How to transition to new cage? (plus few other questions from newbie)

[Chirp2013]

I have always wanted a quaker... and I did it. I got a green quaker last week. I don't know if it is a "he" or "she" but I have been just saying "he"..

His previous owners gave very little info before handing him (and his cage with toys) to me. I was told: a) name was "Quakie" (which I don't like and rename him "Chile Pepper); b) does not like to be handled inside the cage; and c) 2 years old.

So far, he will take treat from my head; but if my fingers get too close, he would back away. So, far, he has not come out of his cage; although today, he acted as if he wanted to come out (1 foot plus 1/2 body then back in again)

I think his cage is too small (about 13 x 18 x 24) and is in the process of looking for a new cage...

my questions are:
1) how do I transition him to a new cage? Do I wait until he is completely comfortable with me? Do I just put him in a new cage and hope for the best?

2) I have been reading about diet. The previous owner gave me a bag of "ECOTRITION ESSENTIAL BLEND FOOD FOR COCKATIELS" The description said it is "pellets"; it has 12% Fat. Should I change his feed? (I will spend more time reading up the diet if the answer is yes)

3) Started 2 days ago, he puffs up on and off -- it means he is happy, right?

4) he has a metal band in his right foot-- what does it mean?

Thanks in advance for your time

 

[Poppetsmum]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, the cage is small but it depends on how much time he'll eventually be spending out of his cage. If you feel its too small then you should change it to suit the requirements of your bird. My Quakers cage is 32 x 22 x 18. Its a good size but he's still out of it most of the day.

When I bought my Quaker home I put him straight into his new cage with no problems of whatsoever. The breeders had him in a smaller cage than I've got and said that he'd shown real fear of toys. My cage was all done up with toys, ropes etc and he loved it immediately. If it was me, I'd put him straight to a new cage as you've only had him a short while and then he can get settled into his new home without any more changes.

12% does sound a high fat content but I feed my Quaker Harrisons organic pellets and it states on the label 12% crude fat so I wouldn't worry about it. I also feed a tiny bit of seed and plenty of fresh fruit and veg daily.

So long as he's not staying puffed up, he should be fine. Mine puffs up and ruffles his feathers with a good shake out every now and again.

The band on his leg should have letters and numbers which usually is the breeders name and year of hatch.

 

[Chirp2013]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

My college roommate had a quaker; so this is like a dream of 20+ years came true. I was not sure at first-- since they live so long. But my neighbor's daughter (who is my chicken-sitter) said she would take care of him when I am too old. She has been reading up about parrot.. so I said-- why not?

I work from home, so he is allowed to come out all day on weekdays -- but he won't. I discover he likes grapes and sunflower seed. Left some outside the cage door today. All he did was step out and grab them then went back.

I know I need to be patience-- it has only been a week. He said "Good Boy" loud and clear today :21:

I have been trying to give him vegetable and fruit... he won't eat any vegetable. I gave him white fresh peach last week, he loves them. Gave him regular peach yesterday, he kept dropping them; when I kept trying, he move away from the peach and bite me... I told him he could have just said "no thank you I prefer white fresh peach"

On weekends and while we are on vacation, I do need to lock him up per hubby's request. So, I will get a bigger cage. May be he will come outside of this cage soon. I really don't want to grab him to put him to a new cage.

He does not stay puff up. Glad to know it is normal.

Today I notice he yawns several times at a time-- it would be a concern for chickens. Is it the same for parrot?

His band is "HM" side way "NO" 363 (or 863"), followed by 10. So, I guess he was born 2010 -- it made me happy reading that (silly I know)

Thanks again!

 

[Poppetsmum]

You are most welcome.

I just wanted to add that when it comes to eating veg, my Quaker only eats them if I've cooked them. I figure if it gets him to eat them then so be it. So why not try them lightly steamed? You might find he eats them then.

My Quaker is only 4 months old and I'm 48 so who knows mine could outlive me yet but like you, I've got someone who'll look after him when I pootle off the planet.

How lovely that he spoke to you today. I hope you have a long and happy time together.

 

[weco]

Welcome to the forums.....glad you're getting to experience your delayed dream.....

Given the comment about "when you are too old," I'd guess she's between 9 & 12…..

You’re right, patience is the key word…..you can sit by his/her cage & just talk with/to him/her & they will eventually get over their uncertainty…..since you didn’t really get any history on him/her, I think I would start reading up on clicker training and touch training…lots of decent info on the internet, as well as several decent videos on the topics…there are some step-up training videos & a couple on how to make a bird less fearful of hands.

Whenever I bring a new bird into the house, I think of it as a 2-3 YO child that needs direction & guidance on the established boundaries of the house & it is a very wise idea to begin learning about & teaching acceptable limits…..your bird could very well be the epitome of well mannered children or there could be a green cheek version of Chucky hiding under all those feathers and waiting to see which persona appears may extend your training period…both its and yours…..

Most companion birds are oblivious to the offerings of grocery stores/supermarkets and often have no idea that a food is actually a food & turn their beak up at it like the dreaded green beans I was forced to eat as a child…..they still sit untouched on my plate if they are served to me…..the point is that birds learn by example from their parents & other flock members, so if your new feathered friend sees you making a big deal over some food, lip smacking, oooing & ahhhing, he/she will want to try some…..if you don’t want the bird eating at your table, a play stand with food bowls attached or a travel cage, maybe his/her current cage cleaned up, set near your table, so you all have a flock meal…..

Once you’ve been able to observe him/her for a while, you’ll start to recognize body language, but absent any illness fluffing their feathers is also a sign of relaxation/contentment, as is beak grinding…..similarly, birds often reserve their talking abilities for situations where they feel comfortable.....

As to the band number, you may or may not find out who it belongs to…..banding is not a universal requirement, though some states/jurisdictions require bands on birds bought and/or sold within their borders…and…there is no central registry you can look band numbers up…..with your bird’s numbering, I might think (s)he was bird number 863, hatched in 2010, as was previously mentioned…..could the HM be NM…..as the first letters often denote the state of origin, with the next lettering being the breeder…..just a thought…..

 

[Chirp2013]

Wow.... you are good-- she turns 11 this past weekend

I tried both cooked vegetable; but (*sigh*) he turned his head.

Definitely will eat with him tomorrow and do some ooh and aaah. Thanks for all the tips, especially the part to think of him being a 2 to 3 years old.

I will look at his band again -- he is so active whenever I get close ...

I really appreciate you both taking the time to answer my questions and provide such valuable information .... so much to learn

 

[Chirp2013]

Ahhhhh. Progress!!! Started the clicker training the day Weco recommended. (S)He responded very well.
Today, (s)he came out to get the treat and stay there for a while each time... then all of sudden, (s)he flew around the house twice then landed on top of my fish tank... I picked him(her) up, we snuggle a little; (s)he did 1 step up....
It's so thrilling!

 

[Chirp2013]

Re: UPDATE: How to transition to new cage? (plus few other questions from newbie)

I just wanted to post an update on Chili Pepper.
It has been almost 2 months since I have him/her. He/She is doing well overall. The newest accomplishment is
CP: "Knock Knock"
Me: "Who's there"
CP: "Chi PEPPER" (Still working on Chili")

Still very cage aggressive. Chili Pepper will come out and climb around the cage on his/her own. I built 2 small stands connecting to the cage door and he/she really likes that. Only fly if got scared (e.g by the spoon I am holding) but consistently, he/she would try to fly back to land on top of the cage.

Chili Pepper does not step up except few times he/she landed away from the cage. A friend of mine suggested me to put a towel over him/her and take him/her to another room to train. Another friend said to clip his wings. After reading different posts here, I have decided not to do it. Sure, I would have loved to have a bird that is cuddly. But if that's not the his or her personality, I am ok with that.

I am still doing stick training and trying something new I learned from one of the posts.

I just wanted to thank everybody here-- I don't post a lot, but I come here several times a day and been learning a ton!

Oh.. yea.. I transitioned him/her to a new cage with no problem.

Thanks everybody!

 

[Blueridge]

Quakers are known to be very territorial, and when you first get them they most likely will not like you very much while in their cage. When I first got my quaker he bit a little while in his cage and was scared of my hand. You need to get him away from his cage to see his true personality. Once he bonds with you more, he won't be territorial anymore.

Changing cages isn't really a big deal. Don't worry about it.

Quakers puff up for a whole lot of reasons. Sometimes after preening, sometimes when sick, sometimes when happy, sometimes when they are cold etc.

Oh I just realized that this question is old. Sorry if I just repeated what everyone else said.

Anyway, QUAKERS ARE AWESOME!!!! Each and every quaker was forged upon the anvil of love, beyond Heaven's pearly gates and molded from sand by the Angels and God himself.

Haha

:22: