|
|
|
joti26
Fledgeling
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Location: Northants. UK |
| I want to help Pablo |
 |
|
Since getting my sennie Pico I have learnt loads about bringing up fids but now feel sorry for my aunts amazon Pablo. He inspired me to get Pico! Pablo has had a bit of a chequered history and is quite unpredictable. My Aunt doesn't trust him and although she does her best and he is well looked after I think he could have so much more, as I now know from my short time with Pico! First of all he lives in Spain so I can't really help except with advice. My aunt has no computer access so can't come on here herself. Pablo is about 25 and has lived with her on her own for ten years roughly.
Main Problems:-
Screeching and calling-very loud especially when she is on the phone she can't have a wireless one so has to stay in the hall and there is no door to close so she covers him up. He does screech a lot and calls 'hallo' persistantly when he hears distant voices. Sound carries in the mountains!
He was covered up for long periods when her ex had him due to his screeching. She virtually had to kidnap him to get him back after she found out how he was being neglected. She still covers him when he screeches for too long or too loudly. I don't have that problem with my sennie so not sure what to suggest. I just don't think that is the right thing to do.
Biting, he can be very gentle, he bonded strongly to my son when he was little some years ago, he loves children. He would sit on my sons shoulder (yes I know better now) and was (thankfully) very gentle. But my aunt can't handle him and I certainly wouldn't have tried then. He seems to just turn, I have got quite close to him after a few days but have never really tried that hard because I only see him 2 or 3 weeks a year, he wants a stroke but will then go for a bite. He seems to have a love hate relationship with my aunt but strangely does not appear to have really bonded with her, they seem to just tolerate each other with regard to the handling, I know she loves Pablo but I do think they are both missing out.
His diet I now realise is not good, he has fruit and veg every day but he eats mainly seed and lots of sunflower seeds. My aunt says it is difficult to get good stuff in Spain and I know she could never afford anything like Harrisons so any suggestions to get him off the nuts and seed diet? What else can she feed him on? This will do for starters, any suggestions greatly recieved- oh my aunt can be a bit of a stubborn bird too so I have to tread carefully!!!!  |
Friday November 11, 2005 10:51 pm |
|
|
Parfie
Fledgeling
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 387
Location: Prineville, Oregon, USA |
|
|
|
Hi Joti,
Some kind of pellet is better than no pellet. I have had mine on Zupreem Fruit Flavored for years. While it does have dye, they wouldn't eat anything else, so the Vet and I agreed, we'd rather have them on SOME pellet, than none at all. I'm working on Harrisons right now.. but there ARE cheaper pellets than that, and she could start by trying some of those.
They should be allowed some seed.. I personally have issues with Sunflower Seed.. but other than that.. my Fids get a non-sunflower based mix. Has deyhydrated fruits/veggies in there as well and peanuts too.
Something else that is relatively cheap is to buy the 15 bean soup mixes they have in the grocery store and follow the directions on the package to cook it up. Cook it just until the kidney bean can be pinched open between your thumb and forefinger.
All diet changes must be done slowly.
Screaming. Amazons scream, it's excessive screaming is what your Aunt has. They scream because they aren't getting the attention they need OR because of the 'drama reacion' they get. They scream - we yell... they got attention - because SOME attention - negative or positive is better than No Attention. They scream - we cover - he wins cuz SHE came to the cage. She TAUGHT him (or the Ex did or both did) to scream louder because when THEY couldn't stand it anymore - they came to his cage - bird won. It is the most DIFFICULT thing to do... is to ignore a screaming amazon - THEY ARE LOUD - I have 3!! LOL Lucy has a voice on her that could be heard blocks away.. I swear. The others are loud, but Lucy has a set of pipes. I warn them.. tell them to hush, and that they know better, and sometimes that's enough - they go back to yakking it up.. other times they get into a screamfest and I leave the room and they don't see or hear me say ONE MORE WORD until they have been quiet (not screaming) for a little bit. They then get rewarded with my presence and interaction.
It sounds as tho Pablo may be bonded to men, since he was more gentle with your son, and that your Aunt and Pablo just 'tolerate' each other. Unless she is willing to invest the time - by leaving when he yells, and to start the work necessary to handle him = which will take a lot of work to repair the trust between them, he may need to go to a male home. I wouldn't let him go without first giving it a go though, they do have 10 years together!
I thnk I addressed your concerns. I hope it helped. Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any questions. Chaquita's Mom also is very knowledgeable about Amazons, so maybe she can give you suggestions I didn't think of. Good Luck with the OTHER Stubborn bird - your Aunt LOL |
|
Sunday November 13, 2005 3:40 am |
|
|
|
|
joti26
Fledgeling
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Location: Northants. UK |
Thanks, I kind of knew most of that but I think she needs to hear it from some 'experts'. I know now how important diet is for a parrots health and well being. I can see the results with Pico, I felt so proud when I took him in to the shop I got him from in August today, they couldn't believe how great he looked, his feathers are glowing with irridescance now and much brighter than any of theirs. He was so well behaved and he wasn't one of their easiest when they had him so I gave myself a bit of a pat on the back!
I will probably go to a pet store with her when I next go, to see what she can buy, my guess is that she probably can get some good stuff but hasn't really looked. So like my mother!! God rest her soul |
|
Sunday November 13, 2005 10:43 pm |
|
|
Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10063
|
| Re: I want to help Pablo |
|
|
Joti, as she lives in Spain, can she get other pellet into the country? Perhaps she can order from the Netherlands? I know some good pellets that are said to be organic as well and very reasonably priced. 
How good is your aunt's English? Else you might consider sending her a book about clicker training. It's relatively cheap, just 15 dollars I think? and it can help her a lot..
I am wondering, are his wings clipped?
Also, perhaps she can try to train by pretending she's on the phone, then reward him when he is quiet. (Perhaps combined with clicker training?)
Please keep in mind that I have no experience what so ever with amazons.. |
|
Monday November 14, 2005 11:38 am |
|
|
|
|
Parfie
Fledgeling
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 387
Location: Prineville, Oregon, USA |
I'm not an expert... just owned by Amazons for nearly 10 years. I don't know what makes an expert.. I just learned what worked for me. I hope this helps your Aunt! |
|
Wednesday November 16, 2005 8:00 am |
|
|
joti26
Fledgeling
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Location: Northants. UK |
Thanks that sounds like a good idea pretending to be on the phone. Not sure about the clicker training as I don't know enough about it. I get the general idea because I tried it with my dog years ago but never seemed to have the clicker when I needed it! How is it better than other positive reinforcement. |
|
Wednesday November 16, 2005 6:45 pm |
|
|
|
|
Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
|
|
|
Hello Joti26!! Sorry it took so long to reply. I've been going through a tough time with my hubby breaking his shoulder and me working 2 jobs now, phew, busy busy busy.
I can understand your frustration in wanting to help your aunt. It sounds to me that Pablo isn't getting the attention that he once had and he's starting to rebel. Does she let him out at all during the day? He's probably getting bored. Maybe she could get him some new and different toys to play with and possibly move his cage to get a different view of things. Maybe even rearange his perches. Subtle changes, nothing too drastic as it could scare him. Chaquita is about the same age as Pablo. I'm under the impression when I got her she was 26. She's been around the block a bit and kinda set in her ways but a very well natured bird and loves all the attention she gets. I have found with her that colorful toys are a no no. She perfers natural colors like natural colored wood toys, seisel rope and tan colors. These kind of items dont scare the poop out of her.
As far as food goes, I feed her Kaytee Exact Organic. Your aunt should be able to get this at a local pet store as Kaytee products are very popular and have been around for years. It could take weeks to months to change his diet and seeds and peanuts should only be given as treats. I mean, seed diets wont kill your bird in just a few months or years, BUT, your bird will be less healthy, stressed, become depressed and won't live the expected 80 years that a healthy amazon could live. Just like us, if we eat healthy our whole lives and get plenty of exercise, we could live a very long life with few troubles. Our birds don't really have a choice in the matter how they eat. We decide what they eat and we determine wheather they live a long healthy life. And in some cases that is sad but true.
This is a bit off the subject but I thought it was interresting to share. Pet birds haven't been as popular as having a cat or a dog till now. I had this book given to me by Chaquita's previous owner and the copyright is only 1989. And since I was new to parronting, even though the book was older, I read it. And I laughed at it!! I'm like OMG!!! These so called professionals are idiots!! Get this, they talk about feeding your bird a healthy "seed" diet, that's a no no. Their life expectancy is only 30-40 years, I wonder why  SEED DIET! When training you should only clip one wing! NOT!! They have this picture of a cage that is almost too small for a cockatiel and they call this the proper sized cage for an amazon  It was just funny. Those were just some of the things that really stood out for me. I guess what I'm trying to say is, buy new books if you're gonna research this stuff. The things we know now, in just under 20 years, are far more informative and accurate. |
|
Wednesday November 16, 2005 6:46 pm |
|
|
joti26
Fledgeling
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Location: Northants. UK |
Thanks again. This is the only forum I can rely on to get good advice so thanks peeps. I will get her a couple of books and take Pablo some toys, good advice on the natural ones too. He does freak out at new toys so he hardly has any  So sorry to hear about Hubby hope he is well on the mend, must be very painful! Sounds like you are working like a trojan too, poor you She does let him out sometimes but not sure how often, he isn't clipped so she is worried about him escaping. He does get outside pretty much every day as she wheels his cage outside. I will pass on all the advice and hope it helps. Pico is totally spoilt in comparison!! I know what you mean about the 'advice' from years ago though and sometimes old habits die hard. I have noticed how many in the UK are totally against clipping, I actually don't think I would have got very far with Pico if he hadn't been clipped, actually I think it would have been a disaster! |
|
Wednesday November 16, 2005 7:44 pm |
|
|
|
|
Parfie
Fledgeling
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 387
Location: Prineville, Oregon, USA |
|
|
|
In my opinion only, when you are trying to get into the dominant position with your AMAZON ESPECIALLY - and Almost NECESSARY if Male, THERE IS NO CHOICE on the clipping of wings.
CM - LOL! I remember some of those books! Fortunately for me, I had a GOOD up to speed Avian Vet who set me up with some of the better reading material, though it was 'fun' to see how smart WE had gotten in such a shor time. I also spent hours and hours reading everything I could get my hands on. I believe it is everyone's responsibility to read and get educated AS MUCH as they can and then decide what they personally accept and reject as 'truth' to them.
To me it makes sense that clipping makes the BIRD more vulnerable, and therefore more dependent on the owner - which I feel is most important for training. Yet, you can see that my Amazons DO remain flighted during the Winter Months. If they get nippy, start giving me attitude, their wings go bye bye. Not directly afterward - I never want it seen as a punishment, but in the next day or so .. slip go the wings.
Eating Fruits and Veggies - makes sense to me.. healthy for us, healthy for them and MOST parronts would say their Fids eat a healthier diet than they do!! LOL
Some people disagree with Pellets.... and believe in sprouts. Everyone decides what works for them and HOPEFULY does so in the most informed manner they can. After that, we are here to support each other and that is all we can do
My 2 cents. |
|
Wednesday November 16, 2005 8:13 pm |
|
|
samijo
Bappie
Joined: 12 Jun 2005
Posts: 90
Location: STOCKTON |
with the biting when he is getting a fuss!
frankie pessters for a scratch and then its as if he is gonna bite me but, he just gets hold ov my finger gentally, or turns his head rather quickly so i scratch where he wants me 2!!!!!!
frankies screaming i just quietly tell him to 'please be quite franks' and he stops coz he wants to hear what i am saying and then when he is quiet he gets a reward for being' a good boy' |
|
Tuesday December 13, 2005 9:56 am |
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT. The time now is Friday August 29, 2008 9:37 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
