Darwin Questions

[cf737]

Hello again....

I posted these questions in the My New Baby - Finally! thread and haven't gotten any responses. Darwin will be coming home in 2-3 weeks (YAY!) and I really would appreciate some help.

 

1. Do you suggest leaving pellets in the cage to be available at all times or only during meal time?

 

2. I've read a lot about how people discipline their bird and have gotten many mixed messages (Eg. ignoring a bad habit, saying "be careful", etc.) . What are your methods?

 

3. I plan to bathe Darwin daily/every other day. How early do I start this?

 

4. I often go to a friend's house to stay the night. How early can I begin this as well? (I would obviously bring him in his travel cage with toys, food, etc.)

 

Thanks a ton!

 

Cf

[judygram]

Sorry you didn't get a response but I will try to answer your questions.

1. Yes leave pellets available in a separate bowl at all times so Darwin can snack on them anytime.

 

2. You don't "discipline" a bird like you would a human child, you basically ignore bad behavior and reward the good. For instance if Darwin bites you tell him "no" in a firm voice and turn your back on him or put him back into the cage for a bit. If he starts making a lot of screaming or other loud calls ignore it for even if you go to him and say stop it he will think that is amusing and do it all the more for the reaction he gets.

 

3. If he is fully weaned when you get him you can bathe him as often as you like but 2 to 3 times a week would be about right.

 

4. Take him with you every time you go and from the time you get him home, this will help socialize him and expose him to other people. I take Josey with me when I go visit my son who lives 4+ hours away and for 2 overnights, she rides very well, just plays and chatters.

 

I hope this answers your questions and feel free to ask more if you like, remember there are no stupid questions.

[cf737]

Thanks a lot Judy! I really appreciate the help.

I may have more questions as Darwin's arrival comes!

[judygram]

Bring em on, we welcome any questions.

[cf737]

Okay, here's another then!

The only real trouble I'm having now is cage placement....still. I have been contemplating this for 5 weeks now and cannot figure out the best place for little Darwin.

Here's the situation, and I'll try to make it as brief as possible.

Option 1: My bedroom. It is where I spend nearly all of my time. There is a tv, a computer and another bird living in it currently (a parrotlet), so there is always some kind of action in here. During the day my mum is in and out on the computer. This is where I want him and would feel most comfortable, as I have two dogs who are hardly ever in here.

 

Option 2: In my living room. As it is only my mum and I usually home, we are only ever in there to watch a movie sometimes. But it is on the main floor, close to where we eat etc.

 

My biggest concerns:

Quarantining Sprite, the parrotlet, from Darwin. Also Sprite is currently in a bit of a screaming every time I leave the room phase. I don't want Darwin picking up on this. At the same time, I don't know how I can kick Sprite out of my room. He's sitting on my knee right now and it's his favourite place to fly.

However if Darwin is to go downstairs, the dogs will be running past his cage and he will not be where I am the majority of the time.

 

 

So sorry it's so long but do you see my struggle?

Thanks in advance

[judygram]

Yes I see but you should put Darwin where you will be spending most of your time and if that is your bedroom then so be it.

 

Maybe you can move Sprite to the living room for quarantine period and then when that is over you can move him back to your bedroom. Darwin is probably going to pick up the scream anyways as my Josey picked up my conure's scream, it is inevitable so be prepared for it.

[Eckobird]

Beware! lol your grey is going to pick up many noises especially mimicking other birds! My grey has all of my birds whistles down, he will chirp like my cockatiels, screetch like my senegal and scream bloody murder like my indian ringneck! lol So it is quite impossible to not copy other birds. lol Good luck with your new baby! I am getting a new baby as well and I am soo excited I can hardly wait! Only 3 more weeks left!!

[cf737]

So I hear! I'm not too worried about it. Sprite, my parrotlet, will scream for about 30 seconds but he's pretty good about knowing when to quiet down. Plus I think it's a phase - he gets better every day!

Also he talks a lot and very well and I hope Darwin is encouraged by that:) I'd love for them to have little conversations and maybe be friends from a distance.

But who knows - maybe Darwin will be the silent type!

 

I'm very excited for you Caitb! We have about the same amount of time to wait!

It moves so slowly, doesn't it?

[Eckobird]

Yes!! It moves veryyy slowly! And everytime I come on here I get more and more excited about getting my grey!

[she]

I would place the cage where you spend most time.Have you thought of having a stand or another cage in the living room so Darwin can also go with you there.

Quarantine is very important but also very dificult in a house.Some illness is air born so it is almost imposible. All we can do is our best.Always ensure you wash your hands between seing to each bird,use seperate cleaning utensils,keep them as far as possible from each other,make sure feed dishes are cleaned properly and keep a close look out for any sign of illness.<br><br>Post edited by: she, at: 2009/03/07 21:24

[cf737]

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the help.

And yes we will be getting Darwin a play stand that will be placed on the main floor so he can come down there with me.

On that note, is it not okay for him to be on my shoulder/hand playing with me when I am down there? I had planned on him kind of going where I go....

[judygram]

If you are going to allow Darwin to be on your shoulder, sure bring him along with you around the house, just be aware of the dangers of allowing your grey on your shoulder but if you read their body language and go from there then you shouldn't have any problems.