INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Old Salt 1945]

My peafowl will be barn residents, but have free range during the day. they need high roosts for the train. barn peak is 38 feet, that oughta do it

It would take a very special coyote to jump up and drag down one of those peafowl.

John

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

But those dang foxes could figure it out.

 

[Old Salt 1945]

But those dang foxes could figure it out.

They would bring in ladders.

John

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Or perhaps devise a pyramid scheme

 

[pginsber]

If anyone is planning to buy chicken nipples, would you please get 5-10 extra for me? The postage is often more that they are, so I don't want to purchase only them.
They're nice to have around--to easily make chicken waterers out of soda pop bottles and what have you.

 

[Mother2Hens]

I used to work with a bird rescue occasionally over in valpo, and took our unclaimed birds to them for rehoming.
I can see how they bond to a single person. Sad story-
My mom had always wanted a parrot. Mom had finches, parakeets etc the whole time I was growing up.
So we went to visit them. They had none (surprised) But did have a sun conure. His name was Charlie.
Mom just loved him! Charlie took to her immediately. So she adopted him. Beautiful, lively bird!
When Mom gave him a shower, he would sing to her,"laaalaaaalaaa" too cute.
He also said "hello charlie" and "goodbye charlie". oh and "JERK!" at people he disliked.
He was also in love with my mom, dare you not approach HIS beloved Mommy!
She would come home from work and he would go insane until he was allowed out, but forget his perch.
He parked himself on her arm or shoulder. He was smart and funny, but hated my Dad.
Dad has a gentle soul and wouldn't harm anything, never understood it.
Flew at him screaming "JERK" anytime Dad was around. Last straw was when he flew on him and took a chunk off his ear!
So Charlie was caged when Dad was home, oh my not happening! It sounded like you were killing him, poor baby.
Dad was fed up. It was finally Charlie aka the attack bird

or Dad.. Dad won lol. He was returned to the bird rescue.
I really wanted to keep him myself but my X would never had went for it.

That documentary explained that as the typical scenario. The parrot is great until it bonds with one person and starts attacking others. It would help if a person had a pair.

 

[Mother2Hens]

I didn't think that all parrot species mate for life. I personally wouldn't house more than 1 parrot together unless my intent was to breed. For a companion, I want them to bond with me. Owning a parrot is not for everyone, but neither are dogs, chickens, horses, monkeys, etc. IMO, it all boils down to people not researching the needs of the animals and want them because they are "cool" or more of a social status.

Based off what you have said, I think the documentary showed the extreme side to captive parrots. My bird was past the age for becoming sexually mature (typically the time when their behavior changes the most), yet didn't exhibit any of the behaviors you talk about. While we did bond, he was still social and would go to anyone. I truly feel its the same with any animal and socialization and training is key to having a well balanced animal. If you don't privide proper mental and physical stimulation for a dog, you will also end up with a mess just as you would with a parrot.

As far as sterilizing a bird, I know a rooster can be canonized, but never really heard about it being done on parrots. The vet I worked for was strictly companion animals (dogs, cats, horses) and large animals (cows, goats, pigs, ect). They didn't get into exotics except the occasion zebra, wallaby, deer, etc. They wanted nothing to do with reptiles or birds though.

I agree that many people buy exotic animals to call attention to themselves and act like they are cool. There are also wonderful pet owners like you who are truly interested in caring for an animal. TV and movie characters have led to many unfortunate pet crazes. Parrots popularity surged in the 1970s with the TV show, Baretta where the main character had a cockatoo.

The documentary's message, I think, is to illustrate that parrots do not make good pets and it's so unfair for them to be taken away from the wild. A big factor is that they form intense bonds and they live 70 - 80 years. They can also be very loud, which leads to people not wanting them. Of course there are health issues and expenses, too. The majority of people who get them don't keep them long. When they are moved from place to place or are isolated and neglected, they develop chronic behavior problems including self-mutilation that are compared to a person who cuts themselves to cope with pain. I am not sure about every species of parrot, but I know that macaws mate for life and are constantly with their mate whether they are flying for miles together or making a nest together.

I have read some terrible things about caponizing roosters, too, but I won't get into that topic!

 

[Mother2Hens]

DexHolla ~ I would wash the coop, let it dry thoroughly in the sun, and paint it.

animal lover ~ Glad to hear that things are improving!

jchny ~ The worst thing about caponizing is that it's usually done without anesthetic. Very cruel human behavior.

danad ~ Nice chicken fashions! That first one reminds me of a highway worker's vest.

lilmizcareall ~ Great idea about the refillable oil sprayers as an alternative to Problematic Pam!

EllyMayRans ~ Did I read that you also breed bantam Cochins?

SallyIndiana ~ I'll transport the Sumatra to you during one of my spring rounds to Indy/Bloomington areas.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

If all goes well DH and I will be working on the stairs to the coop tonight.

 

[ellymayRans]

DexHolla ~ I would wash the coop, let it dry thoroughly in the sun, and paint it.

animal lover ~ Glad to hear that things are improving!

jchny ~ The worst thing about caponizing is that it's usually done without anesthetic. Very cruel human behavior.

danad ~ Nice chicken fashions! That first one reminds me of a highway worker's vest.

lilmizcareall ~ Great idea about the refillable oil sprayers as an alternative to Problematic Pam!

EllyMayRans ~ Did I read that you also breed bantam Cochins?

SallyIndiana ~ I'll transport the Sumatra to you during one of my spring rounds to Indy/Bloomington areas.

Yes I do. I hatched some in July and Aug; they are Frizzled and Smooth Black bantam Cochins. I love them! Unfortunately the one in July is a Frizzle female and I only have Frizzled males...but she has such a wonderful personality! I call her baby girl..she runs to me and if I'm squatting down she jumps up in my lap. She was a lone ranger being a July hatch and my next hatch wasn't til Aug. My Aug hatch was 2 Frizzled boys and 1 smooth girl. Spitting images of their parents! Love that! I've debated diapering her and having my first house chicken but O the ridicule I would receive for that!! My family and extended family already shake their head at me! Makes me pretty self conscious about it most days. Then I go out for a visit with my feathered friends and all is better! lol Such is life!