Click to view attachmentHi! My name is Kelly and my husband and I just got a 6 month old green quaker on Saturday. He is SUCH a sweety. I know its only been a few days, but he makes very little noise. The last day he has been making this squishy sound, which is funny. Anyway, he loves to cuddle and loves to be pet and scritched, but he HATES stepping up. We've noticed he is a wee bit paranoid about balance and once he finds a nice big spot to sit on it is so hard to get him off. Any advice on the step-up issue? Also, we have bought like 10 different treats and a few veggies and fruits and none of them he is very fond of. Will he get better at this once he is more acclimated or should we keep looking? He likes Just Peas and sunflower seeds (non-salted) SOMETIMES and he will lick open grapes but not eat them. Training will be difficult if we can't reward him with anything! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, Kelly!
It can take a few weeks for your bird to adjust to his new home with new people & pets. Until I know that a new bird is comfortable in my home I try not to change anything unless it is harmful. Is he/she eating pellets or only a seed mix? If possible keep feeding the same foods that he/she was eating before. I would limit the sunflower seeds as they are a very fatty seed. Quakers are prone to fatty liver disease & too much & too fatty seeds can contribute to its development in our Quakers. Personally, i do not change the foods from what they were eating at the pet store or breeder until after they have been with me about a month. This gives them time to adjust and it will not be as stressful.

I highly recommend getting a copy of Mattie Sue Athans' book, Guide to the Quaker Parrot if you haven't already got a copy. It is usually available at most local bookstores & some pet stores or Amazon.com for around $10.00. Another resource is our forum owner, Shelly's new book which you can download.

When I get a new bird I like to have a comfortable chair that I can sit in frequently next to the cage. As often as I can I take the time to sit in that chair relaxed and read aloud, sing softly or just do something I can do without alot of arm movements (puzzle, crocheting, etc.). Your bird will soon come over to the side of the cage nearest you and sit. That's the first sign that he is really comfortable being near you. Then they are ready for the next step of getting a closer bond.

Have you chosen a name yet? He/she is adorable! Congratulations on your new Quaker! Take it slow, be patient, & love your new Quaker for himself & you will be rewarded with a wonderful, loving Quaker companion!

Jess

Hi! and WELCOME to the group...Your little guy sounds and looks like a sweetie..
Check out all the forums and read up on older posts and what you can`t learn just ask on the appropriate forums I am sure someone with experience will come assist...Don`t be shy just join right in and once again WELCOME...

Hi, here is some idea's try corn on the cob, I know that Rosie and my little budgies love corn on the cob. With the grapes try letting him/her watch you taking a bite of one, once they see you eating something they want to try it, you just have to be careful on some things you give them.

Hi! We are kinda in the same boat... I just got a new Quaker a few weeks ago. He is a total sweety and loves to be pet and get lots of attention but will not step up AT ALL! I have to pick him up no matter what. I just keep working at it. He climbs off the cage onto the couch and sits on my lap forever but will not step up for the life of me. It's driving me crazy! Maybe they are from the same place Well, welcome and good luck. Sorry I could be of no help but I am watching out for some solutions....

welcome to the forum!!

Welcome to the forum, such a cutie you have there. I see you already got some great advice from Flying Feathers.
Looking forward to getting to know ya'll better.

Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the world of picky Quakers. My little Chula sounds exactly like your baby. I'm having the same sort of problems since she doesn't seem the least bit food motivated. Check out my blog and you'll see what I mean. Maybe you will end up having better luck than I have been having on that front. We finally figured out that she is somewhat partial to pumpkin seeds, so it's a start. Your baby may still be getting settled, so you have to take that into account as well.

My Yoshi would only step up on a dowel and seemed unsure of the stability of my finger. I just kept trying and didn't push the issue and one day he just decided to trust me and has been stepping up ever since. Yoshi isn't really food motivated ether (except for the occasional corn flake craving) but is very people motivated. Stepping up is just a way of him insuring he gets to be where the action is.