Hello everyone,
I have been looking around reading for a few days and decided it was time to say hello!
My name is Gina and I'm soon (around the end of Oct) going to be a new mom to Oatis!
I recently lost my baby Winston (cockatiel). We were buddies for 15years. I missed having a bird in the house and knew another tiel would never be Winston so I started looking for another breed of parrot. I read a lot on this site and others and about 3 books and decided on a Quaker baby!
I'm trying to get ready for Oatis and I’m making myself crazy picking out a cage for him...it is a big deal right.

What is the best size cage?
One of the books I read said the cage should be at least 18x18 and that seems pretty small and in another book it said too big a cage would make the bird afraid…..
I have been looking at a 24"X22"X 34" or a 22"x18"x35" both have great features the lager one has a nice play top you can move and use other places which is a nice feature....

Oatis's sleeping room is going to be my step son’s old room, and my current office, it is painted BRIGHT orange...do you think that will be okay?

I have made a bunch of toys so I think I’m set there.

Is there anything else besides food he will need right away? The breeder made recommendations on the food.

Well I have written a book…sorry!!
Thanks in advance!
Gina and Oatis

Hi Gina and welcome to forum. Congrats on your quaker. Sorry about your loss. I know you become wuite attached to them.

Hi, Gina. Welcome to the forum. Hope you get your new fid, soon. You will just love being the parront of a quaker parrot.

They are a bit more demanding than a cockatiel, and quite a bit stronger, too. Toys your cockatiel played with will be gone in no time at the beak of a quaker. Just keep this in mind when buying a cage, too. Not only do they need more space, but sturdier bars and stronger doors, preferably ones that latch on the outside. Those little slide up doors don't fool a smart little quaker for long!

Glad to hear that you are doing your homework and researching what is best before bringing one home. Welcome to the forum.

I'd go with the larger cage. So long as the bar spacing is no more than 3/8".



It should be fine, I don't see why the colour would be an issue. But if it is an issue, can you move the cage to another area?




Glad your breeder gave you some food recommendations. You want to make sure that the food you offer is the same stuff as your baby has been getting from the breeder (at least initially, you can always change later if you feel the need).

Maybe some treats? You'll definately want to make sure you have some flour/cornstarch in case of emergencies. Perches, cuttlebone, mineral block, and lots of toys!!!

Welcome to the forum, Gina!!! And can't wait to see pics of Oatis!

Hello, and welcome. Sorry about the loss of your teil. Has your breeder sent you any photos of your new bird Oatis, you might like to share? We all love pics especially baby pics.

I agree with the larger cage provided the bar spacing isn't too wide. something I'd also suggest is to see if the food cups are easily removed, because quakers are strong little buggers for their size, and like Carrie pointed out, it doesn't take long for them to figure out how to open doors and turn over dishes.

As far as the sleeping area...Color shouldn't really matter, after all they'll be in the dark hopefully sleeping for the largest portion of the time their in there right?

Hopefully your breeder will have your baby Oatis (is it Oat's or OATIS) on a pelleted diet with a variety of a few seeds and fresh fruits and veggies...A strictly seed diet will ot surfice

I too want to welcome you to Quaker.com and encourage you to join in and have fun, don't be afraid to ask questions because no question is dumb if YOU don't know the answer.

We're a fun and caring group of individuals who like to have fun and learn from each other at the same time...

Again, Welcome to the forum!

Congrats on your new guy but sorry about your loss on Winston.
You have gotten good advice so far. Just remember that quakers and tiels are very different in personalties, quakers are loud, bossy, and can be very cage territorial. And the food thing, you'll definetly want to be feeding pellets, as was mentioned. Good luck and enjoy your new friend!

Thanks for the advice and the warm welcomes!
Betty did send pics. This is Oatis...I can't
wait to get him home!!
The toys I made do have bigger parts than the ones I used to make for Winston. I looked over the section on this site about toys too before I started buying parts.
I was a little conserned as I read the books about some of the possible problems with the little bossy guys. I have also been talking to my family about how we have to treat this baby differently than Winston...aside from the "step up" Oatis is all different!

What is the cornstarch for??

Welcome to the Forum! I am so sorry for your loss..........I also had a teil named Georgia..........

Everybody pretty much answered most of your questions.

One thing to make certain is, have a variety of perches made out of wood, sand, rope. I am sure you know this having owned a FID (feathered kid) already.

The cornstarch will clot blood, if bleeding.

Welcome to the forum. Oatis is a handsome little fid!

"The cornstarch will clot blood, if bleeding. "

Good to know I will add it to my list!!

Thanks

"(is it Oat's or OATIS) "

It's OATIS and twist on Otis ...goofy I know

Flour can also work as a blood clotter. (Or the usual stypic powder, but why by that when you don't have to!)

stypic powder is actually a less desirable method than cornstarch or flower for cuts on the skin of your bird (it's okay on toenails) because it will itch, which will make the bird want to pick at it, while the others won't.

Congrats on your new little buddy... Quakers are great pets.

He's a very cute little fid