I think I know what happened to Skittles...

[newloviemom]

and I feel awful!! On Monday afternoon while I was out, my son decided to cook "breakfast for dinner" for him and his girlfriend and his son. He made waffles and bacon. He used my waffle iron...which is non stick coated, and he dug out an old non stick pan to cook bacon in. He absolutely did not know about teflon and birds, and I didn't think to tell him because I don't use anything non stick except for my electric skillet, and I had only used it twice since I brought Skittles home, and both times I moved Skittles to the back bedroom which is far down the hall from the kitchen, and I turned on the stove fan on high when I used it. My son did not know to move Skittles down the hall to the back bedroom, because we work opposite of each other, so when I was cooking with my electric pan, he wasn't home to see me move Skittles.
It is totally my fault that Skittles died...I should have thrown out the fry pan...but because it was old, and I never used it myself, it was buried under everything else that I cook with, and I didn't even think about it. And the waffle iron...well...I forgot I had it because we NEVER make waffles...so I don't know where my son even got the idea to make waffles. I should have just got rid of those things. I feel so awful...poor baby...he must have just suffered as his little lungs filled up. I am so ashamed to even write here and admit what happened.
New lovie owners...please throw out any non stick items you may have...the warnings are more than just warnings...they are true and there are horror stories of birds dying from teflon being used. Don't be complacent and think that nothing will happen to your babies...they will die if exposed to heated non stick surfaces...and this is not just cookware, but curling irons, hair dryers, irons...if it is non stick or teflon...get rid of it!!!! Please!!! I also found out that oven bags use non stick material as well...that is why you can use them in the oven.
Last night I cleaned out his cage. I scrubbed it down and bleached it, rinsed it good, let it sit overnight, and then rinsed it again this morning before I left for work.
I am bringing home a new baby tomorrow...but it's not a lovebird right now. I just could not get another lovebird yet...it would be a reminder of my little Skittles, and I need more time before I get another lovebird. A friend at work who has an African Gray introduced me to a family who raises parrotlets, and they had two little girls left who were hatched in October and were handfed. I met the little girls last night and fell in love with one who is very sweet and cuddly. I would have brought her home last night, but the temp was below zero, and I had to work all day today, and had a horrible headache, and I knew that I would need to clean out Skittles' cage.
I really was not going to get another bird so soon, but my friend at work talked me into looking at the babies...she knew that when I saw them, one of them would become mine. I honestly did not think I could fall in love with another baby so auickly, but these little girls are sweet. However, one issue that I'm having is that I don't know that I deserve to have another little soul trust my care taking ability as a bird mama.
I hope Skittles has forgiven me...and I hope he knows I am sooooo sorry that I didn't get rid of all the teflon stuff...I just didn't think about it because like I said, we never used it.
Part of me feels guilty about bringing home another baby so soon...but it doesn't mean I have forgotten about my little Skittles or that I didn't love him with all of my heart. I hope he understands from the Rainbow Bridge...

[linda040899]

Cindy,
It breaks my heart to read the words you have written. Non-stick is in so many things these days, and manufacturers continue to use it, knowing full well it's toxic to birds. It's actually unhealthy for humans, as is being discovered.

I don't know if you realize that self-cleaning ovens should never be used with birds in the house. A couple of years ago, I went looking for a toaster oven for my kitchen. I'd hate to tell you how many I looked at before I found a very inexpensive Black & Decker that has a silver, non-coated inside surface!

Please don't be a stranger here. While we are mainly a lovebird group, we are open to discussion about all parrots and we do have a Parrotlet forum. Check under Other Parrots.

:grouphug1

[michael]

Cindy. I think parrotlets are about as close to lovebirds as you can get!..........:D............Glad to hear you may have found the cause of Skittles passing. Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of figuring another family member could have unknowingly caused her death. From the ever insidious teflon coatings that seem to be everywhere, to that partially filled water glass, it can often take a long time before we're able to eliminate every element of danger. You know, whats odd to think about is when we purchase a cell phone or computer we almost always get some form of user care manual better fit towards adding height to a childs car seat. Purchase a parrot on the otherhand, and more often than not all we get is a small cage, some bird seed, and a quick course of verbal instructions. Thank gosh we now have this website and a few others who do the best they can to not only educate new parrot owners, but the public as well.

[linda040899]

You know, whats odd to think about is when we purchase a cell phone or computer we almost always get some form of user care manual better fit towards adding height to a childs car seat. Purchase a parrot on the otherhand, and more often than not all we get is a small cage, some bird seed, and a quick course of verbal instructions.
You've never tried to buy one of my lovies................ :whistle:I'm always thankful when we get a newbie because I know we can educate them!!

[Flip]

Aww...Cindy, I'm so sorry. It's not your fault. It's impossible to eliminate all the dangers in the house, and you are a wonderful birdie mama--you didn't know your son would use the waffle iron. I'm so glad that you are going to bring another baby home.

I've heard of so many horror stories about PTFE and birds, and it's heartbreaking. A woman on the birdboard forum lost 7 birds in one night because of it. Just horrible stuff, really. We still have a non-stick Wok, which I will never use again.

I'm so, so, sorry Cindy. Please do stay around the forum and let us know all about your new baby.

Meagan

[wilkiecoco]

Cindy - my heart was aching while I read your words - your love for skittles is shining through. enjoy your new little companion - i know she will bring happiness to your home.

[Chickobee]

This is so sad, but also a relief to know that Skittles was not carrying any disease that would prevent you from being able to get another bird. Sometimes life's lessons are so very harsh, but we learn and grow from all things.

Your new little parrotlet will be coming into a loving, caring home and hopefully will be with you for many years.

I know you will miss your little Skittles but I think it's good that you are able to move on and love another fluff of feathers. And, parrotlets can talk! I think that's great.

I'll be watching for pictures in the parrotlet section. :)

[Janie]

Cindy, I am so sorry but appreciate that you have shared this information. It's information that we need to be reminded of constantly. I gave my mother all of my teflon because I knew that living with three other people (my hubby and two sons) someone would forget and use it.

I think parrotlets are adorable. Enjoy you new baby! :)

[Pips mom]

I am sorry for what you are going through, and I know the dangers of teflon, BUT I do believe that the pan or waffle iron would not cause a bird's death unless it was excessively heated, so before you start thinking for sure this was the cause, I would ask you son how high he had the temp on.
I don't use teflon pans anymore, but when I first got birds I didn't get rid of them right away because it's expensive to do that, but eventually I did get new pans that weren't teflon. While we had the pans though we used them, but very carefully. I always thought it was the danger of being distracted and leaving the pan to overheat that would cause it to affect a bird. Also my parents had a cockatiel for 13 years and he was in the kitchen and they used non stick pans at times and it never affected the bird, so I do believe that as long as the pan is not overheated, that it wouldn't cause the bird's death, so before you and your son go feeling guilty, I would see how high he had the temp.

[newloviemom]

I think that it was more the older pan that he cooked the bacon in as it was full of scratches, and he had the temp up higher, as he was cooking the bacon to be crispy. I haven't done a whole lot of quizzing because he feels awful, even though I have reassured him over and over that it wasn't his fault.
(This is the guy, who as a child about 7 years old, cried when he caught a fish as he didn't want it to die!)

[Bubblelady]

I second Kim's suggestion. If your son admits he cooks like me (i.e., forgets he is cooking until he smells it :blush:), great. And if the waffle iron hadn't been used in a long time, it may very well have "smoked" when heating up. And don't go beating yourselves up. I don't think I get through even a single day without making at least one mistake! Stuff happens.

But if those pans didn't overheat, I think you still should talk to the vet. Even if it wasn't the pans, you are probably okay, with the sanitizing you have done. But I always opt for being super cautious. Well, usually (see below re: my George Foreman Grill :omg: ) I just want you to have a safe & healthy start with your new baby. And I am soooooooo glad you decided to repopulate the nest right away. After all, lovie hens do. If something happens to one of their precious eggs, they make another! I KNOW Skittles is chirping with joy for you. He wouldn't want you to miss out on all the fun that comes wrapped in feathers. I have a good friend who has a parrotlet & she is darling...and every bit as fiesty as a lovie. I so like birds with "attitude". :clap

[Bubblelady]

I did get new pans that weren't teflon. While we had the pans though we used them, but very carefully.

Thanks to your info re: the Green Pans, Kim, I got a set & I'm very happy with them. I use stainless steel clad cast iron pans that I've had for over 40 years--when I cook on the stove. Which is rarely I usually microwave or crock pot cook. The only teflon I have (yes, HAVE) is my mini George Forman grill that I use because I like how quickly I can grill a single chicken breast. It has an automatic shut off that is temperature controlled so it doesn't overheart and I'm standing right there watching it. No lectures please! I got the green pans because when I cook Beak Appitit in my regular pans I usually burn it & it sticks like crazy, even when I don't burn the bottom layer. I'm happy to report that Beak Appitit cooks BEAUTIFULLY in Green Pans. And yes, I did get distracted on the first batch & burned it anyway :omg: Had it been teflon, I surely would have had a tragedy. Instead, I only had one ruined batch of birdie porridge. I just have to learn to set the timer if I'm cooking something on the stove for more than minutes. Who knows, I may actually learn how to cook on a stove :rofl: (I once rented a house that didn't have a stove & got along just fine! Finally bought a second hand stove for $50 because I needed a gas oven to make my dried apple dolls. Creative I am, domestic I'm not :rofl:) Anyway, thanks for your input, Kim :) I second your endorsement of Green Pans.

[bookworm0550]

you know, this is a reminder for me to get rid of my george foreman which i havent used in over a year and a half. my coworker rolled her eyes at me when i asked if she wanted it and told me i'm being paranoid and overly cautious (everyone thinks i'm crazy cuz i buy them toys and want to get rid of my teflon items and it's darn annoying me just cuz they have "normal" pets!!!). Thank god my boss was there to back me up cuz she thought i was making it up.

anyway, cindy, congrats on your new girl and i hope to hear more about her. keep us updated even though she's not a lovie.

thou

[lemonypickett]

I have been absent from this site since last week and was just getting caught up on what I missed.

I am soooo sorry to hear about the loss of Skittles! He was a special baby and was very well loved.

I agree with the others, you can't beat yourself up over this. Getting a new baby will make you feel better. Now when you look in that cage, you will see a happy baby... you won't be haunted by the memories of what happened with Skittles.

He will be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge.

*** In reading this, I thought of a good idea...... I am going to make a sign that goes on the oven right near the controls that will read: "Non-stick pans, grills or bakeware will kill the birds!". Just in case I have a house sitter, or if I die and my family stays over while they take care of settling my estate.

[Tango's_Mom]

I agree with those who suggest still looking at other causes and talking to your vet, it is possible that it was the nonstick, but it's also possible it was something else entirely. If it was the nonstick then the damage to the lungs should be obvious on a necropsy, and I would want to be very, very sure before bringing a new baby home. Even with disinfecting all his cage and toys and all that stuff thoroughly. Your carpets and furniture and drapery and any number of other fabrics and surfaces in the house can still harbour infections depending on what it was. Also Linda earlier mentioned polyoma virus, which if i'm correct usually effects young birds and usually comes from the breeders aviary, if this is the case it is very important that the breeder is informed of this, to prevent this from happening to someone else, or and to keep it from spreading to other flocks. I know this has been very painful for you, can you imagine someone loosing a number of birds because they had the misfortune to bring home a baby that was carrying that virus or some other disease.