Alice
Hatchling
Posts: 10 
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Post by Alice on Aug 27, 2015 9:43:53 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I just purchased a pallid blue quaker parrot. He/she just hatched on Aug 10th so of course I haven't taken him home yet. I have been doing a lot of research while I wait for my baby to grow and I would like some personal advise. My husband and I work all day and our 3 young kids are in daycare. So the bird will be alone for a good portion of the day. I was wondering what I can do for him to not be so lonely. His/her cage is already full of toys and different perches but will that be enough? Should I leave the tv on for him or maybe the radio? Maybe switch it up, or would he prefer consistency? We did consider getting 2 birds so they could keep each other company but everything I have read said to just get one unless you intend to breed, which we do not. Any advice will help, thank you so much!
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Post by easttex on Aug 27, 2015 10:46:12 GMT -5
I will let those who have experience raising baby Quakers answer your specific questions, but I want to say welcome to the forum!  How old will your baby be when you take him/her home? |
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Alice
Hatchling
Posts: 10
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Post by Alice on Aug 27, 2015 12:34:59 GMT -5
Hi, thank you! He will be weened, so at least 8-10 weeks. The breeder had to pull him from his nest last Thursday because there was an accident and the momma ate one of the babies, apparently trying to protect it, so my baby is the only one left (there were only 2). She has been hand feeding him 5 times a day since then and keeping him in an incubator. As of Monday he was doing great and gaining weight, so hopefully he can hang in there and grow nice and strong. But I dont know if all of that will make her want to keep him for a little extra longer than usual. I just know she said it will be at least 8 weeks from now.
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Post by aaron on Aug 27, 2015 15:40:55 GMT -5
I too do not have experience raising baby Quakers, but wanted to say welcome!
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Post by bruce on Aug 28, 2015 13:37:14 GMT -5
Welcome. No experience with baby Quakers, however most of the behavior/bird manuals I have read recommend a highly enriched environment of toys, TV or radio, intermittent "check ins" from the human flock members, and interesting foods. QPs also seem to benefit from having nest building materials in their environment - Chuckie, my QP, loves a paper towel in his cage to mold into a nest for his toys. Some QPs like straws, I am not sold on idea because they could ingest plastic if they choose to shred them. You might want to consider a soft bird cuddler toy located near a favorite perch. Since you will be away much of the day, an absolute must for any age parrot is one to two hours of attention/socialization every day. Good luck with your new companion.
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Post by aaron on Aug 28, 2015 19:50:33 GMT -5
Oh, to answer the question about getting more than one bird -- I would stick with one. When you get two, there are a number of things that can happen, and you have no way of knowing how it would go. They can hate each other, or they can love each other so much they have little interest in bonding with you... You would need separate cages, and you would have to supervise their interaction at all times. They would be exponentially louder having each other around, as well. I would not recommend it |
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Post by cnyguy on Aug 28, 2015 20:01:12 GMT -5
Welcome! I imagine you'll be counting the days until your new baby gets to come home with you. Most parrots appreciate having the radio or TV on while their human companions are out. It seems to help them feel less alone-- and most parrots like music too. You'll probably have to show your baby QP how to play with those toys, but once he accepts them and plays with them, they'll help keep him occupied while you're out. We'll look forward to seeing pictures of your Quaker-- we don't see pallid blue QPs that often. |
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Alice
Hatchling
Posts: 10
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Post by Alice on Sept 11, 2015 14:58:46 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for your input! So I have definitely decided to just get the one baby. I also plan on spending a minimum of 2 hours with him out the cage a day, more on weekends of course. And I'll get him his own radio to keep by his cage. Anyone know if he might like some baby toys, like the small hand held ones where you push a button and it lights up or plays music or something? I have tons of those. So now I just need to pick a name for him/her. Are there any naming threads here wher eI might find something cute? If its a boy my husband wants to name it R2-D2, but I'm not feeling it. I'd like something cute and catchy, maybe with a blue or ice reference. Am I being to picky?
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Post by julianna on Sept 11, 2015 15:43:41 GMT -5
When it comes to a name you are never too picky. I am sure you will find a name that suits him and his personality and do not be surprised if you change it after a little while. For toys I would suggest things that do not light up... my QP hates them. But anything that is not harmful made of plastic or wood or rope seems to be the norm. They like little bells... well some of them do. You will realize soon enough what he will play with and what he will be afraid of. Go by the emotions that your little one makes... and choose those. Ropes are always good so that they can climb around and chew them up as well as wooden ladders.
They will adjust to your schedule so as much time you can give them... they will appreciate. If you want him to learn to talk you must repeat the words you want him to learn over and over. You will be amazed by what they will repeat.
Good luck and welcome to the forum.
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Post by bruce on Sept 24, 2015 2:36:24 GMT -5
Even though I didn't know him when he was just weaned, my QP Chuckie named himself. Apparently he make a 'chuck' sound anytime someone walked by his house. So his first human companion named him Chuckie. As to your little one, TikiLuv, one author (Matti Sue Athan??) suggested naming a bird something they can learn to say. If they ever get outside, QPs have a tendency to find a person pretty quickly. If the bird can say her name, finding the owner is quite a bit less complicated. Chuckie, little renegade that he is, will never say his name when we are chattering to each other; yet he says his name in the "closet", i.e. once he is roosting for the night I frequently here him chirp "I'm Chuckie". Stinker!
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Post by msviv48 on Oct 18, 2015 21:48:03 GMT -5
I do most of what has been mentioned. When I leave for work or what ever is taking me out of the house I make sure TV is on, cage door is locked shut, I tell Julie goodbye, be good, love you and mama be back. She has gotten over time to say it first before I can so I then repeat after her. As for her name, she has never really answered to Julie and when she is really cute I call her goofy bird so she probably isn't sure what her name is. :-)
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Post by sandee on Oct 18, 2015 23:49:40 GMT -5
That's a good idea, spending a lot of time with him/her out of the cage. Gordon is out whenever I am home. Be careful not to overwhelm your baby, he'll be very nervous when first moving in.
Like msviv (above) I leave the TV (or radio) on. I'm careful to only tune into music I like, because I don't want to hear him singing some junk I can't stand!
~Sandee~
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How old will your baby be when you take him/her home?
