Hello

[ashmash]

I will be picking up my new GCC from PetSmart tonight. He just came into the store and it's about the only local place I can get one. I'm very excited! Any advice?

I'm going to get his sleep cage all ready before we go. It's about 24"X 18" X 24"

I have a larger cage but it is currently outside. (I live in CA)

I am looking into a separate indoor cage that will fit in my laundry room, and a play stand for the dining and living room.

PetSmart usually gets them in pretty young, so I'm excited to be able to train him! What should I start off with? Potty training and towel training??

 

[Ann333]

First things I'm working on with my gcc was pressure training and potty training. There are so many threads you can find on this site That will help! Welcome and good.

 

[ToriJo]

So excited for you! First things first, work on developing a bond with your adorable baby GCC As Ann mentioned pressure training is a good thing to work on at a young age don't forget to take the time to expose him to new things and people!

 

[LeaKP]

Gccs are great birds. Love them! Mine bonded quickly and found out he can get me to do anything by peeping ever so sweetly. They are master manipulators!

 

[Ann333]

I have a budgie sized travel cage so i can take my gcc with me around to expose him to new things without worrying about his safety. Just an idea.

Also a sleeping cage is a great idea, when we are going to be up late and disturb Pumpkin we put him in the bedroom into his sleeping cage and cover it. It is also big enough that if we are trying to watch a movie or something and he is being too loud i can put him in the bedroom in his sleep cage and leave it uncovered so he can play in there while we enjoy a quiet living room.

Also "step up" is vital, so that would be a first to work un unless he already knows how that would make everything much easier.

Post pictures!

 

[jrerek]

Hello and welcome may I ask what pressure training is??

 

[Ann333]

Pressure training is when you teach the bird that beaking and exploring is fine, but biting is not okay.

 

[LeaKP]

You can gently hold the beak and say no when it gets to be too much pressure. Mine caught on right away. If he still bites with too much pressure, time out with no attention for some 20-30 mins works great.

 

[ashmash]

I got her!!!!! She's a cinnamon I think. I could be wrong since I've never had one before.

I think I'm going to name her Ginny. She is settling in and already started eating and drinking.

 

[ashmash]

Oh, and I have no idea if she's a she or a he. If she's actually a he I'll name him Archer.

 

[ashmash]

what do you think?

 

[ashmash]

she's exploring!

 

[Hawk]

You can gently hold the beak and say no when it gets to be too much pressure. Mine caught on right away. If he still bites with too much pressure, time out with no attention for some 20-30 mins works great.

I couldn't have said it better.....The time outs are very effective with my birds when gentle beak doesn't work or they just have a wild feather up the bum, then it's a time out. My Anazon Poppie is very gentle with her beak.

 

[ashmash]

Any good ways to guess gender? I know s/he needs a DNA test to be sure, but are there any clues?

 

[ashmash]

Also taking name suggestions. I like Milton, Archer, Ginny, Harbor, Winston... Old fashion names!

 

[Hawk]

View attachment 13424 what do you think?

Nice little guy...er....gal....Bird....Aww heck....Dosen't matter, love them either way.

 

[LeaKP]

So cute! Mine is a cinnamon.

 

[Ann333]

So cute!! Lots of yellow! Congrats on your new baby!

I would just do a DNA test if you want to know. I picked a gender neutral name because I didn't know either, but I've decided to have the test done so I know.

 

[Dinosrawr]

GCC's aren't sexually dimorphic, so unless she lays eggs after hitting puberty (and some females never do), you won't know until you do a quick DNA test. You can get them done from companies other than the vet for about $25 ($13 in Canada), otherwise it's about $50-$90 at the vet.

And your new baby is so sweet! I love the colours. Congratulations

 

[thekarens]

Very pretty gcc!