Tink has been with us for 2 weeks now, and we think he is adjusting well, he is not afraid to try new food, has bathed twice, and is becoming more vocal. But I do have a few questions!
1. The last day and a half, he has become a little nippy, not in an aggressive way but playful, and it never hurts. Should we allow him to continue this, or are we encouraging him to bite?
2. He was weaned onto seeds with zupreem pellets mixed in, he mainly eats the seeds, but will also eat the pellets, but seeds are his first choice! I would like to convert him to pellets using the seed to pellets conversion on this forum. Should I give him more time to adjust to his surroundings, or can I convert him now?
3. Tinks quacks! Yeap, he quacks like a duck. My oldest daughter who is 17 believes she taught him to do this, whenever he sees her he quacks. But a co worker who has a variety of birds, says that every bird quacks, and that is no indication of talking or mimicing. Does anyone else have a "Quacking Quaker"?
Thank you,
Sherri
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Full Version: A Few Questions
Lol....yup Verde quacks too! But I taught him that, that is what a duck says. 
Congrats on your new feathered friend!
Congrats on your new feathered friend!
QUOTE (Slneu @ Sep 27 2008, 10:22 PM) 
Tink has been with us for 2 weeks now, and we think he is adjusting well, he is not afraid to try new food, has bathed twice, and is becoming more vocal. But I do have a few questions!
1. The last day and a half, he has become a little nippy, not in an aggressive way but playful, and it never hurts. Should we allow him to continue this, or are we encouraging him to bite?
Yes, it can encourage him to bite he's preening you most likely which is what a bird does to its flock mates. Personally I allow my guys to preen me but I also let them know when they get to rough, and if they continue they get put away. Most of the time my guys are pretty gentle. They can be taught to be gentle. it just takes consistency and all family members following the same rules.
2. He was weaned onto seeds with zupreem pellets mixed in, he mainly eats the seeds, but will also eat the pellets, but seeds are his first choice! I would like to convert him to pellets using the seed to pellets conversion on this forum. Should I give him more time to adjust to his surroundings, or can I convert him now?
Since he's used to having the seeds mixed with the pellets, just start giving him less seed until there is no seed left in the mix so its straight pellets, do it over the course of several weeks so that its not a sudden shock. Also keep offering different foods as well, fruits and veggies, pasta, beans etc. When you get him totally off seed you can start offering him a very small amount of seed once in a while as a treat in a separate dish.
3. Tinks quacks! Yeap, he quacks like a duck. My oldest daughter who is 17 believes she taught him to do this, whenever he sees her he quacks. But a co worker who has a variety of birds, says that every bird quacks, and that is no indication of talking or mimicing. Does anyone else have a "Quacking Quaker"?
Young birds often sound like they are quacking, and I imagine your little guy is also doing the baby quake when he does the quacking.
I would imagine that it won't be long till the quacking becomes more of a purring sound and that's a sign of contentment and being glad to see you.
Hope that helps.
Thank you,
Sherri
Click to view attachment
1. The last day and a half, he has become a little nippy, not in an aggressive way but playful, and it never hurts. Should we allow him to continue this, or are we encouraging him to bite?
Yes, it can encourage him to bite he's preening you most likely which is what a bird does to its flock mates. Personally I allow my guys to preen me but I also let them know when they get to rough, and if they continue they get put away. Most of the time my guys are pretty gentle. They can be taught to be gentle. it just takes consistency and all family members following the same rules.
2. He was weaned onto seeds with zupreem pellets mixed in, he mainly eats the seeds, but will also eat the pellets, but seeds are his first choice! I would like to convert him to pellets using the seed to pellets conversion on this forum. Should I give him more time to adjust to his surroundings, or can I convert him now?
Since he's used to having the seeds mixed with the pellets, just start giving him less seed until there is no seed left in the mix so its straight pellets, do it over the course of several weeks so that its not a sudden shock. Also keep offering different foods as well, fruits and veggies, pasta, beans etc. When you get him totally off seed you can start offering him a very small amount of seed once in a while as a treat in a separate dish.
3. Tinks quacks! Yeap, he quacks like a duck. My oldest daughter who is 17 believes she taught him to do this, whenever he sees her he quacks. But a co worker who has a variety of birds, says that every bird quacks, and that is no indication of talking or mimicing. Does anyone else have a "Quacking Quaker"?
Young birds often sound like they are quacking, and I imagine your little guy is also doing the baby quake when he does the quacking.
I would imagine that it won't be long till the quacking becomes more of a purring sound and that's a sign of contentment and being glad to see you.
Hope that helps.
Thank you,
Sherri
Click to view attachment
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