He's home!

[tfw]

His name is Kass. We assume it's a male, but we have a vet appointment tomorrow for genetic testing for gender, check for diseases, etc.
At least the name works for femalse, too. We named him after a character from the game Zelda Breath of the wild that everyone in my family plays. Kass happens to also be a nice blue and gold macaw who helps in the game while playing an accordion!

It was a long 3 hour drive back but he was well behaved and relatively quiet. Just climbed all over the large dog crate/cage we used to transport him. He happily watched out the window.

We got him home, and opened the door and just let him get used to the 5 strangers around him. He stepped up to our hand finally and we let him explore his cage with the door open. He happily did his best to bite test all the new toys before going back to eating his leftovers food from the trip.

He's also molting so we gave him plenty of breathing room, letting him explore the cage with the door open, with us just standing by watching him.

Our house thermostat is set to between 68 to 72. But the middle floor where his cage is at doesn't get overly warm. How cold can they stand to sleep in? I put a space heater across the room, just enough to slightly warm the area, but not enough to toast him. It's been extra cold the past few days so hopefully it will warm up again soon.

How long should I give him to adjust to his new environment before I start training?

He is a sweet shy and curious one! We are trilled to have him!

 

[texsize]

HE/she is a beauty.

I would not go lower than 65ºF. If he/she is young then I would say 68ºF as a minimum.
Besides overall temperature it's important to avoid drafts and keeping his cage against inside walls, no windows close by.

 

[Flynhigh]

Congratulations!!, He's beautiful. How old is Kass ? Be careful with the heater many heaters give off toxic fumes. If he's a baby keep the heat up around 70 degrees if you live in a cold climate. He will acclimate over the course of the first year. It looks like he's got a big beautiful cage as well.

 

[tfw]

His cage is away from all windows and vents. It is a corner cage so the 2 backs sides are against the wall.

Thanks for the heater heads up. It is one of those heat dishes. I set it to low and is waaaay across the room. It is in the teens tonight so wanted extra precaution.

Oh and he is about 8 months old. Hatched June 10 2018 or thereabouts

 

[Flynhigh]

Ok so a radiant heater. That should be fine.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

[ParrotGenie]

His cage is away from all windows and vents. It is a corner cage so the 2 backs sides are against the wall.

Thanks for the heater heads up. It is one of those heat dishes. I set it to low and is waaaay across the room. It is in the teens tonight so wanted extra precaution.

Oh and he is about 8 months old. Hatched June 10 2018 or thereabouts

Is it a quartz, or element coil based heater? The quartz based one will have a glass tube around the heating coil. Those are usually safe, but if it has just coils expose then those could have PTFE-based formulas coating on coil that is Teflon and not safe when overheated and can gas out killing a bird within seconds. If you have the model and name of heater we can tell you if it going to be likely safe? It more then likely Quartz as it a radiant type of heat, but I have seen some that are not, so have to ask?

 

[ParrotGenie]

Nice B&G macaw.

 

[Laurasea]

Oh so exciting!!! Whata cute baby, congratulations.

 

[ChristaNL]

Start training?

Every interaction you have with your parrot is training (usually for the human, but never that mind ).
LOL tricktraining can be done in small sessions of course, but the real "how to be a great companion" is an ongoing process.


You've got an adorable baby there

 

[tfw]

His cage is away from all windows and vents. It is a corner cage so the 2 backs sides are against the wall.

Thanks for the heater heads up. It is one of those heat dishes. I set it to low and is waaaay across the room. It is in the teens tonight so wanted extra precaution.

Oh and he is about 8 months old. Hatched June 10 2018 or thereabouts

Is it a quartz, or element coil based heater? The quartz based one will have a glass tube around the heating coil. Those are usually safe, but if it has just coils expose then those could have PTFE-based formulas coating on coil that is Teflon and not safe when overheated and can gas out killing a bird within seconds. If you have the model and name of heater we can tell you if it going to be likely safe? It more then likely Quartz as it a radiant type of heat, but I have seen some that are not, so have to ask?

It's the one from Costco...

Presto Heat Dish Parabolic Electric Heater With Quick, Concentrated Heat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8NLKT1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3IXrCbY1QRGBN

 

[ParrotGenie]

No info on that heater, so could be a risk that it may have PTFE and can't see if it quartz, or not? Plus it to directional. I won't use it. I would get a 6 element quartz heater. They are literally the best I tried and tried over a dozen of them. Walmart also sell a mainstays version of this which is pretty much as good as used them. I know for a fact they don't have PTFE, as took one apart and someone contacted the manufacturer before and they stated was bird safe no PTFE.



https://www.amazon.com/LifeSmart-El...269&sr=8-1&keywords=lifesmart+infrared+heater

https://www.amazon.com/Lifesmart-Li...269&sr=8-2&keywords=lifesmart+infrared+heater

 

[ParrotGenie]

It's the one from Costco...

Presto Heat Dish Parabolic Electric Heater With Quick, Concentrated Heat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8NLKT1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3IXrCbY1QRGBN

Nope more likely not safe to use, it not a quartz based element, it uses a standard coiled wire element wraps around and heats up a ceramic cone, which likely have a coating to prevent dust built up, which most these coil type due, very likely contains PTFE. Plus very concentrated heat area and does not warm the whole room evenly as directional. The first one enough to stop using it due to likely to contain PTFE.

https://www.custompcguide.net/all-e...uartz-infrared-vs-convection-radiant-ceramic/

 

[reeisconfused]

He’s so freaking adorable! Look at that cute lil’ face.

Congratulations on bringing him home!!!

Make sure to read all that you can on building bond and trust. Give him a week to settle in, before you start anything. Ofcourse, interaction is absolutely necessary. I think you can work on quite the basics first on his first week such as step up. Don’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. Target training is highly effective with birds.

As for diet, the sooner you introduce healthier food, the better. Remember, less fruit, more greens.

Glad you’re taking him to a CAV to get him checked out!

 

[tfw]

We had to reschedule the appointment to thursday due to some unforeseen events today. I had to put Kass away and will have to stay in his cage for few hours while my husband and I step out. Kids are home but we didn't want them playing with him unsupervised.

In any case, he was being a buttmunch cuz he would not come down from the top of the cage when we let him out. We left him be for a couple of hours up there. My husband finally coaxed him down with a straw and he was happily playing on his gym that we made for him.

I've already had several bites from him (nothing painful, nothing I jerked away from, nothing worrisome) but I'm getting to know his body language.

That said, we just got him, and he hasn't been target trained yet. If this happens again where he won't come down, any suggestions?

As for the first week or so, we are just basically hanging around him, staring, giggling, talking to him, giving him room to explore. What else should we do to bond? He steps up very very well when he wants. He's let us scritch his neck and back. We are avoiding his pin feathers on the top of his head until they come in.

 

[tfw]

Here are more of him on the gym I made for him.

 

[ChristaNL]

How about wrapping that plastic (vetwrap?) so he has an easier time gripping it?


OMG looking at that face: he is going to be such a goofball!
You can see the mischief brewing Lovely!

 

[tfw]

How about wrapping that plastic (vetwrap?) so he has an easier time gripping it?


OMG looking at that face: he is going to be such a goofball!
You can see the mischief brewing Lovely!

I actually bought a rasp drill bit and scored all the pvc's all around so he has a good grip. He had no issues gripping it. Plus I can pop them in the dishwasher to sanitize.

Goofballl I'm sure, but currently earned the title of buttmunch LOL

 

[noodles123]

His cage is away from all windows and vents. It is a corner cage so the 2 backs sides are against the wall.

Thanks for the heater heads up. It is one of those heat dishes. I set it to low and is waaaay across the room. It is in the teens tonight so wanted extra precaution.

Oh and he is about 8 months old. Hatched June 10 2018 or thereabouts

You have an adorable new baby!!! Call about the heater--if it has teflon in or on it (AKA PTFE/PFOA) distance won't be much of a help. If you post the brand etc, someone may have already called...My point is, PTFE has killed birds on different floors of homes and through closed doors. It is a dangerous chemical for them- Sounds like ParrotGenie looked into the safety of your heater and has doubts, so please consider his advice.
Try not to jerk away from bites if you can help it.
I would research responding to parrot behavior, as a baby is going to require a lot of shaping etc in this area and you want to make sure that the things you do now pave a solid behavioral path for the future.

CONGRATS !!!

 

[noodles123]

Also, I could be wrong, but I think baby Macaws need some special help figuring out their beaks (they are known for a lot of bluffing etc). I am sure people will chime in with details.

In terms of handling, even though he is still a baby, I would caution you against getting him used to petting all over...The head/neck are really the only safe places to pet a bird without risking the stimulation of hormones. Although he is very young, keep in mind that old habits can easily become expectations.You may also have to help him preen the pinfeathers on top of his head (once trust is there)...The keratin sheath will cover a pink park and a white part (which will be farthest from the skin). The pink part contains active blood, so you don't want to pinch/bend that area. That having been said, you can pinch/roll the white areas of the pin feather (gently--don't want to twist the shaft out of the follicle). They will crumble off and the new feather will be exposed---just be mindful of the areas that still contain blood and don't crumble off the keratin too close to them. Birds help preen other bird's heads in the wild.

 

[noodles123]

Sorry to keep posting, but here is some general bird info that I posted for another member (I'm not sure if you have had birds, but it is worth reading just to make sure you are aware of possible issues). Since space-heaters are a common source of Teflon/PTFE/PFOA, I thought you might find some of this information helpful (please disregard otherwise):


"Teflon/PFOA/PTFE is found all over the place (in and outside of kitchens--in things you would never think of, like ironing board covers, irons, tape, electric blankets,humidifiers, space heaters, curling irons, blow-dryers, rain coats, Scotch-Guard etc---in the kitchen= rice cookers, griddles, waffle irons, slow cookers, air fryers, egg poachers, cookie sheets, coffee pots, hot pots, tea-makers, hot plates, microwaves, drip trays, cake pans, roasters, popcorn bags (!!!), some disposable microwave meal containers--the cardboard ones with plastic covers can be coated in it, self-cleaning ovens...and so on). It poses a threat when heated (even on a different floor of the house), so that is a lifestyle change that is rough for many....sucks to have to call about every single new appliance (and usually takes 5-10 days to get a reply, but is essential!).

Teflon can be applied as a transparent clear-coat to fabrics,metals, paper etc (It's even in water-proof mascara). It may also be mixed into metal during the molding process, or it may have the characteristic dark coating associated with pots/pans. It can be internal or external on appliances that heat. I am telling you this because a visual inspection is not enough...

No cleaners (unless avian safe--few and far between)---no bleach, windex, lysol, pinsol, air fresheners of any kind...the list goes on . I recommend the yellow/clear variety of f10 SC for disinfecting or white vinegar (as long as you don't heat it up) for less germy tasks.

No candles (scented or non), no oil plug-ins (natural/non), no carpet cleaner, no aerosols, no paints/markers/polishes, no perfumes, no hairspray, no smoke of any kind, no vaping, no bug spray, no burning oil/food, no hot glue guns, flea baths (dogs/cats) etc...Fumes that we can tolerate are not tolerated well by birds, and just because a past bird survived "this or that" doesn't mean the next one will or that there weren't ill effects.

Bedtimes are very important, so someone will have to be home to cover and uncover the cage every morning/eve around the same time. The bird will need 10-14 hours of quiet sleep.
Find a certified avian vet (CAV) near you ahead of time (not one that just does exotics if you can help it).

Pet only on the head---touching other places of the body can and will lead to hormonal behavior (screaming, plucking, aggression, egg-binding). Similarly, no "cuddle huts", tents, or other dark spaces--- these can induce hormones as well. Your bird may pick a certain person in the house that they prefer---early socialization (once trust has been built will help, but it will not prevent this tendency entirely).

Anticipate allowing your bird lots of time out of its cage and plan on it taking a very long time to build initial trust. Even if your bird won't step up, you can't leave it locked in its cage, so consider how you plan to get it back in etc (without causing trauma or dangerous situations). Babies are easier than adolescents, but all babies will go through adolescents, so it is just a matter of time (honestly, at least you sort of know what you are getting when you get an adult). All birds have a weird adjustment period once in a new home, so you don't know what you are getting based on what you see in a shop, but you do start to figure it out further down the road. A baby still has a million future hormonal issues to sort out.
The bird will have to have a very consistent behavioral routine followed by all in the house. If bitten, it is imperative that you do not react ---no yelling, no OUCH!...none of that. You will likely reinforce the behavior by doing so. That having been said, you will need to know why a bird is biting and then react in a way to ensure that your are not giving it what it wants.
Similarly, if your bird screams, the last thing you want is for people to yell, "shut up" or run in to the room to get the bird to stop."