Fragrances

[CaptMicha]

I know I asked something to this degree before but this is more comprehensive. I hope I used that word correctly...

Is there anything that's safe to use in my bedroom to scent it? I know all about the health problems but there's got to be something I can use!

I mean, besides sachets which aren't strong enough for my whole room. I was thinking maybe those crystals that when they get moist they exspand and become like jelly, like I could soak them in some kind of good smelling stuff... But what?

Or anything. ANY ideas? Basically my room smells like lovebirds, a poodle and three aquariums right now. The last two I keep very clean but still.

Does it make any difference that I always circulate the air with my fan?

[bellarains]

Micha,

You can boil lemons, and sit them in your room. Also, orange peels are very aromatic, but still all natural.

I use an orange scented non-aersol spay call Odor Assasin. It is all natural, and smells like a Dreamsicle(if you know what those are, I'm kinda old,LOL). I don't spray it very heavy though, besides, it doesn't take much to freshen.

Here's a link for ya: http://www.scentsplus.com/odorassassin.htm

[CaptMicha]

PERFECT! I was leaning towards a grapefruit scent anyways so boiling the peels is perfect!

[mangotiki]

I was wondering..what about vanilla? (not vanilla scented items but real vanilla).

My fiance's sister took two of my babies in the summer and they are doing very well...but when I last visited her on Sunday the placed smelled wonderful...of some febreeze type thing...I had a heart attack!!! She has agreed to remove it right away. She didn't seem to believe me at first that it was so bad but I made it very clear that over time this could poison them and that the information that Mango's vet gives out to all bird owners included scented items specifically as a danger.

One more warning about scents and sprays...

My fiance's nieces took the other two babies from the same clutch over the summer. I gave them all the usual warnings. I found out later (they were too upset to tell me at the time) that both birds died a month later just two days apart. The girls are genuinely upset and have learned a tough lesson but I am just fit to be tied. I questioned them and found that they had: purchased a used cage which was NOT in good shape; and that they had put the birds in one of their bedrooms, where she did all her hair, makeup and stuff; I am talking perfume, hairspray, body lotion, etc. I cannot think of anything else that might have caused them to die. The girls swear that they were eating well and had not seemed at all sick before they died. I will never let anyone young have my birds again; though I must admit I wondered why the parents did not enforce my rules!!!

Traci

[Keltoth]

I questioned them and found that they had: purchased a used cage which was NOT in good shape

I am curious - when you say the cage was NOT in good shape, did it have visible rusting on it? I ask because I sent a lovebird home with a coworker of my wife early last year, free of charge (Stormie's clutch-mate, in fact), and this person put the hen in a cage that had rust all over it (I found that out after the fact...). The bird died, I found out about the cage, pointed out that the rust COULDN'T be good for a small bird with no toys and who climbs all over that cage - and to the best of my knowledge she never had a necroscopy done, even though she also had a blue-and-gold macaw in the home. :roll:

Anyway, I related the story to three different breeder friends, and they all emphatically stated that rust is DEADLY to birds; the microscopic serrations in the decaying steel/iron cut the tongue as the bird grasps the rusty bar in its mouth to climb about, making it MUCH easier for bacteria to attack the bird's auto-immune system (especially Clostridium tetani, the bacteria that cause Tetanus).

I just thought I would mention it, since the condition of the cage was mentioned, for any folks that might not have been aware of the dangers of even a little rust. Don't invest money in a bird, lots of toys, good food, clean water, spotless cage-liners - and then blow it all and have your poor bird die on you by housing the lovebird in a rusty cage.

- Eric

[mangotiki]

I am curious - when you say the cage was NOT in good shape, did it have visible rusting on it?
- Eric

Yes...on further questioning she admitted that there were a few spots. I have not seen the cage myself.

I think I might actually ask to see the cage my birds will be kept in from now on. In any case, they won't be getting any birds to replace those babies, at least not from me.

I am sooooo choked up about this. Probably because I should have known better...the girls are 15 years old. I thought, however, that they had listened to my advice!!!

[Keltoth]

Yes...on further questioning she admitted that there were a few spots. I have not seen the cage myself.

I think I might actually ask to see the cage my birds will be kept in from now on. In any case, they won't be getting any birds to replace those babies, at least not from me.

Yup! I am actually very careful who I send my birds home with now, and I make a point of telling them they must bring a travel cage in which to take their new bird home. If they show up with an acceptable cage for transport, I don't get nosey - but if they show up with a beat-up, rusty cage - or no cage at all! - I get downright nosey and ask SPECIFICALLY the condition of the home cage and if it has rust or not, has a bottom grate, the exact size, etc etc. I figure it is best to tell them that I will not sell to them from the get-go if I think the conditions at home are lacking than it is to have them take one of my birds home and kill it. Oh, and THEN come back and want another bird for free as replacement for their ignorance or their money back or something...

Nope. If they send me non-fuzzy vibes, they are getting asked some pointed questions. If I think they are being anything less than truthful, they are not getting one of my birds.

- Eric