puck
Hatchling
Posts: 27 
|
Post by puck on Mar 7, 2015 18:45:57 GMT -5
Hi everybody! I just took in my first bird in several years, an eleven month Quaker named Sammy (as in Sammy Davis Jr). His owners were moving to an apartment complex that only allowed three birds, and they decided to keep the budgies and let Sammy go. To be honest I am not super knowledgable about Quakers (I have only had budgies), but that's why I am here--to learn as much as I can! He came with his cage and right now, two hours into his new life, he's doing okay, chilling out on top of his cage. He doesn't want to step up for me, but he was good about doing it earlier, when we were in his old environment, and even in my house when he was near the carrier and couldn't see his cage, so I think he is just comforted by the presence of his cage. His previous owners had him on an all seed diet so I have put a pellet dish and a seed dish in his cage as I am hoping to switch him to pellets. He may not want to be on me, but he squacks when I leave the room, so I can tell he doesn't want to be alone. According to the previous owner, he can say a few words (what's up, his name, their names), but he hasn't done any vocalizations around me except when I leave the room or when the dogs barked (and he "joined in" the barking). We'll see if he really talks or if they were just desperate to get rid of him... it's not a big deal to me either way. His old owners let him spend most of the day out, sitting on top of his cage, so I am a little worried about when I have to go in a little while to run some errands getting him into the cage without having to man handle him in there. Anyway, I'm just here to learn all I can about these beautiful little guys. I love birds so much and am so excited to have him here!   |
|
puck
Hatchling
Posts: 27
|
Post by puck on Mar 7, 2015 19:03:19 GMT -5
Also, I think he may need a larger cage then the one he came with (it is 13"x18"x25"), but is it better I leave his cage alone for a month or so until he gets settled into my house before I consider a sizing upgrade?
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Mar 7, 2015 19:46:06 GMT -5
Hi Puck, and welcome to you and Sammy! Quakers are great little parrots. I can't imagine having to give one up.
They are very flock-oriented, and as you've seen, even if he doesn't want to be handled by you yet, he likes company. That's not a great cage for him, but I would hold off a little on changing it, as you suggest. He's got a lot of changes to process right now, and that cage probably means security to him. Just be patient for a while and let him decide when it is time to venture forth. It probably won't be long.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Mar 7, 2015 20:54:43 GMT -5
Hello, and welcome to you and Sammy!  This article on the companion site is about converting parrots to a pellet diet-- it may have some suggestions to help you move Sammy over to a pellet-based diet. It's typical for a talking parrot to abstain from speaking until he feels more comfortable in his new home. Sammy may have something to say to you before long. For now, spend some time just sitting near Sammy's cage and talking softly to him, to help him get used to you and the sound of your voice. If you'd like, you can read and sing to Sammy too. A new, larger cage would be a good idea, but it might be better to wait until Sammy settles in with you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. |
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Mar 8, 2015 14:23:32 GMT -5
Welcome from me and Oscar as well. When you leave the room and they call out... it is usually because they want to know where you are and if you are okay. Just like the geese do in a flock. I found it helpful to find a special tune or saying... or even a whistle so that you can call back. This way he will not miss you so much. I am sure you are going to love having him and you have come to a great place to learn all about quakers.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Mar 8, 2015 19:00:47 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Sammy!
Quakers are really special birds. You are in for a treat. I agree with the others that a bigger cage would be a good idea but also that taking your time with making that change is a good idea. When it is time to put Sammy in the cage, give him a treat once he has successfully entered the cage-- it will take some repetitions, but once he associates getting a treat with going in the cage willingly it will make it much easier to get him in there when the time comes.
Feel free to ask any questions you might have!
|
|
puck
Hatchling
Posts: 27
|
Post by puck on Mar 8, 2015 19:20:31 GMT -5
Sammy is settling in well! I can tell he doesn't 100% trust me yet, but when he feels like coming off his cage he sits with me and I scratch him. He's also said "what's up" and "bye bye" (or he tries--the words aren't very clear) for me now, though he only does it if I ask during a time period where he's been squawking and whistling. I think he is doing well considering it is all new surroundings, and I am hoping we will start to really bond! He is eating raisin pieces from my hand when he Steps Up. I am wondering... I am a teacher and I have the next week off for spring break. Should I purposely not spend a lot of time with him during the hours I would normally be working so that he doesn't expect me to be around 24/7? I have read conflicting opinions on this. Also, is it considered biting behavior if every now and then he bends down and lightly mouths my finger when I pet him under the chin? It's not hard (kind of like when dogs mouth your hand without biting) and it doesn't hurt at all, but I don't want to encourage him to do it any harder!
|
|
puck
Hatchling
Posts: 27
|
Post by puck on Mar 8, 2015 19:51:02 GMT -5
I am being preened! Don't think it's gonna help my just woke up hairdo LOL.  |
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Mar 8, 2015 23:22:24 GMT -5
Glad to hear things are going well with Sammy!
It is definitely good advice not to spend more time with your parrot at first than you will be able to do consistently on an ongoing basis. Planning some time where you will be out of the house so he will at least be used to it to some degree is probably not a bad idea. If you can manage to do it in a way where it will mimic your typical schedule, that would probably be even better.
Controlled nips can be a form of communication, but not always. I would say that if it doesn't hurt, and you aren't reacting to it when he does it, you probably aren't encouraging him to do anything that poses a problem. He will learn to use varying degrees of pressure, and lighter ones shouldn't be considered offensive but rather an attempt to tell you something, or simply some innocent nibbling behavior.
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Mar 9, 2015 4:23:39 GMT -5
It definitely looks like Sammy is settling right in. I just want to add something about the nipping. Obviously, from here I can't tell what it means, but consider he possibility that he is gently telling you "I've had enough of that for now." If he is, and you don't stop, he'll start biting harder until he gets his point across. Although the advice is to not react to the bite itself, you do have to respect it. |
|
puck
Hatchling
Posts: 27
|
Post by puck on Mar 9, 2015 19:07:20 GMT -5
 Sammy got his new cage today! I am leaving his old cage sitting next to it for a few days, but I moved his food over. |
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Mar 9, 2015 20:12:32 GMT -5
New cage looks great! Definitely a good idea to keep new and old cages together for a bit as you are doing. I am sure Sammy will love it!
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Mar 10, 2015 6:47:10 GMT -5
Looks like enough enrichment to keep any quaker busy and engaged. I've just put together a new cage for Peppy, and will be going through the same process. |
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Mar 10, 2015 8:59:21 GMT -5
Cupcake has had two cages for a while, actually. She has a small one that I am ultimately planning to make just a sleep cage and then a large one that I have been working out the kinks as far as arranging everything goes... She actually seems to really like the little cage though so I have been very slow about making the transition. But it's too small for her so I imagine she will eventually appreciate the big one.
|
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Mar 10, 2015 11:17:01 GMT -5
It is a very nice cage. I am glad to see that it isn't round because I have been told that round cages could harm the birds. Oscar also has two cages... one in the living room with a rope leading to the other cage in the kitchen. When I am in the kitchen he crawls over to be with me and if I go to the living room he follows me there too. Like a little puppy dog... wherever I go, he has to be. (good exercise for him lol).
The little nips that I constantly receive from Oscar is his way of communicating with me. Two taps on my hand means he wants to go somewhere. Lots of nibbles on my hand at one time means he wants whatever is in my other hand. Bites that hurt means I should not touch his stuff. When he puts his bill between my fingers, it means he wants to play. It takes a lot of time to learn their communication habits and I am sure every bird communicates differently. When Oscar puts his head behind his left feather and pretends to preen himself... means no. Just pay attention to what is going on each time the nibbles happen and you will soon learn what it is he is trying to say.
Even potty training has become better and better because when I get pooped on... I growl and make grunting noises... now if Oscar forgets and let's one go... he runs to my other shoulder and will look at what he did. I think he is saying oh oh... I did it. It is rarely now that I get little presents on my clothes. lol
|
|
