Dear Linda;

I have two pairs of pet Quakers and hand feed their babies for sale every year. I both enjoy them and find this a welcome source of additional income. I try to do everything right. I have read about "socializing" baby birds but I do not understand just how to go about this. How do I accomplish socializing my babies?    Myrna from NorthCarolina

Socializing the baby birds probably occurs naturally with the kindness and care a small, bird loving breeder gives to each one. In addition to the loving attention you are giving them, I suggest if it is possible, have more than one person feed, or at least play with and handle , the young birds. Exposing your birds to a number of different people and varying their schedule a bit now and then will help prepare them to accept a new owner more readily and to quickly make the adjustment to a new home.

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Dear Linda,

 We just love your news letter. However, everyone else’s birds seem so much smarter than our Fred. We’ve had him for 3 years, and while he does have a vocabulary, he is only now starting to pick up what WE say. (His previous owner must have had a very foul mouth!) And finally he is starting to be affectionate, putting his head under my hand for a neck rub. The other day when he did this he said "Hug". I was thrilled. We’re working on playing ball now - he throws, I catch. He (we) loves it .     Dave from California

Poop-to-My-Lou-My Darlin’

Tena Marangi

So, do you think it’s possible to potty train your little green chicken? No way or impossible, you say? Well, let me tell you that I’m probably one of the ONLY people you know that have had a close relationship with their Quaker and can honestly say that in almost 4 years I’ve never, EVER been pooped on (or is that upon?). I don’t have a single, solitary T-shirt, sweatshirt, blouse, dress or robe that has a poopie stain on it. Honest. Cross my heart! Swear on my Mother’s grave (course, she’s still alive and kickin’ but she already bought her plot and I know its location, does that count??)

So, if you’ve bought this concept so far, read on if you want to know how I did it. And, if you think I’m just full of it, read on anyway and be amused by my arrogance and my "story"-telling capabilities!

Before I begin, let me make one very important point. This story is not about the senseless abuse of our trusted avian companions. I do not now or have I ever condoned those individuals that train their birds to "poop" on command and then forget about them, leading the poor trusting bird to extreme discomfort or death because they either forgot to give the "poop" command or just plain didn’t care to continue this pitiful game. I do NOT tell Guido when to poop. He tells me. That’s the difference.

Okay, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’ll continue. . .

Many of you have heard (or read) about Guido in the past concerning his speaking capabilities. To this day, I still say that he’s nothing special (well, you know, he is to me, but not compared with your other green chickens). I truly don’t think he’s any smarter or learns any quicker than any of your Quakers. Nor is he a "Stepford" bird, as some have suggested. Really. . .no genetic engineering done here!

So, what’s the difference between our birds? Probably nothing. In the numerous discussions I’ve had with other Quaker owners all over the country I’ve found an amazing similarity--they nearly all have other parrots that they must divide their time between (or amongst as the case may be). I don’t. It’s just Guido and me (well, that’s not exactly true, I have finches but they’re "little brains" and they don’t really count).

All of this is really a long way of saying that my relationship with Guido has always been based on verbal communication. I taught him language like I would have taught a child (at least I think that’s how I would have taught a child. . .not that I’ve done THAT before, mind you!) Anyway, (and I’m getting to the poopie part finally) back in ‘94 when I was just starting to work with Guido, one of the first words he learned after "Hello" "Guido" and "Mommie" was the word "NO!" which was primarily used in conjunction with "bite" as in "no bite!" Those early days, he heard that a lot!! Over the years, he learned to associate "no" with doing something unacceptable, such as no drop carrot, no fly, no pick feathers, no screaming, no pull Mommie’s hair. . .and the list goes on and on.

With that in mind, here’s what I did. For two evenings in a row every time Guido squatted to, well, you know, make poopie, I’d say "Pooooooop!" as he’d go. When he’s on top of his cage, he hangs his little butt over the front edge and "goes" onto a paper towel. He’s done that since he was a 12 week old baby. He doesn’t go over either side or the back, just the front (don’t ask me, I take no credit for training him to do this. It was sort of a mutual agreement. . .I put the towel there initially and he just used it!)

After two evenings of hearing me "announce" his poopies, I picked him up after he "went" and said "Guido, no poop on Mommie" then sat on the bed singing Old MacDonald with him. I knew that it would only be a matter of 15 minutes or so before he’d have to go again so I reiterated "No poop on Mommie" several times. He nodded as if he understood.

Then, when he got into that unmistakable butt-wiggling gettin’ ready to squat mode, I again announced "Guido, no poop on Mommie!" and believe it or not (and again I swear this is true) he stood straight up and waited for me to take the two steps to his cage. There, (on top) he quickly turned around, hung his little butt over the edge and yelled "POOOOOP!" as he went. By George, I think he’s got it!!!!!

And he did. He never, ever had an accident. For a while, I’d remind him not to poop on me. But shortly thereafter it became apparent to me that I really didn’t need to do that. You see, one of the things that Guido’s been saying for a long time when he’s tired of being on his playgym, his swing-perch, his shower-perch or his t-stand (no he’s not spoiled much!) is "Mommie, go to cage! Go to cage!" (He also repeats this over and over again when he goes for his well-bird check-up every April and it just tears my heart out as you can well imagine.) Anyway, completely on his own, he began saying "Go to cage" to me when it was time for his to "poop."

That’s why I said at the beginning of this that I don’t believe in the type of "potty training" that is based on the poor bird holding and holding and holding it. After all, you know how you feel when you’ve got to go! To me, this is similar to training a puppy to come to you when he wants to be let out instead of pee peeing on the carpet. I hope that you agree.

Guido, on the other hand, seems to take this all in stride. Matter of fact, he almost treats it as a game. From the beginning, when I’d take him back to his cage, I’d cheer and clap and hoot when he’d go on his papertowel. He’d get all excited and bob up and down and start dancing. God only knows what’s going on in that sweet little brain of his. (I’d pay real money to be able to do a Vulcan mind-meld and know first hand!)

So, there you have it. It sure does beat going around with those awful poopie blobs all over your shoulder and running down your back. Or, heaven forbid, walking barefoot and stepping into something squishy when you’re not expecting it. I’m sorry but I think that’s just gross! Some hard-core bird people tell me that I’m "just not a real bird person" because I don’t let Guido poop all over me. Can you believe that? It’s true. You see, I’m convinced that’s it’s basic jealousy. After all, who in their right mind would actually WANT to be pooped upon? (Let’s be real, that happens to us in the real world every day and it has nothing to do with our animals. . .if you get my meaning!)

Like I said, we’re not special. Neither of us. Strong-willed? No doubt. Determined? You bet. Hard-headed? At times. Persevering? Absolutely! That’s the key. You can do it, too. Be patient. Work with your little green chickens and you may be rewarded as I have. (Just think of the time you’ll save. . . you won’t have to separate your clothes into "regular" and "bird-poopie" things.) Amazing concept, isn’t it? It could happen. Honest.

And, oh, did I happen to mention that I have real incentive to take Guido back to his cage when he tells me he wants to go? Nothing like a good pinch on your neck from that beak to get your legs movin’. . .

HOME INSURANCE CANCELLED BECAUSE OF BIRDS

Bird Clubs of America - Avi Reference Page

Kashmir Csaky

My life is seldom exciting. Like most aviculturists I spend most of my days cleaning bird cages and taking care of my avian friends. My husband and I do all of the other mundane things that most people do, pay our electric bills, taxes, mortgage, the premiums on our home owners insurance policy. We have paid our home owners insurance premiums on time for the past 18 or so years. In that time we have made two insurance claims. The first, many years ago when our roof was damaged by hail. The second when a tree fell on our utility shed during hurricane Fran. The damage was minor and the claim was small. So you can imagine our surprise when State farm informed us last fall that they were considering not renewing our homeowners policy in January.

When I asked my agent "Why?" I was told: "I understand that you are breeding birds in your home. The home office is concerned that they are a liability exposure. They might peck someone in the eye." He also said that State Farm expressed some fear that the birds could make people sick. I was told that he needed to inspect my home. I wanted this matter cleared up as soon as possible. The agent came to my home Nov. 6, 1997, two days after the telephone conversation.

I had a total of twenty birds in my home at the time of the visit. There was one baby, two pairs of breeding birds and they are kept in an area that only my husband, my veterinarian and I are permitted to enter, and 15 pet macaws.

Anyone who has ever been to my home can attest to the fact that it is kept clean (sure is!) I clean cages and wash bowls twice a day. The home inspection was obviously just a formality. On November 26 I was informed that my homeowners policy would, in fact, not be renewed. A little later I received a letter from Sate Farm’s Eastern office restating what my insurance agent had told me on the phone.

Search for Another Insurance Company

I called some friends in the area who also breed birds. They told me that they were insured with an independent firm that handles many insurance carriers. I called them and was informed that none of their carriers would insure anyone breeding any kind of animals. I then called my friends back so that they would be aware that their insurance company would drop their policy if they found out about the birds.

This company suggested that I call another firm who were quick to tell me that they could not insure me either. In fact, their carriers would not insure anyone who sold anything from their homes. They were kind enough to take the time to let me know that most insurance companies will not insure in-home businesses.

I now found myself in a very difficult situation. On the advice of my veterinarian I contacted a lawyer he knew in California. He told me that insurance companies can create policies as they choose. He mentioned that he was insured with a California company that did not object to Aviculturists. He suggested that I try to find out if there was something similar in Virginia. I got in touch with the Farm Bureau of Virginia. The Farm Bureau offers its members many services including insurance. I am pleases to say that I now have a homeowners policy with the bureau. They are also attempting to find a carrier that will provide me with business liability insurance and even coverage for my birds in case of theft or fire. I’m not sure I’ll ever need tires for a tractor, however the Farm Bureau does offer its members many other benefits and there are Farm Bureaus in most states.

Now I will digress a little. Sate Farm would have continued my homeowners policy if I had business liability insurance. Yet they would not extend business liability insurance to me. I have been breeding birds in my home for 13 years without incident . Neither would any of the other companies I called. I was never given any explanation.

On December 19, 1997 I spoke to the State Farm agent who brought up one more disturbing fact. He told me that all Sate Farm agents will be required to do home inspections of their policy holders in the next 3-5 years.If anyone is found breeding any animals without business liability insurance their homeowners policy will be discontinued. In a subsequent letter from a Sate Farm Fire Underwriter the following statement was made: "Our home owner policy is not designed to extend coverage to most commercial exposures. Only small, incidental, low exposure businesses are considered under homeowners policies. Breeders of any type are considered ineligible under our guidelines." I must note at this time that I taught dance in my home for many years and was covered under my homeowners policy.

Also Other Businesses

Recently I spoke to a friend who teaches piano. She tells me that insurance was a hot topic at a recent piano teachers convention that she attended. Apparently they are having similar problems. If you are a breeder or have any kind of business in your home you should have business liability insurance. If anyone come to your home for business purposes and slips on the steps, your homeowners insurance will not cover the damages.

ABOUT YOUR BIRD’S EYE

Abstracted from South Jersey Bird Club News

Diurnal birds (those active during the day) tend to have a flat eyeball. The flat shape is maintained and supported by a ring of twelve bones, the sclerotic ossicles. The cornea and lens are optically clear and appear to transmit wavelengths down to about 350nm, thus rendering near ultraviolet radiation visible and absorbing only those ultra violet wavelengths which are not physiologically destructive. This means that they are able to appreciate colors that are not visible to man.

It has been suggested that this feature might be beneficial for food procurement since many fruits and flowers reflect ultraviolet light more strongly than surrounding leaves. Their color vision is more accurate than man’s due to their greater density of cones (color sensors for daylight vision) in the retina. They have few rods (light sensors for night vision) confined to the periphery which limits their night vision.

The nictitating membrane ( third eyelid) lies beneath the upper and lower eyelids. It has many functions including moistening the eye, protecting the eye from impact damage, and, since it is semi-transparent, it may possibly act as a windscreen during flight to protect the cornea against debris.

GREESON’S SWEET SPOT

This is my new On-Line website - http://www.bluequaker.com You will find some sections devoted to our Quarterhorses, our English Mastiff dogs, our cockatiels and other exotics, and, of course, our Quakers. There is a good picture of a blue Quaker mutation as well as more than fifty of my published articles. A number of these are on Quakers.

Those of you who do not have computers at home can find access in most public libraries. It is a rare library these days without computers for patron’s use. Most librarians will gladly help you with access to the programs that interest you and allow you to print out material you want to keep for reference or enjoy at your leisure.

Clubs are welcome to use material from the Internet or from this news letter in their bulletins with the request that credit be given their source - no special permission required.

TIP FROM AFA

From Flights of Fancy

When using the washing machine for towels and cloths used in brooders with baby birds, in hand feeding, etc., use the normal wash/rinse cycle first using your normal detergent. Then run them through the machine again but this time add a half cup of bleach per gallon of water. Remember, do not try a short cut by mixing the bleach and soap in one wash cycle. Check your owners handbook or call the manufacturer to determine hoe many gallons of water your machine uses. Be sure to use the rinse cycle to remove all bleach residue from the cloths.

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