Anyone in Northern Virginia out there?

[lemonypickett]

Anyone heard of DJ Feathers Aviary.

The BF hates to see his girl unhappy and may let me get another bird. They seem very nice and squared away, but didn't know if anyone had any experience.

I want the second one down.

http://www.djfeathers.com/ForSale/Birds/Caiques/caiques.htm

Although grief-stricken decisions are never good, I had been wanted a caique before I found that Marley needed help.

[lemonypickett]

Where is the edit button so I can edit my spelling errors? ;)

[bbslovie]

Hi, I don't know where that button went on your post but I think we know what you meant! So I noticed you also put up a post about a lovebird on CL. I know when I lost Peaches I kept looking at different birds but I gave myself some time to grieve as well. You might give yourself a little time too, it might also help you decide what kind of bird you want. Just my :2cents:

Barb

[linda040899]

Where is the edit button so I can edit my spelling errors? ;)
There wasn't one when you asked this question, but there is now. The problem was in permissions and I'm not sure why it wasn't allowed here. Correction made...... :blush:

[Bubblelady]

You might give yourself a little time too, it might also help you decide what kind of bird you want. Just my :2cents:

Barb


I understand where you are coming from. But then there are those of us who usually have only one bird at a time & can't stop crying until they get another :whistle:

I say "usually" 'cause "grief management" is how I ended up with two birds, twice. First time, I had a budgie who got poisoned with brass polish, just a speck that I failed to notice on the back of a wall hanging that Pete liked to sit on. I left her at the vet on Friday. On Sunday I called to check on her and was told she had died. I went right out and bought another budgie. On Monday, Pete was home, hale and hearty! Seems the vet hadn't checked on Pete yet on Sunday AM and assumed she had died because she was in such terrible shape Saturday PM. So I had two budgies for a while. Pete was not thrilled with JB (Junior Bird), who had a short life--flew himself right into a wall while chasing after Pete :(

And now, when I got Gussie just thinking about losing Buddy. I was such a mess every time Buddy was in the hospital or had a seizure or started feather plucking, that I knew I'd need a new baby immediately upon Buddy's departure to the Rainbow Bridge. I was just looking for a lovie breeder, with no intentions of getting another bird as long as I had Buddy. And I was sure the new bird would be a lovie. And then I saw Gussie :happy: So now I have two birds again :whistle: And, like Pete, Buddy is not thrilled at the increase in our flock size. This grief management thing can get expensive :omg:

[cp.lovebird]

I know that when Blue Meanie died, it really helped that I still had Squeaky around. But we were both very sad and missed her terribly. 6 months later, we adopted Ducky to be our new friend. He doesn't replace Blue Meanie, no birdy ever could, but he keeps us busy and entertained.

[lemonypickett]

Yes, the house seemed empty with only one birds' chatter. Eddie has been looking for Marley and seemed sad which didn't help. We'll see what happens. Yes, I am looking ... but don't know if the bird fund can afford anymore vet bills right now. Eddie's was $276 today.

[Bubblelady]

Eddie's was $276 today.

As I said, this grief management can get expensive :(

I trust Eddie's blood work will come back fine. We're sending healthy vibes and warm hugs your way.

Oh, and I want to mention. Even with my crazy Gussie, who is getting more at home every day--sometimes too much at home (like on the keyboard)--I am still going to be a basket case when Buddy flies off. But our relationship is changing. Kind of like with my mom. She is still my mom & I still love her, but she isn't the mom I knew most of my life. Buddy is still Buddy, and I love her, but she isn't the Buddy I had for so many years :( On the happy side, however, her chest feathers are finally growing back in :happy: She's still destroying tail feathers as soon as they start to come in, and she still has a naked neck, but she's letting the feathers on her chest, over her crop, and on her back alone! She's beginning to look like a real birdie again :happy:

[lemonypickett]

That's great about Buddy.

What kind of bird is Gussie?

[Eliza]

I know of someone on another forum who got a Pionus from DJ Feather's Aviary. She's beyond thrilled, from what I understand. I've visited their site MANY times over the last few years and have always been impressed with them. I've been tempted to contact them regarding a white-faced lutino cockatiel for sometime now...

Anyhoodle, it doesn't hurt to send them an e-mail regarding a parrot that you are interested in. Have you also checked Petfinder? They have a classified section as well as the shelter listings...

Take your time. I know this is rough.

((((HUGS)))),

-e-

[Bubblelady]

That's great about Buddy.

What kind of bird is Gussie?

She's a cinnamon green cheeked conure. 5 months old. And just in case you've missed her photos that I have posted :whistle:, here's the link to her and Buddy's album



http://photobucket.com/bubblelady

[LauraO]

I inderstand how quiet a house can be after a loss. After we lost our Zimberhoffen last year, the house felt dead silent with 20 + birds. He was our first bird and best friend for over eight years. I still miss him to no end everyday.

I just suggest you take your time and find the right bird for you, Eddie and you BF. To be honest, Caique's are great birds but they are really a ton of work and they have large beaks that can kill Eddie and damage you or your boyfriend. They are also so rambunctious they will take so much of your time to really build a relationship with them you will notice you won't have anywhere near the time you have for Eddie now. We have four larger birds with 2 meyer's, an alexandrine, and a grey and having them is nothing like lovebirds. My meyer's are hard work and have destroyed a lot of our house and belongings, and they are known to have the opposite demeaner of Caiques.

I currently have a very sweet meyer's parrot, who those who meet him can't believe he's homocidal when it comes to love birds. I don't mean he attacks lovebirds. He HUNTS THEM DOWN. He's almost killed to of them, and the stress and vet bills were horrendous as is Spike's permanently damaged leg. Of course, not all birds are like this but it's just good to know the possibilities.

It's just my two cents, but I would also keep in mind that Eddie really looked like he was up for a friend. Him and Marley were trucking along fine and a bird of another breed will not be the same for him. So if you do decide on another bird, another lovebird may be the way to go. While Marley was sick, he seemed pretty tame, he was a male and he was older and there are tons of those kind of birds in need.

Good Luck:)

[Bubblelady]

Eddie really looked like he was up for a friend. Him and Marley were trucking along fine and a bird of another breed will not be the same for him.
Good Luck:)

I agree whole heartedly with Laura. Had I been looking for a friend for Buddy, I would definately have gotten another lovie, no matter how cute Gus was. But I was planning on remaining a one-bird home. Circumstances just dictated that we be a two-bird home for a while. Buddy is still definately not interested in becoming friends with Gussie :evil: When she thinks Gus is getting too close but is not close enough to actually bite her, she bites me :omg:

[lemonypickett]

Yes, I agree that another lovie will be the best bet for the Beanster.

I would like a larger parrot as well. So... I will keep looking for the right boy friend for Eddie. And keep researching which big parrot would be the best fit for my lifestyle.

Thans guys!

Bubblelady, Your little Gussie is adorable! And I think that Buddy is so sweet looking. I am bummed out how we all age though! Thanks for sharing the pics, now I know what you have at home!

[dmj64]

I have been to DJ's. I was at my parent's house last year in NOVA and consulted with DJ on shipping my lovies to Hawaii. These people (husband&wife) definitely knew what they were talking about.
Their business is in a regular suburban townhouse that is birds & bird cages of all sizes from wall to wall. Right there in their living space. Remarkable that they could live with it, with so many birds in such a small space. The birds appeared to be in good health and everything appeared to be maintained and in order.

[lemonypickett]

Thanks for the info, they did seem very nice and squared away from what I could gather. Very quick to respond on emails, and never skimped on the quality of their answers.

They have some beautiful poinus' there right now. Come on Kim, want another?

[Elle]

I just want to warn you about big birds and small birds. My African Grey grabbed my lovebird at the beginning of October. Thankfully, Petie survived. But the vet bills, the medication, the additional accessories you need to make him comfortable, and the additional vet bills becomes very expensive, very fast.

The chances that your bigger bird actually gets along with your lovebird are slim.

I live with three species of birds. They are all tamed. They all need time and care. Giving attention to two birds at the same time is easy. However, there is jealousy when the other specie want attention now. You will most likely experience that with two birds. Will you be willing to lock one bird in order to socialise with the other? Will that be fair?

And then there's the situation that you can never leave them alone, not even if one is locked up. They fly, they glide and they climb. I cannot tell you how many toes I've had to treat because nosey birds flew/ landed on the wrong cage. My sister had to put a parrotlet to sleep because it landed on the wrong cage and her conure ripped off her beak. It happens all so fast.

You may also want to consider bio security. You talked about blood tests and vaccines. There are many disease that cannot be tested for and different species of birds are carriers. By entering a different bird in the household, you are actually exposing both, even if you quarantine.

You are going to think that I am trying to discourage you in getting a bigger bird. I am not. I am the last one who should try to talk someone out of it. I just brought home bird number 6, and the last one, I swear. What I am trying to make you realise is trying to take care of two different species of birds is opening a door for a lot more restrictions for you and your birds. A lot more stress because an accident happens so fast. Are you really ready to do this?

[lemonypickett]

No, I understand that. I have thought of that. That is why I thought if Eddie had a friend, he would be happy playing in another room with that guy for a while, and I would play with the other bird. He sems to call and call all the time since Marley died.

I spend about 5 hours a day with Eddie playing on me. I think I have enough time to give some love to one more bird.

This eclectus is out of the cage with CAG's, macaws, and cockatiels. He even lives in a rather small cage with a female that HATES him. So, maybe he would like Eddie. But, that is a LONG way down the road if ever. I need to learn to trust this bird with me, before I try him with my priceless beaner.

Do you have time for Max and the others? Parakeets and lovebirds can't be together either, right?

[Elle]

No, I understand that. I have thought of that. That is why I thought if Eddie had a friend, he would be happy playing in another room with that guy for a while, and I would play with the other bird. He sems to call and call all the time since Marley died.

I spend about 5 hours a day with Eddie playing on me. I think I have enough time to give some love to one more bird.

This eclectus is out of the cage with CAG's, macaws, and cockatiels. He even lives in a rather small cage with a female that HATES him. So, maybe he would like Eddie. But, that is a LONG way down the road if ever. I need to learn to trust this bird with me, before I try him with my priceless beaner.

Do you have time for Max and the others? Parakeets and lovebirds can't be together either, right?


No, I don't have the time. But I make the time. My birds are my babies and I made a commitment for life to them.

Budgies and lovebirds should not be mixed together. Lovebirds are too aggressive for budgies. The dynamics in my house are really strange and we are able to "work" things out with a lot of supervision.

We bought a house and moved in this past Friday. We have spent a lot of money turning an entire floor into a bird room. Hopefully this will help us have more time for the birds.

Just put more thoughts into this before you make a decision. Both my African Greys are rehomes because their respective families had no more time for them now that they have kids. This is really a big commitment. Especially when you live with more than one kind of birds.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[lemonypickett]

Oh no, are you giving me cold feet?

I kind of already had them, as whenever I make a lifelong decision I get scared. Probably why I am not yet married.

I would marry Eddie if I could ;) kidding!