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Rhonda
Top Gold Member
USA
117 Posts |
 Posted - 07/06/2006 : 12:15:49
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I just wanted to share a cute story with all of you. On Saturday we had a down pour and I had the macaws sitting on the screen room playgyms and they were flapping their wings but didn't understand where the water was. As you all know mine are young so they aren't experienced with water. I've been trying to get them warmed up to showers, mistings, etc but they haven't been real happy with mom on that source. Well, my husband took one of the macaws outside in the rain and walked around in the yard with it just pouring down, (no thunder or lighting, just a good ole shower) and at lst they didn't know what those wet spots were hitting them in the head were and they had a death grip on his arm and then they began to relax and enjoy the water and then he took each one of them out and let them enjoy the rain and they came in flapping their wings wanting more. Now I just wish I could get them to like having misters on them but so far no go. It's just going to take time and patience to find how they like to play in water. I bought them a kiddie pool and now have to see how I can get them to enjoy waddling around in that. So I'm trying to expand their world with water right now. They have such high instincts to flap their wings and try to get wet when it's raining. They so far are not happy with the shower so I have to keep trying something that helps them relax and realize this feels good. lol It was just so cute watching him take each one out there and talk to them and tell them how neat the rain was and lay their head on his chest and just let the rain fall and then begin to get into it. It's neat how they learn and how fast they learn to like things. Angie if you have a tip on how to get the parrots in the kiddie pool I'd love the advice. I got them floating toys so now it's just a matter of getting them to stand in there and realize it isn't anything to be feared. hehe Easier said than done! What funny little guys they are.
Take care,
Rhonda
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2006 : 22:03:31
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We had a storm here too! The flock was outside in their aviary when the rain hit. They had a blast, singing and playing. It was really nice too because the temp' dropped. The didn't get very wet but they enjoyed the action.
As for the pool? Are you putting it on the ground? I put mine up on top of a plastic patio table and they liked that a lot more. Don't forget the perches so they have something to stand on above the water. I just drilled a couple of holes and screwed on two dowels.
I also floated toys in it and splashed around in the water and pretty soon they just jumped in. :) Give them time, pretty soon they'll get the idea:
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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DonnaM
Bronze Member
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2006 : 23:25:26
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I wish we would get 'safe' rain here. It always comes with wind and thunder and all that. Sounds like a wonderful time though.
Rhonda, when you take your birds in the shower, how do you do it? What works really good in teaching them to not fear the water is to not let the water hit them directly from the shower... what I do is turn the stream to the tiled wall and let the water bounce off and hit the birds... of course this requires a hand held massaging shower head.. and I turn it to the heavy beating stream. If that wont work for you.. try running the shower.. then taking in a spray bottle and turn it to a find mist.. the sound of the shower helps get them in the mood and they really do prefer a light mist. Last idea... take them outside in the sun on a really hot day... then mist them when they just barely start to pant... it'll cool them off and suddenly water becomes their best friend. Getting their feet wet will help cool them quickly too.. avoid spraying their face. Oh and... when you mist them.. spray the water up in the air above them, not directly on to them.. let the water fall down on them instead.
Donna
Arizona |
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kaperc
Top Gold Member
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 19:34:07
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We're in the same dilemma with our BGM Julie. She was sprayed for punishment by her first owner, so that's OUT. I spray the other birds in front of her and they love it, but make sure she understands she can opt out. We also tried misters, which she hates. We've had a lot of hot weather and have used them off and on, but none of the birds like them and will stay in their cages rather than be subjected to the mist. Yes, even the birds who like being sprayed!
We have a T-perch to use in the shower and basically use the 'bounce off' method Donna mentioned. But out of many sessions in the shower just sitting, twice I had to insist - Julie was actually 'greasy' - yuk! What I did was started out sprinkling water on her neck and back. I laugh and sing and act silly the whole time. She'll actually let me wet her neck feathers with my fingers. Finally, I'm pouring handfuls of water all over her - but not her face. All of a sudden, when she's wet enough, she takes off like a wind-up toy, flapping, wagging her tail, etc. She goes on and on and on. We have a plastic shower curtain that is clear from the middle up, so we can enjoy the show and only get the bathroom and ourselves half-soaked! Trust me, she throws water all over the place. She has worn herself out both times and then goes to her hanging perch and shows off while drying her feathers. We have a kiddie pool, but so far she won't go near it, water or not. We'll keep trying, because she's quite playful and if she gets the idea we think she'll have fun.
Our 'tiel is similar - he kind of sulks through the first bit of spraying until the water gets through to his feathers and then enjoys the heck out of it. I've learned when he really doesn't want more, or if he just hasn't warmed up.
Kathleen
Owned by Sunny ('tiel), Princess (BFA), and Julie (BGM)
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Rhonda
Top Gold Member
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 14:57:22
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Hi guys,
I'm still having no luck in the shower or misting dept.! As a matter of fact it made Casanova so mad at me that I'm having a hard time with him wanting to come to me now. I took fine misters, so fine it was like a fog and had them pointed towards the ceiling and let it fall on him and he's been pouting ever since. He is going thru his toddler months but WOW what a temper, he really got honked off and now I'm really having to coax him and let him know I won't do it again. I've decided it's best if I leave that alone for awhile. My B&G, Melaunie just loves it, she can't get wet enough but my Scarlet, Skittles isn't fond of it but will tolerate it but I don't want to aggravate her. Soooo, I guess this is something that's going to take a lot of working on over time. I'm just always amazed at how some birds love it and others hate it. So today we worked in the garden and I wanted so much to give them a shower but I knew it would ruin their day so I didn't do it. At least they got to help clip back the palms and water the orchids and the other plants but they sure were happy for air conditioning. Well, we just had a nice bolt of lightening so I think I'll say bye for now.
Take care all,
Rhonda |
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Singing In the Rain
