What kinds of things are absolute must haves for your Fids? I have the cage, food, a few toys, and a stand... Getting a harness, but what else do i need? What kind of books do you all recommend for training and general care? etc. What kinds of treats do your babies like the best? Anything and everything is greatly appreciated!

lots of patience... after that I would say lots of toys - foot toys, hanging toys, foraging toys, shredders and several different sizes and textures of perches to exercise the feet.

you can add anything else you need as you figure out what your new fid likes.

of course don't forget socialization.

This is a really good QP specific book, for starters. And make sure you have perches of varying widths, one of which should be those cement ones to keep the nails dull(er).

I just bought the book"Your outta control bird". I would suggest it, but its not a necessity.

If only I had found these earlier. Since I got them for each of our birds, I haven't had to trim a single nail.

http://www.birdontherocks.com/page/1b2k9/F...NE_PERCHES.html

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you'll see Maya on her perch. I didn't know till just now that John had used one of her pictures. Thanks John.

Get the medium size, minimum.

I bought that book yesterday that you suggested Alusdra. It was very informative and helped alot. I would suggest it to anyone else who wants to know more about Quakers. I also went to this resale bookstore today and found a bunch of old Bird Talk magazines. I found a few that had articles about Quakers in them. I figured for $1.00 a magazine it was well worth it. They actually had alot of books in there on different breeds of parrots.

Do you have an playstand or a cage with a playstand on top? My guys love those! Couveigh's absolute favorite treats are nutriberries. He is always saying "Do you want a berry?" My cockateils love their cheerios and rice crispies. You need lots and lots of toys! A cage cover or sleepy time cage is good too, so your fid gets lots of sleep!

Yes the cage i am getting has a playtop. I am making a cage cover, so that is not a problem. What kind of nutriberries? I went to the store last night, and they had several different varieties for about 4 different sized birds. Do i get the kind for teils, or the ones with the amazon on the front? I looked at the sand perches, the ones that kind of look like branches, but they didn't have any in medium, so i am going to try to find them elsewhere this weekend when i go to town. The petsmart I went to was HORRIBLE! They didn't have hardly anything for birds in there, so I am going to try a different one this weekend. I made a playstand for him already out of PVC. I still need to get the vet wrap for it, but for my first attempt, its not to bad if ya ask me, lol.

I know Buzz would be crazy with out his hide outs. Have you got a Happy Hut or something like it yet?

I really don't have anything just yet. I am getting the cage from the breeder, and I am going shopping this weekend in Springfield, hoping to find some decent toys and what not. The breeder i am getting him from has all kinds of toys and perches and what not at awesome prices, so I may just end up getting everything from her if I don't find anything i like this weekend.

I found finger toys to be very important, as both Frankie and Isabelle empty and refill their toy cups several times a day. I also tried to have areas around the cage at different levels where different activities were ... one perch may be close to the millet, the rock perch is close to the preening toy (which is the favorite and this keeps the nails down), another perch is next to the Boing and goes to the food dish ... three climbing manzanita perches on the bottom so the birds can get from the bottom of their cages to the top either by climbing the cage or climbing on toys ...
I would also say that the Boing is a life saver, as both of my birds love theirs. They also liked the twisty rope perches, they are easy to clean, and I can change their configuration every time I move the toys around so they don't get bored.
I also recommend using a treat dish that is seperate from their regular food dish for any snacks you will put inside the cage. I use the same dish for treats when they are outside of the cage, and they know which one is who's and are very good about eating from their own.

Couveigh likes the cockateil size for the nutriberries. Same with pelleted food. You are going to post pics when you are set up right!?

I just thought to add something...

If you know the date when you're bringing your bird home, then a must have is a vet appointment!! Sometimes it can be hard to get into an avian vet, so it is important to have the appointment booked prior to bringing your baby home, as some breeders/pet stores offer a limited health guarantee.

Gabby loves his happy hut. He gets in it during the day and sleeps in it every night. It keeps his nice and cozy. Most birds will not like it unless you introduce them to it when they are babies. I have heard that some birds tear them up. If you get one, just be sure and watch for any strings or holes he may bite in it. Best of luck with your new baby!

Linda & Gabby

Um.. all the items mentioned are definitely "must haves", but don't forget another important item.

A digital camera so you can take lots and lots of pictures to share with all the quaker addicts here

something I've not seen anyone mention, is Cuttle bone. You may find that they don't use it much which is fine. But if your bird happens to turn out to be a female...she will use it eventually. place it in an area that can't get pooped on easily.

ok, I checked with my exotic vet, and she also does birds, so my new fid will have an appointment within a week of coming home. I have to take a couple of suggies in for a recheck anyways. As far as what i have for him/her so far... here's the list:

Sandy Perch
Shower/Window perch
Happy Hut
Tiel sized nutriberries
Shredder
2 toys for inside the cage with mineral things on them
Definately have a digital.. already had it for the suggies and my daughter, lol
A travel cage that I made myself
The Playstand I made
A feather sexing kit (gonna have the breeder help me with that one, lol)
lots and lots of food to cook up, lol
I'm making a straw toy I saw on e-bay tonight
FlightSuit with a leash (Bird diaper type)

I'm getting the following when i go to get him this weekend:
a cage(added a pic),
manz. perches,
pellets,
and more toys

my stomach churns just thinking about it! I'm sooooo excited! I will try to get to the store before i go and get the cuttlebone.... Is there anything else i should get while i am there?