Egg-ceptional News !

• We have a new, temporary meeting place that is large enough to hold our members as we are growing rapidly. We are on the look out for a permanent place to meet. It is very exciting to see the interest and growth of our group.

• We are in the process of getting the paperwork together to file as a non-profit group. The advantages to this are many. There are tax exemptions, lower rates, and available resources for a non-profit group.

• Cleaing: An electric toothbrush is a great way to clean the crevices of a bird cage. I personally take larger cages to the car wash and power wash them making sure they are rinses thoroughly.

• Chronic egg laying: Some hens are just so dedicated to the call of mother nature that they become chronic egg layers. Even when there is no nest or nestbox, they might lay their eggs at the bottom of the cage. There are some things you can do to hinder this. You can shorten their days since longer days mean breeding time. You can move things around in their cage, and even move the cage to a different spot. In the February issue of Bird Talk is suggests filling the bottom of the cage with toys so that everywhere she steps, the "floor" moves. This might add to the cleaning chore, but it might work. If all fails, let her sit on her eggs for the length of time required for babies to hatch out. Try not to be too discouraged. It is a normal part of a hen's nature and doesn't have to be a problem.

• Perches: All birds need different size and textures of perches in their cage to keep their feet healthy. From tiny twigs to to cememt perches to rope perches, a variety promote good foot health. You also want to make sure that perches are kept clean so you bird is not exposed to bacteria and fungus. Perches can be disinfected, or simply replaced.

• Humidity Add needed moisture to the air by maintaining an aquarium in the bird room or area of the house where your birds are kept. It adds moisture to the air and also is very entertaining for the birds.

Summer Safety Tips and Security [repeated]

• Never leave your parrot unattended outside in his cage or otherwise because parrots are escape artists as you probably already know.
• Don't leave them in a screened in porch unattended. A would-be thief can easily cut the screen to take your FID.
• Make your home a difficult target for thieves. Outdoor lighting, alarms, deadbolts on your door. You might even want to keep a lock on your parrot cages while you are away.
• If you go on vacation and have someone to come and take care of Polly, alert the police that you will be away and that you have exotic birds. Some police departments offer a vacation-watch.
• Don't advertise to would-be thieves. Placing a bird cage near a window should also be accompanied by blinds or shades. During the day, a sheer curtain will obstruct the view, but at night when lights are on, close those blinds.
• Keep a list of special characteristics of your bird. Keep a list of what she says, her band number, and anything else that will identify her from all the others like her. Take pictures of your bird from all angles.

Birdy Bulletin & Classifieds

• Youngstown Ohio Bird Fair located just off I-80 exit 229 in the Holiday Inn from 10am to 4 pm. Travel time is approx. three and a half hours from Williamsport. The next fair is coming up in June 01, Aug. 03, Oct. 19, & Dec 14th.

• Tammy D. a group member, has the following available to non-smoking, approved homes : Cockatiels, pet size English Budgies, Green Cheek Conures and Blue Crown Conures, and she may be expecting Indian Ringnecks. Visit her at Http://tammybirds.tripod.com

• Peggy H. has the following available, or soon to be available, to non-smoking, approved homes: Cockatiels, Violet Lovebirds, English Budgies, Green Cheek Conures, and also buys out of the nest from other breeders, so she might have something else available.. You can take a look by visiting Http://thatbirdplace.tripod.com and see what else might be coming.

• If you would be interested in a baby Senegal Parrot, contact Connie at OurNestBox@aol.com. She has five babies at various ages from hand feeding to fully weaned. The African parrots are quiet, loving, and very intelligent. She is not a member, but a very good person and breeder.

• View Our New Classified Page
  Free Classifieds by Bravenet.com
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List your bird related item here by emailing us the information @ wingsoverwilliamsport@yahoo.com

Membership

We have a yearly membership fee. These fees go directly into the group's treasury and are pro-rated per quarter for members joining later in the year..

$24.00/YRLY per member, $30.00/YRLY per household Membership fees are due at the first of the year, or when enrolling. This fee can be paid in installments.

Meeting Schedule & Details

Lovebird baby at 3 days old. He could fit on a dime.

Time: Our next meeting will be: June 01, 2008 @ 3pm to accomodate the Memorial Day holiday.

Summer Line Up:

Through the Summer months we will continue to meet at our regular time, which is the last Sunday of each month at 3pm. If this conflicts with a holiday weekend our meeting will be rescheduled. We gather at a temporary meeting place which is located at 722 First Ave. in Wmspt. This is subject to change as we are looking for a larger, more permanent facility.

Along with a discussion and answer time at our meetings, we will be doing the following:

Sale Table: At each meeting, there will be a table for raffle and sale items. If you have a used cage or other supplies, toys, books, etc. and would like to place it on the table, bring it along with a price tag.

If you would like to sell your item and keep the profit, or donate all or part of the profit to the group, either is fine! It's all about helping each other out and it is perfectly fine to get a little $$ for your item. You might even swap with someone.Be sure to put a tag on it with the price and either your name for yourself, or WOW for the group.

If it does not sell, take it along home and bring it back next time.

You can also list the item in this newsletter under Birdie Bulletin & Classifieds.

Fund Raising Projects

At our first meeting in January we began a 50/50 cash raffle which will end with our June 2008 group meeting and the proceeds will go to the winner and to WOWPBS.

Tickets are $ 1.00 each. You may buy as many as you want.

We are planning a head for fund raising events such as having a stand at craft fairs and other activities like this. A vendor's pop-up canopy and tables are available through Peggy H. So if you hear of an event in your area, be sure to let us know. Contact Elisabeth.

Any crafters out there? Please plan to donate items you handiwork and your time for these events. And, if you have any bird related items from books to perches that youwould like to donate to be raffled off, let us know.

If everyone helps out here and there, the burden will not be on just a handful of people.

We are always looking for new idea!

How big is our nest egg?

Our nest egg are the funds raised that support our group, whether it be through membership fees or fund raisers.

You might ask why our group needs money?

Funds are needed for the group so we can eventually rent space for our meetings, buy printing material for our newsletters, brochures, other printed material, postage, business cards, raffle tickets, food for snacks during our meetings, and much more.

Right now the founding members are financing everything until we take flight.

Funds will also be needed to offer to special speakers, and to finance our foster home program once we have take off and full flight.

As we grow, we will find other needs for our treasury funds.

Our treasury is managed by two people, but over-seen by all founding members.