Davey and Bing go to the Vets.

[Tom Lawless]

Davey and Bing had their fist appointment with their new avian vet. She is great and has a wonderful reputation. She is about 40 minutes from us but that's nothing if it means going to someone who knows what she is doing.

The boys weighed in at 130g and 395g respectively and got a clean bill of health. I asked her about Dave's broken feathers and the black marks on them. I thought they were caused by the friction in her cozy tent. She doesn't think so. She said that the black marks are stress marks formed during the development of the feather. She said it can be a sign something is wrong but Dave's health looks good and she thinks all we be fine with his next molt. I still think it might be the tent so he might not get it back yet even though he loves it and won't use the new, larger one I bought him.

She told me Bing's feather pattern (?) was the best she had ever seen on a young or adult grey. I brag about that like it is to my credit.

She recommended I use Ott full spectrum lighting, especially for Bing. I'm going to check my shop to see if they have them. If not I will order it online.

She told me not to worry too much about Dave hating Bing. She said that it is good for him to be around another bird even if they don't appear to get along. There has been a little progress in that regard. Bing can get closer before Dave lunges at him. Bing is also thinking of lunging back. I am like a referee when we are all on the couch watching t.v. at night.

Oh yeah, Bing got a few wing feathers clipped. She was happy to hear he was flying and landing well until I told her he could fly in circles around the room. She is afraid he will hurt himself. I think she is right. He is strong and still a little baby clumsy. He can still fly but he no longer gets lift.

That's about it.

[Freedomoflight]

Thanks for keeping us posted on your beautiful babies!

[AndreaSctlnd]

I am so glad they are doing so well.

Tom, how old is Davey? I wonder when they will learn to love one another...lol

[Tom Lawless]

Davey is not even a year old. He was born on September 9th. I think there is hope. Last night we were watching t.v. and the two got very close while I was petting them. Dave did eventually lash out but might have tried to do a little preening (I'm not sure if it was that or he was setting up for a big mouthful of feathers to bite).

[KimM]

Tom. That is great! Even though we know they're healthy, it's feels so good to know it for sure.

[AndreaSctlnd]

I am sure they are going to be the best of friends. I just hope when I get mine, he and sunny will be friends.

[shibatimes3]

Tom, just out of curiousity.... how many feathers are clipped on Bing... Zoe has 4 on each side and she flys around and around... I am afraid she is going to hit something... however, I have been told that 5 is too many......

[Tom Lawless]

I'll have to count and get back to you. I bet it is four or five. He really was flying well. I kind of wish he still could. Sometimes when he saw me on my couch he'd get excited and fly right over and land on me. If I was sleeping before the landing it quickly woke me up. He's got some heft to him compared to Davey. I also bought him window perches he would fly to and land on that he hasn't used since. I will probably have to get him ladders so that he can still enjoy them. For all of that he doesn't seem to be at all upset so I guess that's a good thing.

[kellywess]

Tom, please dont take Daveys Happy Hut away if he likes it so much. If he is that young those stress marks are perfectly normal and will go away. Most baby birds have them for obvious reasons as well as birds that have been re-homed, moved and/or mistreated. It is very common for baby birds. My 3 month old Blue Crowned Conure has them. Its is nothing to worry about. I would hate to see Davey lose his little hut. My Hahns Dewey doesnt like his. I am happy everyone is good. Take Care

[Tom Lawless]

Kelly, thank you for that assurance. I wish the vet had told me that it was common in baby birds. I bought him a larger tent, fake fur instead of fleece, and he won't go near it. I even put some sunflower seeds in it and he still won't bother with it after two weeks. His favorite will go back in tomorrow after he wakes up. I've felt so bad taking it from him.

What the vet did tell me is that the first sign of 'tent aggression' or if he starts to make a nest inside of it I have to remove it. She said I can't let him start something that can never be (or something like that). So far it's not been a problem. Unless he has taken himself to bed he is more than happy to jump out of it to come see me (It's nice to be loved).