Trial & Error

[Feather_n_Coca]

Ok. We have determined that the piggies DO NOT like zuchinni. Now I have a whole zuchinni that no one including myself will eat...I wonder if the bird will? Probably not. He is already so nerotic that he thinks I am a cat.

The botanical mix did not go over well either with the girls or the baby. The boys ate thiers. I guess I could use it as popurri. It does smell pretty darn good.

They LOVE alfalfa! Ohh my goodness...as soon as I open the bag the whole herd will come sniffing to the side of the cage..even my skittish Feather.

Coca came up to be petted today. I was so happy. She is the only one so far who will wheek when I come in to feed them. I think she has figured out that the big person always brings good stuff.

As soon as I get my new piggie today I am going to take photos of all of them and post them. The new one will be my last. I think 6 is enough for anyone! It took me an hour last night to clean both cages. I ended up w/ 2 garbage bags of bedding and hay. Today I cleaned the fish tank, and will clean Bloo's cage later tonight. I already cleaned the birds last Sunday.

I am taking back the bag of Nutriphase that I bought the other day and I am getting the Mazuri. I think you guys are right. I am also going to get a different brand of Hamster food. There is a German brand that I looked at and it didnt have that preservitive in it either.

I figured that if I was not feeding my dog or cats that stuff why would I feed my piggies. So thanks for helping me understand.

[Piggersrule]

What kind of bird do you have? My birds love zuchinni. Don't give up on them not liking certain foods or hay. Keep offering it, they may just come around and decide they like it after all.

[Feather_n_Coca]

I just have a parakeet. He hates me. I found out why. I have cats. He evidently thinks that I am stupid and that I will allow the cats to make lunch out of him. He freaks out everytime I put my hand in the cage. I tried to gently get him used to me over a period of several weeks. Nope. Hates me. I have him on a tall stand that hangs and he still acts as if the cats are 6 feet tall. The cage is at head level with me so he sees me comming. I have been thinking of getting him a friend but I dont know if 2 keets should be caged together.

[Weatherlight]

Foster Parrots Ltd has some good information and links on parrots.

Sometimes just trying to get an animal "used to" something doesn't work too well, or will take forever. Actively clicker training is a lot of fun and helps even if you're new to it and make a lot of little mistakes like with timing. Once you get the hang of it, it can be amazing. Check out Clicker Training for All Animals | Karen Pryor Clickertraining (Birds section), Clicking with Birds | Karen Pryor Clickertraining , Trick Training Instructions & Props for Pet Birds - Birds Just Wanna Have Fun - The Store for Fun Parrot Toys and Bird Toy Parts (basketball looks like so much fun , horses/ponies can use normal basketball hoops made for children but those do seem a bit big for birds!).