Jax is moving house....

[Rooster2312]

...with me of course!

Hi everyone, it's been ages since I've been online and I have sooo much to catch up on!

Just a quick update to say that I have been thinking of you all, but have been so busy lately what with starting a new career last month, and, straight out of the blue, I have also been in negotiations regarding renting a house with my sister. Oh...and I start another new job this coming week (got the other job I wanted) so there is much stress at the moment!

I have lived in my very small studio apartment for the last 14 years, and my sister's circumstances have changed lately, so we have decided to share a house for a year or two. Sounds like a good idea, and the house we viewed is a nice big 4-bedroom with a garden....but there are going to be some big changes going to have to be made with Jax's living arrangements . My sister has 3 cats, so Jax will now have to be housed in a large cage for her safety.

We had discussed sharing earlier this year, and had decided that the cat and bird situation would not work, but then suddenly this house turned up and we re-thought the situation and decided it could work with careful planning regarding pet safety, hence the reason for needing a large house. We unexpectedly just got the go ahead yesterday (still got paperwork to arrange etc.) so are hoping to be in by 01/05. I am excited about the move as I really need to try and sell my place, but understandably, I am most concerned about the bird/cat dilemma.

I know a lot of you do successfully manage to house cats and birds within the same household so I am looking for any advice/ideas you have to ensure my birds are safe.

It is a large roomy house and there are advantages such as having a garden and having a small balcony off the master bedroom. I could allow Jax and my other birds to have supervised natural sunlight time in their cages, and Jax can have quality time socialising in the larger areas of the house while the cats are in another room. I plan to keep the birds all together in my room (the same as they are now) so that I can let them out frequently during time off and give them the human interaction they need. I can also keep a close eye on them this way too.

I just hope Jax adapts to being in a cage as she has never been caged since living with me. I found the large parrot cages were unsuitable and way too expensive, so I spotted a good-sized large rabbit hutch extension/run yesterday in a local petshop that would be perfect with a bit of modification.

Anyway, got to go to bed now as it's late and I'm up early (day ten of a ten day working week thankfully)!! Sooo tired!!

Will catch up over the weekend with posts.

Lindi

[Maggie-NC]

Lindi, it is great hearing from you - I have missed you.

Congratulations on the new job and new home. I don't really know about cats/birds living together (Shi manages this beautifully) but I know you and your sister can work something out. It will be a big adjustment for Jax but I'll bet she will be fine since I know you'll have her out often.

Let us know how things go.

[mr squeaks]

Hi Lindi...

Good to hear from you! We all wish you well and hope everything goes according to plan.

Yes, Squeaks has the run of the apartment and so do my cats. So far, they "know" each other, although a sudden appearance by Squeaks can still be a cause to move to another spot!

Luckily, the cats have been having periodic vacations as Squeaks does "daddy" mode for awhile before becoming "active" again in "mate" mode. He will eat, poop, get some exercise and head right back to his nest and egg, sitting for HOURS!

The "daddy" modes seem to last longer than "mate," so the cats are cheering him on!

He's back in mate mode today, had a bath, and has been running around making sure all his favorite places (i.e. the whole apartment!) are in good condition since the last time he patrolled!

The house you described sounds ideal for being able to keep birds and cats apart. Jax can fly so he could get away from the cats if need be. Squeaks does not fly and so bird and cats had to adjust. Luckily, Squeaks was just a squeaker when I got him and my cats are also young. All kind of "grew up" together...

Also, while recovering from his wing injury, Squeaks was mostly confined to his "home" and the cats could see and smell him long before they met up close and personal whisker to beak. Of course, I'm sure his attitude had a lot to do with the "adjustments!"

Wish you all the best and we will look forward to updates!