Peanut says Hello
--Peanut says Hello,
After last year working to train the Parakeets and ring neck doves to eat off a stick, I wondered what we would be doing this winter.. Hummmm,,,
First day back Jesse showed us two pens of seven young Flamingos in the breeding complex. Four of them were 5 months and 3 were 4 months. When Jesse said how about taking them outside and letting them walk around, With my head spinning I ask “on a leash”, After he quit laughing saying “ oh Mary”,, No ! Your goal is to get them to follow you. Until then you sort of herd them. I have this vision of how fast can they go and can I run fast enough and far enough to catch up to them.
Jesse shows us how to get them over the ledge and out of the pen by hold their body with one arm and lifting their legs together until they release the knees and bend/ fold the legs up. Being very careful they have their balance before you release them back onto the floor.
Rule number 1, make sure the gate is shut; going out the door they jump, run and flap their wings. Jesse says “Happy Bird”, we all laugh. They really are happy to have the room to run and play. Getting them back into the building is a little tricky but you just slowly herd them through the door. Surprising they are quite friendly and do not bite.
{
[Yep, gate closed]
In the second group of Flamingos the smallest one comes up to us and nuzzles us and makes a loud honking sound, CONSTANTLY! Asking what is the matter we learn he was Imprinted and thinks Jesse [later he turns to us] is a parent figure. Now this could be enduring except he is so unpredictable that he runs into you and walks right under your feet. Careful not to step on him or knock him down we walk. Soon it is clear he is the boss of this group. When the other two come close he bits at them.
Bob takes over for Jesse and Peanut “adopts” him too. As they grow and we bond together the work begins. After the walk around the “track” [that’s what we call the path] we stop at the water hose and let the water run onto the ground. Stomping and filtering water with their beaks begin. Soon they lay down on the ground; this is what they look forward to doing. I am not sure the Keepers back here are too happy with our daily mud puddle..
[ [Wet Birds Learning how to get back on your feet]
When his Brothers and Sisters go to their new home a decision is made to keep Peanut and put him out in the Flamingo yard with the older Birds. It takes a scary few days until they accept him and he learns to stand his ground for food. Here the nervous parents watch over him and make sure he is getting food and thriving.
Peanut remembers us and will say Hello. What a great feeling. We are very proud “parents.
We made the commitment and seen it through , 200 plus hours later..
When you go past the Flamingo yard , look for the smallest least colorful one . That’s Peanut ! Listen maybe you will hear him say hello.
After last year working to train the Parakeets and ring neck doves to eat off a stick, I wondered what we would be doing this winter.. Hummmm,,,
First day back Jesse showed us two pens of seven young Flamingos in the breeding complex. Four of them were 5 months and 3 were 4 months. When Jesse said how about taking them outside and letting them walk around, With my head spinning I ask “on a leash”, After he quit laughing saying “ oh Mary”,, No ! Your goal is to get them to follow you. Until then you sort of herd them. I have this vision of how fast can they go and can I run fast enough and far enough to catch up to them.
Jesse shows us how to get them over the ledge and out of the pen by hold their body with one arm and lifting their legs together until they release the knees and bend/ fold the legs up. Being very careful they have their balance before you release them back onto the floor.
Rule number 1, make sure the gate is shut; going out the door they jump, run and flap their wings. Jesse says “Happy Bird”, we all laugh. They really are happy to have the room to run and play. Getting them back into the building is a little tricky but you just slowly herd them through the door. Surprising they are quite friendly and do not bite.
{
[Yep, gate closed]
In the second group of Flamingos the smallest one comes up to us and nuzzles us and makes a loud honking sound, CONSTANTLY! Asking what is the matter we learn he was Imprinted and thinks Jesse [later he turns to us] is a parent figure. Now this could be enduring except he is so unpredictable that he runs into you and walks right under your feet. Careful not to step on him or knock him down we walk. Soon it is clear he is the boss of this group. When the other two come close he bits at them.
Bob takes over for Jesse and Peanut “adopts” him too. As they grow and we bond together the work begins. After the walk around the “track” [that’s what we call the path] we stop at the water hose and let the water run onto the ground. Stomping and filtering water with their beaks begin. Soon they lay down on the ground; this is what they look forward to doing. I am not sure the Keepers back here are too happy with our daily mud puddle..
[ [Wet Birds Learning how to get back on your feet]
When his Brothers and Sisters go to their new home a decision is made to keep Peanut and put him out in the Flamingo yard with the older Birds. It takes a scary few days until they accept him and he learns to stand his ground for food. Here the nervous parents watch over him and make sure he is getting food and thriving.
Peanut remembers us and will say Hello. What a great feeling. We are very proud “parents.
We made the commitment and seen it through , 200 plus hours later..
When you go past the Flamingo yard , look for the smallest least colorful one . That’s Peanut ! Listen maybe you will hear him say hello.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)