It was an accident. I really didn’t mean to throw the baby in the garbage. It’s just that the cage was so poorly designed, and changing the paper has to take place through a little 3-inch square, and herding baby birds is a lot like herding cats.
So if you’ve ever thrown your baby in the garbage, don’t feel bad – I’m sure it has happened to all of us at one time or another.
It was Duncan who found Number Three of Five in the garbage. I was horrified, of course, and puzzled as to how he got there. I thought maybe he’d fallen, or maybe he’d flown, or maybe somehow Duncan put him there, even though I was in the room the whole time. GC suggested that maybe Number Three threw himself in the garbage – the birdie equivalent of escaping in the laundry cart. But no. I’m pretty sure it was me, while cleaning the cage.
The good news is that Duncan alerted me to this interesting treasure in the garbage almost immediately, so the baby was only in there for a few minutes. And he was none the worse for his adventures.
They’re getting to be quite a handful now. They were in a little blue recycle bin until a few days ago when I moved them into a cage. Then today I moved them into a better cage. There was nothing for them to do in the recycle bin except sleep and poop. In the cage, they can climb the bars, practice sitting on the perch, and jump off the perch while flapping their wings. They can also try climbing the ladder and playing with toys. They can build forts out of towels, and they can see the rest of the room. They like it a lot.
Oh, Number One of Five started flying the day before yesterday, at the age of one month and a day! The rest of the birdies are green with envy.
Incidentally, they now weigh 56, 56, 56, 54 and 34 grams. I don’t think Sweet Baby Jeebus is going to grow much more. He stalled for three days at 32 grams, and then gained two more grams. I took his orthopedic device off a couple of days ago, and his legs aren’t as splayed as they used to be. I was so impressed when he was one of the first to try climbing the bars of the cage. I think he’ll live a normal life, even though he’ll always be a miniature lovebird.
The baby lovebirds will all be ready to go to new homes by Valentine’s Day or sooner. Consider getting one or two for your sweetie or your kids or yourself – nothing says I LOVE YOU like a hand-tamed baby lovebird! ($75 each, or two for $125, plus I have a couple of cages for sale – cheep! – if you need one.)
Man, if I lived even reasonably close to you I’d be applying to be one or two of these guys!!! With so much love and attention and handling, they will be great companions.
Look at it this way… at least you didn’t throw Sweet Baby Jeebus in the garbage… he’s been through enough! I’d love a bird for Valentines day – and I’d make the drive to Ottawa to do it (about 8 hours) but I’m a little afraid of what Miss PenoCat will do… she was a wild cat, and keeps quite an eye on those birdies outside.
When I read the title of your post I was so worried for the littlest one. Phew, glad they are all OK!
I was also afraid it was little Jeebus. He’s not the luckiest of birds…
Your babies sound like they are doing very well. Maybe you should make a new career out of this, i.e. as a bird breeder! Although it sounds like it would be a tough job, time-consuming, even if rewarding.
Interestingly, Duncan seems to be actually trying to help you. Maybe he is waiting for them to grow bigger, hoping they will be more tasty once they get bigger?
Mikitana, thanks for commenting. I think they’re going to be very lovable lovebirds. They are already doing step-ups, and they love attention and affection.
Valerie, I totally understand. You can take the cat out of the wilds, but you can’t take the wild out of the cat. But if you were to drive all the way here for a lovebird, I’d give you a spare, just in case. (j/k)
Finola, I’m thinking your little girls would love getting lovies for Valentines Day.
Gayle, I know, it was about time someone else shared some of the bad luck! Poor wee Jeebus.
Lucy, I thought about it, but lovebirds are not the way to go if you want to make money breeding birds. When you add up all the hours and overhead, it works out to probably a dollar an hour. I’d need to breed more exotic and expensive birds to make it worthwhile. Besides, I find it too hard to part with them. I want them to go to wonderful homes and live wonderful lives.
This, by the way, is my last clutch of lovies. If you’re toying with the idea of getting one from me someday, it’s now or never!
Zoom! LOL at the spare!!!