HELP, please!!!!!

[zippy-kat]

Morning Scenario:

I wake up to "Cheeter-cheeter." Still groggy from sleep, I pull the cover over my head to warm up. "Cheeter-cheeter." I think I'm imagining things. "Cheeter-cheeter." Cheeter-cheeter? OHHHH the bird! "Cheeter-cheeter. Whoops!" Whoops? Birds don't say "whoops." Finally, I leave the all-too-lovely warmth of the bed and trudge to the kitchen.

"Cheeter-cheeter." It's mom. "Cheeter-cheeter." A beak pops open, food goes in.

....She took him to work with her today....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jay Cheeter is doing great so far (hope I didn't just jinx myself).
He sat on my finger last night and did an impression of a mini-vulture -- a very talented fledgling he is. lol

I found a "bird lady" but can't get her to answer the phone.

*sigh* I'm starting to get attached.

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by zippy-kat



*sigh* I'm starting to get attached.

Did you know birds make WONDERFUL pets, just ask Popcornbird or any other bird owner. o I'm not helping am I??

he sounds adorable! Please more pics!


Ash

[zippy-kat]

LOL yes, ash. I know birds make good pets -- I've had 'tiels and 'keets before.

However, I don't feel right in keeping him because of our (way too interested) feline population. It wouldn't be fair to him.

[kingrattus]

I wake up to "Cheeter-cheeter
===========
hehehe... Reminds me of when I had Peetree.. Except it was my dad talking to Peetree & Peetree talking back. Peetree had a good set of lungs on him. & we learned when he was hungry, when he wanted out of his cage & when he was looking for me.

Just wait till he learns how to fly & then starts dive bombing u for food. Its a blast... hehehe.. Peetree injured his tail bone or something like that because his tail didn't grow out right, so stopping was something he wasn't very good at. But he loved getting pony rides! or I should say doggie rides... hehehe Max loved him alot. I taught Peetree to chase Max when Max got too close to him, only cause if Max stepped on him, he would have been flatter then a pancake.

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by zippy-kat
LOL yes, ash. I know birds make good pets -- I've had 'tiels and 'keets before.

However, I don't feel right in keeping him because of our (way too interested) feline population. It wouldn't be fair to him.

Well, I just though I would inform you on how WONDERFUL birds are as pets and how GREAT they are. And how much fun they are. and how attached to you the get.


LOL bad kittie cat!


Ash

[zippy-kat]

A family friend dropped by this evening. Of course we showed her our new friend Jay Cheeter. She asked what we were going to do w/ him; "try and give him to the "bird lady" whenever we are able to get ahold of her."

Our friend knows the "bird lady" -- she goes to church with her and our friend's father has "helped" (read on...) her around her house. Our friend's father (a doctor) was afraid to go into the house because of the sanitary conditions. He said there were animals EVERYWHERE (collector maybe?) -- snakes in the bathtub, birds loose/caged, etc. -- the place was FILTHY. They also said she no longer sleeps in her bed (converted it into an animal room); she sleeps upright in a recliner. Is this a place I want Jay Cheeter to go? I don't think so!

On the other hand, I don't really know that much about raising a baby bird. And, she is suppose to be REALLY good at the nursing part--is called out to the hospital to help w/ the premies sometimes.

Now what do I do? Give him up to the 'bird lady' or take my chances?

[popcornbird]

Oh my. Seems like a tough decision. I would definitely NOT give the bird to the lady, simply because of the dirty environment. With all those many many animals that live with her, it may be way to stressful on a little baby bird. Is there any way you can call her for advice on the nursing part though? Perhaps calling an avian vet for advice would be helpful. I'll try to look for sites on the web and if I find a good one about baby jays, I'll post it for you. With all the pets you have and that animal loving heart, I'm sure you can handle it well. Good luck!

Ps. How is the bird doing now?

[Aspen and Misty]

Did you know birds make WONDERFUL pets???



What I would do? Hmm, go to the library and read up on bleu jays. There natural behavior and everything about that. I would also go on line and look all over to find some good things on blue jay's and how to raise them. But thats just me in my opnion if you ahve been handling him and he reconizes you wouldn't he be already to far gone and un able to be released? If you are going to release a bird yo ucan't let it see you, you can't hold it and it's contact wiht people has to be minimul. I do bleave that up higher you said he sat on your finger? So you are having contact with him, which is not at all something wrong that you have done, cause I haev to admit I hold all my baby birds So, I don't think anything you are doing is wrong. I'm afried if yo utried to release him he migh be to human friendly for it and it could get him into trouble. Now I know you can't keep the little guy because of your kitty cat situation and I know there are no otehr bird people around you so sorry to say I dont' know what you should do.

Maybe try calling an hour or 2 away and finding someone, ti would eb a long drive but if yo ucan't keep him, well worth it.

Ash

[zippy-kat]

Thanks PCB & Ash.

The morning uppie-date:
Jay Cheeter got a little too warm last night and was somewhat dehydrated this morning. Then to top everything off his dog-food/boiled egg mash spoiled. We got him to take some water but he wasn't interested in the new mash. I've got him here at work with me and he's ate a couple of times, drank some water, but has yet to poop.

The starling site said that most rescued baby birds will be dehydrated to some degree & to try gatorade. I'll pick some up on my lunch break.

Yes, Ash, I think he's going to be too human friendly to release.

ANDDDDD Get this -- (You'll love this next part )
My Dad (who usually says, "no more animals") told me NOT to give him to the bird lady. If Jay Cheeter can make it, he's going to get him a cage. Now.... I have no idea where I'll put it that's out of kitten-reach but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I guess.

Right now, I'm worried about getting him to eat/drink/poop.

[Logan]

Tonya, I think you are taking over the title of "Mother of Many". I'm keeping Jay Cheeter in my prayers!!! Sounds like you are doing everything humanly possible to keep him healthy.

[Aspen and Misty]

You aren't putting water staright into his mouth are you? On the starling sight it says never to do that. Try soaking bread in the water and giving it to him.

I hope he begins to eat more again. I'm glad you can keep him did I ever tell you birds make WONDERFUL pets,

Ash

[kingrattus]

Try garfield canned cat food (the small tins) & 1 scrambled egg. My starling loved it!!!! & all u have to do is put it into a plastic container & stick it in the fridge. My starling never ate warm food, I was scared I would make it too warm & burn him.

Peetree went nuts during feeding time. He loved the stuff way too much.

[zippy-kat]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

No, I'm not putting water straight into his mouth. I place a bead on the corner/tip of his beak and let him lick it off. Although, he most of the time licks it off my finger.

WE HAVE POOP! (and lots of it )
Actually, this morning I didnt' think he was going to last throughout the day. But he's bright eyed now! I left him in the office while I went to lunch. When I came back, I immediately had to answer the phone. He started peeping when he heard my voice! I fed him, he pooped again, and now he's sleeping.

I may not be able to keep him as I just found out that it's a federal offense!

I know that some wildlife rehabilitators keep birds (that are unfit to reintro) for education purposes. My mom's a teacher so I have a classroom to educate. Now I just have to find out what I need to do to be able to declare myself a "wildlife rehabilitator." (I would love to do that esp w/ bunnies! )

[Aspen and Misty]

LOL, ohh Tonya

I hope you can get this Wildlife rehab thing, it would be AWESOME! Expesially for them little bun buns!

Ash