Technician Tales: A Good Scrub and an Escaped Bird!
When we put an aviary in a facility, often it is with the expectation that we alone will be doing the cleaning and maintenance, however, that’s not always the case! Some residents love getting involved with caring for the birds and making sure the aviary stays clean and fresh. In at least half of the facilities where I clean, residents have enthusiastically offered to assist me in any way they can. Many of them have had canaries or finches in the past, and like to share their experiences and advice in addition to their services.
One of these hands-on residents is a lovely lady who is very, very particular about the cleanliness and neatness of the aviary. So much so, she was given a key to the facility aviary in order to go in and clean the food and water dishes whenever desired. Which is often! Even a tiny bit of corncob bedding, (among other things), in the water or food, will prompt her to remove that dish, wash it thoroughly, and put it back—of course, only until it’s dirty again! She loves the birds, and only the best is good enough for them!
On one occasion at this facility, I was making a final trip to my car to unload my cleaning supplies. Upon my return and my surprise, this resident had opened my small temporary bird cage (the first thing I unloaded) and cleaned the whole thing out!
“Whew!” She exclaimed, “That thing was filthy!”
I nodded but peered into the tiny cage with growing alarm, “Where is the bird?”
“What bird? There was no bird in there!” The woman responded.
Oh yes, there was! Her eagerness to clean the cage caused her to inadvertently set it free. Fortunately, we were able to track the sneaky fellow down, although it took a fair amount of time. After a few failed attempts at netting it, the little avian was finally secured and within my grasp. I, of course, breathed a sigh of relief as I scurried to my supplies, placing the bird back in its cage. Its freshly cleaned cage, that is!
Responsibility is essential at any and every stage of life (retirement included!), it gives a sense of purpose and importance. Having an animal that depends on you (whether a hamster, a horse, or anything in between) can bring joy and fulfillment to every day. We have found that the birds are not only enjoyable for the residents to watch, but also when possible, to get involved with! Whether it’s changing the feed and water, or helping a fallen chick get back into its nest, there are ways for everyone to take part in the lives of our fine feathered friends.
