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Recycled Organic Garden and Birds

Hi,

I care for almost twenty unwanted, unplaceable parrots. From small to very large - disabled, dysfunctional or elderly. I've cared for some of them for almost twenty years. Last year we built a 20'x20'x15' chainlink garden area (with a roof) as we have so many deer and animals out here in the country that devour anything you grow.

In good weather I now place many of the birds inside the protected garden so they can have sunlight, interaction with the other birds and animals, and a place to fly.

Sometimes they go down to the garden and dig in the soil, occasionally eat the plants and/or veggies, and play.

These are raised beds -- my question is about the soil -- Besides the soil where I live, (which is very heavy clay) what soil is best for organic gardening and that won't hurt my feathered friends.

I also would like to know alternative and green ways to protect my harvest from bugs, etc.

It gives me great joy to work in the garden and share it with my feathered friends.

The photo is of a 40+ year old macaw in one of our local Napa vineyards. Enjoy

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Vineyard Parrot.jpg, 1014 KB

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Blueberry on February 15, 2009 at 5:30pm

my feeling is they wouldn't eat the soil if it were bad for them. have you had your soil ph tested?

Permalink Reply by Erin Michelle on February 15, 2009 at 5:51pm

I have a geryhound and they can't be around any chemicals etc... Not that I can, I'm sensitive to everything. Depending on what you grow, there is a companion plant for just about everything. Such as chervil with lettuce, basil with tomatoes, chamomile with strawberries. Beneficial insects can help knock down the bad bugs and you can attract them with most herb flowers or buy them. When I lived in AZ I would buy ladybugs and now I live about a mile away from the Ladybug store that used to supply the nursery I shopped at. If you make your own compost, you don't have to worry about what's in your fertilizer. An exellent source is Rodale's Garden Answers, it's all organic. You've got the best start using raised beds. I admire the work you're doing. Pets come and go but birds are for life. Thank you.
Love, Erin

Permalink Reply by Bonnie Zimmermann on February 15, 2009 at 6:31pm

Thank you. Those are both great ideas. What's interesting to me is I did field work in Southeastern Peru where we studied areas where birds (predominately parrots) ate dirt every day from colpas (or clay licks). I will check on Rodale's. Can I do a ph test myself?

Permalink Reply by Erin Michelle on February 16, 2009 at 10:12am

I wanted to tell you manure is the best way to bust up clay but I wasn't sure what might be toxic to birds. Also lots of the flowers I grow have toxic seeds etc.. so I'm sure you have to be careful what you plant. I thought birds chewed on everything. Maybe you can give me some advice? I've lived here eight years and for years I thought my neighbors had a large bird. I could here it talking, imitating the wild birds and it had learned to scream like the little girls who played on the swing next door. They moved, the swings were torn down and still I would hear the bird. For two years now I've still heard the bird but never seen it and no one believed me it was a domestic bird I was hearing. Then one day late last fall I finally saw it outlined across the sky clear as a bell. No doubt this is a large parrot. Is this a bird in need of rescue? How has it survived the winters? Could I catch it if I tried? I haven't seen it since and I thought I heard it yesterday.?Erin?

Permalink Reply by Marinspin on February 16, 2009 at 4:50pm

Watch the trailer - the bird probably does not need to be rescued.

http://www.wildparrotsfilm.com/

Permalink Reply by Marinspin on February 16, 2009 at 7:19pm

The documentary is wonderful and has many important messages.

Permalink Reply by Bonnie Zimmermann on February 16, 2009 at 7:24pm

Mark and Judy are good friends of mine and I was involved in the production of the film. I totally recognize the need of these birds and have been working on wild programs protecting these creatures in the wild in South America and Southeast Asia since 2000.

The birds that live with me cannot be released, rehabilitated, or even handled. They have been left on my doorstep, been part of a drugbust, have serious disabilities (no feet) and are mostly rescued from the homes of bird breeders. They have a home here in the country till they pass on.

I think keeping a parrot as a pet is wrong -- I wish every morning when I woke up to this flock of unwanted creatures that they were gone and flying free as they should.

But I've made the commitment to give these birds the best life I can, as the birds in the wild have given me so much joy.

Namaste.

Permalink Reply by Bonnie Zimmermann on February 16, 2009 at 7:31pm

One more comment, there are many endemic flocks of feral parrots throughout the U.S. The Los Angeles History Museum Department of Ornithology has been keeping great track. The larger parrots can do okay in depending the location and food sources.

I apologize if I sounded testy. Saving these creatures is a passion of mine. I've been undercover in the illegal bird and animal markets in Jakarta, and seen horrible treatment of creatures that are as important and equal to us.

I think manure for clay is a great idea. Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Marinspin on February 17, 2009 at 12:22am

My comment was only on Erin's parrot probably not needing to be rescued unless of course it is hurt or distressed and needs help.

I have seen some horrid treatment of animals and humans including children in Indonesia.

Permalink Reply by Erin Michelle on February 17, 2009 at 10:37am

I just have to ask what's in my heart. Do the birds love each other? Does it help to ease their pain and confusion to be together? I had a friend who loved two birds. He cared for them with the seriousness you would give a child. Over the years both birds were lost. They flew away. I know he missed them until the day he died. It sound like "my" parrot is happy and healthy in nature as I suspected. Sorry to cause all the fuss.
Love, Erin

Permalink Reply by Marinspin on February 17, 2009 at 11:14am

There is another really wonderful video about wild birds on my page. Erin you are not causing any fuss. I am a big fan of wild parrots.

Permalink Reply by Bonnie Zimmermann on February 17, 2009 at 4:54pm

They do. All of the birds that share a life with me have a companion -- frequently a different species but someone to share their time with just being "birds." They are very loving with one another and just like people, when they lose a companion they go into mourning. Birds in captivity tend to find ways to adapt and instinctively they have the flock mentality.

I kind of live in a flock.

For wild parrots, with a few exceptions, mate for life. I've attached a photo of two wild greenwing macaws -- the mother is actually feeding the youngster.

Guess I have to admit I'm a rainforest junkie.

Peace to you all

Erin Michelle said:

I just have to ask what's in my heart. Do the birds love each other? Does it help to ease their pain and confusion to be together? I had a friend who loved two birds. He cared for them with the seriousness you would give a child. Over the years both birds were lost. They flew away. I know he missed them until the day he died. It sound like "my" parrot is happy and healthy in nature as I suspected. Sorry to cause all the fuss.
Love, Erin

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