I haven't posted much in the last few months but wanted to give everyone an update on the quaker we rescued named Rio. He was 2 when we got him (off CL). He was in a small cage, eating only seeds and not speaking. After talking with everyone here, I switched him over to a pellet diet and bought him a bigger cage.
After a little over a year, he seems to fit into our family very well. We have an understanding that I only touch him when he flies away from his cage and when he speaks, I give him a seed. As long as I follow the rules, we have a happy boy. He says about 10 words/phrases and is working on more. I don't think anyone ever offered him a bath before he came to live with us. It took many weeks of continuing to offer a bath before he got over his fear enough to investigate the water. He now will bathe about once a week in winter and twice a week in summer (that is his choice...even if I offer every day, that is his routine.)
I believe I can now say, Rio has found a forever home. Thanks to everyone for the advice along the way. It was a huge help to me!
Michelle in OK
After a little over a year, he seems to fit into our family very well. We have an understanding that I only touch him when he flies away from his cage and when he speaks, I give him a seed. As long as I follow the rules, we have a happy boy. He says about 10 words/phrases and is working on more. I don't think anyone ever offered him a bath before he came to live with us. It took many weeks of continuing to offer a bath before he got over his fear enough to investigate the water. He now will bathe about once a week in winter and twice a week in summer (that is his choice...even if I offer every day, that is his routine.)
I believe I can now say, Rio has found a forever home. Thanks to everyone for the advice along the way. It was a huge help to me!
Michelle in OK