|
Post by julianna on May 15, 2018 15:31:49 GMT -5
It would not hurt to spray daily however... just pay attention to your Quaker... and by his actions you will know whether he likes it or not. If he seems not to like it... try less often.
Oscar loves his bath... and when he is ready... he is ready!!! He bathes in the bathroom sink. I will splash the water a little to make sure it is not too warm... they prefer it a little cool... and he gets up on my finger and I lower him down. He loves it. He absolutely hates the shower and he hates the spray bottle. I think this has something to do with his sitter... but it is okay. As long as he keeps clean I am happy.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 15, 2018 14:50:48 GMT -5
Hello and welcome. Quakers are usually very territorial of their cage and food. My Quaker is 9 years old and still to this day he will attack me for cleaning his food or cage. I have learned how to trick him so that he doesn't bite me. Everyone has a different method.
If your Quaker can fly be careful when he first comes out. Be sure to close your blinds or put something in the window so that he knows there is a window there... and the same with mirrors. All fans need to be turned off. Pay close attention to him as they are very curious and within a few sections can hurt themselves or get into trouble.
I have just posted a system to try and teach the "step up" command. I will go and find it and copy it here for you. It is important that they know how to step up so that you can have control.
Be right back... lol
Here it is... The step up command is very important for them to learn.... and I would suggest you try that one first. Here are some tips:
With the right palm elevated, forearm perpendicular to the floor in a gesture similar to feeling for rain, fold your thumb into your palm and rotate your palm toward your face, keeping your fingers together, until the fingertips point toward the top of the wall to the left. Your palm now faces your chin. Place your Quaker on top of the top (index) finger. If the palm side of the index finger is the highest point on the hand, the bird's instinct to climb will keep it on the fingertip.
Since eye contact is an important part of this process, the bird must face you while sitting on your hand, merely touching its tail with the other hand will usually stimulate it to turn around and face you.
With the index finger of the opposite hand (held in a mirror image of the hand the bird is on), gently touch the bird's thighs just below where they join the belly, maintain eye contact with the bird and say Step Up! clearly and distinctly. The bird should lift foot, and place it on the finger. This method of behavioral practice involves a verbal prompt (the command) and a physical prompt (introduction of the object to be stepped on in the same place at all the time).
At first it may be necessary to pry the little toes up to get that first foot on the front index finger. As you lower the back hand (the hand the bird was sitting on), the bird will complete the step up onto the front (top) hand.
Practice this exercise in unfamiliar territory, out of sight of the cage, a couple of times a day for a minute or so each time. Always stop only after successful completion of the command.
Good luck
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 15, 2018 14:45:13 GMT -5
Hello pam and welcome to you and Lil Pea. We all love to hear our Quakers talk... as it is just so cute. I would suggest that when training to do most of it in the mornings when the bird is more alert. Most words my Quaker (Oscar) has learned he has picked them up in the morning. He is always anxious for breakfast and I am continually telling him..."it is not ready yet"... of course... he says that now too.
Be sure to keep Lil Pea healthy with a good diet of pellets, fruits and vegetables. You will learn very quickly what their favorites are. And be sure to check out the section in this forum about foods that can really hurt or even kill a Quaker.
We are all happy that you have joined this forum and we look forward to your stories. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions that you might have. We are here to help one another.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 6, 2018 15:46:13 GMT -5
Hi Joslyn... My personal feelings is that this change in behaviour is definitely due to the new cage. I am wondering if you introduced her to it gradually or just changed them up. Either way... she will adjust but it will take time. The hissing when you walk by is because she is being territorial ... My Quaker hisses every time my husband goes anywhere near his cage or near me.
As long as she is eating and drinking... and doesn't show any other signs... I think things will work out. The puffing up is just a comfort thing that they do. My Quaker usually puffs up only when he is a little chilly.
Best wishes.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 6, 2018 15:42:29 GMT -5
Being mating season... I would lock all cages just for a short while. They will adjust... and don't worry... you are not being mean... you are really being helpful.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 6, 2018 15:34:24 GMT -5
That is sooooo cute... oh I wish Oscar would do that with me. He does get excited when I sing but he usually just scratches himself...or chews his foot as if he wants to join in... but just doesn't. Me and Oscar loved this video.... awesome... lol lol.... I am sure to play it again
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 6, 2018 15:24:56 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the toe nail. The important thing is that it has stopped bleeding and that is great! I am not sure if you know but these little birds do not have much blood in their bodies so they can bleed out very quickly. If you are around and notice blood on their feet be sure to just put some flour or cornstarch on the injury to stop it from bleeding. Do not use those sticks that humans use for when they have a little cut... sorry but I forget what they are called... that is what old age does to you. lol
I am glad that all is well... and please do not let this interfere with your future travel plans... All will be well. And good for you for removing the things that you feel might have been the cause.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 6, 2018 15:16:47 GMT -5
Those are really cute games dinucci... excellent ideas. When I say "boogie" it usually entices Oscar to want to go after my nose... ha ha ha... Sometimes he will get a hair out for me... ewwww... but not anymore cause he scratches too hard and it hurts.
It is really fun to watch them dance with you... I will do motions in an extreme way and Oscar will follow... one day I will get this on video cause it is really cute to watch.
After a bath Oscar doesn't want anything to do with either of us. He will go to the kitchen a try to hide behind the bong. This isn't unusual because when they are wet they know they cannot fly so they hide from all danger. If it is cold in the house Oscar will come to me and sit with me on the couch and curl up in my hand ... cause it is nice and warm there.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 1, 2018 14:56:17 GMT -5
For soft foods... besides the soaked pellets... my Quaker loves spaghetti... macaroni... any pasta... and he loves small pieces of high grain bread. Also... a little feta cheese now and again... makes him dance with joy when he sees it.
I always try a variety of food with Oscar... You know the other day he ate a sweet pickle... lol lol
|
|
|
Post by julianna on May 1, 2018 14:53:02 GMT -5
You can teach a lot of tricks and I think the internet has many of them for you to research. My Oscar will shake a paw (like a dog) and then shake the other paw too. I have seen Quakers play dead... roll over on their backs and stay there... or just roll over like a dog would do.
The step up command is very important for them to learn.... and I would suggest you try that one first. Here are some tips:
With the right palm elevated, forearm perpendicular to the floor in a gesture similar to feeling for rain, fold your thumb into your palm and rotate your palm toward your face, keeping your fingers together, until the fingertips point toward the top of the wall to the left. Your palm now faces your chin. Place your Quaker on top of the top (index) finger. If the palm side of the index finger is the highest point on the hand, the bird's instinct to climb will keep it on the fingertip.
Since eye contact is an important part of this process, the bird must face you while sitting on your hand, merely touching its tail with the other hand will usually stimulate it to turn around and face you.
With the index finger of the opposite hand (held in a mirror image of the hand the bird is on), gently touch the bird's thighs just below where they join the belly, maintain eye contact with the bird and say Step Up! clearly and distinctly. The bird should lift foot, and place it on the finger. This method of behavioral practice involves a verbal prompt (the command) and a physical prompt (introduction of the object to be stepped on in the same place at all the time).
At first it may be necessary to pry the little toes up to get that first foot on the front index finger. As you lower the back hand (the hand the bird was sitting on), the bird will complete the step up onto the front (top) hand.
Practice this exercise in unfamiliar territory, out of sight of the cage, a couple of times a day for a minute or so each time. Always stop only after successful completion of the command.
Hopefully this is helpful.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Apr 30, 2018 15:32:06 GMT -5
Oscar has found something else to amuse himself with... but the only problem is that I have to be there too.
It is the plunger in the bathroom sink. If you pull up on the plunger, the trap shuts to hold the water in. Now if I press on the trap... the plunger will go up.. so I do this over and over.
Oscar will sit on the edge of the sink and watch me do this over and over and he just loves it. I always say "oh oh" every time I press the trap down or when I pull the plunger up. Sometimes I will pull the plunger up and down and up and down quickly... saying "OH OH OH OH OH OH"... I am surprised Oscar does not say this yet lol...
So that is his new distraction... the sink plunger... lol lol... Doesn't take much to amuse this little guys.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Apr 30, 2018 15:21:14 GMT -5
I got to see all the pictures of Cupcake today... and I never had to join Instagram. They are lovely Aaron... She sure is one lucky birdie to have you two as parronts... Thumbs up to you both.
What a pretty girl... Oscar's twin... except Oscar is male. I miss your posts Aaron... have not heard from you in a long time.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Apr 30, 2018 15:09:28 GMT -5
lol dinucci.... yup... about every 15 minutes for sure. I never stop the praise for when he poops somewhere that is not on me or the floor. The sound of it hitting the newspaper ... and I call out... "good poop" "good boy"... and of course I must sound all excited... ewwwww... but funny too.
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Apr 30, 2018 14:59:20 GMT -5
That really is a neat video... wow... quite the imitation eh?? lol... Reminds me of when I told the hotel manager (when we took Oscar to the vet) that if they hear someone screaming mommy... mommy... to phone me as it would only be my Oscar... lol
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Apr 30, 2018 14:43:44 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum. I would add that the squawking when you leave the room is normal. They are flock birds and always call out when they cannot see their family to be sure they are okay. I have a certain whistle that I will do to answer back and it really helps. My Oscar will still call out ... but not as frequently and not as dramatic.
It is okay for them to chew the newspaper... I am sure you are replacing it frequently. It does sound like a egg is coming. Give her material so she can have a soft spot to lay the egg. Do not remove the egg after it is laid... she will eventually get disinterested in it... and then you can remove it. If you remove it too soon she will continue to lay more eggs.
When introducing new foods I would give them one at a time to find out which ones they really like and those that they don't. Try small pieces of apples that are peeled, watermelon, grapes... fresh fruits are the best. And they love vegetables. Romaine lettuce, carrots, peas (one of Oscar's favorite) a little potato (boiled).. And the advice you have been given about the pellets is really important. Pellets are full of vitamins and very important for a healthy bird.
Hope this helps.
|
|