I Not Really Sure

[Bird-Dude_1000]

So... In a few weeks i'll be getting a Timneh !!!

Before i Get him i'm making finishing touches.

I Made a Routine but i'm not sure so i'll post it here and you can tell me if there are any faults;

6.00 I wake up
6.30 Will wake him up and put him pellets and fresh water
7.00 fresh veggies (Boiled or Raw??)
7.15 I go to school (i'll have cartoons on or maybe a Voice Recording)
3.15 Come home bring him out and interact/Training
4.00 Fruits
5.00 Put him ON cage for a nap until he wakes up
7.00 Bedtime in my room cuz my parents will still be watching TV

Weekends:
7.00/8.00 wake up feed bird fresh water etc etc
9.00 Veggies and interact/Training
2.00 Bath/Shower
4.00 Nap
7.00 bedtime


Please dont judge me because he will be my first bird. Please tel me what is wrong and if i shouldnt get the bird. Thanks

 

[wuvzbirdies]

Hi Bird Dude,

Congratulations on your first parrot, Greys are amazing you will have so much fun with him, but it's not all fun and games especially in the first year.
I have a Congo Grey but essentially other than size they are the same.
Your routine seems alright but I would implement bathing him daily and not only on the weekend, you will find they are extremely dusty birds and daily baths with cut that down significantly.
I give my guy both raw and cooked veggies, he likes his carrots raw but he prefers cooked broccoli, yours will let you know what he likes through trial and error.
My elderly Mother is at home with him during the day so I don't have to worry about him being bored, but in your case I think a recording or cartoons is a fine idea. I believe a few of the mods on this forum do this with great results.
Yes you should have him out as much as possible, they need constant stimulation, you should have his cage stock with toys to keep him occupied while you are not home.
Fruits, yes they do love their fruits, bananas are my guys favorite!
i honestly don't think he will nap at 5:00, he will most likely have his nap during the day when your not there and it is quiet.
I think that 11 hours of sleep is sufficient but if he's cranky you'll know to increase his sleep a little. believe me when they're cranky you'll know it!
On the weekend you should have him out of his cage as much as possible.

No one is here to judge you, this forum is quite receptive to all sorts of probelms and questions and I don't every remember anyone ever shaking their finger at any one asking for advice.
My Grey was my first parrot, I'll be honest when they are around 7 months old they go through a phase and test your patience and limits, I think it's similar to adolescence in humans, but once you get past it, it's just pretty much keeping up with routine.

Good luck with your little one. How old is he/she? What will it's name be?

Hope to hear from you soon.

 

[HRH Di]

Congratulations! Please puruse the forum often, there's tons of good advice here.

I agree that your schedule looks pretty good, but will caution that your little guy will have his own personality and ideas about how his day should go. So be flexible, but not a push-over.

Getting a parrot is very similar to having a baby. They require very similar amounts of attention and stimulation. I've read that Greys - both Congo and Timneh - have intelligence levels equal to a human toddler. Taking into consideration all of the Greys I've know, I think that's pretty accurate.

The pros for a parrot over a baby are no diapers and no college tuition. The cons are with a parrot you never get that "empty nest".

 

[antoinette]

Bird Dude you for it.
I congratulate you making a list, as mentioned above they have their own personalities, and are like babies 24/7.
After a few months, a routine should eventually be formed, don't be to concerned at first.
Lots of interacting and talking and talking and talking.......
Let us know when you get your little treasure

 

[Spiritbird]

Hey another Timneh guardian. They are so sweet and smart. My Rosie will be 1 year old soon. She is gradually saying a few words now and whistles like a pro. Your schedule is good but leave some room for things you did not expect. Showers or baths are absolutely needed. I use a bowl, a shower perch and a spritzer (whichever she wants). Hope you have read up on the training. Best to get bird on pellets and not too much seed. Also the thin skinned vegies and fruits organic if you can find them. I wish you a big bucket of luck and we are all here for you. Hoping to see pics.

 

[parrotqueen]

I like your schedule a lot, you're very organized. I'm hoping all goes well for you and the new addition to the family.

Something I want you to know... make sure you buy high quality pellets and seed for your bird. The quality is a big issue. (Good brands to look for are Harrison's, Volkman's, Kaytee, Zupreem, etc.). Store brand food usually isn't very nutritious, nor is it high quality.

 

[Mel]

Due to past experiences I'm a little paranoid but I weigh my parrot every 1-2 days and record it in a book. It just allows you to ensure she/he is maintaining or putting on weight and is eating ok.

It's also good if your bird gets sick as they are very good at hiding illness & a drop in weight even just a few grams consistantly over a few days is enough for a trip to the Vet even if she/he "looks" OK.

Well-done for being so organised. I've been on this forum for about a week and have found heaps of fantastic tips.

 

[Riley's mom]

Welcome and Congratulations on your new baby!!! Greys are so much fun. I have 2 Congos in my bunch. Hope you enjoy the board. Lots of great people and ideas.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Great idea of planning a schedule ahead of time. But as has been said: be flexible. The new parrot will come in and tell you his schedule - it will not likely match yours )

In particular I suspect the wake-up schedule will change. Most parrots wake their humans, not the other way around. Especially if you are up and about in your home, (s)he will here you and want to be up to.

The first thing I do when I roll out of bed is to let Auggie out of his cage. Then I go work on breakfast and getting myself ready.

 

[Bird-Dude_1000]

Sorry for no reply guys, INternet Problem.

Thanks for the advice, the times you see on the post are approximate so it will be flexible. I'm not sure when i'll be getting him (btw his name is Leo).

Oh yea OMG i just held my first Cockatoo i was so nervous because he had his neck feathers fluffed up.

 

[parrotqueen]

It's good to be flexible, AD is completely right. Birdie will make most of the decisions about what happens when. (But we love them that way... )

I'm happy for you that you got to experience handling a cockatoo, they're magnificent birds. I too got to handle a couple, one was an Umbrella 'too, the other was a Moluccan. They were both owned by the same man, how he made the time for both I don't know. I love the Umbrella 'too, her name was Andy. What an attitude that little girl had!

 

[Riley's mom]

I have my macaws, greys, toos, (one of them being a Moluccan) and assorted others and there is no possible way for us to be on a schedule. We use the approximate method. I don't want them to be dependent on a schedule because you never know when something might come up. I know someone who does have her birds on a similar schedule that is in the opening post, and now the birds are so neurotic, kinda like her. There has been some changes in her life and the schedule has gone out the window and the birds are beside themselves and being very difficult. I'm helping her all I can, but the damage is done, now it's time to try and fix what we can.

 

[Mel]

now the birds are so neurotic, kinda like her.

I worked in the vet industry for over 10years it always amazed me how pets take on thier owners traits...... maybe that's why mine are always moody (just joking).

 

[Riley's mom]

now the birds are so neurotic, kinda like her.

I worked in the vet industry for over 10years it always amazed me how pets take on thier owners traits...... maybe that's why mine are always moody (just joking).

I still work in the vet industry and I'm still amazed!