Bringing My First Lovie Home in a Few Weeks-Preparation

I posted a thread a couple of weeks ago, though I don't know how to find it again, asking which of four birds would be best for my situation. I decided on a lovebird and found a family owned bird store in my area (about 30 minutes south of me). I went to look at her lovebirds and didn't really connect with any of them, but then she told me there was one more in the back who wasn't ready to go home yet. This one stepped up onto my hand and was just so sweet. I put down a deposit and will be going back to pick him up when he is a few weeks older. The wait will be hard, but it gives me time to prepare his cage and everything.

I have two cages I can start setting up for him. One is very large, it is a level critter nation but the shelves have been removed and perches added instead. The other is small, a medium vision cage. Which is better suited for a lovie? What kind of toys and things do they like in their cage? Is there anything else I should do to prepare?

What about the car ride home?

I think I would go with the critter nation, I had one of my lovies in a medium vision and I really started hating the pull off top.

They generally like toys they can shred or pull apart, however if your lovie is a female you don't really want to have shreddable toys in there or they will get into nesting mode. Personally, I wouldn't give your lovie a happy hut because I feel they can be dangerous and again if your lovie is a female it will bring about nesting instincts. Toys with bells are also something they like.

The car ride home: Your lovie should be ok as long as not too hot or too cold.

I like Goldenfeast petite hookbill blend for feeding, you could also try Harrison's pellets, they like dried fruit and veggie mixes like Just Tomatoes brand. Avicakes and Nutriberries are a big hit as well.

Thank you! Whichever cage I put my lovie in, the budgie will have to go in the other but I didn't know the vision had a pull off top

Is it just hard to clean? I also don't know if my lovie is male or female, is it important to do a DNA test even if I only have one?

Thanks again

Oh, and mirrors? Good or bad for lovies? I am very worried about him bonding to me, but I am getting him newly weaned so hopefully it won't be a problem.

aquariusrising said:

Thank you! Whichever cage I put my lovie in, the budgie will have to go in the other but I didn't know the vision had a pull off top

Is it just hard to clean? I also don't know if my lovie is male or female, is it important to do a DNA test even if I only have one?

Thanks again

Click to expand...

It's not hard to clean it just became kind of a pain after awhile. Rule of thumb is usually the bigger the cage the better as long as it has appropriate bar spacing. Since your lovie is a bit bigger than than your budgie I'd put the lovie in the Critter Nation and the budgie in the Vision at least for now.

You could do a DNA test so that you can be prepared in case she goes into nesting mode. The real danger with that is egg binding which female lovies can be notorious for. Females lovies can lay eggs without a mate.

aquariusrising said:

Oh, and mirrors? Good or bad for lovies? I am very worried about him bonding to me, but I am getting him newly weaned so hopefully it won't be a problem.

Click to expand...

I'd recommend no mirrors

Don't forget rope perches for a soft place for the feet and they do adore swings as well. . Try to put in different texture perches.

Congrats on choosing a lovebird! I guess everyone here is probably getting sick of me saying that they are my favorite parrot, but they really are. They just have everything I find enchanting about parrots, silly little clowns one minute and snuggle-bunnies the next. I think you're going to love having one as a recently weaned baby to mold into just the most wonderful companion he/she can be.

I'd really start out with that smaller cage. Newly weaned lovebirds can easily get overwhelmed by that huge flight cage. They're also kind of clumsy and could fall (and that would be a long fall in that big cage). Someday, though, your bird will love all that room. The Vision is perfect for the first few months, so you can be sure he is getting to his food and water easily.

I second the recommendation for Goldenfeast (I use Petite Hookbill and Australian Blend). My lovies thrive on that food (almost too much). They actually eat every single ingredient in it. I also feed a quality seed mix, a small amount of pellets, and fresh sprouts. My lovebirds love all green food, too (kale, broccoli, green beans, snow peas). I give them fruit a few times a week, as well. Newly weaned baby birds also love warm, baked sweet potato (heck, my big birds eat a nice warm piece almost every day as well and they're 11 and 12 years old).

They sell great little carriers for lovebirds. It's a small cage with perch in a zip-up over carrier with handle. I like it a lot. Plenty of ventilation but really protected. I got mine at PetCo and it was super affordable. I keep one under each of my Lovebirds' cages, ready for a bug-out, if needed.

Ditto the caution on mirrors. Mine have some toys with small mirrors but noting freestanding that they could "bond" to.

Can't wait to see update posts about your new friend. I'm happy for you.

They too are a favorite of the little ones. I just adore lovebirds! I love all their pretty colors and mutations as well.