kenh
Hatchling
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Post by kenh on Jan 5, 2015 9:11:19 GMT -5
Hello all - I've a good bit of experience with conures, mostly peach fronted and the wife just got a Sun Conure (named Gumbo) a couple months ago. Last week a Quaker flew into the back yard about 4pm. After 10 minutes of flying from tree to tree, it finally came to us. Until we put in cage that night the bird seemed to be docile and happy to be held. It doesn't like to perch on finger, it will fly away (in house with ALL ceiling fans turned off). The next morning the Quaker was VERY cage defensive and bit HARD! Since we were leaving that morning to be away for the weekend we left in cage - Quaker got the Sun Conure's big cage while we used the smaller traveling cage for trip. Our pet sitter (nice lady who comes to feed dogs, chickens, etc) has a Quaker so we felt she could care for Quaker.
I think this is an older Quaker - I have no real reason for that, other than the upper beak looks sorta "ragged" with the tip having a few splits, but nothing drastic, just "well used". Makes me think of a horse hoof that needs trimming. Quaker makes good sounds, and is making a few word sounds, that I expect are words, IF a person could understand. Much like a parent who can understand a 2 or 3 yr old child's words when other folks don't understand.
Now we've returned Quaker is VERY defensive in cage - understandable since Quaker has been in cage over weekend. I've been reading on this forum, and other places about Quakers. I read much more about Quaker's being cage defensive (food, toys, etc) than I've EVER experienced with conures. Is this true?
Today (first day back home) I'm going around the local area hoping to find owner of Quaker. I'll be leaving notes on doors that have nobody at home.
Thanks to all for comments and suggestions.
Ken H>
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Post by easttex on Jan 5, 2015 14:29:16 GMT -5
Hi Ken. I haven't spent enough time around conures to compare them to quakers, but others will probably be able to speak to that. I have a senior quaker, and he is cage protective, but he spent most or all of his 21 years before me confined, so he may not be the best example. I wanted to mention that his (Peppy's) beak doesn't look remarkably different from any other adult quaker's that I've seen. They shouldn't really show significant wear and tear just from age. He may not have had the best of diets or other care, but who knows.
If he got spooked while he was out free-flying, he could have travelled a fair distance from his original neighborhood. You might consider contacting local vets and leaving a flyer with them.
One final recommendation, if you're not already doing this, is to keep him quarantined from your other birds while you look for his owners. |
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kenh
Hatchling
Posts: 7
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Post by kenh on Jan 5, 2015 15:24:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply, but yep, we're for sure keeping him quarantined from our other bird. I told wife if we found owner we had to wash cage GOOD before putting Gumbo back in cage. Is 2 weeks sufficient quarantine?
We've contacted local vet, and I've left flyers in the local area. I sorta think from looking at this bird's beak he may have been living wild for a while. I toweled him to remove from cage, and after taking to other room (cage out of sight) I could handle him by hand. He (she?) would fly, but didn't fight when I'd take him by hand holding from back with wings held to body.
Ken H>
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Post by easttex on Jan 5, 2015 16:35:23 GMT -5
At least 30 days is the usual recommendation, though I will admit I've fudged a little on that in the past. If this poor bird was out on his own for a while, he quite possibly found feeders and might have had quite a bit of exposure to wild birds, so I would go with 30 for him. And I would wash that cage with a 10% bleach solution when he is done with it. Assuming he doesn't move into it full time.  That would have been a dream come true for me when I was a kid, to have a bird show up on my doorstep. How lucky that he managed to find his way to a bird person! |
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kenh
Hatchling
Posts: 7
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Post by kenh on Jan 5, 2015 16:51:58 GMT -5
BTW, while keeping the birds in separate cages, how far apart should the cages be during the 30 day quarantine period? Hopefully we'll find the owner during that time.
Ken H>
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Post by easttex on Jan 5, 2015 17:45:59 GMT -5
They really shouldn't be in the same room. Ideally, they wouldn't even share the same a/c, furnace or vent systems, but that kind of separation is a lot more than most of us can provide. Whatever you can do to keep them as far apart as possible would be best.
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kenh
Hatchling
Posts: 7
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Post by kenh on Jan 5, 2015 18:05:18 GMT -5
That's sorta what I though - let's face it, we're talking about "possible" contagious disease from wild or other birds.
Thanks again - sure glad I found this group.
Ken H>
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 5, 2015 20:52:29 GMT -5
You might want to post here that you've found a Quaker parrot: Parrotalert You could check with any nearby veterinarians and pet stores too to report the QP you found. |
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Post by Sharyn and Mr P on Jan 5, 2015 22:41:34 GMT -5
I foster for a rescue and, as far as quarantine goes, the IDEAL situation would be to keep them in separate houses! LOL
Obviously, that is not possible for most people but central ac and heat and any kind of household ventilation can spread infection.
They should at least be in separate rooms, as far away from each other as possible, with room doors closed. Not only can viruses be airborne, but droppings and feather dust can carry contagions. Make sure you wash your hands after touching anything that the new bird has touched including food dishes, perches, cage doors and of course, the bird himself. I would also recommend that if the new bird sits on your shoulder, change your shirt before letting your current pet come in contact.
I know this sounds a bit over the top but the last thing you want is for your own pet to get sick because they have caught something from a new bird, especially one that has been exposed to wild birds.
When we take in new fosters, everyone in the rescue follows this procedure, no questions asked, as too many have experienced their own birds getting sick from not being careful with quarantine.
(which, for the life of me, I can't seem to spell correctly!!!)
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kenh
Hatchling
Posts: 7
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Post by kenh on Jan 6, 2015 10:21:44 GMT -5
As ya'll say, it's hard to keep them in separate houses for quarantine (hard word to spell), I've got a buddy who's agreed to take Quaker and keep while we're looking for owner.
Again, thank all ya'll for the help and guiding me on this Quaker quest. I'll be moving over to a Sun Conure group since Gumbo is "the" bird and one bird is all I really wish to have at a time. A bird takes a LOT of commitment. Just like the decision to have a baby (human baby). You have to give baby baths, feed, and travel with them. Back when I had a Peach Fronted Conure, it went most everywhere with me. Sitting on my shoulder was his world. (great way to meet ladies:)).
Ken H>
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Post by easttex on Jan 6, 2015 13:20:34 GMT -5
I hope he finds a good home, whether it is his old one or a new one. And I hope you'll drop back by after the resolution to let us know. Inquiring minds and all that. |
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kenh
Hatchling
Posts: 7
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Post by kenh on Jan 7, 2015 9:22:29 GMT -5
Well, I've made it known around here, and with the local vet about the Quaker. I think I've done my part in trying to find owner. My buddy came over last night and Quaker seems to really like him. First time ever, he climbed from his cage and on buddy's shoulder and rode there during supper. Quaker sure has a good "cough" - buddy got a tickle in his throat and coughed - Quaker sitting on his shoulder mimicked the cough nicely. Even hopped down to table, the allowed buddy to pick bird up.
Buddy is keeping Quaker and hoping owner NEVER shows up, but the agreement was if original owner shows up, buddy will give Quaker up. After all the "sounds" the Quaker makes, my wife and I sorta wish we'd got a Quaker rather than Sun Conure. BUT - wife is totally bonded with Sun Conure, so conure we've got.
Again, thank you to the whole group for sharing knowledge.
Ken H>
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Post by biteybird on Jan 7, 2015 21:35:46 GMT -5
Well done, it sounds like things are working out. Even if the quaker's owner doesn't show up at least you've found a compatible replacement owner...hope it all continues well & good luck.
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