My aunt stopped at the petstore the otherday and they had quakers on sale. they had two left. both of them six months old, and marked down from $250 to $99.99. I had been looking into differnt birds trying to decide what feathery friend to get. Well, she bought one of these little guys and brought it to me. so i am sitting here on the computer trying to learn eveything i can about the quakers!!! I have him in a big cage with some toys, and of course perches and food and water. today was day two with this little guy. and he started making little noises every now and then. he is eatting and drinking good. today he seemed a bit more relaxed. he would let me walk by his cage without trying to kill him self to get to the other side. I have just been sitting near the cage talking to him quietly and he seems to like it. but the down fall is he has been in the petstore since he was weaned and he is now six months old, and he bites.....HARD. so can anyone tell me how long i should give him to settle in before i start working with him? how should i over come his fear of being handled? and how do i fix his biting problem??

Hi

Congrats on getting the best bird there is

I'm new to quakers, but someone with more experience will be along soon to answer your questions. Time and patience is key though.

Deb

I dont know much but I know that alot of people told me to try to use a stick for him to step up on. That way your not getting bit and it is less scary for him. Dont push him. At first introduce him to the stick and then after a while slowly push it under his belly by his legs it is usually a natural thing for them to step up. Also use "step up alot" so he will learn the command. If he starts to attack the stick let off and don't push him. I'm sure others will be around soon to give you some other advise. Good Luck

Congrats on the QP you will not regret getting your new friend as they are the best. I would try the stick thing. I used it with my parakeets that i got from the pet store. Also time. Since there is not another bird for your QP to bond with, he/she will naturally want to bond with you. I've only had Oliver for 4 months so i'm not all that knowledgable but there will be others. WElCOME

Congrats on your new baby!

Work with your babe daily, and right away. Like the others have said, you are the flock. You provide the food, the attention, the entertainment, and the discipline.
Quakers are usually better behaved away from their cage...try the stick (in the manner explained by others) to get your babe to "step-up". Once out of the cage reward him with a fav treat. Positive reinforcement goes a long way..and can even come in the form of gentle speaking.
Do you have a perch or play area away from the cage? If so, take him there and just practice 'step-up' on the perch until you eventually replace that with your finger....PATIENCE and perhaps band-aids....you'll come out on top!
Showing your bird that you're afraid...by pulling away, crying out in pain (drama) only backfires by reinforcing the biting.
When you're able to have him on your hand just wobble him (to get him somewhat off balance) if he starts to nip @ you. Transfer to his perch or play area, with gentle reminders to be nice, will remind him that in order to play with his flock he can't bite.
The amount of time to turn his behaviour around is directly relative to the amount of time/patience you have to put in to reversing it.
It is definitely possible and VERY rewarding!!!!
Good Luck....and buy some band aids, lol

P.S. Don't put your hand in his cage to try step up....go for the perch

Cheers

Welcome to the forum! Quite the addicting place to be!
Like everyone else has said, remember patience is key!

Good Luck and Welcome!

I'd wait a bit longer for him to get used to his new envirionment before strting to work with him. Maybe a week or two. Sitting by the cage and talking sofly is a great way to start. You can also offer bird safe treats through the cage bars to get him used to your fingers and not be scared of them. The stick method will work, but for me I like to get right in there and show 1. I'm not affraid and 2. I'm the top bird.

Make sure his wing feathers are clipped as that will keep him in line. Also if he is not already on a pellet diet get him on those once he has completely settled. Make sure he gets lots of freash foods too. Veggies, fruit, pasta, rice and some nuts.

Also if in doubt ask us lots of questions, and remember there are no dumb questions.