Yet another board newbie

[Kachina]

Hello all. A little bit about me.. I'm 30, and live in WV with my fiance. I drive a truck for a living, and basically enjoy anything that has to do with animals or the outdoors. I'm so happy I found this board, and wanted to introduce myself and say hi.

My animals are basically my children. I give them the best care I can and love them all to bits. I have numerous bettas (I raise them), and 5 koi - like scaly little puppies.

I always had a parakeet growing up, and I'm a lover of the little birds. I recently got myself 2 canaries, and can't believe I never found these gorgeous little ones before now. Sitting in the breeder's kitchen, the ASC I brought home with me that day brought tears to my eyes with his song. Maybe I'm just crazy, but it moved me. I named him Maestro. The other one (my first one) I got at my local pet store. I know that's a bad thing, believe me...I'm sickened when I go into those places because they keep bettas in those tiny little filthy cups. GRRR! But I ramble.. lol This time of year it's hard to find canaries and the local pet store had them so I got this one. After handing over the $100 (eek!), they informed me that I could "bring it back in 7 days if it didn't sing". Wow, they charge twice as much for "males", and then can't even gaurantee it *is* a male when you buy. Something wrong with that. But back to the story. Brought it home, and put it into a nice, large cage with some little toys and just about everything a bird that size could ever want. 3 days later, still no song. Just a cheep here and there. I've tried it all, too. Nothing works. I'm pretty much convinced the bird is female. Named her Cricket for her peeping. =) It's never crossed my mind to take her back. I can't do it. She's so happy here with all the room to move, clean water always, fresh veggies, and someone to actually sit and talk to her. My heart won't let me return her. Am I nuts?

I went through a local breeder for my second bird. I had no intention of getting a second bird when I started, but I wanted one that would sing and I'm not about to take Cricket back to that store. I got to listen to his ASC males and pick the one with the song I liked best. He was very nice, and is a credit to this breed. He offered advice and answered every question I have. So now I'm blessed with 2 feathery little bundles of happiness calling back and forth through my house. I even watch less tv because I like to just sit and listen.. Good for the soul indeed!

Wonderful to see so many other bird lovers here, and I hope I can be of some use. Nice to meet all of you.

[fatma]

Hello Kachina, nice to meet you too.welcome to the board.

[birdyland]

Welcome indeed! Thank you for keeping the female :-} You're definitely not nuts!

[Crebain]

Not nuts. Comparitively speaking, anyway.

Can canaries be hand tamed?

[Kachina]

If I understand correctly, they can be hand tamed with patience. I'd visited Cricket several times in the store over the course of a month and she's always hopped over to me and seems interested in people so I'll start with her. She'll never be a cuddler, but I'd be happy to just have her sit on a finger.

Got a pic of her yesterday afternoon. She was drowsing on her perch and it was so cute so I grabbed the camera.

[LivingFiction]

What a cutie. I love canaries. Welcome to the board!

[Kachina]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

Yes, my avatar is one of my bettas, and thanks! He doesn't flare as much in his old age, but he was always the easiest fish I ever took pics of. He'd flare and hover instead of wiggling around like all the others.

I'm beginning to get GW envy, Michael. I've been following the story and can't wait for you guys to finally bring your new baby home. You must be so excited!

[ParakeetLover92]

Hello, I hope u have a wonderful time at Bird Board, I'm kinda new to lol. Well the people at bird borad are very nice and are very helpful. They can help with any thing u need to now. Hope u have a good time here at Bird Board!

Alicia

[LivingFiction]

Originally Posted by Kachina

I'm beginning to get GW envy, Michael. I've been following the story and can't wait for you guys to finally bring your new baby home. You must be so excited!

And your avatar is giving me Betta envy!!! I've always loved Bettas, and been sad I couldn't have a big tank full of them. I used to have a tank that mounted right to the wall and was housed in a picture frame. So I would put pictures of The Grand Canyon, or The Moon behind it and people always commented when they saw my baby swim across. My room used to be a zoo when I was younger, snakes, lizards, birds, fish, rats, it was madness. I'm trying really hard not to let that happen again.

We are very excited. About 30 hours from now!

[Monica]

Bettas sure are gorgeous! We've got one ourselve, however I hate the thing it's in (one of those large vases... came with a lily... uck!). I would prefer to get something that has more floor space, and is easier to clean (but not petite like those tiny tanks they sell!). He was an unexpected Christmas gift as he nearly died in a store because it just got too cold in there (and they were going to flush him down the toilet since he appeared dead)...

Anyway, I've always been fascinated with bettas and have read that they are quite interesting to breed! Your's must be gorgeous by looking at your 'old man'! Welcome to Bird Board!