of the family, and in prepairing for my baby grey I've been making birdy bread, grains and bean mixes, etc. for the freezer. Well, I gave some to my mom to give to our friend to see if her grey likes it, and the next day my mom tells me that she got a call on her cell before she got to work that our friend's grey loved the birdy bread so much that he ate the whole thing (I was like, wow, because it should've been 3 days worth), and was searching for any leftover remnants on the cage floor. Anyways, today I made some pelleted birdy bread (almost specifically for her grey, but so that mine will have a variety too) and took it to her house (it's been years and years since I've been there), as well as some more of the other bread, plus some of the bean, grain, pasta, veggie mix for her freezer. When I seen her bird, I could not believe the living conditions that her grey was living in! It was SO sad. I didn't even know what to say! The cage looked like an old school canary cage... rounded top... it looked to be only 20 inches in diameter, but maybe 40" tall? But no grate at the bottom, no newspaper, droppings everywhere, no toys... only a dishtowel. I asked her why he didn't have any toys, and she said that he chews them up!!! She said that she only keeps the dishtowel in there because it's the only thing he doesn't chew! ( It's probably the only thing he's perceiving love from!) It was obvious that she keeps him in that cage all day... she said that he crawls around on top sometimes.... but no playstands or anything like that. I asked her why no playstands... and she's like, I get tired of looking at "bird stuff" everywhere!!! She said in the summer time she clips his wings and takes him to hang out by the pool.... His beak was overgrown too, I'm sure from lack of things to chew. AGHHHH! So, so sad.... She's so wrapped up in her "problems" in life, and isn't taking care of the loved ones around her!!! It's obviouse that the bird loves her.... How could I go about telling her she needs to do something without overstepping boundrys with her.... I'm going to start making her bird some toys, and tell her if he chews them up in ONE day, to just give me back the hardware so I can refill it. I'm so lost, is there any other way to help this bird, or help her see that she's neglecting her grey without over stepping boundarys? What should I tell her... I know something really needs to be said....

[tielfan]

I'd say you're off to a really good start already! Maybe you could wait until the bird has shredded the first toy, then comment on how happy this makes parrots because it satisfies a natural instinct and also helps keep their beaks in good condition. You can also mention that a lot of behavioral research is being done on pet parrots to find out what their needs are, and how nowadays we know a lot more about keeping them happy and healthy than we used to. Many people learn how to take care of a bird when they first get it and don't keep looking for information after that, so it's not her fault if the recommendations have changed since she first got the bird. I don't actually know what the standards were 10 years ago but I'm pretty sure that she's violating them left and right, but there's no need to mention that.

You didn't say what kind of diet the bird gets, but I'd guess that it's probably pretty bad, so you could also talk about how the diet recommendations for birds have changed and how the importance of a balanced, varied diet is now understood. (Seriously - I started owning birds back in the "let them eat seeds" era and it was only about a year ago that I found out that the recommendations are vastly different now.)

One other thing that you might want to do is keep an eye on the ads in the local paper, looking for somebody who's selling a more suitable cage at a dirt-cheap price. If you find one you can tell her about it and how it would make the bird SOOO much happier, even offering to buy it yourself if you're willing to go that far.

The bird loves her. But does she love it? If her response to getting some info on better bird care is "Meh, who cares" then you might want to ask if she'd be interested in putting it up for adoption. If you don't want to take the bird on yourself you could look for a local bird club or parrot rescue that could help it find a better home.

Good luck!

[featherduster]

Tielfan you have said it best..:)

I also think it's great you are willing to help smiler!!

[Monica]

As far as overgrown beak, I doubt that's from not having enough toys, to be honest... In 6+ years and being fed a seed only diet, birds often get liver or kidney problems among an array of other health problems caused by seeds only. This bird more than likely needs to see an avian vet to get checked out and see what IS wrong with the poor thing. If she's willing to listen you might be able to help her help the bird out... but some people aren't so willing to change...

Case in point, I knew of a pair of tiels... female died and I was given the male (who I later rehomed). They were given another pair (before the first female died) where-in the male later died (I suspect from starvation or dehydration as they were fed sunflower seeds whenever anyone remembered to change it, which consisted of dumping the old seed on the cage bottom and refilling-the water dish was muck...). I reported them to animal control, had someone go out and talk over the birds health and what can be done to make things better..... Owner seemed responsive, but did anything change? No.... and last I had heard they were planning on buying another cockatiel.

If you can make a change in this greys life, I wish you the best of luck in doing so! And the best of luck to the grey, too!

[felisdomesticus]

good luck in attempting to make this poor bird's life better. You are doing a wonderful thing.

[smiler]

Thanks everyone for the support.... Tielfan, I think you basically said it about how bird care has changed in the past 10 years. I know that he's on seed, but she does at least give him mixed veggies.... I'm going to have to call and pester her, or her kids (they're older), to get the beans mix, and bread out of the freezer to give to the grey.

Monica, that's good to know that it's probably not from lack of toys that his break is overgrown.

I know that she takes him to a vet to have his beak trimmed... so I'm going to try and talk to her about having needed tests run on him next time she takes him... and also try to talk her into taking him to an avian vet. (I know she probably takes him to our local vet, whom doesn't really know diddaly about birds)

The cage she has for him she probably has chosen for the "furniture appearance". I was shocked when I seen the current cage, because when I was younger, when she first got the grey, I remember her having a nice square cage for him. For that, I'm going to give her one of my Bird Talk magazines... she would be the one likely to make the purchase for one of those cages that looks like a piece of furniture. And if anything, maybe she'll see a playstand in the mag that she likes? I'm hoping to talk her into getting a playstand for him, and keeping it in the closet when she doesn't use it since she's "sick of seeing bird stuff". I'm going to tell her that it might lessen his aggressiveness about getting out of his cage area if she has a playstand for him to hang out on. He really is a very good bird, he's just territorial over his cage, and it's completely understandable why!!! The other thing I remember in hindsight now is she had no perches for him.... a metal swing, and his food bowls to perch on.... SO SAD!! This is going to be so hard talking to her, but I think that perhaps she just "doesn't know". I know that she's never read any books on him, or anything..... Well, I'm gonna try my best... and if anything at least he'll be getting some good birdy breads and mixes from me when I make them for my freezer!!!!

[homebird]

... or similar bird info & chatting, as you have a common interest - or at least she used to have an interest in the fid. Bird knowledge & care are so much more ‘available’ than they were, even a short while ago – for many of us. She might really like the mags.

If she's stressed - perhaps a re-kindly of play & interaction might pull her out of it & she will find joy in him again. Her Grey must be a great bird to have put up with so much. I think it was meant to be, that you went over there. I couldn't have left this alone either & I'm very happy you're doing something.

I have a similar problem with my parents - as the caregiver helps with the fids - its very hap-hazard. I just keep telling them stories & showing pictures. A friend recently gave us a used (bigger but cheaper) cage & I'm going to clean it & re-house the Tiels into it, but as their daughter I can take such aggressive steps. If you tell her that a more modern cage would really look great (show some flyers) & beautify the space she might like that(?) too.
As a friendly gesture ~ invite her over to see your new fid, etc, & let her see the difference – it could/will be an eye-opener.

[smiler]

I've thought of inviting her over too, to see all the neat-o stuff I have for my baby. (Who knew that buying birdy stuff would be more exciting than jewelry at this point in my life, lol!) But, should I be worried about her coming over and touching my bird if her bird has not been to the vet for tests in years, if ever? (I know he's been for filing his beak, but no tests.) Or is it safe to "assume" that if her bird had something he would show signs of it by now? I hate to be overprotective, but I don't want my bird catching anything.....

[homebird]

I'd be worried too
- however each time you visit her or a bird store you have to be aware that you & your clothes may transmit viruses. Hygiene is very important - hand washing & clothes changed (when handling strange birds is a must).

Having said that - her bird seems pretty isolated & is unlikely to have anything contagious - that's only my opinion though. Your new bird would be more of a problem to her if she was concerned - maybe.

My friend who has a Jardine, drops off her fid at either of her sister's homes for vacations & they all have fids - they actually enjoy the sleep-overs. So if they're healthy it shouldn't be a problem, just more fun. I haven't any experience with Grey's - just a lot of interest - & I've read that socialisation if very important, so this could develop into something really interesting as well, with any luck.