rach
Hatchling
Posts: 3
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Post by rach on Mar 29, 2019 8:48:29 GMT -5
Hi my name is Rachel and I wanted to introduce myself to the QP forum. I picked up my QP George last sunday and he is settling in nicely so far, I was told he was 16 weeks old and totally untamed. I got the breeder to clip his wings , he got out of his cage the other day and discovered he could fly quite a distance, he can fly from a sitting position, and didn't seem to tire. Eventually I had to gently throw a sheet over him , obviously I have received quite a few bites over the last week and have resisted the temptation to move my hand away. Have tried to start the step up command but he just attacks my finger. I can get him to reach out a take some millet off me but that is as far as George wants to go for now. I have a couple of questions , whilst the breeder clipped his wings he only cut the first four off each wing, he doesn't clip his own birds wings as he doesn't agree with it. Did he clip enough off ? I wanted him clipped as he is totally untamed and I am frightened to let him out of his cage incase I cant get him back again, I don't want to stress George out. I am a complete novice to keeping birds and any advice would be wonderful, I am 100% commited in taming/training George and want him to have an enriched life with me. Will he step up on my finger in time ? Have tried enticing him with food in the other hand whilst gently pushing my finger gently against his tummy, but he only wants to bite me. Tbh its rare I can get that close enough to him. Am I right in not letting him out his cage before he in confident in stepping up ?
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Post by cnyguy on Mar 29, 2019 22:21:43 GMT -5
Welcome to you and George. You may be rushing things a little. A new parrot needs time to adjust to new surroundings and a new flock (you). While George is in his cage, you should sit near him and just talk softly to him so he can get used to you and the sound of your voice. Let him have plenty of time just to look around and see what his new home looks like. You might offer him a treat while you're sitting by his cage. Once he becomes more used to you, step up training will go much more smoothly. It seems likely that George was just given a light trim of his flight feathers and it really isn't accomplishing anything since he's fully able to fly. Time and patience will go a long way toward building a bond with George, so just take things slowly and let him set the pace. I'd suggest you get a good book on QPs, like Mattie Sue Athan's Guide to the Quaker Parrot, and visit the companion site quakerparrots.com where you'll find lots of helpful articles. Good luck to you and George.  |
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rach
Hatchling
Posts: 3
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Post by rach on Mar 30, 2019 5:56:52 GMT -5
cnyguy, thankyou so much for your advice, you are right I am rushing things. So far he is gradually getting used to me and I don't want to set him back. I will see how things go regarding having him clipped again. I will definitely invest in the book you recommended. Thanks again |
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Post by cnyguy on Mar 30, 2019 19:56:57 GMT -5
You're welcome. I know how easy it is to want to do everything at once with a new parrot. It can help to remind yourself of all the years ahead you and your parrot should have together. My first parrot was named George. He was a Yellow-crowned Amazon who was with my family and me for 40 years; he lived to be about 70 years old. Hope you and your QP George will have many good years to look forward to. |
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rach
Hatchling
Posts: 3
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Post by rach on Mar 31, 2019 2:48:51 GMT -5
How wonderful having a Yellow-crowned Amazon called George and to have been with your family for so long, its a real pleasure spending years with these amazing creatures. My Grandfather bred canaries and finches all his life and as a boy my Father had a mynah bird, being a mischievous lad it made very interesting situations when the vicar came to tea, much to his mothers distain I might add. in his teens into his 20's he bred and raced pigeons. He ended up being a member of the British Trust of Ornithology and caught and ringed birds all over the world as his hobby. So birds have been in my life and can't believe its taken me to get to 50 to have one of my own. Well the book you kindly suggested is on order now and I shall look forward to reading it.
Many Thanks
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Post by biteybird on Apr 9, 2019 5:03:38 GMT -5
Hi there, Rach, welcome to the Forum! Cnyguy has given you great advice. As you are a new bird owner (aka "slave"!) it is definitely worth taking your time by letting your new friend George relax a bit. There is a lot to be said for letting George decide when to come out of his cage in his own time (by having it open when it suits you). Do try to let him make the choice without hovering over him or forcing him. Let him come to you. I am in Darwin, Australia and we have a blue quaker called Bonnie. She keeps us guessing every single day!  |
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