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Post by wintersmagic on Sept 14, 2015 17:47:56 GMT -5
Hi Quaker Peeps!!
first thank you. I have learned so much already in this forum and I would like to say first sorry if my questions are redundant to what you all know... cuz lets face it you all have forgotten more than I will ever know.
I got Jasper about three weeks ago he is a year old I think.. I will have to look but that's what previous parront said.
couple questions.... Yes I know some again may be redundant or ignorant but I'm ok with that as long as you don't laugh at me! 
So Jasper seem pretty cool no lunging ( thank God)
1. He seem afraid of normal Dowling perches. I put the natural Slick looking perches in his cage should I replace them with dowels so he gets used to that? 2. Should I clip his wings? I can get close to his cage and can stand next to him but no touching. 3. A friend throws a towel over her birds and just grabs them and to me that seems anti conducive to what I'm trying to do?
What tip or trick would you tell a first time Quaker owner??? |
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Post by cnyguy on Sept 14, 2015 20:24:19 GMT -5
Welcome! Feel free to ask questions, and unless you tell us a joke, no one here is likely to laugh at you.  It's a good idea to have a variety of perches-- different textures and thicknesses. Ones that are even and smooth aren't usually recommended, since they're harder for a parrot to grip. You might have to temporarily use the ones your QP will accept while gradually introducing him to different perches-- you may have to place them away from his cage, just in view, and gradually move them closer to his cage. Parrots can be reluctant to accept new things, or anything they're not used to. If you want your QP's wings clipped, I'd recommend having it done by a qualified veterinarian or experienced parrot groomer, at least the first time you have them clipped. Sometimes it's necessary to towel a parrot-- for medical treatment, wing or nail trims and such-- and it's a good idea to get the parrot used to the towel. However, it isn't usually needed for routine handling of a parrot. Once a parrot is comfortable with his human companions, he should learn to willingly step up. It's not really a good idea to reach into a cage and grab a parrot, with or without a towel. If you've read through the posts here on the Forum, you've probably run across the advice I always give new parronts: sit near your parrot's cage and talk softly to the parrot. Be calm and gentle. That helps the parrot get used to your body language and the sound of your voice. Be patient and take things at the pace your QP is comfortable with. Don't expect too much of your parrot too soon, and don't try to force interaction. Take it slowly and gently and things will go better. My other recommendation is to read a good book about Quaker parrots like Shelly Lane's book, available on the companion site (if you haven't yet done so, visit the companion site Quakerparrots.com. Lots of useful information there) or Mattie Sue Athan's Guide to the Quaker Parrot. |
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Post by aaron on Sept 14, 2015 22:51:21 GMT -5
Welcome wintersmagic and Jasper! There is certainly no need to apologize about redundant questions! We love Quakers here and love helping people give them the best lives possible, and answering repeat questions comes with the territory! Besides, no two Quakers are exactly the same, and hearing about everyone's little ones is always fun for us  So please, ask any and all questions you might have! We most certainly will not be laughing at you Cnyguy has given you good advice already here, so I'm going to skip around... Clipping wings is a matter of preference and circumstances. Our QP is flighted, but there are others on the forum whose birds are clipped and it is clearly the most appropriate approach for them. The nice thing about feathers, however, is that they will grow back. So, particularly in initial stages, some find it advantageous to give them a light clip so they are easier to work with. I am personally a fan of keeping them flighted in the long term if it makes sense for the environment you are in, but your environment must be kept bird safe, and you must be very well trained in keeping track of where the bird is at all times. In some environments, this just isn't possible, and clipping is necessary. If you are trying to build a relationship with a parrot, catching it by throwing a towel over them is not going to be productive. Such a tactic might be appropriate in extreme circumstances, but only if you have absolutely no other way of catching the bird. Wrapping the bird in a towel gently is a different story... and while many don't love it, as cnyguy notes, it's good for them to be able to handle it for functional reasons. Our QP was my first real parrot experience, and I've found myself consistently underestimating her intelligence from the beginning. These little ones are really smart, and once they are comfortable in their surroundings, they will want to be part of everything (flock mentality), and will need clear eye contact and consistent focused interaction to be happy. They are really quite amazing little creatures. Good luck with everything and keep us posted on how it goes! |
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Post by biteybird on Sept 15, 2015 3:47:28 GMT -5
Hello and welcome! The others have said it all. Please continue to ask questions...and enjoy!  |
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Post by julianna on Sept 15, 2015 12:16:39 GMT -5
Hello winter and jasper. As a first time owner you will find this site very informative. I still learn new things every day. I hope you enjoy your little one as much as we love ours.
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So please, ask any and all questions you might have! We most certainly will not be laughing at you 
