Quaker Arriving USPS Today

[brettnelson232]

Hey all, I'm new to the bird world. I went through Finch Farms for my Quaker. He/She will be arriving today around noon. It will be arriving by special courier arrangements. I am gonna admit that I am absolutely clueless with birds. Ive read as much as I can about behavior, health, diets, etc.

Suggestions on the unveiling of my new little buddy? Do I put him/her directly into his new cage, or on his new perch, or just let him/her walk around the counter? Just nervous that I'll suck!

ANY advice is welcome....unless its negative comments....you can move on.

Thanks in advance my new friends!
Brett

 

[Flboy]

Welcome! Oh wow! Let him lead you with interaction! Remember, most likely, he is terrified and is sure you may kill him! This is so- wow! He may be, I’m scared, stay with me, or, I’m scared, stay away! Respect his wishes and remember, this is a relationship/companion! Not a pet!

Another point! He is exhausted! Vancouver,WA is a long trip! And sensory overload! Not understanding anything!

 

[Flboy]

"ANY advice is welcome....unless its negative comments....you can move on.

Thanks in advance my new friends!
Brett"
Ouch!

 

[brettnelson232]

Welcome! Oh wow! Let him lead you with interaction! Remember, most likely, he is terrified and is sure you may kill him! This is so- wow! He may be, I’m scared, stay with me, or, I’m scared, stay away! Respect his wishes and remember, this is a relationship/companion! Not a pet!

Another point! He is exhausted! Vancouver,WA is a long trip! And sensory overload! Not understanding anything!

Great! I do plan on letting it take the lead. Our animals are definitely our family. I will have my hands full introducing my two mastiffs and two cats to the new addition. I’m wondering though....should I just allow each one to meet/greet or just allow an organic noticing of the bird. I am calling it an “it” cause I haven’t settled on a name yet.

 

[Flboy]

Dogs and cats equals death in an instant!
You are much better off having them maintain their distance! Many of us on here have gone through a nightmare! I am one of them! You can’t move fast enough!

 

[brettnelson232]

Noted. I also plan on not clipping for quite a while...for defensive reasons obviously. But yes I plan on keeping them at a distance, but think they need to know his there and not invading our space. Same with the cats when I brought them in. I know this is totally different. Just curious on thoughts of others that have already Been there, done that. Thank you so much for your insight. I’m proceeding with extreme caution

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your new one!!!

When he arrives, ofcourse all pets locked up away. I would have apple slices and some minced up, some fresh corn just sliced off, a millit spray, some safflower seeds ready. He is going to be a little dehydrated, as very few eat or drink with travel. That's why I suggested having some apple slices ready, and fresh corn for their high desirability and moisture content.

When he gets there I would take him so he can see the new cage, while still in his shipping thing ( hope you provide pictures of it, I didn't know birds shipped! ) . Sit down with him and talk calmly, try bit to just stare at him , wait till he seems to calm some, a few minutes. Then if you can offer him a little bit of apple. You want coming out of the shipping to be positive, same with cage introducing. Hopefully he can at least look at his new home for a few min, get some yummy apple in him. Then I would take him out, if he wants to be with you, then I'd sit and feed him and give him water, use all the bribe yummy foods.if he is well socialized he will want comfort. If he is scared I would put him in the cage and sit in a chair next to it sideways do you aren't looking right at him. And just chill and talk calm read out loud, have a great dish just inside the cage next to wear you sit so you , can plop done treats in thetr. Have water and food on the other side, because he will need to drink and eat.
I'd stay sitting next to cage till he is calm and exokiro and ate or drank something's. Then I'd give him space , and just be in the general area, he might need a nap. Then in an hour or two I would start walking up saying hi and putting a safflower seed in his treat dish. Repeating every few minutes , then give him a break and be near by in sight line. If he flock calls answer him. Repeat throughout the day. Sit near him offer treats through the bars if will take, but no pressure. If at any time he begs to be with you, ofcourse get him out and love on him.

 

[Laurasea]

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/449-toxic-list-our-birds.html

This is a great link, starts with normal behavior, then later in the article covers abnormal behavior.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/

This is one of my favorite article, had so much good stuff, can be used to prevent stress. O. The part with clicker training , I shape behavior but I just say good bird and give treat I stead of clicking.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

On the cats , it's a big safety issue......
On the dogs, my dogs aren't lowed within five feet of the cage , or me if I have the parrot with me, I do t even allow them toook at the parrots. In Cesar Millan speak, I'm top dog, the parrots are mine, no sharing. This has served me well in the 18 years if parrots and dogs. I do do not lie the parrots to go mess with the dogs, and they want to, ugh.

 

[brettnelson232]

Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your new one!!!

When he arrives, ofcourse all pets locked up away. I would have apple slices and some minced up, some fresh corn just sliced off, a millit spray, some safflower seeds ready. He is going to be a little dehydrated, as very few eat or drink with travel. That's why I suggested having some apple slices ready, and fresh corn for their high desirability and moisture content.

When he gets there I would take him so he can see the new cage, while still in his shipping thing ( hope you provide pictures of it, I didn't know birds shipped! ) . Sit down with him and talk calmly, try bit to just stare at him , wait till he seems to calm some, a few minutes. Then if you can offer him a little bit of apple. You want coming out of the shipping to be positive, same with cage introducing. Hopefully he can at least look at his new home for a few min, get some yummy apple in him. Then I would take him out, if he wants to be with you, then I'd sit and feed him and give him water, use all the bribe yummy foods.if he is well socialized he will want comfort. If he is scared I would put him in the cage and sit in a chair next to it sideways do you aren't looking right at him. And just chill and talk calm read out loud, have a great dish just inside the cage next to wear you sit so you , can plop done treats in thetr. Have water and food on the other side, because he will need to drink and eat.
I'd stay sitting next to cage till he is calm and exokiro and ate or drank something's. Then I'd give him space , and just be in the general area, he might need a nap. Then in an hour or two I would start walking up saying hi and putting a safflower seed in his treat dish. Repeating every few minutes , then give him a break and be near by in sight line. If he flock calls answer him. Repeat throughout the day. Sit near him offer treats through the bars if will take, but no pressure. If at any time he begs to be with you, ofcourse get him out and love on him.

WOW, excellent advice! Thank you so much. That was things I needed to hear for some type of direction to take. I will follow that advice, and play it by ear. By the way....what are some of the irresistible treats that they all like? Apples and Corn? Cause you’re right, poor thing is gonna need some fluids.

 

[Laurasea]

Apples are very desirables, mine don't like grapes, but you could try that. The millet spray will temp eating even from stressed birds they can't resist. Yij definitely want him eating and drinking as soon as possible. Birds can't go that low h with out eating, plus it will make him feel better, and help him relax.
Mine like fresh zucchini and cucumbers diced up. But he may not know veggie are good... You should be feeding him whatever the plac you got him from feeds, them slow introduce other foods, except for veggies and fruit you can offer those every day.

 

[brettnelson232]

Apples are very desirables, mine don't like grapes, but you could try that. The millet spray will temp eating even from stressed birds they can't resist. Yij definitely want him eating and drinking as soon as possible. Birds can't go that low h with out eating, plus it will make him feel better, and help him relax.
Mine like fresh zucchini and cucumbers diced up. But he may not know veggie are good... You should be feeding him whatever the plac you got him from feeds, them slow introduce other foods, except for veggies and fruit you can offer those every day.

You’ve been a great help. Thank you!
Pics definitely to come. Been waiting for weeks for him to get here.
Thank you

 

[Laurasea]

So exciting!!!
I offer veggies in shallow glass dishes , they can see everything and perch on the edge or climbed in.
Bitdvdint like sticking their heads in dark places, I use clear plastic food and water dishes to.

I'd have those treat seed sticks in a couple of places in the cage too, go ahead and spoil him these early days, eating well, and all these good thi gs will help him settle.

Also you try offering sometimes warm, like scrambled eggs, oatmeal, tiny amount mashed potaties. Very comforting to them.

 

[itzjbean]

Make sure a vet visit is in the works when you get him. Finch Farms birds are generally not tame or very healthy, just telling you what I've seen from them. In the future it would be better to go through a reputable breeder for a bird if you want one that's tame and well socialized, they don't do any socializing there just ship babies out when they are grown from the nest and are parent raised. Best to get him checked out as soon as you can to make sure he's A-Okay. After that begins the taming and training process.

Congrats on your new addition! I know the waiting is super hard.

 

[Laurasea]

Also I looked on their web site, they day feed a parakeet seed mix , nope
You need to offer a seedmix for conures, or I use the ones they sell for African grey or Amazon. I get the healthy seed mix that has a lot if pumpkin seeds and no sunflower seeds, or very few of those, no peanut. Penuts can harbor fungus, and they have to much fat, human grade, no salt , ok for occasional treat, but ibfint feed them at all.

On pellet,my current favorite is Oven Baked by All living Things, sold only at PetSmart. It also use almost all of the top pellets, I don't want picky parrots.

Have you ever had parrots before?

Quakers as babies aren't usually cage agressive, but as they grow up 99% are. I have a perch attached to the inside of the door, when it swings open, they are out if the cage, and nice. They don't let me put hands in cage, or on cage when they are inside, they scream bite, and charge. I have rope perche's on top of the cage. And I use ceiling hooks and fishing line to hang rope hoops and bungie ropes to hsnge just above the cage, and in a couple of spots around the house for them. You want a few perches that if you make the ok hand signal then widen you pointer finger and thumb till they are an inch and a half apart. That is a good size for them to relax their feet on. Most perches are sold to small. It's ok to have some smaller one tho, and even some larger than that.

What is you cage size? How are going to keep the cats away?

Ohhh so excited to here if the arrival!

 

[brettnelson232]

Also I looked on their web site, they day feed a parakeet seed mix , nope
You need to offer a seedmix for conures, or I use the ones they sell for African grey or Amazon. I get the healthy seed mix that has a lot if pumpkin seeds and no sunflower seeds, or very few of those, no peanut. Penuts can harbor fungus, and they have to much fat, human grade, no salt , ok for occasional treat, but ibfint feed them at all.

On pellet,my current favorite is Oven Baked by All living Things, sold only at PetSmart. It also use almost all of the top pellets, I don't want picky parrots.

Have you ever had parrots before?

Quakers as babies aren't usually cage agressive, but as they grow up 99% are. I have a perch attached to the inside of the door, when it swings open, they are out if the cage, and nice. They don't let me put hands in cage, or on cage when they are inside, they scream bite, and charge. I have rope perche's on top of the cage. And I use ceiling hooks and fishing line to hang rope hoops and bungie ropes to hsnge just above the cage, and in a couple of spots around the house for them. You want a few perches that if you make the ok hand signal then widen you pointer finger and thumb till they are an inch and a half apart. That is a good size for them to relax their feet on. Most perches are sold to small. It's ok to have some smaller one tho, and even some larger than that.

What is you cage size? How are going to keep the cats away?

Ohhh so excited to here if the arrival!

Never had any birds. I actually started studying up for a Congo Grey, but they are slim pickings with a hefty tag.
I actually bought two cages. One smaller nighty night cage 2’x2’x4’ w/fuzzy sleep hut. Then for it’s day/play cage 3’x3’x4’tall. I put Necessities and a couple toys with spray millet. Few perch point as well. I also have separate mobile perch to get it away from both cages.

As for the cats and dogs....we are going to play it by ear. I will judge how stimulated they get and proceed accordingly. It’s going to be a learning and training session for all of us In the house.

 

[Laurasea]

Cats can attack bird cage at night, so keep them locked away from the parrot at night.

The fuzzy huts are bad, the birds ingest the little fuzzy and it impacts their crops killing them. I am one of the rare or only ones that use sleep tents. I get sturdy canvas or other fabric and sew it over the fuzzy huts, and replace often if there care loose threads, I've also used seagrass ones and others, all get chewed and replaced. There are many deadly stories attached to fuzzy huts. If other members read that they will be sure to tell you. Like I said I like them and do t have problems,but I don't use fuzzy one.

You can hang toys in front of a wide perch up in a corner of the cage to give them a safe place to retreat and or sleep

I hope you read the toxic link I put in earlier in your thread. All most all non stick cookware if any type is deadly, deadly even if they are there floors away behind a closed door, we have thousands of stories of death this way. Oly a day or so ago several budgies are killed when non stick cookware was used.

Also lots if easy to shred and destroy stuff , you can make your own too, with old paperback books, plain brown paper bags, plain cardboard cut into shapes use a zip tie to attach. At least five different kinds of toys, and extras do you can change out and rotate. Those shredabkrs that come as a tmrikk to weave through bars are good, and so are those yucca chips that are soft and easy to destroy . You don't want a sparse cage, you want plunty of shirt perches to jump around and maximize cage use,latter's sei gs, foot toys. Teach foraging, and puzzles,

I just want you to succeed, Quakers are super super smart and active, and social, and so are prone to behavior issues, like Quaker mutilation syndrome, plucking, screaming. They are re-homed by the hundreds in my area for those reasons. One of mine was an abused rescue, ( plucks and was mutilating her feet), and another one I took in as a rehome. That's why I am passionate about helping you!

Also you will find having a place for the parrot to hang out bear you but not on you will be good, and keeps them off furniture, abdvawsy from cats and dogs. Pet supermarket sells a metal stands with hook for around 35 bucks, you can attach those big rope hoops or a rope bungie to them, easy to move around great place for bird to hang out.

 

[brettnelson232]

Cats can attack bird cage at night, so keep them locked away from the parrot at night.

The fuzzy huts are bad, the birds ingest the little fuzzy and it impacts their crops killing them. I am one of the rare or only ones that use sleep tents. I get sturdy canvas or other fabric and sew it over the fuzzy huts, and replace often if there care loose threads, I've also used seagrass ones and others, all get chewed and replaced. There are many deadly stories attached to fuzzy huts. If other members read that they will be sure to tell you. Like I said I like them and do t have problems,but I don't use fuzzy one.

You can hang toys in front of a wide perch up in a corner of the cage to give them a safe place to retreat and or sleep

Well hell...LoL. I’ll take that one back. Thx

 

[Laurasea]

I couldn't resist! Pikachu wishes you and your new love Happy Valentine's Day to you! ( Also this is the metal stands I mentioned, took if the rope perch for pic)

 

[LaManuka]

Please do not attempt to clip wings yourself! Birds can sustain serious injury to their feet, legs or breastbone as a result of a bad clip that sees them plummet to the floor for a hard landing. Quakers are quite solidly built birds and getting that clip right is crucial. I recommend strongly that you find a certified avian vet in your area to do it, not at a pet shop or at a dog and cat vet that sees birds sometimes.

Other than that welcome to the forum and I wish you a long and happy life with your new family member!

 

[brettnelson232]

Please do not attempt to clip wings yourself! Birds can sustain serious injury to their feet, legs or breastbone as a result of a bad clip that sees them plummet to the floor for a hard landing. Quakers are quite solidly built birds and getting that clip right is crucial. I recommend strongly that you find a certified avian vet in your area to do it, not at a pet shop or at a dog and cat vet that sees birds sometimes.

Other than that welcome to the forum and I wish you a long and happy life with your new family member!

Yep, you won’t have to worry about me attempting any of that. Our local bird shop, Kookaburra, educated me on the do’s and donts. I know everyone probably says it....but I really did do my homework. When you make an investment in a parrot...you gotta educate. Ha. Thank you.