Advice on bringing noo 'too home

Hello All -
I'm adopting a female U2 from a rescue organization (A Helping Wing in NJ) - I had NO intention of getting a 'too. Of course, when young and impressionable I loved playing with the young cuddlers, but never purchased one. I have a YSA who is 5 years old purchased from a bird specialty shop who hand raised her. I went with my girlfriend to the rescue near where she lives because she's gone bird-crazy after falling in love with a Sun Conure when I went to pick up food for the 'zon. Anyway - she ended up adopting a bunch of budgies, and had fallen for a Goffins. I had to go visit everyone. I was thinking of a Grey, and there were plenty - and of another 'zon, of course because Lola is so perfect. Then I saw her ... she wasn't even that nice to me. Neither was my YSA now that I think of it. Anyway, dysfunctionally forward we go -

So, she's in her teens, was with one couple or person, they had a kid and you all know the story. She hasn't plucked, has been at the shelter for 8 months in a very loud room and people around all day (even if they are slugging buckets, cleaning and walking by). One thing to add: I will never, ever, purchase another bird. I was disgusted and disturbed and heartbroken. I wasn't surprised about the number of 'toos, but the visual experience was far different. I was very surprised by all the male Amazons. I digress ...

So, she's not a plucker, she's a brat, a show off, not a beginner bird - but I only got bit once in the 3 days I visited (meant to stay only one, called out sick stay longer in NJ just to visit), was fairly successful at setting limits when she needed them set.

I am looking for U2-centric advice regarding bringing her home. Of course, she'll have a LOT to acclimate to, it will be quieter in ways, and more chaotic in others. I have three dogs who bark, and am unsure if that's new to her. I will, of course, leave her in the cage for some time. Take her out with nobody else around and dogs exiled now and again. But I don't want to foster more insecurity, I am really afraid of triggering plucking. I guess I just need tips for the best way to drive 4 hours with her in a cat carrier and plunking her in a new cage. I'll try to set her new cage up similarly to her old cage. It will be larger by about a foot. Do I cover part of the cage? I figure I'll exile the dogs then as well too until she appears more secure and orients herself, staying nearby mostly and talking to her. I plan to wander away for longer periods of time once she doesn't seem afraid and becomes curious.

Do I try to take her straight to the vet before home so she gets to settle for a while? Or do I give her a few days then re-traumatize her?

And another question regarding diets: without opening up a whole diet discussion here, it seems to me they are from a very different part of the world, and not even really parrots. Where can I find out more about their "natural" diet? It just sort of makes sense to me that there must be things that are better for them from the environment in which they evolved. I'm not obsessed and overly neurotic, though. I know that pellets and fresh stuff all break down into the nutrients they need. But, further, do 'toos really benefit from the exact same food as South American parrots? Is there a pellet that may serve them better? Is there a certain kind of fresh food they may need more or less of than their trans-oceanic cousins?

Sorry to run on - I'm excited about her, but know compared to my completely mellow YSA who appears to be pondering String Theory 23 hours a day, I'm in for it, and want her to be happy but secure.

Thank you!

When I brought my too home he was so glad to be in a better place I didn't notice that he had a hard time adjusting and I have three very vocal cats as well as a big dog. Although his trip to my house was about 30 minutes he was comfortable in his carrier. I waited about a week before taking him to the vet. I wasn't going to take him back and he didn't appear to be sick. He's a little under weight but slowly gaining. Thank you for rescuing a too.

Vet said pellet diet and gave me a specific brand and veggies just a little fruit.

My too was ready to cuddle the next day. Spend the four hours in the car talking and singing to him.

I have seen breed specific pellets, although I don't know if that's necessary or better. (I'm the girlfriend.)

Oh. I would not put her with your amazon unless supervised, just in case. She will need to be out and about on your shoulder, on your chair, on your table, on the floor, everywhere. As long as you can. freeflight?

Putting a new bird on your shoulder isn't a good idea. Personally, as a general rule I'd never put a too on my shoulder.

Thanks all - she will NOT be on my shoulder, but is definitely a lap bird! Even with my hands I was doing some teaching about what was too hard. I was amazed that sitting on a chair in the shelter near her cage in 20" she was already learning I would put her back and shut her door if she mouthed in "that way". Definitely won't have her near the Amazon, probably ever. Lola's small even for a YSA. Don't get me wrong, the shelter is AMAZING. But some of the cockatoos are so damaged, mentally and physically, the people there are their family forever. They truly seem happy, and those cockatoos are definitely better there than from wherever they were. Freeflight isn't an option - between New England open windows with flimsy screens and dogs who may regret it later, but would get too close for sure, it wouldn't be safe. But I can have them in another part of the house and let her explore the living room -
Thanks for the thoughts - love to hear more -

Moses,

How is your dog with Lola? If he could care less, don't worry about it too much because Angela has been exposed to Frankie... and you met him, you know what a sweet docile dog he is. As far as when to take her out and such, she will let you know. Angela always wanted to eat my face, so not sure if she had real cage issues or if it was just a personal thing But if she wants to come out, let her! Max was more then happy to be out and center of attention from moment he walked in the door! So its all about the individual bird.

Jeanne will give you some of what she feeds to get started and the mixes she uses (Goldenfeast or Higgins or whatever) are great for a base diet. A good pellet is great to add to the mixes. For fresh food, check over Jeanne's facebook page, she posts her chop mix almost daily. You can get lots of great thoughts from there for fresh stuff and she is already used to eating those chops.

I am so happy Angela is heading home, so great she picked someone!!! She is such a beauty. Truly...

Congrats and I am so so happy!! Have you guys set a date to come down and pick her up?

And totally off subject, if you guys stop at dollar stores up your way and find wiffle balls, pick up $20 worth, I'll give you the money back. I cannot find wiffile balls anyway around here and I figured out how to recreate one of Jeanne's favorite wiffle ball and bagel toy for the birds, just cannot find wiffle balls!!!!

Angela is at her new home. Hominid and I picked her up last night. She seems SO HAPPY. She adores him and she doesn't mind me, either. I came back to Jersey today and he sent me a video tonight of her on top of her cage bouncing up and down in pure joy. I asked if he had to egg her on or did something to get that reaction and he said no. I really think she was meant to be there. It's so wonderful to watch. She is a really great bird. She seems to be settling in very well. She is NOT to keen on the dogs yet. She really likes the sprouts I made but not too interested in the fresh food I make for his Amazon and my birds. I chop it up pretty fine and I think she may need her food chunkier because she is a bigger bird and from looking at Jeanne's posts hers is not so finely chopped. Or maybe it's part of the getting used to the new environment.

Congrats on bringing home the new too!!!! Just be careful in what you do cause a too can change their attitude very quickly!!!! I hope you've done plenty of a research on toos before deciding to bring her home. Especially the larger ones such as U2, M2, Greater Sulphur Crested, etc. They can be very problematic if you let them run your household.