Many might have heard before about Apple Cider Vinegar (also known as ACV for short) using as a home remedy to cure most ailment. It’s definitely true. ACV is far more effective than any other folk remedies.

Having to know about the benefits of ACV to the human health, I’ve decided to include ACV as a weekly maintenance to my Senegal Parrot, Kermit. Furthermore, ACV is made of natural ingredient and contains vitamins and minerals. Thus it can be a possible option as a health tonic for the companion parrot.

So What is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), after stating so much?
Apple Cider Vinegar is a brownish-yellow vinegar made by the fermentation of apple cider. During this process, sugar in the apple cider is broken down by bacteria and yeast into alcohol and then into vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and other beneficial vitamins and minerals such as phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and more.

As mentioned earlier on, many used ACV as a home remedy for most illnesses. ACV was said to be effective against allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida (yeast infection), acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout.

Preparation of Apple Cider Vinegar for Parrots:
1/4 Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (or Equivalent to approximately 2 drops)
1 Coop Cup Size of Water

Direction of Use:
Daily or Weekly

Remember avoid any direct application of Apple Cider Vinegar without diluting for parrots. Due to acidity, ACV can be harsh and can cause irritation to the throat and crop to the parrots.

Other usage of Apple Cider Vinegar?
You will be amazed by the wonders of these natural solution. Apple Cider Vinegar not only aid in human and parrots health, it also can be used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent.

I personally use ACV in my daily household cleaning and cage cleaning routines, because it’s natural and harmless to animals. Furthermore, in a pet environment using of chemical cleaning agent can inflict pet health issues (such skin irritation, breathing difficulty and others). ACV like any other vinegar can kill harmful germs and bacterias, most importantly it stops ants’ pheremones!

So don’t hesistate and get a bottle of these natural wonders for yourself!

After 2 weeks of training, with a 5 minutes short training session daily, I managed to get Kermit to perform the Basketball Trick. I’m really glad that Kermit finally made it, despite he took a long while to understand and meeting the objective.

I’ve edited a short clip of the performance and uploaded to YouTube, hope everyone will enjoy the video:

Months back, I stopped all Kermit’s training routines due to health issues and facing some minor behavioral problems. I wanted to resolve all the outstanding issues first, and also not to stress Kermit further.

Just weeks ago when Kermit received a clean bill from his medical review, it’s when I decided to resume with the trick training session for Kermit.

It wasn’t easy to train Kermit to perform any tricks. He is a slow learner and a reluctant performer. Kermit, a Senegal Parrot is totally different from any other outgoing and bold species like Caique, Conures and Lovebirds. The training methods and training pace that was once used on Kiki can never be enforced on Kermit.

I need to be extremely patience and be extra sensitive when dealing the training on Kermit. Any wrong move can affect training progress, even worst causing frustration resulting in aggression.Thus, I had to be extremely careful on how I execute the training.

With lots of patience, consistency in training and determination, nothing is impossible!

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Kermit’s Medical Review - Clean Bill of Health
Kermit’s Visit to the Vet

It’s already the 15th day since Kiki went missing during one incident. Till now, we still have no news about Kiki. My family members and I have learned to accept the truth that Kiki will never come back. We do hope she’s definitely doing well now and some friendly souls will take good care of her.

In order to commemorate Kiki, I had decided to share some of the unrevealed videos of Kiki and releasing a special video collection of Kiki in my coming posts. I’m also planning for a campaign to commemorate Kiki,  so do stay tune to the blog for details.

Today, I decided to unfold the first unrevealed videos of Kiki. This rather short but cute video was captured on 30th July (2 months before the incident) during one cold rainy night. Kiki decided to take a short nap under mum’s clothing. She’s definitely enjoying the warmth and comfort given by my mum.

Kiki definitely had led a good life with our family. She had brought fun and laughter to the family. Her smartness, friendliness and affection has won many favours from people. She truly our delighted companion, and always will be in our hearts.

P.S. We Love you, Kiki!

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Kiki MIA (3rd Day) - An Anonymous Sarcasm
Kiki MIA

It’s the third day since Kiki flew off from the Kitchen window. We are still expecting the return of Kiki, although chances of happening are definitely slim.

Thank you guys for your concerns and supports. I’m truly grateful for all these.

My family members and I are definitely feeling much better, and we learned to accept the fact. We have to move on.

This late afternoon I happen to spot an “entertaining” comments made on one of the notices (refer to picture right) that I pasted at the lift lobby.

Seriously I don’t whether to laugh or not to laugh, after reading the comments.

This anonymous writer added the following lines to my notice:

“How to find? The bird has wings.”

First of all, I had to thank this anonymous person for highlighting these “already known” fact that birds have wings. Even my young nieces and nephews knew that bird has wings.

I had to admit the anonymous writer who made the comments wasn’t completely wrong about this, but he/she seems to have a hidden agenda for doing this. What is he/she trying to portray?

Such comments made during this difficult period is equivalent to rubbing salt on an open wound. Seriously I felt quite hurt when reading the comments.

Why is it so? I’ve my explanations for all these:

First, with these comments, he/she simply diminished our dreams for the return of Kiki. Probably with 50% of hope initially, and now extinguished to 0% of hope after reading it. These comments are absolutely discouraging.

Secondly, I’m very convinced that he/she never knew that such notices placed at neighborhood does bring miracles. Number of owners managed to get back their beloved parrots through the effect of placing missing notices around the the neighborhood. Who knows Kiki happens to be in someone’s home, the homeowner come to realize that I’m looking for her after seeing my notices.

Thirdly, I was greatly upset because someone made this “grafitti” on my notice. This greatly reflect he/she shown little respect for the owner who is in anxiety in finding back the missing companion parrot.

Here are some questions that I had been pondering about:

Why does he/she has to write these comments?
Why there’s always a minority trying to shatter someone’s last glimpse of hope?
Is this selfishness or being sadistic?
Are these the ugly side of the entire human race?

The comments definitely sound sarcastic to me. I don’t know what his/her objective for placing this line, perhaps he/she is trying express something else (probably out of curiosity) that I misunderstood?

Although I’ve yet to know what his/her thoughts for those line, but I’m already badly affected emotionally through those lines.

Finally, I’ve something to share (especially to the anonymous writer) that not all birds and parrots have the full ability or luxury to be fully flighted. Household Parrots are mostly wing clipped (means trimming on the flight feathers to restrict flight to a certain extend), thus I’m very confident that Kiki is still within the neighborhood and not flying anywhere further.

Related Post:
Kiki MIA

I never ever expect myself printing and pasting these missing notices around the neighborhood. I kept telling myself that this could be just the wildest dream I had. In fact, I just trying to be naive and refusing to accept the fact.

Looking at the empty cage of Kiki, the complete quiet household environment, I’ve to admit Kiki can never be back.

It all happen this morning at around 8.45am. It started pouring outside, and my mum decided to collect the laundry hanging outside. Apparently Kiki was happily sitting on mum’s shoulder, but at that split second Kiki decided to take off and flew right out of the window. Mum shouted “Kiki!”, the moment I dashed to the kitchen without seeing the presence of Kiki, I was very certain what actually happened.

Mum clarified that Kiki flew down to void deck. For the moment, I hoped she’s joking, but when she threw all the laundry on the floor and left the house swiftly, I knew I had to accept the fact. Mum and I hurried down to the void deck from our apartment unit located at the 10th Storey.

We combed the whole neighborhood for Kiki, but she was no where to be found. Neither she was hiding in the bushes or canopy of trees. I didn’t even hear any piercing calls of Kiki. She even didn’t response to my calls.

My greatest fear that she might had already ended a feast for the crows and stray cats. When I spoted a couple of black cats down at the void deck, I kept telling myself, this could be one incident that I will be parting with her forever, never seeing her ever again.

3 hours after the incident happened, still no sign and calls from Kiki, I decided to gave up the search. In the end I rushed back home created this Missing Notice of Kiki and got my buddy, Wee Chong to print out for me in colour. I pasted the notice around the neigborhood, and even passed a few copies to the security guards from Regent Heights Condominium and the management of the Mosque. I’m hoping any kind soul who happened to found Kiki would return her back to us.

Another 2 hours later, I decided to conduct another comb down at the void deck and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately still no sign of Kiki. What really sadden me was that my notices at some spot were removed by someone. Even I tried replacing the notices, the moment when I was back at my own block apartment, the notices were gone again.

No matter how hard I worked, everything’s back to square-one. I really felt helpless.

Surprisingly I lost all my appetite I skipped my breakfast, lunch and dinner. Till now I aren’t hungry. My initial thought was Kiki.

Kiki, I missed you so much!

I brought Kermit back to Dr Kenneth’s clinic for medical review. I was glad that Dr Kenneth told me that Kermit’s discharge within the beak was all cleared. Kermit passed his poop test, all the physical examinations. It was great to get a clean bill of Kermit’s health.

Before leaving the clinic, I requested Dr Kenneth to conduct a round de-worming session for Kermit as a precautionary measure. Doing once and for all!

I’m sure Kermit is now the fittest and in pink of health!

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Kermit’s Visit to the Vet

Don’t worry if you missed Kiki’s performance at The Best Trick Competition, one of the segment in the National Day Parakeet Competition 2008 held at Lim Chu Kang, Farmart.

I’ve managed to get hold of a short preview of Kiki performing one of her favorite trick - Pull a Car Trick, in the event. Apologised for the poor quality and fuzzy images of the video.

As I mentioned on my previous post that Kiki’s agility level during the event was pretty low. Apparently in the video, you could see slight delay in the performance, but she managed to accomplish the task I cued for.

Thanks Karen for providing the video.

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Kiki won 3rd in Best Trick Competition
Kiki will be in National Day Parakeet Competition

Hi Everyone! I’m back again bringing updates about Kiki.

Many had read about Kiki participated in the Best Trick Competition 2 weeks ago, and were really excited to know whether Kiki manage to secure an award for herself.

I’m please to announce the good news, Kiki won herself the 3rd Position in the Best Trick Competition in the National Day Parakeet Competition 2008 Event held at Farmart last Sunday. Here is the list of the winners in the National Day Parakeet Competition 2008.

Here are the lists of Tricks & Commands that Kiki performed:

1. Up & Down Command
2. Turn-A-Round Trick
3. Fetching Trick (a.k.a Retrieval Trick)
4. Wing Flapping Command
5. Coin Depositing Trick
6. Ring Tossing Trick
7. Somersault Trick
8. Waving Hello Trick (Left Leg)
9. Open & Fetch Trick (A Component of Shell Game)
10. Cups Stacking Trick
11. Pull a Car Trick
12. Basketball Trick

Although the agility level on the day wasn’t pleasing, but she managed to perform the tricks that I cued for with some slight delays. Personally I felt that Kiki had already done very well on that day. With scenarios like new environment, crowds, strangers’ stares and interference (from the microphone, vocalizations from other parrots), these greatly affect Kiki.

Remembering the moment when I brought Kiki to the event venue, she was really nervous. It took me quite a while to really calm her down.

Anyway, Kiki really deserved to be crowned the 3rd position. She really met strong competitors like Sunshine, the Sun Conure who is the winner of the event and Darling, the Sulphur Cockatoo placing second.

Although Sunshine and Darling only performed two to three tricks in the competition, but they all performed with great agility. Both of them really deserved winning the placings. It’s also a great pleasure for Kiki to meet them and catch their performances in the event.

Notice the two pictures in the post? The picture on top is the 3rd Position Winning Badge to be placed on Kiki’s Cage. Kiki also received a Bronze Trophy (picture on right), new cages, parrot diets and electrical appliances (the appliances are more applicable to the owners) from the event sponsors.

Kiki surely has done us proud!

I will be sharing more pictures of the event on my coming post, so do stay tune!

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Kiki will be in National Day Parakeet Competition

Today it’s Singapore’s 43rd Birthday. Happy Birthday Singapore! Everywhere in Singapore is flooded with the red and white decoration, the National Day ambience is definitely strong.

Kiki and Kermit were definitely happy because everyone in the family is not working today. They knew that we can keep them in company and play with them throughout the whole of National Day.

Anyway, tomorrow I will be bringing Kiki for a big national event, the First Ever National Day Parakeet Competition to be held at Lim Chu Kang Farmart. Kiki will be contesting other parrots in the Best Trick Competition to be held at 12 noon tomorrow. She will be performing some of her best tricks on that day, so come down and support both of us!

Kiki and I are definitely excited and nervous for the upcoming event tomorrow. Furthermore, it’s the first biggest parrot event that both me and Kiki attended at the moment. Thus it’s going to be an eye-opener for the both of us.

My primary concern is whether Kiki can overcome his stress and nervousness on the day. I’m wondering whether the big crowd, new environment, unfamiliar faces and curious stares will affect Kiki’s behavior and performance. No matter how I hope she will do her best, even if she didn’t win the competition I will still be proud of her.

By the way, there will be other activities going on the day like the Hamster Race, talks and dialogue with Dr Thiruchelvam, the well-known avian vet in Singapore. So it’s going to be a fun and fruitful day for the whole family. Do come down, who know you might be able to meet me and Kiki at the event! Cheers!

Most of my friends ever questioned me, why getting a small parrot? Why not getting a bigger parrot like a Cockatoo or even Macaw?

Many with little knowledge on parrots, they tend to have this misconception that the Bigger the Better. Furthermore, when we talk about parrots, what most people can think of and relate with parrots are only large macaws and cockatoos.

To be frank, size doesn’t affect the quality of companionship and affection from the parrot. Small parrots share most common traits and characteristics as their larger relatives.

I personally feels that smaller is better. Small Parrots are easy to handle and manage. I don’t need very big space for their accommodations, flight and daily activities. Finally they won’t be as noisy compared to their larger relative, even if they do scream it’s not going to be like a Cockatoo or a Macaw loud and wall-penetrating scream!

By the way, what actually upset me was when I hear people mentioning that larger parrots have a better and higher resale value. It’s totally an unforgivable statement. First I do agree that larger parrots tends to be high priced, but I what I do not agree with is that many pick them home with an initial thought to resale it. I will consider this as an immoral investment. By doing so, it’s also not fair to the parrot itself.

Getting a parrot should be with an intention of seeking a companionship, able to be committed and flourish the parrot with endless love. Having a parrot is a life-long commitment!