|
|
Post by annarock on May 21, 2016 11:36:58 GMT -5
My name is Anna. I adopted a 10-year-old QP that needed to be rehomed from a private party. I've had her for one week today. She adjusting pretty well. She's learned to say two new phrases this week "night-night" and "pretty bird". I'm just amazed!She can be very stubborn at times, though. I took her to the vet and he said to feed her fresh fruit and vegetables instead of some of the things her previous owner was feeding her. However, I don't think her previous owner gave her much fruit or vegetables as she won't try anything I've put in her dish! I made a grain bake last night for her and however and offered it to her this morning for breakfast. She stuck her beak in it and that was it. But at least she did that. With the vegetables and fruits I've tried she wouldn't even approach the bowls!! She's a funny little creature but that makes me love her all the more!She's also a feather plucker. I'll be writing about that later in that forum. I am so glad to find this site. I need advice on the proper way to care for her. I want to be a good parront for her so she can have a healthy and happy life. I don't know if I can do that all by myself. I've used the internet to research how to care for her but sometime there is conflicting information. Who better to get information and advice from than other people who own Quakers? I also hope that I can be useful to other people as I gain knowledge and experience. Thank you all so much in advance and I look forward to meeting all of you!!
![Here is my new baby, Penny]() |
|
|
|
Hello!
May 21, 2016 13:41:17 GMT -5
Post by julianna on May 21, 2016 13:41:17 GMT -5
Welcome Anna... that is so nice of you to adopt a 10 year old QP. It sounds like you are going to take really good care of her. Most times when I want my QP to eat something, I eat it in front of him... and then he just has to try it. Many times he just doesn't like it and will throw it across the room but at least he tries it.
When I give him fruit, I will usually hold a piece for him while I eat another piece. I make all the yummy noises and this seems to encourage my little guy.
Besides the fresh fruit and vegetables (which should be washed and peeled) your QP should have approx.90% pellets and 10% mixed seeds. I will bet that your little one eats mostly the mixed seeds... and I only say this because many newcomers go through the motions of converting their birds seeds to pellets. It can be done but just takes a little time and patience.
I think you will find this site very helpful. There are many people on here with a lot of experience with QP's and they are always willing to help.
Take care.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on May 21, 2016 20:12:18 GMT -5
Welcome to Anna and Penny! It's great of you to take in a little feathered friend in need. Thank you for doing that. It sounds like you are doing great so far! These little ones tend to be very stubborn when it comes to trying new foods. The key here is patience and persistence, as is can take quite a while for them to be even willing to try something new, let alone eat it enthusiastically. It can help to eat things in front of them, as they are known for wanting to try your food, whatever it may be  Everyone in the flock must share, of course! Try eating things in front of them and exaggerate your enjoyment of the food. Keep trying and in many cases they will eventually pick it up. As far as seeds go, I personally like to minimize their place in the diet. Our QP, Cupcake, gets no seeds, generally. If she has access to them, she only wants to eat them and nothing else. You definitely want to focus on vegetables. It took us a while to find the ones that Cupcake would consistently eat, but now we've learned that she will eat cucumber and lentil sprouts every day, and will always accept peas, sweet potato, butternut squash, corn, zucchini... Sometimes if we're lucky we'll get her to eat steamed spinach or broccoli/cauliflower. Things like fresh leafy greens like kale are basically out of the question. She is not interested. Anyhow, you've definitely come to the right place to talk about Quakers. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have! By the way, it looks like you might be having some trouble posting photos-- it can be a bit tricky on this forum. Here's a link to help: www.quakerparrotforum.com/thread/31/post-photos |
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on May 21, 2016 20:13:55 GMT -5
Welcome to you and your new feathered friend! Stubbornness is a common trait of QPs; they have minds of their own, and lots of determination. Getting a parrot to accept new foods takes time and persistence, and wastes lots of food that doesn't get eaten. Keep offering the same foods over and over, and try preparing them in different ways. Most vegetables can be given either raw or cooked (most types of beans should be cooked though), and you can try offering larger pieces, finely chopped and mashed up. Sometimes it helps to eat some of the same foods in front of your QP and show him how delicious they are. Parrots usually like to share foods they see their human companions enjoying. I always point out that it took 8 months to get my QP Ralph to try broccoli, and it's now one of his favorites-- so don't give up!  |
|
|
|
Hello!
May 21, 2016 22:04:36 GMT -5
Post by Angela on May 21, 2016 22:04:36 GMT -5
Welcome Anna Penny! Everyone has already given you very sound advice. I just wanted to say welcome!
|
|
|
|
Hello!
May 22, 2016 7:39:58 GMT -5
Post by Caseysmom on May 22, 2016 7:39:58 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!
|
|
|
|
Hello!
May 23, 2016 2:21:52 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on May 23, 2016 2:21:52 GMT -5
Hi Anna & Penny and welcome to the forum. You are doing a lovely thing by adopting a quaker; good going! You'll have plenty of support here for any questions/problems you may have. I look forward to seeing a photo! |
|
Everyone in the flock must share, of course! Try eating things in front of them and exaggerate your enjoyment of the food. Keep trying and in many cases they will eventually pick it up.
