New quaker issues

[LeoTheQuaker]

Hi everyone so i recently got a new baby quaker parrot. He is 11 weeks old and is hand reared. I am just wanting to know a few questions as that wee hand tamed quaker i had before was so confident and outgoing, new step up and everything else the day i brought him home but this wee one just seems to be terrified of my hand when asking to step up.

What i want to know is should my hand reared quaker be scared of my hand when i am asking to step up?

He is also fully flighted but when he flies he bangs into everything and has now banged his head off the wall and repeatedly flew into my window and when i tried to get him he kept jumping along the floor and banging into the bottom of the window. I dont want him to get hurt but he just flies and crashes into everything.

He also has a metal band on his leg and constantly chews it...like non stop.

He is eating and drinking and will allow me to hand feed him a small bit of apple but then gets bored and wants to be left alone.

Should i move his cage out of the living room were i train with him as when i try to lift him he just flies back to his cage.

 

[noodles123]

Welcome-

This is normal in many cases...They are not like dogs and cats. New human, new home, etc etc. Dogs, cats, etc etc are all domesticated. Even a "hand-reared" parrot is a wild animal, only 1 generation from the wild in most cases.

Keep his cage in the main part of the home. I will copy and paste a post I wrote earlier today.

He is anxious in a new space...and if you are pushing contact etc (rather than moving at his speed) you will make it worse.

Slow down...build trust..stop pushing. I know it's hard, but you have to.

Read the replies on the link below--- doesn't matter that the bird in question is older-- you still don't get a free pass on trust (although babies are easier than adults in comparison).
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/86853-really-mean-black-capped-conure.html <- read responses here.
I am also re-posting the questions I asked in the link above, but only the ones that apply (so they are out of order)

1. How long have you had him?
2. What is your background with parrots?
3. Do you have any other birds?
4a. How old are they now *current age really does matter*?
4b. If applicable, where are they located in comparison to this new bird?
5.Has the bird been checked by an avian vet?
6.How much sleep does he/she get nightly?
7.Are there any shadowy spaces (huts, boxes, tents, tubes, hammocks etc in the cage)?
8. How big is the cage?
9. What does his diet look like on a daily basis?
10. Do you allow him to go back into his cage when he chooses, or have you been toweling him to put him back in?

 

[Laurasea]

So every parrot is an individual, with different reactions to stress and change sbd he is still a baby learning. So each Quaker will be a little different than the next personalitie.

Breeders differ in how much they fool with the babies they are hand feeding, some breeders take the time to really socialize them, but even the same breeder my just nit have the same amount of time available.

Being young and newly flying they take time to learn and fly well. A newly home bird should be introduced to the home environment slowly. And a new bird that is afraid still, should only have very carefully structured time out of the cage. Maybe work with in a bedroom then taken back to the cage. All birds in a new home , it really helps to walk them around the rooms they are allowed to fly in. Taking time to rap walls and windows. I also show them the perch spots and have them step to them and back to me. My bird have their cage tops set up with perches and I hang perches over the cage, as well as 3 other set up bird areas fir them.

You really have to control the environment of a new bird in the home, sbd take time to work on flight with a newly fledged bird. It’s giid in time to work on recall in home flying, and as another poster work on teaching them to fly down from high places. But st first he just need more flight time in a calm environment that yiu have showed him around several times. After they learn the environment and yiu , they are much rarely spooked and when they are they can fly fine without crashing into anything. But he is still a baby and doesn’t trust yiu or the home yet.

Keep in mind he is smart, and a baby, sbd in a new home. Treat him like a toddler yiu just adopted. Go slow, explain things, do multiple short training sessions with lots of praise fir the least little thing, sbd treats. Guide him , dint expect him to fend for himself in a new home with new people all st once.

Remember burd are different than dogs and cats, yiu really have to take the time to make friends and build trust. Give him a routine do he knows what to exit. Always approach the cage the same way and say the same thing, like hello @ bane” tell him when you are going to change food and water talk him through it. Take the time to introduce him to the people in the household .

Be consistent, considerate, and thoughtful when working with him. Show him he can trust you sbd that yiu will explain things.

This is a great article ! On the part on clicker training, I hate clickers. But I do shape behavior , I just use the phrase good birdie, instead of clicking a clicker.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Welcome-

This is normal in many cases...They are not like dogs and cats. New human, new home, etc etc. Dogs, cats, etc etc are all domesticated. Even a "hand-reared" parrot is a wild animal, only 1 generation from the wild in most cases.

Keep his cage in the main part of the home. I will copy and paste a post I wrote earlier today.

He is anxious in a new space...and if you are pushing contact etc (rather than moving at his speed) you will make it worse.

Slow down...build trust..stop pushing. I know it's hard, but you have to.

Read the replies on the link below--- doesn't matter that the bird in question is older-- you still don't get a free pass on trust (although babies are easier than adults in comparison).
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/86853-really-mean-black-capped-conure.html <- read responses here.
I am also re-posting the questions I asked in the link above, but only the ones that apply (so they are out of order)

1. How long have you had him?
2. What is your background with parrots?
3. Do you have any other birds?
4a. How old are they now *current age really does matter*?
4b. If applicable, where are they located in comparison to this new bird?
5.Has the bird been checked by an avian vet?
6.How much sleep does he/she get nightly?
7.Are there any shadowy spaces (huts, boxes, tents, tubes, hammocks etc in the cage)?
8. How big is the cage?
9. What does his diet look like on a daily basis?
10. Do you allow him to go back into his cage when he chooses, or have you been toweling him to put him back in?

1. How long have you had him?
1 week
2. What is your background with parrots?
I have had quite a few years with another Quaker and have also had experience round an eclectus parrot....roomates parrot before i moved out, and have zebra finches but by no means am i super knowledgeable but i do know a good bit
3. Do you have any other birds?
Quaker and zebra finches x2
4a. How old are they now *current age really does matter*?
11 weeks old
4b. If applicable, where are they located in comparison to this new bird?
5.Has the bird been checked by an avian vet?
I have an appointment for thursday next week, getting the works done
6.How much sleep does he/she get nightly?
11-12hrs
7.Are there any shadowy spaces (huts, boxes, tents, tubes, hammocks etc in the cage)?
No, he is in the liberta discovery cage with multiple perches, loads of toys
8. How big is the cage?
Liberta Discovery so W 84 x D 53 x H 118cm Internal
9. What does his diet look like on a daily basis?
Currently on a seed based diet which he was on when i got him but i have Harrisons high potency Fine on its way in the post
10. Do you allow him to go back into his cage when he chooses, or have you been toweling him to put him back in?
I put him back into his cage if i need to leave but he will step up in some form onto my finger so i can put him into his cage


I hope all that makes sense and thanks for all the help

 

[Laurasea]

I forgot before, Quaker’s can have a tendency to chew on their feet. So some breeders won’t use leg bands if they don’t have to, and some owners remove the leg bands..

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Hey so it’s been a wee while some I posted on this thread I made but I just thought a wee update on Vinny would be good.

So I found out the Vinny is a female lol. I’m still keeping the name though as she already knows how to say it....plus I like the name lol.

She has went from being terrified of me to allowing me to pick her up and now I have officially turned into her human jungle gym lol.

She still has he moments were certain things spook or scare her and she is not 100% with hands yet but is like 80% there which is great.

She has made so much progress in such a short amount of time and has learnt so many words and whistle/lining noises. She is a wee character though as has a super sassy attitude but that’s why I love the Quaker breed.

Any tips though on getting her to open up to the rest of my family as she at the minute is a one person bird lol. I really just need advice in how to allow her to let other members of my family pick her up as they let her out when I am working but then can’t get her back in.

Thanks

 

[Laurasea]

Lol I knew she was a girl!!! Congratulations on Miss Vinny!

Since even you don’t have 200% hand trust with her yet, it’s a lot to ask your new leading lady to trust other people.

And she ain’t no fool , lol, they only picking her up to take her back to the cage! No fun

Playing pass the birdie is one way to help. But this can’t be pass an afraid freaked out bird. It has to be postive and fun. And everybody has to brag ! Do it with your other Quaker first then her. Keep short and sweet sessions. Also I fake put my bird in and out of cages and praise that. So they don’t think every time they get taken to the cage they are always put up.

And come up with a plan on how in a year or so they will become cage aggressive., because they will sbd your feelings will be hurt and yiu might think they hate you, or that you can train that out of them . And both aren’t true. Do teach them to come out of the cage on their own and sit on a short perch on the outside of the cage. Life will be easier when they become screaming defensive of the cage. They will still be your sweet baby away from the cage!!!

Pikachu has been with me a month shy of year and just started this, all my others were already cage aggressive. So I knew what to expect and how to accept and ignore. But it still hurts your feelings because away from the cages I can do anything with him and smooch on him ect.. but if I try and put my hands in the cage or just open the door he looses his mind hissing screaming lunges . So I’m just making sure yiu and our wider audience are aware. And it’s not a bad bird or a mean bird, it’s pre programed in their brain and they can’t help it. They are still your wonderful baby away from their cage/ castle

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Lol I knew she was a girl!!! Congratulations on Miss Vinny!

Since even you don’t have 200% hand trust with her yet, it’s a lot to ask your new leading lady to trust other people.

And she ain’t no fool , lol, they only picking her up to take her back to the cage! No fun

Playing pass the birdie is one way to help. But this can’t be pass an afraid freaked out bird. It has to be postive and fun. And everybody has to brag ! Do it with your other Quaker first then her. Keep short and sweet sessions. Also I fake put my bird in and out of cages and praise that. So they don’t think every time they get taken to the cage they are always put up.

And come up with a plan on how in a year or so they will become cage aggressive., because they will sbd your feelings will be hurt and yiu might think they hate you, or that you can train that out of them . And both aren’t true. Do teach them to come out of the cage on their own and sit on a short perch on the outside of the cage. Life will be easier when they become screaming defensive of the cage. They will still be your sweet baby away from the cage!!!

Pikachu has been with me a month shy of year and just started this, all my others were already cage aggressive. So I knew what to expect and how to accept and ignore. But it still hurts your feelings because away from the cages I can do anything with him and smooch on him ect.. but if I try and put my hands in the cage or just open the door he looses his mind hissing screaming lunges . So I’m just making sure yiu and our wider audience are aware. And it’s not a bad bird or a mean bird, it’s pre programed in their brain and they can’t help it. They are still your wonderful baby away from their cage/ castle

I know lol, it couldnt have came at a worse time as SHE has now starting good BOY lol. I knew that was gonna happen. Its as if they know it will bug you haha

Yea i am ready for the whole cage aggressive behaviour of the quaker. Leo has never been cage aggressive so im hoping Vinny will be the same lol but i think i wont get lucky 2 times in a row haha

Yea she come out of the cage both on her own and me picking her up...just depends on her mood lol as you probably know all to well.

She has discovered that she can hiss at people but then gets over it pretty quick and then just accepts most things. She has now started to fly to me from her cage which is great as she must be finally starting to trust me more and more.

Thanks for the advise though and im sure i will be asking for more in the coming months lol as she is super sweet but as with all quakers has that super sassy side to her that would prefer if everything went her way and not mine lol.

 

[Laurasea]

My GCC is very sassy! But I dint find the Quaker’s to be that way.. tho they do like to play pranks, and can have attitude, and can be oh so loud!

How old is Leo? Do the two other get along?
I probably need more pics!

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

My GCC is very sassy! But I dint find the Quaker’s to be that way.. tho they do like to play pranks, and can have attitude, and can be oh so loud!

How old is Leo? Do the two other get along?
I probably need more pics!

Maybe having an attitude is the right word lol....come to think of it i dont think sassy is the right one haha

They are still separated from each other since Vinny is new but will introduce them in like another 2 weeks.

But i will add a picture of them all so you can see them Vinny and Leo are identical though, even from a photo i find it hard to tell them apart haha

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Leo is the one having a dip in his water bowl lol and Vinny is the other

 

[Laurasea]

Ah I know Vinny has the front butt lol
Did you hsve Leo sexed?? How old is he?

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Ah I know Vinny has the front butt lol
Did you hsve Leo sexed?? How old is he?

Well yea, i guess the front butt is a dead give away XD
Leo is just shy of a year old and i just say him lol, no DNA testing but both mum and dad were lutinos

 

[Laurasea]

You git a 50/50 chance then that he is s boy
And you aren’t out of the woods that he became cage protective
My most loved and so greatly missed Neptune became this way right before his second birthday

I just like to keep putting it out there for the new Quaker owners , so they know their baby didn’t turn bad , and that it is ok they still love you and will still be a great bird. It’s just something that has to be worked around. Sure their are some who don’t, but that’s more of an exception

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Yea I am ready for when the cage aggressiveness starts and to be honest it doesn’t really bother me all too much. As long as I can pick her up and put he into her cage then everything is grand.

Even when her attitude becomes even more of what it is already its what makes them quakers and that’s why the breed is so comical as they has such strong personalities.

She will never turn bad in my eyes as I love them too much already

 

[Ceri]

Such cute birds! The butt front really is the only identifier between the two!

Quakers are full of personality and I'm really looking forward to adding one to my flock in a year or so.

 

[Laurasea]

Leo tge Quaker,
I know you will be fine and are ready if anything changes with your cuties!!

I was just putting the plug in about cage aggression, because we have lots of new baby Quaker owners. And while they might be active now on the forum do to all the exciting newness. Later cuz it’s a year or two from now as their baby goes through puberty, and up to that point has been so sweet about the cage. They are often caught off guard and think their bird has gone mean. And they will keep it in the cage till it can come out nice... and Quaker’s are so often given up and re homed. So I’m just trying to keep that info about cage aggression is normal in the front of their minds , ya know? Any chance I get I like to throw it out there to prevent sadness and misunderstandings in the future.

My burds are so sweet, and it’s a mind trip every time they wig out at the cage. I’m like seriously? Lol they really can’t help it. Other parrots can be like this too, it’s just Quaker’s are known for it. Sometimes mine can keep their cool but often it’s such a big drama...

 

[LeoTheQuaker]

Oh definitely, i 100% agree. The more people know the better and as you say that why so many are in rescues or rehomed.

Oh yea i know the feeling...they can be like little jekyll and hydes lol Lovely one minute and trying to poke out your eyeballs the next minute lol.

Thanks for commenting that on this thread as i think a lot of people will benefit from it