Mardi Gras Avicultural Conference (Part II)

The afternoon session of the conference opened with Dr. Susan Clubb of Loxahatchie, FL. Susan is the veterinarian for Parrot Jungle in Miami and their breeding operation, Last Chance Farm, in Loxahatchie. She is internationally respected and is an advisor to Loro Parque in the Canary Islands. Her topic was Feather Destructive Disorders.

The final presenter was Diane Grindol who, with Tom Roudybush, has just recently published a book called "Teaching Your Bird to Talk". She lectured on the various species and their talking ability and gave a live demonstration of parrot training.

If you have an opportunity to attend next years conference you should make plans to be there. We profited from our experience, you will too.

- posted by J-Birds @ 7:05 PM |

 
Mardi Gras Avicultural Conference

Yesterday was exciting for "bird people" in New Orleans. We attended Dr. Greg Rich's Mardi Gras Avicultural Conference. The speakers included Julie Murad, the founder of the Gabriel Foundation, a premier parrot rescue and rehabilitation center in Colorado. If your area doesn't have an organization to focus on unwanted birds you should contact Julie for a blueprint. The Louisiana Aviculture Society has sponsored parrot rescue and rehabilitation through Project Angel Wings for more than a decade and our new program, Project Safe Parrot, should evolve to be even better.

Dr. Michael Taylor, an expert on PDD from Canada, gave in inciteful and lively talk on Proventricular Dilation Disease. This is a "virus" that affects the nerves that control the digestive system in parrots. The disease results in enlarged stomachs and may cause death.

The conference was an intimate setting which gave us time to socialize with the speakers during breaks and lunch. Debra and I were delighted to be able to have conversations with all of the speakers. More on the conference in the next blog.

- posted by J-Birds @ 5:40 AM |

 
Sunday Comics

- posted by J-Birds @ 6:03 AM |

 

- posted by J-Birds @ 7:30 AM |

 
Mardi Gras (Part II)


This series is blatantly stolen from websites around the world but we wanted to share the spirit of Mardi Gras with you.

The History of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage in 1699. Early explorers celebrated this French Holiday on the banks of the Mississippi River. Throughout the years, Orleanians have added to the celebration by establishing krewes (organizations) which host parades and balls. Carnival quickly became an exciting holiday for both children and adults.

Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that day of the week. The date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.

The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. He chose these colors to stand for the following:


Purple represents justice
green stands for faith
gold stands for power

The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. On the Christian calendar, the twelfth day after Christmas is known as "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day." It is the day the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus, and is celebrated with its own unique rituals.

- posted by J-Birds @ 7:11 PM |

 
Mardi Gras

Tonight, Mardi Gras goes into high gear. The city is full of revelers and the locals are bunkering in. Even the little village of Folsom near our place is having a parade. With a population of 350, the celebration will be a much more subdued event than parades in New Orleans. But...

As we all know by now, Debra and I will be a Dr. Greg Rich's Mardi Gras Avian Conference instead of going to the parade. I'll give you the highlights on Sunday night. Have a nice weekend.
- posted by J-Birds @ 5:57 AM |

 
J-Blogs First Anniversary



We can't believe it's been a year since Janis Gore suggested we try blogging. Since then we have published over 220 entries, 32,000 words and 100 photos. Hopefully, our readers have learned a lot about parrots in addition to learning about our philosophy of raising them.

And we've had a lot of visitors...over 7,500 visits in the last year and our monthly total now exceeds 1,000. And not just from the U.S., we have had visitors from over 45 countries.

The search engines have also discovered J-Birds blog. We've gotten over 500 hits from Yahoo, Google, MSN and others. We now average 3 hits a day for some of the weirdest search words including "Magic Chef Convection Microwave Oven", "Paint The House Party", "Golden Orb Spiders", "Theodore Stephanides" and "Stargate Atlantis".

We thank you all. Even though you may not comment often, we know you visit. You've become part of our extended family which includes the hundreds of folks who have purchased parrots from us over the years.

The last year has been a very happy one for J-Birds. We've moved into the house of our dreams and can finally create a model environment for our birds. We don't desire to have hundreds of breeders and mass produce babies. We just want to create a lifestyle that allows us to enjoy our avian collection in a park-like setting while raising just enough babies so that each one is well socialized, gentle and healthy.

Most importantly, we love to meet "bird people". Those researching their first parrot or seasoned bird veterans, we find these folks (you) to be caring, sensitive and bright. Each weekend, you bring laughter and interesting conversation to our home. For that, we thank you.

Here's to you and the next year of blogging. Thanks. - Craig & Debra

and thanks again, Janis.

- posted by J-Birds @ 12:11 AM |

 
Wildlife of Chateau Plumage

A gray fox has taken over the territory of our red fox. If you have been reading the blog, you will remember that the red fox met an untimely end in November. A casualty of our highway system.

Saturday night we were pulling into our driveway when a little fellow much like the photo ran in front of our car. We are pleased that foxes are back on our property.
- posted by J-Birds @ 7:48 PM |

 
Canaries In Baghdad

This photo was published in an Iraqi blog discussing the lack of drinking water in Baghdad...a thousand words.
- posted by J-Birds @ 9:35 AM |

 
Ichigo

Jeff has decided to name his new baby Ichigo (pronounced ee-chee-go). This is Japanese for strawberry. It's a much better name than Viper. Another baby saved from Craig's pet names.

- posted by J-Birds @ 5:25 PM |

 
Sunday Funny

You know you're from Louisiana if:

Every so often, you have waterfront property.

When you refer to a geographical location "way up North," you are referring to places like Shreveport, Little Rock or Memphis, "where it gets real cold."

You can pronounce Tchoupitoulas but can't spell it.

You believe that purple, green and gold look good together.

The four seasons in your year are: crawfish, shrimp, crab, and King Cake.

- posted by J-Birds @ 1:30 AM |

 
Cage Wire

Breeders in our area have been finding it difficult to find galvanized welded wire to construct breeder cages. Our nearest source, Country Boy Cages, in Baton Rouge has stopped carrying 1/2 X 3" wire.

For those breeders reading the blog, consider using PVC coated wire by C.E.Shepherd in Houston. This coating is most probably safer for birds anyway. It is more expensive but it should last a lot longer. This is the same wire we saw in the aviary at the Audubon Park Zoo. A 100' roll of 1/2 X 3", 14 gauge, 4' width is $462.27. The 6' width is $677.73.

For those of you who aren't breeders, the cost of setting up a breeding pair in cage with nest box, perches, water and food stations and a pre-fab door can easily run between $500-700. It's part of the reason large birds cost so much.

- posted by J-Birds @ 4:53 PM |

 
Special Events

Today is Debra's birthday. We're going to celebrate with the kids tonight. Coincidentally, it is also the first "official" day of Mardi Gras parades in the area. I rode with the Original Krewe of Orpheus in Mandeville for a couple of years. I may have to write a blog about the experience. Stay tuned.

- posted by J-Birds @ 4:57 AM |

 
Viper

This is a post about how not to name parrots. We know that each new owner will find the perfect name for their new babies. If the baby is still being handfed when they decide, we begin calling the baby by their new name immediately.

Prior to that we usually call them by names that describe their behavior or unique color combinations or something whimsical. It's our way of differentiating between the many babies that are sometimes here at the same time.

Sonia's baby girl came in last weekend. We left her in the nestbox an extra week so she could get undivided attention from her mother for a little while longer. Being a little more mature than the average baby we get at three weeks, she was slightly afraid of us for the first day. The first time I tried to feed her she lunged at my hand like a snake striking. I began calling her "Viper".

This is one of the many names that I have given babies that Debra disapproves. The others have included "Squatter", "Screech" and "Floyd" among others.

Hopefully, Jeff, her new owner, will pick a permanent name soon and put Debra out of her misery.

- posted by J-Birds @ 6:44 PM |

 
It's Not Too Late


We're lucky to have a national avian conference in New Orleans every year around this time. Dr. Greg Rich sponsors a nationally recognized conference on avian issues each year during the first week of Mardi Gras. This year the conference is on Sunday, January 30 from 8-4.

Speakers include Dr. Michael Taylor (PDD), Dr. Susan Clubb (Feather Destructive Disease) and Julie Murad (Gabriel Foundation). Dr Clubb has been a presenter at the Loro Parque conference we mentioned a few days ago and is internationally respected. You can print an Application and get hotel information HERE. Come on Friday and enjoy two nights of parades before the conference.

- posted by J-Birds @ 8:18 AM |

 
Hello From New Jersey

Hi Guys its been awhile and I wanted to fill you in on Maverick...

Maverick is doing just great!! We love him to pieces.He has gotten so comfortable with us we can lay him upside down in our laps like a baby. He loves when we sing and screams when we dance. Everyone who sees him just falls in love... Gail

Maverick and Shuggie are brothers. Mav went to New Jersey and Shuggie went to Hugh in the Bronx (who hasn't written in a while and really needs to...hint,hint).

- posted by J-Birds @ 8:07 PM |

 
Ruby Macaws
(Photo by Parrots.com )

A friend of ours has four just weaned Ruby Macaw babies. This is a hybrid cross between a Greenwing and a Scarlet. With a Ruby you get the gentleness and size of a Greenwing with the beauty of the Scarlet. Big "Teddy Bear" birds.

It takes more space to handle a large Macaw but it is truly worth it. If you're interested, call us and we'll be happy to tell you all about them.

- posted by J-Birds @ 7:44 PM |

 
Loro Parque International Parrot Convention

The Louisiana Avicultural Society is organizing a trip to attend the Loro Parque Convention on September 27-30, 2006 in Teneriffe, Canary Islands. This is the largest parrot convention in the world and is sponsored by the Loro Parque (Parrot Park) Fundacion every four years.

Our Vice President, Calvin Senner, attended the 2002 convention and is organizing a group to attend in 2006. The owners of CKC birds also attended and have a wonderful description of the island, the conference, and the Loro Parque facility in an article here.

If you would like a wonderful vacation with a purpose, please contact us and we'll put you in contact with Calvin. You don't have to live in the United States to join our group.

- posted by J-Birds @ 10:17 PM |

 
Another Girl

After 8 boys in a row, both of Sonia's little Vos babies turned out to be girls. We pulled the last one inside on Sunday night.
- posted by J-Birds @ 7:02 PM |

 
Sunday Comics

- posted by J-Birds @ 8:48 AM |

 
Expanding The Aviary

This weekend we hope to clean out the other fenced-in garden area to use as our second aviary space. These two areas are 25 x 30 foot fenced pens in which the former owners used to garden. The fences were used to keep deer and rabbits out of the gardens and the wire has long since rusted away but the posts are in great condition.

The new area will be for Cockatoos and maybe Macaws. In between the two areas is a wooden playhouse structure made out of treated 2x4's. We may turn this into a magnificent cage for TJ our Umbrella Cockatoo. Nothing we are doing at this time is our final arrangement for the birds. Rather, we are settling in our flock until we agree on a permanent design.

I'll try to publish photos this weekend to give you a feel for the aviary.

- posted by J-Birds @ 8:33 PM |

 
Chianti And Parrot Remorse

Busy day.

We mentioned several weeks ago that our parrots always greet me with hoots and hollers whenever I drive up at night. The day Olivia, our pet Congo, died was the first day they were silent. This week, our dog, April, has been extremely ill and the birds have cut back their chatter by 90%.

Respectful? Definitely. Concerned? For sure. Sad? We think so.

Makes you wonder about the intelligence of large parrots. There is a great depth of spirit in these birds that we may never fully appreciate. Send us your experiences if you've run into remorse or sadness or extreme emotional sensitivity with your bird.

- posted by J-Birds @ 6:50 PM |

 
Theodore Stephanides

Since I published the "Epitath For A Parrot" a few days ago our blog keeps getting hits on Google for "Theodore Stephanides". If you go here you will learn a lot more about this brilliant doctor and poet. In the meantime, here is another glimse of the man:

It seems but yesterday that I was young
With all life spread before me to unfold
An endless road to beckoning heights beyond. .

I paused to dream beside a lily-pond,
I slept and I awoke ... and I was old -
My journey almost done. Yet in me, deep,

"This cannot be!" my ageless heart replied,
"You slept for but one night; the sun appears,
You are but one dream older from your sleep"

ISLAND TRAILS © Theodore Stephanides 1973

- posted by J-Birds @ 7:58 PM |

 
When Technology Fails

Our phone has been humming loudly during calls every time it rains. Yesterday, I called in a service report and today they sent out a technician. Now the phone doesn't work at all. If you want to contact us before tommorrow night you can call Craig's cell phone at 504/415-3493.
- posted by J-Birds @ 6:56 PM |

 
News From The Great White North

We are HOME! She traveled home well, munching on goodies and has helped herself to more since. She was a bit shy about coming out, but she did step up finally and we let her go into her new cage/home to check it out. The other birds really looked long and hard at her - then Mango (our Senegal) said "Pretty Bird" for the first time ever! She IS a pretty girl - she is checking everything out and has had a snack already. She is definitely an eater!

We will let her get used to her new surroundings before the entire family starts getting into the act with her. She is defnitely the most beautiful bird I have ever seen - she appears healthy, curious, intelligent and outgoing.

I will update you as she begins to make herself at home. As always, I thank you both for going the extra mile to bring Fiona to me. I know those airlines really are trying on the nerves! You will be hearing from us soon.

All my gratitude, Wendy

- posted by J-Birds @ 11:02 AM |

 
Epitaph to a Parrot:

For thirty years he talked in feathered pride
For thirty years he talked before he died.
You say that parrots do not really know
The meaning of the words they speak?
Just so, I grant you that you may be right - but then,
Do men?

By Theodore Stephanides

- posted by J-Birds @ 6:16 PM |

 
Shipping Parrots In Cold Weather

Today we shipped a bird to Fargo, ND. Temperature in Minneapolis, the transfer city was 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the arrival temperature in Fargo was 14 degrees. When shipping a bird in cold weather there are several considerations. The bottom line is that the shipper is responsible for making intelligent decisions concerning the shipment of their birds.

First, select the best airline. The Continental Petsafe program is the best in the industry and if they say it's safe to fly, believe them. Delta should be last on your list of airlines for live animals. Other airlines should be chosen depending on the number of flights and, more importantly, the length of ground time at transfer points. Ground time at any point should be less than 1 hour. If the ground time exceeds an hour discuss handling procedures with the airline...will the bird be placed in a heated area between flights?

If the reservation clerks cannot answer questions to your satisfaction ask for the local phone number of the cargo facility at the transfer city and talk directly to the people that will be handling your bird and ask them what their procedures are.

Airlines have temperature guidelines that establish the minimum allowable temperature in the departure, transfer and arrival cities. Delta establishes 45 degrees as the minimum, Northwest 10 degrees, Continental allows shipper discretion but will not insure a shipment below 45 degrees. All airlines require a Certificate of Acclimation, signed by a veterinarian, that states that the animal in question can endure temperatures down to the airline minimum for several hours.

You should use common sense and not depend on airlines to determine the safety of your bird. We usually decline to ship when temperatures are below 40 degrees unless special precautions are taken to super-insulate the shipping cage. In moderate cold (40 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit), extra bedding should be placed in the cage bottom for insulation and doors and ventilation holes should be covered with one layer of burlap. You can partially block the door opening with a piece of cardboard.


In severe cold (10-39 degrees Fahrenheit) shipping cages should be modified to insulate the solid part of the cage and to restrict wind through the door and ventilation holes. In our shipment to Minnesota, we glued a 1/2" sheet of Styrofoam to the bottom of the cage, wrapped the entire cage in "bubble-wrap" insulation (R-14.2) and cut out and placed a double layer of burlap over the door and ventilation holes.

Make sure that the recipient knows exact flight times and pick-up locations. It would be good if they arrived an hour early and notified airline employees of their birds pending arrival. Getting a bird into a warm place as soon as possible is important. Always track the transfer of your bird to make sure that flights were not missed. If a bird is held over in a transfer city, we always contact the cargo facility in that city to insure that proper measures are taken to protect the parrot.

Last rule of shipping. Don't force the shipment. If things don't feel right, postpone the shipment until they do. We have sometimes waited three weeks for the perfect day, temperatures and airlines.

Today, our baby made the trip fine and was in great shape when she got to Wendy in Fargo.
- posted by J-Birds @ 4:03 PM |

 
Sunday Comics

Craig & Kiwi...........where's the mouse?

- posted by J-Birds @ 3:45 AM |

 
How To Handfeed Parrots

A number of people contact us each year to purchase an unweaned baby. On one hand we are very protective of our babies and discourage the average pet bird owner from attempting it. We tell them that anyone can handfeed if everything goes right. Experience tells you when something is not right and correct and quick action can save the life of the baby.

On the other hand, a wonderful breeder took Debra and I under her wings years ago and mentored us through the handfeeding of our first bird, Kiwi. Every handfeeder has to start with their first bird.

In order to explain what handfeeding entails, we created a handfeeding handbook a few years ago. This handbook explains the minimum requirements of handfeeding and touches on the basic equipment, stages of development of baby parrots, nutritional issues, temperature and humidity, etc. We published it on our website, J-Birds.com, to educate well meaning customers in the complexities as well as to provide a basic how-to for someone that has a baby and has not been properly trained.

We have had compliments as well as criticisms but the majority of responses have been positive. On one hand, some people feel that if you publish a document such as this it will encourage people to try to handfeed. On the other, several respected bird people have told us that some people are going to buy babies at bird shows anyway and our handbook may have saved many young parrots lives.

- posted by J-Birds @ 9:51 AM |

 
Busy Week

Our flock is shrinking. It always happens after the holidays...far more buyers than birds. Pearl is going to an experienced handfeeder in Mississippi as her personal pet. Goomba is going to Lafayette, LA. One of the S.I. Females is going to Argyle, Minnesota (pronounced Brrrrrrrrrrr!). All of these people don't really know what to expect...all will be pleasantly surprized.

We still have a weaned pair of S.I. Eclectus and the baby Vos that will come inside this weekend (Pearl's clutchmate).
- posted by J-Birds @ 6:43 PM |

 
Our "Little" Friends

Max and Jake are still available. We sold them to Tina in Baton Rouge, Louisiana a couple of years ago. They are the two most lovable Blue and Gold Macaws we ever raised. Max is perfect. Jake has scoliosis that causes him to have a hunch back. This also makes him the class clown and the most affectionate bird we have ever raised.

Tina has run into some problems and must sell them immediately. She is asking $1,000 for both birds and a large cage. We sold them as a pair because we thought it would be best for Jake to be with his brother. We would prefer that they stay together. If you or anyone you know might be interested in this excellent pair of birds please contact us at 504/415-3493 for more information.

- posted by J-Birds @ 6:59 PM |

 
Introducing...

Sonia and Kalador's first daughter. A Vosmaeri Eclectus hatched on December 7, 2004, 409 grams (that's a big healthy baby).

- posted by J-Birds @ 7:17 PM |

 
Bad Cages

We always tell our customers to send us an email with information about the cage they are going to buy for their new bird. There are a lot of inexpensive chinese cages our there that are perfectly adequate and a good value for the money. There are also a lot of bad cages that are not only not worth the money but can possibly harm your parrot. Dana from Arkansas sent this email today:

Hey, guys!

Hope you have had a wonderful holiday season. Mine has went pretty well. Socrates is doing wonderful and enjoyed his holiday as well. The little turkey was able to sample some of the holiday foods (turkey, cranberry sauce, corn, mashed potatoes, etc. ).... enjoyed it throughouly. I'm writing because I have had some unfortunate luck and wanted to hopefully help others if possible.

I bought Socrates' cage before I purchased him, probably a couple of months actually. I got the cage at a bird show here in Arkansas from a company called Country Feathers (www.countryfeathers.net). This cage has never been outside or allowed to stay wet for long even while I've washed it but has many, many rusted areas leading me to believe that below the paint it is nothing but rust. I have covered all the rusted areas to keep Socrates away from them for now until I can find a new cage for him or have his sandblasted (hopefully tomorrow everything will be settled).

I called the company this evening after learning of the poor quality of the cage and they were very quick to get off of the phone when told and didn't offer anything toward the situation, not that I thought that they would. I don't know that this information will help anyone but perhaps if someone does ask you for suggestions about where to get a bird cage please tell them not to look toward these individuals. Can you give me a suggestion as to where I can find Socrates a good quality cage as well as remotely affordable? I appreciate the listening to my venting and I hope this helps someone.

Talk to you soon, Dana :)

Dana, why don't we tell everyone? The problem is not only that Country Feathers sold a cage that has started to rust before it was a year old. Rather, it is that this company would not stand behind their product. We have a problem with this. This is the potential problem you face when you buy a cage at a bird show from an out of town company. At least this company had a web site and a phone number.

One more time...whether you buy a bird from us or not...email us with information about the cage you are considering and we will be happy to offer our opinion. It could save you some grief.

We'll try to write a post on what to expect when you buy the average chinese cage sometime in the near future.
- posted by J-Birds @ 9:16 PM |

 
Here There Be Babies

We brought one of Sonia's babies inside today. A fat and heathy female Vosmaeri. This is the first baby born in our new aviary. We left the younger one in the nest to get special care from its mom for another few days.

I'll try to post weight and photos later today.

- posted by J-Birds @ 2:18 PM |

 
Sunday Comics


- posted by J-Birds @ 6:05 AM |

 
Indonesia

We all watch in shock at the tsunami's destruction and the death surrounding the Indian Ocean basin. It's hard to relate being so far removed in the United States. We hope you will take the time to make a contribution to an aid organization and to reflect on these people's suffering.

Indonesia is the home of a lot of our domestic parrots including Moluccan, Sulphur-Crested, Goffin and Palm Cockatoos, Eclectus, Black-capped and Shulphur-crested Lory.

- posted by J-Birds @ 11:48 AM |