Hello, I'm brand new to the parrot world!

[Ginkai]

Hello everyone

In just ten days I will be becoming the owner of a lovely recently weaned hand raised Eastern Galah:red:! I'm so excited! To make sure I give her the best life and start possible I'm seeking advice on the first 24hrs and first interactions with her so I make the best impression possible! So any help you can offer would be great!

Thanks
Ginkai

P.S her name is going to be Suki Lala which means Beloved Tulip in Japanese and Bulgarion repectively, but also makes the cutest name EVER!

 

[suebee]

welcome to the world of parrots, can't wait to see pics etc

just make the day calm and let her take things at her pace would be my best advice

have you researched the species??

 

[Ginkai]

Thanks Suebee

I've done a lot of research, but not a lot tells me how to act with them. I know they love to chew and like toys and are playful, but I want to know how to build that first step of trust.

Different parrot training sites have conflicting opinions. Some say to leave them alone for the first weeks, other say leave them alone but sit by the cage and talk to them and others still tell me to try interacting with them and start teaching targeting straight away. I'm just a bit conflicted...

 

[HalfInsane]

If she's a hand fed baby, waiting two weeks would be entirely inappropriate. Definitely, keep your interaction to talking for the first day if she seems nervous. However, if she's indicating she wants out of the cage, by all means, let her.

If she's initially nervous about stepping on to your hand from the cage, try using a dowel. From there, step her on to your hand once she's out of the cage. If she also doesn't like the dowel, leave the door open and see if she'll come to you.

from there focus on building lots of positive interaction with her (treats, playing, snuggling, etc). And remember, always be calm. this means your body language, voice, and even your thoughts. birds always know if you're frustrated.

 

[Enjru]

Hi Ginkai,

Good to see another Australian here!

You'd have to play it by ear, depending on how Suki Lala behaves. If she is scared, you'll have to go very slowly. However, if she's seeking interaction, you might as well give it to her!

Will the breeder let you visit her beforehand, in order for Suki Lala and you to get to know each other before she begins her new life in your home?

 

[Ginkai]

Thanks guys! Great advice!

Unfortunatly due to how far away the breeders are its impractical for me to meet her before I take her home. But they've been telling me about her and apparently shes very extroverted and loves people and attention. I know with me being a stranger will be different but I'm starting with a good head start with an outgoing girl I think. Also thanks for using her name Enjru! Made me so happy to read it in others posts.

I should mention I have two large dogs as well, should I separate them whenever I intend to let Suki out or let her get used to them hanging around? they are both small animal friendly by the way, were raised with rats and kittens and budgies.

I'll definetly let her set the interaction pace thanks!

 

[Cliffordsmom]

Thanks guys! Great advice!

Unfortunatly due to how far away the breeders are its impractical for me to meet her before I take her home. But they've been telling me about her and apparently shes very extroverted and loves people and attention. I know with me being a stranger will be different but I'm starting with a good head start with an outgoing girl I think. Also thanks for using her name Enjru! Made me so happy to read it in others posts.

I should mention I have two large dogs as well, should I separate them whenever I intend to let Suki out or let her get used to them hanging around? they are both small animal friendly by the way, were raised with rats and kittens and budgies.

I'll definetly let her set the interaction pace thanks!

I have 2 large dogs (BOXERS). Neither would ever hurt a fly. I was worried that they could hurt my bird, just one little playful paw swipe and Cliffor would be a gonner. I do not ever let Clifford on the floor or on the couch when the dogs are out. It's not because I'm afraid of the dogs hurting Clifford, its because Im afraid of Clifford attacking the dogs!!! He is so jealous of all the attention they get that he lunges at them and if his cage was not in the way would tear them up!! He has even jumped off of my boyfriends shoulder to run at them. He had them stranded on top of the couch once. lol.
The dogs want to check him out and have learned to go away from the cage when clifford rings his bell. One day we may all be able to live in peace haha, but for now the dogs know to beware of Clifford the terrible!!!
Is she flighted? I would definatley say feel out her behavior twords the pups before letting them all roam free in the same room together, even on top of her cage she could jump off out of curiosity.

 

[Ginkai]

Thanks Cliffordsmom

I believe she is not flighted.My two have been trained that playing with small animals is not allowed, so hopefully no playful swipes will scare Suki. I really hope she likes them because I spend a lot of time with them and was hoping she could just be an addition instead of a separate.

 

[Wulfgeist]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new baby!

 

[Ginkai]

Just got another message from my breeder. She us telling me how much Suki loves being with people and even loves strangers! Which I believe is a rare trait in birds no? Also the breeder is going fo be using Suki's name from now on to help make her learn it easier.

My breeder is so helpful I feel very grateful to have such a helpful person helping me with my first parrot. (I say first because I'm sure I'll be getting more eventually)

The countdown is getting smaller and smaller to the day I get to pick up Suki!

SO HAPPY!

 

[wenz2712]

Hello and welcome

 

[kc_y0]

Congrats on your new birdy! The wait to bring her home is the hardest lol but I hope time flies!

 

[Ginkai]

Hey it would be a good idea for me to get some foraging and chew toys ready for her to hey? Would you suggest trying to make her get her main diet from foraging toys to keep her mind motivated and active? I read that galahs are prone to feather plucking when they get bored so need lots of stimulation.

 

[suebee]

what ever you do remember its something that will have to be done every day for 30yrs plus lol

foraging is the best, but you might have to show her

nut seems to have no idea what to do with any of the foraging toys she has, even though i have shown/played with them in front of her

but she loves straws (especially with a little peanut butter in them)

anything with bark on, she can peel away at

willow balls

an not forgetting table corners, my wicker laundry basket, computer mouse, wicker seats on dinning chairs, zips, shoes, buckles, lego, clothes pegs both plastic an wood, the NO list is practically endless

oh an forgot any kinda bling, buttons, guests

 

[Ginkai]

Thanks suebee

I think I know what I'm getting into there. Lots of toys rotated constantly for the next 30+ years. Luckily I think i have a good creative streak so new different things shouldnt be to hard.

 

[Ginkai]

The breeder sent me some pics of Suki!

She's the one in the middle of the pic with three.

I think she's so gorgeous :07:

 

[Enjru]

VERY Pretty Bird!!

 

[MikeyTN]

Beautiful baby you've got there!!!!

A handfed baby that is being socialized around people will fit in quite well right away. IF she's as friendly to stranger as she says, your new baby will do just fine with you from day one. I interact with all the new birds I get from day one, some may take longer then others, but usually with handfed birds, very very simple!!! Good luck!!!

 

[Ginkai]

Thanks mikeyTN

There are actually three baby galahs that the breeder has ready and since I'm going first I get to pick. The one I have pictures of is the breeders favorite and since they like me wanted to give me the best one. But if it so happens that she absolutely hates me and one of the others likes me then I'll take the one that likes me. But I do hope it'll be her

 

[Pedro]

Welcome.

My experience with hand-rearing Galahs is that they are all very social little babies. Each baby will sit comfortably with anyone. However it as they age & get their own personallity is when they can change. If you start positive reinforcement training from day 1 you shouldn't have a problem which ever baby you choose.

I lost my 70 year old Galah last year. So you have plenty of time to train your baby. They are a lot of fun.

Do the babies come with a DNA sexing card.?