Weekly Visitations

[MrsBigE]

Hi there!
I'm new to the group and have posted in the new member area to introduce myself but this is my first real post that includes my U2.
We just found out a few days ago that our "she" is a "he" so I'm rethinking names. I had planned on calling her "Izzy" but I'm not sure if I want to use that for my little boy.
Our boy isn't home yet. He's just now 2 months old and we've started weekly visitations. I get to see him for 3-4 hours every Sunday but once he's a bit older and isn't living at the breeders actual home I'll get to see him as much as I'd like. I don't know if birds relate scents to people as dogs do but just in case I slept with a little teddy bear and then took it to put in his crate/cage hoping he'd start to relate that to me. I've bought him toys for his cage that can come home with him so he'll have familiar objects her when he goes into his new cage. I'm just wondering if there are any other things I could do to help him prepare for eventual transition and to help him know my scent.
He shows no fear or hesitation when I pick him up, he's quiet the whole time seeming content and ok. I hate not being able to see him more than once a week and I just pray that as I see him more and more he'll know who I am and we can bond.
My breeder uses the abundance weaning process so I'm not even sure when he might get to come home. Can anyone tell me what age is definitely too young to accept him to come home? With puppies I always waited till they were about 12 weeks so they'd have time with littermates and could learn how to play correctly and gently, learn how to tell how much mouthing was ok etc... Is this the same type of things that need to be considered with birds?
We have a young Sun Conure and previously had a Budgie but this is the first bigger bird and definitely the first we've owned from egg to toddler or whatever.
Just worrying all the time about every detail.
I'm including a few pics for you to see my handsome lol dude. I really appreciate being able to learn from you all and thank you for allowing us to join your community.

 

[Loko]

Hes a beautiful little too! Socialization is important, not necessarily just with clutch mates but with multiple people especially. Youre going to have many many years to spend together.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!
What a good-looking bird.
As to smell... common wisdom is that parrots have such poor taste and smell that neither matter much.
Lots of cockatoo lovers here, and most of us love all birds, so you're i good company.
Glad you found us!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums and congratulations! That is one gorgeous U2! Socialization is extremely important with cockatoos, and it would be nice if your entire household plus frequent visitors can see him periodically. I haven't acquired a newborn outside of my home in many years so will defer to others, but definitely wait until he is fully weaned.

 

[MrsBigE]

Unfortunately he didn't have any clutch mates. He is actually a "miracle baby" because the breeder had purchased an existing aviary aah's during the transition the previous owner took all Cockatoo eggs. There were 11 eggs that were removed but we're supposed to transfer. After taking all the eggs his incubator broke. All but 1 egg didn't make it. That one egg is now my little boy.
He currently has 3 that care for and feed him. When I visit on Sundays my 16 year old daughter accompanies me. She is a bird freak and is the hooman that belongs to Spezi, our Sun Conure. Beginning this week my husband will go too. He's not really hands on that much with birds but he'll talk to them, make sure they've always got food and water etc.. He tries to pretend that he doesn't care one way or another but hearing him talk to them, I know Better.
While in the nursery, no one but the new family are allowed to hold the baby with the exception of the breeder and family. The breeder is extremely protective of all their birds but especially the babies.
Luckily he will be around a lot of other babies. They currently have 11 baby mccaws, mostly chose to his age. There aren't any other cockatoo babies but there are a few other Cockatoos for sale. Whenever they start squawking, he perks up and pays attention.
I'm just so excited to watch him grow and learn all I can to make sure he'll always be a happy, well-adjusted bird.
Do you all take your birds to bird clubs or public festivals and functions etc?
What other ways are there too socialize them?

 

[JustineBird]

I did the same thing when I got Justine. I would go to the store and play with the birds then when Justine came in I was able to play with her after I got off work every day. She grew attached to me quickly as well as my parents. She is already starting to say hello and playing a little fetch with my mom and a small ball. She will push it down the steps and we toss it back up.

Playing with the birds when they are young will make the bond between owner and bird and it could help with new people you bring the bird to.

 

[MrsBigE]

I'm able now to visit him on Wednesday and Sunday but like yesterday I didn't get to visit because Ohio winters are nasty and altho it's been unreasonably warm, it decided to get cold this weekend. Yesterday it was was just too cold for him to make the trip. I'm hoping for Wednesday but if it's still too cold I understand and I'll wait. Looking forward to his move to the store.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[Puck]

Awww, I just saw this thread and your boy's oh-so-handsome photos! He's a gorgeous baby! A big white bundle of love! <3 Have you decided on a name yet?

 

[MrsBigE]

Yep we've named him BamBam Da Cockatoo. He's such a sweetheart.

 

[MrsBigE]

Yep we've named him BamBam Da Cockatoo. He's such a sweetheart. Very lovey and sweet.... I'm sure the orneriness is hiding in there somewhere.

 

[davefv92c]

Howdy neighbor ain't the folks at the Nest just a great bunch of folks. I have got the 4 birds in my sig photo from them during the past year 2 where rescues and 2 started out as babies. both of the babies where weaned after 4 months Maxx the Eclectus and Lilly the Amazon where both ready to come home, took Maxx home and Lilly a couple of months later when she was still just hanging in the shop. I only started out with the plan of 1 parrot and look what I ended up with.lol I look into the nursery everytime I'm in the shop and see your fella sitting in his cage Michelle tells me he is a smart one he has already figured how to get out of his cage. since meeting these people and since I only live a few miles from the shop I find myself there often learning new stuff about the birds. hope to meet you sometime up there.

 

[MrsBigE]

It's good to meet you! I love Michelle and her family. They're a great bunch of folks. They treat everyone like family and the best thing is that they love those babies so much and they're so well cared for.
I'd been looking for a rescue but I couldn't locate one anywhere close enough that they'd drive for home inspection so I wandered out to the Nest. At the time, all they had was 1 egg and they weren't sure it was viable. It's the first Hartman/Baker Umbrella. But he made it and I bought him the day he hatched. I've been watching his progress ever since. It's like being pregnant and waiting 9 months.... Only ya get to play with it while ya wait.
I see you also have a Sun. We bought ours at the Nest when looking for BamBam. My daughter fell in love with the guy and now he's the screechingest member of our flock.
He's intrigued by the snow today. Have yours seen snow before?
We live in Pickerington, do not too far from the Nest either. I'm always there Wednesday and Sunday visiting (weather permitting). Stop by and say hi. I'd love to meet your umbrella sometime... Well all of them but traveling with 4 might prove interesting!
Good to meet you!

 

[Scott]

Wonderful update, no doubt you are eagerly counting down the days!!

 

[dieselbird]

So adorable! We got our cockatoo as a rescue, his previous owner loved him but couldn't care for him anymore. I've been able to bond with him very well and we spend hours a day together. He's very affectionate like a little dog and he makes me so happy. Good luck with BamBam!