Okay, I'll give the backstory, and then we can go from there.

Red is 3 years old. Her current owner hand-fed her as a chick. When he got her, he also owned a dog, whom the bird formed a bond with, and got along with well. The bird was always out of her cage, talked alot, took showers with him, and basically was with him all the time.

About a year ago, his dog died. He got a new dog, and this dog decided that the bird was food. Needless to say, the bird retreated to her cage, which resulted in him being able to work with her less and less. So, he has decided that rehoming her is her best option.

He is still able to take her out of her cage, using a glove, and once she's out of her cage (completely seperated from the dog, obviously) he can still work with her. She took a shower with him last week. But, he feels bad because she just wants to be in her cage now, and he doesn't have the time to work with her constantly.

He warned me that when we first get her home, she will be pretty upset, because she's only known him, and to just give her time, which is not a problem at all. I am completely comfortable waiting for her to settle in before working with her too much, so that she doesn't get too traumatized, and hate us.

*************Okay, that's the scoop. Here's my questions....

1. How long should I wait before I try to take her out of her cage, or will I just know? (My plan is to have her in the living room where we are most times, and talk softly to her often.)

2. Is it best to use a glove like he did, so that at least she's familiar with that, to get her out of her cage?

3. Should I bother purchasing any toys for her? (I'm not sure what all he has in the cage now.)

4. Any other advice you can give me, so that I have somewhere to start. I pick her up tomorrow morning, and am so excited, but also want to be prepared with anything she may need.

5. My assumption is to keep her on the same food, treats, etc. that he has been giving her. Is this correct?

I am SO sorry that this is so long, but I'm terrified that I'm going to do something too fast, or too traumatizing for her, and that she'll die, which would totally break my heart!!!

Thanks in advance.

you want to let the bird get settled in its new environment. When she feels comfortable you can open the cage door and let her out. I personally wouldn't use a glove.....that is my opinion. Take it very slow.........some birds need a week to adjust to a new home and a new parront. Feed the same food as she was getting before because you are right about tramatizing the bird. You can always change later if the bird is on seed. The living room is a good place as long as the bird is not directly in the line of traffic, such as by a doorway or something. I cover my birds at night. You might find out if she has been covered in the past. Also about the toys, it is better to do it now and not later because quakers do not like change. I think with a little time and patience that Red and you will be just fine.

Well congrats! and welcome to the world of being owned by a quaker.

You are correct in keeping her on the same food and as close to the same routine as he did. At least for a while.

I personally hate the idea of using a glove, but sometimes I guess its necessary. There are ways to hold your hands so that they are less able to bite you. Just go slow with her...Watch her body language, it will tell you when she starts feeling comfortable around you and your family.

Remember, birds go through a period of mourning when they lose a mate or a friend just like people do and other creatures as well. They may not be as willing to except a new "family member" as we are or as some other animal species are.

I think what I would do, and what I have done in the past that works for me...is keep everything as it is for the first few weeks. Sit and talk with Red and only meet his/her daily needs...fresh food, water changing the papers in the bottom of the cage etc. But just sit and talk to him when ever you have a few free minutes...Other members of the family should also do it but don't try and push her into coming out of the cage till she's ready.

However, if her wings aren't trimmed before you bring her home...Ask her previous owner to have them clipped. That way YOU aren't the bully for having had it done. But you'll have a little more control over her and she'll be more dependant on you when the time comes for her to come out of her cage.

As long as your house is bird safe, Pets and kids and doors and windows etc after the first week you can start opening the door of her cage and allowing her to come out if she chooses to. If she willingly does, this is a good sign in that she's becoming comfortable with her surroundings and that she's ready to start exploring. When she's out on her cage start offering her little treats, pieces of apple, nuts etc. She'll find that she'll get those yummies if she's out on top. Then you can start working on the stepping up... with your hand held out as if you were going to shake someone's hand bend your thumb down and fold it against the palm of your hand, turn your hand so that the palm is now facing you. Start from below her belly a few inches out in front of her but below her belly and bring your hand up under her belly to here the leg joins her body. Gently push up as you give the command Step Up... Hopefully her previous owner taught her that command so she will be accustomed to it. When she steps up, Praise her with GOOD BIRD, GOOD STEP UP. And do it in an excited higher pitched but soothing voice. You might then have her do the "ladder climb" ( stepping from one hand to the other) keeping her facing you. Each time she steps up be excited and praise her GOOD BIRD.. IF she acts like she want to keep getting back on her cage, move completely away from her cage so she can't see it. Then work with her for 5-10 minutes the first few times...Try to end on a positive note and set her back on her cage. And again tell her GOOD girl...As she gets used to you doing this you can increase the amount of time you spend You'll see her body language change as she becomes more and more comfortable with you...her body will look softer more relaxed and she probably won't hold her feathers as tight against her body or her body as erect as at first...this is all good signs.

When you notice her being more relaxed with you then you can start making small changes around her...you might try rearranging her cage slightly move one or two of the perches around a little and maybe add a small toy. Its best for now if you begin bringing the new toys out and showing her how much fun they are while she's out on top of her cage, just stand back and play with the toy yourself so that she becomes used to seeing it...Then as you notice her staying relaxed around it you can hook it to the outside of her cage. After a few days you can move it to the inside if she acts comfortable with it.
Its a matter of building trust. So that she's trusting you not to hurt her or allow other things to hurt her.

Hope this has given you some ideas.

One other thing...Keep her off your shoulders...and till she is completely comfortable with you...Shoulders are considered HIGH places...High places are places of superiority and honor. And she may feel that if you allow her on your shoulder that she is superior to you or whomever allows her on their shoulder...This is NOT a good thing...You want to remain the leader of the flock...IF you have children that will be holding her and playing with her, she has to learn that she is lower ranking than they are as well....So NO shoulders...keep her below eye level etc.

Good luck and feel free to jump in anytime with any other questions that might arise.

And welcome to the forum

Wow! You guys are really great. Thank you so much. I feel so silly that I'm teary eyed right now... I'm just so excited, but SO scared for her at the same time.

I know it will take alot of patience and time, which I have plenty of, I just so much want her to be happy here. The thought of her being miserable scares the heck out of me.

At least I know that I can come here for help and support. After searching other forums online, I'm sure I found the right one. I got so tired of all of the bashing that goes on everywhere else, that I was afraid to join one for a while. But, I'm FOR SURE glad I found this one.

Thanks again, and I'll have more updates (and I'm sure questions, lol) once I get her home.

this truly is a great forum. We are all in the same boat as far as learning. Even tho I have been owned by my quaker, Mr. Kiwi for almost 8 years..........I still learn something new everyday......When are you bringing Red home? sorry if you post indicated when.....

I am picking her up tomorrow (hopefully in the morning). Yay! *shivers with excitement like a toddler*

I bet you can't wait! I definitely know what it is like waiting,,,,,waiting......If you have any more questions, just ask away...

I'm feeling awfully lazy today so I'm not going to read through the responses to answer. So if my info is a repeat, I'm sorry!!



Good plan!! What I would do is leave her alone for the first day she is there. The next day, open her cage door and let her come out on her own (supervised of course!). You can try to ask her to step up, but if she doesn't, don't push it. I really wouldn't try working with her for at least a week. Give her time to settle in. But if she allows you to touch her, then fly at it! But guage her responses and take note of them.



I'm not a fan of using gloves. I guess it just bothers me. You want the bird to get used to your hands, not a glove on the hand.



Go ahead and purchase some toys, but again, give her time to settle in. I wouldn't go adding any new toys right away. She is going to be spooked enough as is.




Yeppers!! You can offer new treats/fresh foods, but keep the main part of her diet the same as to what she was used to. I don't recommend changing a bird's diet in the first month of new ownership. If she is on a seed diet and you want to switch her to pellets you can put pellets into her cage, just don't take away her seeds yet. You may be surprised, she may eat the pellets all on her own (all of my birds have done that).




No worries!! Birds are very hearty creatures and learn to adapt fairly well. Just remember that she will be scared and it may take her months before she feels comfortable. Just go slow and earn her trust

Wow! Thank you SO much for all of that information. I feel a little more encouraged by all of you, at least knowing that my gut feelings were going in the right direction.

And yes, the waiting is KILLING me, lol! I've never wished a Friday to go so fast!!

ooooh pretty exciting thread I must say

soooo is Red home yet? er um it's pretty early here, so maybe not yet <blush>.

Is that Red's picture in your signature? what a cutie!

My my you are going to love being owned by Red. Quakers are wonderful fids!

Welcome to the best forum for Quakers on the internet by the way. You will love it here. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, it still boggles my mind.

I really can't add anything, because I'm a fairly new quaker parront, but you'll get wonderful advice from the experienced parronts here

Just wanted to say congratulations, and welcome


Deb

Red is home, YAY! I have pictures and such posted in the Introduction forum, and I also created a blog about her adventure today.