Hi. I am Melinda, Min for short. I am in SE lower Michigan and am owned by 9 parrots, 2 of which are quakers. All my birds but my first 2 are rehomes/rescues. I work at home (ideal for the fids) and have 2 businesses, computer graphics and organic bird food. I volunteer at a local parrot rescue/sanctuary cleaning cages, feeding and socializing birds. I also help out with diet recommendations and creating brochures. I study a lot on my own about parrots, their diets and current thoughts about behavior. It's a hobby and a passion that takes a lot of time and effort to do as well as I can for the birds I have and spread some of what I learn to others.

I have two quakers. Sparki is round, stout and gorgeous... walks like Mae West on the cage top, strutting her cleveage like there's no tomorrow. She has HUGE eyes for a quaker that are deep and lovely. She is the bird most bonded to me. I have to watch her weight. Her last CBC showed her to be fine, but on the edge of too much fat. You know that's of concern to her liver, so she is off all seeds and grains unless they are sprouted.

Kuiper is my problem child, but the clown of my flock. She was brought to a bird fair in a pocket, her owners wanting to trade her for a different bird. The breeders at the fair wouldn't take a trade-in, so they left her. I picked her up. It took 3 years to get her calm enough to hold and touch. She is thin, edgy, plucks under her wings and came to me with no tail. She started escalating to mutilating, so we did a complete battery of tests. She had zinc poisoning. She still didn't quit plucking, so put her on an allergy-free diet and a medicine that is an anti-anxiety, but also helps with itching. It helped her a lot. After being on the meds for two weeks she started talking, weaving, bathing and being a normal quaker (although she still likes naked wingpits). She plucks in spurts, but no where like she was!

I am posting today because I need to help to find a home for a quaker a friend came across.
I have always liked what I read here, so it is about time I registered.

Hi Min ~

Welcome! I just love to hear about people who rescue their birds. Poor Kuiper... I'm glad to hear she found a loving home.

It sounds like you have a busy life! I wish I could volunteer at a rescue shelter but I'd either cry all day or want to bring every animal home. Shoot, I can't even go to a pet store without trying to find homes for them!

I can't wait to see pictures of "Mae West" and other fids!!

welcome too the flock

Welcome to the forum! You will soon find out that this is the most addicting place to be!

That's great that you are able to help rescue so many birds in need of a good home. It sounds like you are very educated and hopefully you can share your vast knowledge with us!

...Just read your other post, hopefully someone is able to help out the little Quaker in need of a forever home.

Again, Welcome to you and your fids... can't wait to see pictures!

Hi Min,

I am curious as to the resuce you work with. I would be intested in seeing if I could help there as well.

I am also in SE Michigan.

Thanks

Erin

Welcome! I think you will love this forum--tons of information and lots of great people. Looking forward to the pics!

Thanks for the warm welcome. I have a photobucket collection of my birds and birds I have fostered and ones that just plain touched my heart.
Mine are CAGs Cosmo (6 yrs old) and Gris-Gris (gree-gree, 10), Quakers Sparki (6) and Kuiper (4), Nanday Conure Kiwi (16+??), Hubble Tiel (7), and Ikie (5), Blooper (??) and Jellybean (16+??) -- the lovies. I'll let you know all their stories sometime.
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/mbylow/Birds/?start=0

Welcome! Nice to have another very knowledgable person here to chime in with advice and stories! Glad to meet you.

Welcome to the forum! It was a pleasure looking at your pictures! Your fids are beautiful!

Hi Min,

I just wanted to join the others in welcoming you to the forum.

You sure have a beautiful family of fids there!

It's great to have yet another member with lots of knowledge to share. Many of these wonderful creatures have been spared a lot of useless misery because of people like you.

Welcome! What a great looking bunch of fids you have there.

Welcome to you and your flock.

Welcome!

Welcome Min!
Although I haven't talked to your personally, I certainly know "Big Bird" and love the food you and Christina make!!!
Welcome to the forum!
tikileahsmom

Welcome to the Forum! Not sure how I missed this.......sounds like you have your hands full

Wow a busy life and a great looking flock ...