pet birds and keyboards

[ben909]

this is not for me, but for my grandma, she has a pet bird who is sort of big on pecking out her computers keys, she is also not that big on replacing the stuff herself, but needs it yo keep track of medical things, and she is in the mental state were always remembering to put it in a sealed off container is not going to happen

does anyone here have or better off had this problem, and if you did, what would work to lessen the problem

 

[Vanessa Howl]

I've never had this problem because I've never had a pet bird because I don't fully trust birds...but birds are VERY social creatures so if your grandma's bird is pecking at the keyboard a lot then it is likely out of boredom and a desire for attention (like when a cat will just lay on ANYTHING you're doing that's not petting them) so my advice would be for her to either give the bird plenty of attention at those times until it's satisfied or find ways to distract the bird so that it will be too busy doing something else to bother with the keyboard.

Again, grain of salt but I figure it's worth the shot since birds are very active and social animals that need to be kept stimulated.

 

[ben909]

I've never had this problem because I've never had a pet bird because I don't fully trust birds...but birds are VERY social creatures so if your grandma's bird is pecking at the keyboard a lot then it is likely out of boredom and a desire for attention (like when a cat will just lay on ANYTHING you're doing that's not petting them) so my advice would be for her to either give the bird plenty of attention at those times until it's satisfied or find ways to distract the bird so that it will be too busy doing something else to bother with the keyboard.

Again, grain of salt but I figure it's worth the shot since birds are very active and social animals that need to be kept stimulated.

she is very old and in very early stages of deminta(spelling)(also not conformed) i don't think there is much we can do on that end

 

[Deleted member 160111]

does anyone here have or better off had this problem, and if you did, what would work to lessen the problem

Maybe it is possible to replace the table on which the computer is located? Use a table with a pull-out shelf for the keyboard.
My desk, for example, has one, the shelf is quite narrow and it can be pushed far away. I don't think it would be convenient for a bird to peck the keyboard in this case. But at the same time, you can try to buy a parrot a few toys.
You could also move the computer to another room (if there is one), and deny access to the bird there.
Maybe lay a thick piece of cloth on the keyboard and press it on both sides with something heavy?

 

[ben909]

Maybe it is possible to replace the table on which the computer is located? Use a table with a pull-out shelf for the keyboard.
My desk, for example, has one, the shelf is quite narrow and it can be pushed far away. I don't think it would be convenient for a bird to peck the keyboard in this case. But at the same time, you can try to buy a parrot a few toys.
You could also move the computer to another room (if there is one), and deny access to the bird there.
Maybe lay a thick piece of cloth on the keyboard and press it on both sides with something heavy?

her house has none of these setups

 

[Vanessa Howl]

Yeah, see that's a problem then. Her medical stage or not, a bird is a bird and just like any other animal they have their own needs that have to be met for them to live long and happy lives (I'm not saying that your grandma is doing a bad job or anything, just that she may not be in a necessary state to meet all of the bird's needs).

Is there any way you or someone else can maybe go over at least once in a while with the intention if giving attention to the bird (assuming you don't want to suggest adopting the bird outright because I figure you and your grandma would take issue with that plan)? Even if it's just a once a week or so thing, it would at least allow the bird to feel that stimuli and affection.

My only other suggestion if this isn't possible is simply for her to keep the bird caged when she's at the computer since it's unlikely to peck at the keyboard unless she's using it because it likely just want's to be with her.

 

[Vanessa Howl]

her house has none of these setups

You're gonna need to step in and help her then. Something like the toys and cloth or even moving the computer are easy enough to pull off (though you may want to bring back up if you intent to move the computer) so long as you're willing to put in the work to help make it happen.

 

[ben909]

Yeah, see that's a problem then. Her medical stage or not, a bird is a bird and just like any other animal they have their own needs that have to be met for them to live long and happy lives (I'm not saying that your grandma is doing a bad job or anything, just that she may not be in a necessary state to meet all of the bird's needs).

Is there any way you or someone else can maybe go over at least once in a while with the intention if giving attention to the bird (assuming you don't want to suggest adopting the bird outright because I figure you and your grandma would take issue with that plan)? Even if it's just a once a week or so thing, it would at least allow the bird to feel that stimuli and affection.

My only other suggestion if this isn't possible is simply for her to keep the bird caged when she's at the computer since it's unlikely to peck at the keyboard unless she's using it because it likely just want's to be with her.

i strongly don't get along with this grandparent, and she is 30 or more miles away...
in reality, my dad is the only one that would care that much, and he does not have this ability,

me, my mom, and my brother all take a "not our problem " approach to here after all this, i personally would not want her bird to die,

she is very strong with her beliefs and very against us...
honestly, after posting this i wondered why i even cared enough to help her, as i really don't care if she gives herself a stroke from 500+ blood sugar after ... ... i should not say more

 

[Vanessa Howl]

i strongly don't get along with this grandparent, and she is 30 or more miles away...
in reality, my dad is the only one that would care that much, and he does not have this ability,

me, my mom, and my brother all take a "not our problem " approach to here after all this, i personally would not want her bird to die,

she is very strong with her beliefs and very against us...
honestly, after posting this i wondered why i even cared enough to help her, as i really don't care if she gives herself a stroke from 500+ blood sugar after ... ... i should not say more

Well all I can say to this then is that regardless of how you feel about your grandma, that bird is innocent and doesn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire so for the bird's sake you need to figure out a way to make sure it's being properly taken care of even if it means putting aside your grudge against her to do it. Offer to FIND the bird a new home if you have to, but if she can't take care of it (and from the sound if it there WILL come a time when she won't even remember to feed it) then it needs you or someone else to fix in some way.

Start making some calls and try to come up with a plan to help that bird because the likeliness of it dying at this rate before she does is high and needs to be stopped ASAP.

 

[ben909]

Well all I can say to this then is that regardless of how you feel about your grandma, that bird is innocent and doesn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire so for the bird's sake you need to figure out a way to make sure it's being properly taken care of even if it means putting aside your grudge against her to do it. Offer to FIND the bird a new home if you have to, but if she can't take care of it (and from the sound if it there WILL come a time when she won't even remember to feed it) then it needs you or someone else to fix in some way.

Start making some calls and try to come up with a plan to help that bird because the likeliness of it dying at this rate before she does is high and needs to be stopped ASAP.

as i told my dad, i am not going to help her or be involved directly unless i have the power to punish her for lieing or doing something wrong, as the "she is independent do nothing" way had failed, i don't mean striking her or physical force, but causeing something that makes her unhappy for a day, without that, there is no changing her behavior were she thinks she diserves stuff and does not care about others

she still has the power to keep what is "hers" so i cannot find a different place for her pet,(although my dad is the actual owner of her condo she lives in, but unwilling to force her with that as leverage)

i was posting this to find if there was a simple way anyone had to help this one problem to help my dad reduce stress, not to help her directly as i am well behond careing about her(last straw was her entering a house unannounced not wearing a mask during the heat of eraly covid and then nothing about our behavior, and with that kind of anger, i need a reason to forgive her, something unlikely to happen as "she is famaly " has long sense been used up)
...

in other things about this, the bird is rather old, i am not sure how many years it has left to live, but it has outlived 2 or her cats

 

[RamblingRenegade]

some birds can outlive humans

 

[ben909]

some birds can outlive humans

i think this one has a 18-20ish year old average span, but i am not sure and never checked for its exact species, nor even checked if the info i overheard was correct

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something else to point out here is i have no power over her, and cannot force a point, even if its for the benifit of others, all i can do is suggest things, and again, even my dad has no true power over her that he is willing to weld(basically withholding all money so she cannot but food or forcing her out of her house, we all know he does not have the will to do that even if he legally can given her only real income is from us... she, dispite haveing times were she cannot even remember her name or where she is thinks she is capable, and had a fit about us not letting her drive home after needing to check signs to see where she was and whos pet she was walking, this was a few years ago)

 

[Vanessa Howl]

Don't do it for her: do it for the bird. It's the BIRD that needs your help.

I don't know all the details surrounding this but if there is something you CAN do then DO it. I honestly don't give a flying fuck about your grandmother: she can rot in hell for all I care and I'm sure you feel the same way. What I care about is that bird and even though it's still her bird and you can't force her to rehome it (unless you can convince your dad in some way that it's for the best), there are still a few things you can at least try such as simply swallowing your pride and asking her directly to let you find a new home for it (at the VERY least get her to agree to let the bird go should the time come that she can no longer feed it/water it/clean up after it ect) with the soul intention of caring for the bird's well being. If she truly cares about that bird (and you don't let your hate get in the way) then she'll agree and you can start finding a better place for it. If not then pay close attention to the state the bird is currently in because at a certain point you (if you don't mind being a little underhanded) should be able to have the bird taken from her on the ground of neglect (or at the very least once she's no longer able to feed it and such) and then go to the shelter and officially adopt the bird there: that way the bird becomes YOUR'S to do with as you wish and what you wish is to take care of it until you can find someone who's more able to/willing to take over.

All and all, I feel like simply sitting down with her and having a heart to heart with her will get the job done but you HAVE to detach yourself from how much you hate her or it's doomed to failure right from the start: you can go back to openly wishing for her death, afterwards but until then you need to go in with the willingness to say or do anything to convince her that the bird is better somewhere else.

 

[Vanessa Howl]

i think this one has a 18-20ish year old average span, but i am not sure and never checked for its exact species, nor even checked if the info i overheard was correct

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something else to point out here is i have no power over her, and cannot force a point, even if its for the benifit of others, all i can do is suggest things, and again, even my dad has no true power over her that he is willing to weld(basically withholding all money so she cannot but food or forcing her out of her house, we all know he does not have the will to do that even if he legally can given her only real income is from us... she, dispite haveing times were she cannot even remember her name or where she is thinks she is capable, and had a fit about us not letting her drive home after needing to check signs to see where she was and whos pet she was walking, this was a few years ago)

Perhaps get your dad to convince her (or at least to come with you). If she's more likely to listen to him then he would be a GREAT asset to have so long as you can convince HIM that it's for the best. He knows that his mother isn't mentally fit to take care of that bird and talking to her about it is much less "evil" than using his power to force the issue so he should be much more ok with simply talking to her.

 

[ben909]

Don't do it for her: do it for the bird. It's the BIRD that needs your help.

I don't know all the details surrounding this but if there is something you CAN do then DO it. I honestly don't give a flying fuck about your grandmother: she can rot in hell for all I care and I'm sure you feel the same way. What I care about is that bird and even though it's still her bird and you can't force her to rehome it (unless you can convince your dad in some way that it's for the best), there are still a few things you can at least try such as simply swallowing your pride and asking her directly to let you find a new home for it (at the VERY least get her to agree to let the bird go should the time come that she can no longer feed it/water it/clean up after it ect) with the soul intention of caring for the bird's well being. If she truly cares about that bird (and you don't let your hate get in the way) then she'll agree and you can start finding a better place for it. If not then pay close attention to the state the bird is currently in because at a certain point you (if you don't mind being a little underhanded) should be able to have the bird taken from her on the ground of neglect (or at the very least once she's no longer able to feed it and such) and then go to the shelter and officially adopt the bird there: that way the bird becomes YOUR'S to do with as you wish and what you wish is to take care of it until you can find someone who's more able to/willing to take over.

All and all, I feel like simply sitting down with her and having a heart to heart with her will get the job done but you HAVE to detach yourself from how much you hate her or it's doomed to failure right from the start: you can go back to openly wishing for her death, afterwards but until then you need to go in with the willingness to say or do anything to convince her that the bird is better somewhere else.

i am not going to break into her house to relocate her pets, one thing that has not gotten across is that if i was to need to relocate it, that is my only option to do so, this is not something i am willing to break the law for


she likely does care about it, but like with her v8 juice, her disregard for money, and driving when she cannot know whos dog she is walking for a short time, she is unsuited to make choices, but thats my view, not something that can be forced


ar the moment, the bird is not in danger or at serious risk, as far as i know, what has to happen os her to keep track of her medical stuff, check her blood sugar, and keep stuff updated with doctors, for that she needs the computer to work, and thats what i asked
i don't belive she will remember or care enough to lock the computer parts away each time, even if my dad(after this was first posted) thinks the bird won't destroy this keyboard because its not as easy to get around the keys


i have 0 ways i can change her behavior, thats core to all of this, i have an extremly limited ability to alter the conditions around here, and that is what i am asking about

 

[ben909]

Perhaps get your dad to convince her (or at least to come with you). If she's more likely to listen to him then he would be a GREAT asset to have so long as you can convince HIM that it's for the best. He knows that his mother isn't mentally fit to take care of that bird and talking to her about it is much less "evil" than using his power to force the issue so he should be much more ok with simply talking to her.

there is 0 chance of us keeping the bird, it would be impossible to keep in our house(too many places for it to fly we could not clean without a ladder), and my mom won't let it happen

also, as i said in my other comment, theft is the only way i could relocate the bird, i am not breaking into her house by force to do this

 

[Pomorek]

Regarding the original question: how about getting her one of those roll-up keyboards?

Two benefits in one:
1) The keys are integral single piece with the rest of the keyboard and non-removable, unless the bird decides to peck through all the way through rubber.
2) It's uncomfortable to type on this thing so it has a high chance of annoying her.

 

[ben909]

Regarding the original question: how about getting her one of those roll-up keyboards?

Two benefits in one:
1) The keys are integral single piece with the rest of the keyboard and non-removable, unless the bird decides to peck through all the way through rubber.
2) It's uncomfortable to type on this thing so it has a high chance of annoying her.

maybe, but for now i will just see if what she has lasts, it may be just better to replace cheep ones... or repair them

 

[Deleted member 160111]

Regarding the original question: how about getting her one of those roll-up keyboards?

This toy was created by the devil. Forged in the heart of the infernal forge, and brought to the topic by the unbelievers.

Two benefits in one:

No, there are three of them.
3) Your soul will end up in hell.

Excuse me*-*

 

[Eremurus]

Maybe your grandmother "in the early stages of dementia" should not have high maintenance, very social, very easily scarred pets.

 

[ben909]

Maybe your grandmother "in the early stages of dementia" should not have high maintenance, very social, very easily scarred pets.

again, i don't have the power to change that, even if she might have dementia, mini strokes (did not get all details about that, parents just have phone volume high enough so i can hear) or completely out of control blood sugar

in reality the doctors mri info is not something that was considered when my family was deciding how to help her, its newer info, but...

in the end, the bird could just keep bossing around her cat...