Full Version: New To The Forum
My name is Vickie. I am new to this and have never been involved with this sort of thing. I have 3 dogs, Sadie, Bruno and Little Boy. Eight months ago I acquired a QP. His name is Einstien. I picked up Einstien as soon as he was weened. He has been very friendly,loves to ride around the house on my shoulder. Talks all the time. We have to watch what we say around him, because he picks up, virtually everything. When the dogs bark, he says, "No barking Little Boy". The last couple of weeks he has been biting hard. I have to put him in his cage so I can heal. I have picked up from this forum that they go through the "terrible twos". What are some actions I can take to help. I was also wondering if I don't allow him to get enough sleep on the week-ends and maybe this may be part of it. On week-ends, he wakes up with me, I make him breakfast and he sits on my shoulder all day. Should I make sure he gets his rest during the day.I was also thinking about getting another one. Is it true they will bond with each other and not me. What if they stayed in seperate cages. I know this is alot, but I have so many questions. Vickie
Welcome to the forum! I don't know answers to the questions you've asked because I'm pretty new to QPs myself. I've only had Buttons for just less than 2 months. But others will be along shortly I'm sure. Just wanted to welcome you and your fids! This is a great forum with outstanding people!
Welcome to the forum, Vickie!!!
The terrible twos don't start until a bit later but your QP is at a ripe age for maturing. He is at that age where he may start to 'test the waters'. See what he can get away with and push his limits. It's pretty normal for them to go through a biting phase right now.
There are several ways you can handle it. If he bites you, *gently* push INTO the bite. Don't yank your hand away as he will turn it into a game. By pushing into the bite you will throw him off balance and he will let go. I always give a firm 'no bite!'. You don't want to make too much fuss over it though because these little birds are drama queens. They thrive on attention.
You can also do what you are doing. Putting him back into his cage. The problem with this though, is that if he wants to go back to his cage, he may start to associate biting with that. So he'll think 'if I want to go back to my cage I just have to bite'. Which can cause all sorts of other problems.
So long as he is getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night, then this is good. The sleep should be uninterupted and quiet. Some birds will nap in the day, and some won't. My girl isn't much of a napper.
There is a good chance that two birds can bond with each other more than you if they are cage together. Quakers especially are known for this. I would be hesitant about caging two Quakers together. You can add another Quaker, just give them separate cages to sleep and play in. They can have out of cage time together (providing they get along) though.
I have two Conures that are kept cages together and so far I've not had any bonding issues. They are just as bonded to me as they are to one another.
QUOTE (einstien @ Mar 25 2007, 08:32 AM) 
The last couple of weeks he has been biting hard. I have to put him in his cage so I can heal. I have picked up from this forum that they go through the "terrible twos". What are some actions I can take to help.
The terrible twos don't start until a bit later but your QP is at a ripe age for maturing. He is at that age where he may start to 'test the waters'. See what he can get away with and push his limits. It's pretty normal for them to go through a biting phase right now.
There are several ways you can handle it. If he bites you, *gently* push INTO the bite. Don't yank your hand away as he will turn it into a game. By pushing into the bite you will throw him off balance and he will let go. I always give a firm 'no bite!'. You don't want to make too much fuss over it though because these little birds are drama queens. They thrive on attention.
You can also do what you are doing. Putting him back into his cage. The problem with this though, is that if he wants to go back to his cage, he may start to associate biting with that. So he'll think 'if I want to go back to my cage I just have to bite'. Which can cause all sorts of other problems.
QUOTE (einstien @ Mar 25 2007, 08:32 AM)
I was also wondering if I don't allow him to get enough sleep on the week-ends and maybe this may be part of it. On week-ends, he wakes up with me, I make him breakfast and he sits on my shoulder all day. Should I make sure he gets his rest during the day.I was also thinking about getting another one.
So long as he is getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night, then this is good. The sleep should be uninterupted and quiet. Some birds will nap in the day, and some won't. My girl isn't much of a napper.
QUOTE (einstien @ Mar 25 2007, 08:32 AM)
Is it true they will bond with each other and not me. What if they stayed in seperate cages.
There is a good chance that two birds can bond with each other more than you if they are cage together. Quakers especially are known for this. I would be hesitant about caging two Quakers together. You can add another Quaker, just give them separate cages to sleep and play in. They can have out of cage time together (providing they get along) though.
I have two Conures that are kept cages together and so far I've not had any bonding issues. They are just as bonded to me as they are to one another.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome! 
Hi vickie, welcome to the forum.. my name is Vicki also and my quaker is Jade. I have a tiel named teek and an alex named Holly rose.. vicki
Welcome to the most addicting place on the internet. I think Carrie Anne gave some great advice!
Again, Welcome it's great to have you here!
I think Carrie Anne gave some great advice! Again, Welcome it's great to have you here!
Hi Vickie...welcome to the zoo. you'll love living here...
I say ditto to what Carrie~Anne said, and will also add this. My opinion as to allowing your QP to ride around on your shoulder all day/weekend...You may be setting yourself up for some problems later...While I think its great that your spending a lot of time one on one by allowing him total contact with you all day long you might be reinforcing the flock mentality meaning that he won't want to be out of your site and will flock call when you aren't in sight. Its not cute...There are several threads about this sort of thing right now.
We normally advise people to only spend as much time now with their new birds as they'll be able to everyday for the next 20-30 years.
By allowing them to stay with you every minute is just enforcing that need. They need to know that its fine for them to not see you even though you are at home and that they need to learn to play and entertain themselves even though you are home.
Anyway...once again...Welcome to the Forum and have fun with Einstien
I say ditto to what Carrie~Anne said, and will also add this. My opinion as to allowing your QP to ride around on your shoulder all day/weekend...You may be setting yourself up for some problems later...While I think its great that your spending a lot of time one on one by allowing him total contact with you all day long you might be reinforcing the flock mentality meaning that he won't want to be out of your site and will flock call when you aren't in sight. Its not cute...There are several threads about this sort of thing right now.
We normally advise people to only spend as much time now with their new birds as they'll be able to everyday for the next 20-30 years.
By allowing them to stay with you every minute is just enforcing that need. They need to know that its fine for them to not see you even though you are at home and that they need to learn to play and entertain themselves even though you are home.
Anyway...once again...Welcome to the Forum and have fun with Einstien
everything has been pretty much covered.....just wanted to Welcome you to the Forum
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