Post by Summer on Jul 4, 2017 13:13:26 GMT -5
Hello, I am a new bird owner and was happy to see this forum. I purchased a hand-fed Opaline Blue Quaker 3 days ago. My three daughters (ages 7, 4, 23 months) named our new family member Summer Moon Blue Bird. I grew up with a Cockatiel but have never cared for a bird on my own. Our Cockatiel favored my mom as he aged. Dudley lived to be 31 though had a seed-based diet and lived in the kitchen. He had never been to a vet or had any health issues. I am realizing through my research that there is much more to know about caring for a bird than I do! I now know that I know less than I thought about health,
diet, behaviors, and that you can train them-and need to train them!
I was not planning on actually purchasing Summer the day we did so I am guilty of some impulsivity. I was just going to meet her, do more research, then decide. I have looked at a handful of birds through the years ranging from (my favorite species so far who I may someday own-after I retire and have more time) a rose-breasted cockatoo to other parrots and cockatoos to conures, but none seemed the right fit or time in my life to adopt. I fell in love with Summer immediately and so did my girls, which was not the case in the past. The breeders could either tell this or it was a sale technique, but they got formula ready, her wings clipped, and a box for transport before I committed to her adoption or money exchange. They even gave me a fairly nice cage for her for free, apologizing that I would need to clean it. (My daughter and I scrubbed it thoroughly multiple times and rinsed well until it looked new (Dish soap, then hydrogen peroxide, rinsed, dried). We are using recycled chart paper-I am an elementary school teacher-in the bottom of the cage and changing it daily.
I have been reading as much as possible with also caring for my three daughters. I had no idea I should have gotten a hatch date, paper work, or contract for Summer. The breeders were very kind, knowledgeable, and told me I could call with any questions. They said Summer was not quite 4 months old. He/she was the last of the babies to be adopted from the many that had already been sent to new families. The gals are about 30 miles from me, and I saw where the birds were kept and cared for. They ranged from Hyacinths to Budgies. Some birds were being babysat (They were not breeding all types). All seemed happy and healthy. Cages were large and clean, and fresh fruit/veggies, seed, pellets, bird formula were in available.
The gals sent me home with some formula to use if Summer had issues with eating enough upon her transition. They told me/showed me that if her(referring to her as a girl but no plans to DNA sex) poop turned a dark green to mix her a tablespoon of formula. They recommended a diet of pellets, fresh fruit and veggies, and a little seed. She has been eating and drinking and seems happy. Her poop has been light green, seemed a little browner for a short time (when I first gave her seed and pellet mixture) and is mixed with clear liquid. Sometimes it is just clear liquid with little or no poop. Is this normal?
Are there brands I should/should not use for pellets, seed, ingredients to watch for?
Summer steps up, cuddles, loves to be pet, sleeps, and seems very happy and well-adjusted. Even accepts my four and not quite two year old daughters touching her. She makes lower pitched squawking sounds/almost vibrating sound, some higher pitched chirps, and is attentive when we talk to her. Loud noises from my kiddos do not seem to startle her or make her anxious at all. Even the very loud fireworks going on next door did not seem to rattle her last night.
Besides having the clear pee/poop, something that concerns me is that she is puffed up constantly and often shivers. When she does lay her feathers closer to her body and stretches up her neck a bit, my daughter made the comment that she looks like a different bird. She also bobs her head up and down A LOT. I read this is common with Quakers but it seems excessive to me. Summer also shook her head back and forth very quickly when we were talking to her. Is all of this normal or is she cold or something?
I did not realize people took birds to a vet for wellness checks and that there is even bird insurance available. Do I need to get Summer into a Avian Vet? Is there anyone you can recommend in near Omaha, NE, USA? How much do wellness visits typically cost? What else do I need to know? I do not want to accidentally endanger our new family member! Can she be in direct sunlight for part of the day as we have her near windows now but do not open shades until shaded? Is it okay for her to eat/shred paper towels and such?
I appreciate any help you can offer!
Thank you,
Wendy
diet, behaviors, and that you can train them-and need to train them!
I was not planning on actually purchasing Summer the day we did so I am guilty of some impulsivity. I was just going to meet her, do more research, then decide. I have looked at a handful of birds through the years ranging from (my favorite species so far who I may someday own-after I retire and have more time) a rose-breasted cockatoo to other parrots and cockatoos to conures, but none seemed the right fit or time in my life to adopt. I fell in love with Summer immediately and so did my girls, which was not the case in the past. The breeders could either tell this or it was a sale technique, but they got formula ready, her wings clipped, and a box for transport before I committed to her adoption or money exchange. They even gave me a fairly nice cage for her for free, apologizing that I would need to clean it. (My daughter and I scrubbed it thoroughly multiple times and rinsed well until it looked new (Dish soap, then hydrogen peroxide, rinsed, dried). We are using recycled chart paper-I am an elementary school teacher-in the bottom of the cage and changing it daily.
I have been reading as much as possible with also caring for my three daughters. I had no idea I should have gotten a hatch date, paper work, or contract for Summer. The breeders were very kind, knowledgeable, and told me I could call with any questions. They said Summer was not quite 4 months old. He/she was the last of the babies to be adopted from the many that had already been sent to new families. The gals are about 30 miles from me, and I saw where the birds were kept and cared for. They ranged from Hyacinths to Budgies. Some birds were being babysat (They were not breeding all types). All seemed happy and healthy. Cages were large and clean, and fresh fruit/veggies, seed, pellets, bird formula were in available.
The gals sent me home with some formula to use if Summer had issues with eating enough upon her transition. They told me/showed me that if her(referring to her as a girl but no plans to DNA sex) poop turned a dark green to mix her a tablespoon of formula. They recommended a diet of pellets, fresh fruit and veggies, and a little seed. She has been eating and drinking and seems happy. Her poop has been light green, seemed a little browner for a short time (when I first gave her seed and pellet mixture) and is mixed with clear liquid. Sometimes it is just clear liquid with little or no poop. Is this normal?
Are there brands I should/should not use for pellets, seed, ingredients to watch for?
Summer steps up, cuddles, loves to be pet, sleeps, and seems very happy and well-adjusted. Even accepts my four and not quite two year old daughters touching her. She makes lower pitched squawking sounds/almost vibrating sound, some higher pitched chirps, and is attentive when we talk to her. Loud noises from my kiddos do not seem to startle her or make her anxious at all. Even the very loud fireworks going on next door did not seem to rattle her last night.
Besides having the clear pee/poop, something that concerns me is that she is puffed up constantly and often shivers. When she does lay her feathers closer to her body and stretches up her neck a bit, my daughter made the comment that she looks like a different bird. She also bobs her head up and down A LOT. I read this is common with Quakers but it seems excessive to me. Summer also shook her head back and forth very quickly when we were talking to her. Is all of this normal or is she cold or something?
I did not realize people took birds to a vet for wellness checks and that there is even bird insurance available. Do I need to get Summer into a Avian Vet? Is there anyone you can recommend in near Omaha, NE, USA? How much do wellness visits typically cost? What else do I need to know? I do not want to accidentally endanger our new family member! Can she be in direct sunlight for part of the day as we have her near windows now but do not open shades until shaded? Is it okay for her to eat/shred paper towels and such?
I appreciate any help you can offer!
Thank you,
Wendy
I've been living with parrots for more than 47 years and learn new things all the time. 
It's usually recommended that a new parrot be examined by an avian-certified vet (or one at least experienced in caring for birds) within the first two weeks of arriving in the new home. Try the link that easttex provided to locate a vet near you. The cost of a vet visit varies a lot; in my area, a simple office visit ranges from $30 to $200. 
