maesie

Hi Andrew, Here are two websites which list safe materials suitable for perches. Hope they help. http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html Just be sure to wash them in warm water and dry in the sun before putting them into your cage!

Agree... looks great and the size is awsome. Can't see on the photo, but make sure you have a safety door to avoid any escapes...

Oh... I have a lump in my throat!!! You are a ledgend!!! You have a golden heart! And Heather is one lucky lady to have you as a friend and one of your babies!!! Good on you for having the nerve to stick up for the poor old lass, and I'd be proud to be banned from that horriable excuse for a pet shop!!! :parrot: Thums up to you, and a welcome hug to heather!!! maesie xxx ooo xxx

Thanks Kaz... when they did a crop wash, I was watching closly, and am keen to know how to do it. There was a chance I'd have to crop feed them if they didn't start eating, but it looks like that wont be needed... but agree, I will be asking next time to learn!

Thanks everyone. My vet called back today. She spoke to a fellow vet and she agreed the antibiotics and probiotics were a good idea, but they're now on two more meds- Flagyl and Cisapride. She said that this would treat the most likely cause (for the life of me I can't remember what she said). She said when she did the crop wash she was looking for it (swimmers of some sort) and although they couldn't find it, they were 99% sure that's what it is. Hope it makes sense. My appoligies for forgetting the name of the 'bug'... it's hard to remember everthing, especially when I'm worried about them! So... they have medicated water, a drop a day of antibiotics, and a drop of the 'above' meds twice a day. Needless to say, my girls are NOT happy with me at the moment :hap: ... I am getting the hang of how to hold them with one hand without getting biten, and squeezing a minute drop of meds into their tiny beaks with the other!!! Very tricky!!! My girls also said thanks for your kind thoughts, and that they are starting to feel better (crackle even ate some millet today)

I've used both... I have a small travel/vet cage which I have taken to breeders/pet shop, but have also used a cardboard box when this was unavailble. I prefer the cage with a towel over it(more natural for them), but that's just me

Thanks Deb and Libby. I'm really relieved that it's nothing serious and fingers crossed for continued improvement and no more casualties xxx

Could be a bit of both... maybe leave a little bit in the cage for him to try, and when he realises how GOOD it is, he'll be eating out of your hand in no time. My teils were like that. Scared at first until they found out WHAT millet was :hap: You could try some vegies, perhaps corn on your hand, but that's if he wont freak if you put your hand in his cage. Good Luck

Good on you! Sometimes it's really hard to wait for ever...

Looks great Kaz...Good on you for going ahead without Ken Mite give him the boot up the bum he needs :hap: Now all he needs is the time... mmmmmmm sounds familar!

Get rid of the mirror! It sounds like he thinks his mate is in the mirror and he is mating with it. Mirrors and shiny toys (bells etc) are a big no no for birds you want to breed and train. If he can't see himself he may have no reason to pleasure himself??? Hope this may help.

Oh... she's a darling. Bless you both xxx

Your plans sound great! Good luck with whatever you end up doing!!! Can't wait for more updates as the project gets under way!

Good Luck... sounds like they're a little timid :hap: Once one makes the move you wont be able to stop them! They're gonna love it!!!

Yeah... I've been to normal vets (never again for birds) before but this one was awsome! She's not my normal avian vet, but I was very pleased with her. She's even going to call me tomorrow with any further news from the other bird vet :hap:

:hap: That's so cute! I love the way they're checking him out!!! And Blinkie... what a fast mover

Thanks so much everyone!!! So, I was off to the vets with Crackle and John (both females)... She was very good. She took poo samples and did a crop flush. She also examined them both... After checking out the poo and crop samples, she found that the bacteria levels were out of kilta a little. She's keep the test results and will confir with a fello bird expert just to be on the safe side. So, my girls are in a warm dark room, with a drop of antibiotic paste a day (to get rid of the bad bacteria) and probiotics in their water, to restore the good bacteria. Yesterday after giving Crackle a dose of liquid calcium, I did notice she has picked up a little... My vet also said Crackle is most likely getting over her issues, and John has just got it... but it's a good sign Crackle is looking up as John hopefully will to. I've gotta keep a close eye on the others and step in if need be. So, here's hoping for more improvment!

What a shocker of a day... but what a nice photo! You look really nice, and your kids are real cuties

Well done on the picture posting, and I agree with the others, she's a sweetie!

Didn't work for me either, but sounds like things are going along nicely for you both. I'm thinking of you both and hope you enjoy this special time together. May it be long, pain free and memorable. :fear

Spartacus might pick some things up off Roman, or may decide to take the back seat. I used to have an inside budgie and he had a massive list of vocab also... along with the general ones, he was also into cricket and footy and he was also a quick learner. They're great fun aren't they? :(Laughing out loud):

Hello and welcome to you and your boys, Roman and Spartacus. I wouldn't worry about their bent tails... kinda gives them character. It was prob a case of knocking them when flying or playing, or perhaps they pulled each others tail, also in play or fight? :fear And as Kaz said, they'll moult out.

GRRRRR! I went looking on ebay as well and found this one. It says suitable for small parrots, cockatiels and other smaller birds. OMG!!! I wouldn't house anything in there!! I'd really like to know how a tiel would bend over and scratch it's **** let alone stretch it's wings!!!

oops... I got in too early. Sorry Kaz and thanks for the edit! The last cage is not suitable for budgies because the wire bars are too far apart?

Thanks Susan, I've always liked it! Homeschooling? Have you always done that? Can I ask what made you decide to do it. Sounds like it would be interesting and I'm guessing it works well for you all. Congrats on Sunnie the 'girl' too :(Laughing out loud):