If you ever have the opportunity to do something like this...do it, you won't regret it. If you've been on a trip to view birds or any animals in their natural habitat, please share. I love hearing about about those "ah-ha" moments!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Did you know???
Did you know...that Kaytee has a non-profit foundation? We do! The Kaytee Avian Foundation, it helps fund projects related to avian conservation, education, and research. We've help funded programs locally and globally... anywhere from Universities like LSU, helping them provide for their flock to purchasing 18,000 acres of land in Piaui, Brazil. Helping to seize 18,000 acres of land in Brazil was our largest initiative to date! Learn more about the KAF and all the great things we've done within the world of birds.
We've hosted many Eco-Tours to Piaui, where we donated the monies to help purchase the land and I was fortunate enough to be the hostess for two of them. Best, most memorable times of my life! Sitting in the blind and watching these beautiful birds in their natural habitat was a "goose bump, life changing" experience. The land is now being preserved helping save the animals which call it home from extinction. Former poachers are now Eco-Tour guides. I spoke with one of the men that used to be a poacher and he told me with tearful eyes "that now he's right with God", that was so powerful to hear him tell me that he now provides for his family in a honest way. Warms the heart!
If you ever have the opportunity to do something like this...do it, you won't regret it. If you've been on a trip to view birds or any animals in their natural habitat, please share. I love hearing about about those "ah-ha" moments!
If you ever have the opportunity to do something like this...do it, you won't regret it. If you've been on a trip to view birds or any animals in their natural habitat, please share. I love hearing about about those "ah-ha" moments!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Out of the mouths of babes!
Here at the Kaytee Learning Center, we have LOTS of field trips with visitors ranging in age from 3 to "3 at heart" and with that we get a lot of comments and recently some of those comments made me stop and think. Think about the fact that I get to go to work each day in a pretty fabulous setting with some pretty fabulous people and some pretty fabulous critters!
Below are quotes from students at a local High School, these were great kids that were sincerely interested in what we were talking about! Their field trip was "Parrot Behavior; how parrots behavior in the wild relates to them as pets!"
The students had a great time, as did Jessica and I who were teaching the class...not to mention you can just see that the animals LOVE interacting with new people. Some of you may remember Beni (Blue-Throated Macaw) and Wrigley (Dbl Yellow-headed Amazon) from Barbara Heidenreichs blog about them...well Beni is one of the stars for visiting groups. Students are amazed at the opportunity to have a beautiful, endangered parrot fly to their hand. He's amazing...go Beni!
Student quotes:
“I am an animal lover and Kaytee gave me a hands-on chance to experience all sorts of animals up close. Watching exotic birds flying right above your head and petting animals you rarely see is a great way to expand your knowledge of animals. I love Kaytee.”...HK
“The Kaytee Aviary was really fun. I had gone once before with my grandparents when I was really young. Although trying to ‘train’ Tom P. like a bird was fun, I’d have to say my favorite part was having Packer perched on my hand with the chinchilla coming in a close second. If I had the chance to go again, I definitely would.”...JS
“I liked the fact that as soon as you walk in the building there is a beautiful blue bird which everyone could interact with and get close to with no cage. There were also many different animals like ferrets, rabbits and a chinchilla. I also loved the interaction with the different birds and being able to pet each one. Each animal had a personality but they all worked well together and were very friendly.”...TP
“I loved the specific beauty each one of the birds had. Not one was alike whether it was the color of the bird or how many words it said or even just its personality. Seeing all different birds that I never get to see is awesome. Then on top of that, a chinchilla that was as soft as can be. It was an overall amazing place to be; so many things to do and learn.”...DP
Below are quotes from students at a local High School, these were great kids that were sincerely interested in what we were talking about! Their field trip was "Parrot Behavior; how parrots behavior in the wild relates to them as pets!"
The students had a great time, as did Jessica and I who were teaching the class...not to mention you can just see that the animals LOVE interacting with new people. Some of you may remember Beni (Blue-Throated Macaw) and Wrigley (Dbl Yellow-headed Amazon) from Barbara Heidenreichs blog about them...well Beni is one of the stars for visiting groups. Students are amazed at the opportunity to have a beautiful, endangered parrot fly to their hand. He's amazing...go Beni!
Student quotes:
“I am an animal lover and Kaytee gave me a hands-on chance to experience all sorts of animals up close. Watching exotic birds flying right above your head and petting animals you rarely see is a great way to expand your knowledge of animals. I love Kaytee.”...HK
“The Kaytee Aviary was really fun. I had gone once before with my grandparents when I was really young. Although trying to ‘train’ Tom P. like a bird was fun, I’d have to say my favorite part was having Packer perched on my hand with the chinchilla coming in a close second. If I had the chance to go again, I definitely would.”...JS
“I liked the fact that as soon as you walk in the building there is a beautiful blue bird which everyone could interact with and get close to with no cage. There were also many different animals like ferrets, rabbits and a chinchilla. I also loved the interaction with the different birds and being able to pet each one. Each animal had a personality but they all worked well together and were very friendly.”...TP
“I loved the specific beauty each one of the birds had. Not one was alike whether it was the color of the bird or how many words it said or even just its personality. Seeing all different birds that I never get to see is awesome. Then on top of that, a chinchilla that was as soft as can be. It was an overall amazing place to be; so many things to do and learn.”...DP
 |
| Students interacting with Beni! Everyone's loving it! :) |
 |
| Students enjoying a little bunny time! Cabbage (the bunny) is enjoying the love! |
Barbara Heidenreich Seminar!
Join us Saturday, October 6th! Our annual Parrot Care and Training Seminar has had a few minor adjustments! This year Barbara Heidenreich will be our one & only speaker! She'll be helping address Problem Behaviors...we all know we need help with those! Tips on how to modify a screaming for attention parrot, aggressive parrot and more...
NOTE: This years seminar will not be offered via the Web, no webinar...sorry!
When:
Saturday, October 6th
8:00-5:00
Where:
Kaytee Learning Center
585 Clay St.
Chilton, WI 53014
We'll have lots of hands-on examples of training and guests may even have a chance to do some hands-on demonstrations with Barbara and the Learning Center flock!
There is still space and a little time to register!
If you are interested in attending e-mail me and we'll get you registered!
The seminar is only $65.00, including lunch, snacks and refreshments!
When:
Saturday, October 6th
8:00-5:00
Where:
Kaytee Learning Center
585 Clay St.
Chilton, WI 53014
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Birdie Bath Time!
Baths! Does your bird love it? Mister bottle, shower or dish? You can see in the video that Zico loves (he was a little bashful this time because of the camera) his mister shower, and as for Tripp well he wasn't letting a camera on him disturb his bathtime!. They both REALLY get into it when left alone to "do their thing." Although watching a bird bathe is fun, does everyone understand how important baths are for your bird?? They are necessary for healthy feathers, we bath 2-3 times weekly! Make sure your feathered friends don't get too chilled during or after their bath. We learned a trick, especially for birds living in northern climates (like WI!) during the winter season, a solution of 10% aloe and water helps to moisten their skin without weighing down the feathers or causing build-up on them. They look beautiful! Make bathtime fun, this shouldn't be a forced activity...find ways to make it enjoyable!
If you have stories about your birds bathing and loving it...please share! A happy bathing bird a site that puts a smile on my face! Even if your story involves a wild bird at your bird bath...we're equal opportunity people!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Meet the Flock... Packer!
Packer is a Senegal Parrot, and being a bird hatched in Wisconsin...and having green & gold plumage...go figure we name her "Packer" for the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack Go!)! We're so creative! :)
Packer is 20 years old, and she's the best behaved lil' gal! She has literally stepped up onto 1,000's of kids "strong tree branches" (a.k.a. arms). She's so sweet natured, I truly believe Senegals are one of the best pet birds...quiet and mild mannered. Senegals are from the Poicephalus family, along with Jardines, Red Bellies, and Meyers as the other more commonly found Poicelphalus.
Enjoy a short video of Packer & Jessica during weigh day! Every Tuesday is weigh day at the Learning Center, all the birds are weighed and their weights are recorded. This is a great practice to get in with your bird, it will also help your Veterinarian if your bird should ever become ill.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)