Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Jan. 18th Bird Adoption and Care w/ Greyhaven's Jenny Tamas! [ ]

This month we are excited to welcome Jenny Tamas, Director of Adoptions for Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary! Jenny will be happy to answer any questions you have pertaining to bird adoption, training and general care.

A little about Jenny:

Greyhaven has been a Government registered non profit society for the last 11 years. We are dedicated in finding just the right homes for all of the feathered companions that have been entrusted into our care. A lot of people do not realize the longevity of these little souls nor the commitment it takes to having them be part of your life.
I have been adoptions Director for Greyhaven for the last 6 years and it has been quite the journey. In 2009 we admitted into our program 214 birds. From all different situations. Some have been a welcome surrender and others have been heartbreaking situations. In turn we have had 193 adoptions. We do have a mandate that is closely followed, with home visits before the adoption and follow ups after. We still however have a number of birds that are in foster care as well as birds waiting to come into our care and protection.

Welcome Jenny!!

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:07 am Post subject:

Thanks for doing this. Birds are often the forgotten adoptees.

I have an Amazon parrot - a blue front. He was originally purchased (at least 35 years ago) by the owner of a pet shop who used him as a living “prop.” He lived at the store & got little to no human interaction. When the store closed she took him home. Her children were extremely mean to him. My brother was there visiting (about 34 years ago) & he got annoyed at the kids (he was a kid himself). He asked if he could have the bird & was sent home with the parrot, cage & a bag of seeds. He gave him to my mom.

My mother took fairly good care of him - vet visits, better diet, etc. As she aged she became unable to care for him properly. I brought him home this past summer. The vet says he is in good health, despite having a terrible diet. I try to feed him a balanced diet but he refuses to eat most veggies and fruit. About the only way he will eat any vegetable is cooked - and preferably with some sort of sauce/flavoring/etc. He likes the diet of an adolescent male - fries, pizza, Pepsi, candy, cookies. If I let him that would be all he ate. He will eat cereal, pasta & cooked rice.

He does see an avian vet who keeps saying to just keep offering good food & he’ll come around. I’ve been the one caring for him for the past 2 years - he’s not coming around. Any suggestions on convincing him to eat good food? Thanks for the help!

Jenny's Answer:

Hi keltoicrone,

Thank you for the question, and taking such good care of your Blue Front Companion. There is a very strong possibility that an Amazon that is 34 years old could have been wild caught. Shop owners did bring a lot of them, in as there were not a lot of rules and Legislation to prevent it. Having said that he could have started his life out extremely traumatized and it is wonderful that he is in a safe and loving home to complete his life in.

It is very difficult to try and get a bird that is older to change his diet, and if you do, it will take a lot of patience. Thirty four years ago people were not aware of diet issues and the need for fresh fruit and veggies. It is a challenge for us to try and correct that pattern for these little guys.

If he likes the brown rice and pasta, try and mix in finely chopped veggies. Organic Quinoa is good as well, to have veggies mixed in. Truly all you can do is persist with having them available to him, but combinding and mixing with other favorites of his may ultimately work. If he will eat cooked veggies try and just steam them lightly as perhaps it is the warmth of the food he enjoys.

Get rid of the fries, Pepsi ,candy and cookies as those will ultimately take a toll on his health without question. Give him a tiny piece of Arrowroot biscuit as a treat, maybe a little Palm Oil on it. You would be able to purchase the oil from your avian veterinarian. Perhaps he would like an almond or walnut as well, peanuts are out. No sunflower seeds as they are very oily and cause liver issues. It ultimately will take time, but if you persist hopefully you will win him over.

Thank you again for the question. It indicated that you are a great human companion trying her best to insure the health and well being of her feathered friend.

Kindest Regards,

Jenny

Thanks Jenny!

Don't worry - he doesn't actually get to eat all the junk food - but that does not stop him from begging any time the kids have it. Now, if you have a way to keep college kids from eating junk food - bring it on! Thanks again. We'll try the rice & veggie mix today.

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject:

Welcome Jenny!

I am not looking to add a bird to my household, but for those who are, what would you say are the things that people don't realize can be issues with birds?

I have heard that there is sensitivity to fragrances. Is that all breeds, or just some?

Jenny's Answer:

Hi PrincessLucy,

What do people not realize that can be issues with having a bird in your life. Last year Greyhaven Exotic Bird sanctuary admitted 214 birds into their care. Not all of them were rescues. A percentage were from families that had not done a lot of research before purchasing. They were not informed of the longevity of the particular species that they were about to share their lives with, nor the possibility of a noise level or sensitivity to dander issues, and even possible aggressive behavior. It is much easier to try and find a species that fits your life style and be able to work at that level rather than take in a species that will be out of your comfort zone. The bird will always know when you are uneasy and that is not a good thing ,for either of you.

The rewards are wonderful when all the avenues have been researched and a family is prepared to take on the commitments. Different species have different mannerisms but all have individual personalities. Again the rewards for sharing your life with a feathered companion is amazing. Do the homework, talk to people that have been around birds and above all have a great veterinarian specializing in avian medicine to consult with. Not all issues that birds have are emotional some can be health related and that has to be established.

As for sensitivity to fragrances. It is not good to any species of birds. Their little lungs that are very sensitive can be harmed from scented candles, household cleaners, laundry fabric softeners as well as perfumes and scented plug in air fresheners. Those are just a few.

Thank you again for the question.

Kindest Regards

Jenny

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:10 am Post subject:

I have a family member who has two budgies and is looking to adopt a third. I am wondering what you would suggest to help a new bird get comfortable in a new home?

Jenny's Answer:

Hi

Budgies are flock birds and enjoy the company of their own kind, so it is quite easy to blend a new little one in with others. It still is advisable to insure that the new little one is health checked, and separate, for the quarantine period. Once that process has been done it is easy to place them together, insuring the cage is large enough to accommodate the three. Budgies love swings, and a lot of toys to play with. They also enjoy time out of their cage to free fly. Once they know where their food is they will always gravitate back to their “home” Budgies are such wonderful little guys.

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