Getting my first lovebird...

Taellie · Jan 31, 2018

Ok so, I'm getting a lovebird on Saturday (most likely), and for complicated reasons and this really is my best option--I'm not going to get a fully weaned bird(he's almost weaned, all but, but just not quite there). The breeder is going to explain thoroughly how to care for him and transition, but I'm still a bit worried... this is going to be my first bird, not my first animal though. With animals I have plenty of experience, just not parrots.

So, the fact that I'm not getting a fully weaned bird is unavoidable. And yes, I am also only getting one, also no changing that... Any tips and suggestions, general care tips and whatnot, things you wish you'd known when you got your first bird/lovebird...?

Does anybody have birds and a dog, and any suggestions how to safely introduce them without risking my feathered friend? There won't be any problem keeping them separated and safe, but I'd like to introduce them to each other at some point so they can be in one room, and I'm nervous my pupper won't be thrilled.

Also what should we be buying before we get the bird? I've got a general idea but a more concrete list wouldn't hurt.

Many thanks for any and all help <3

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lomeraniel · Jan 31, 2018

You need formula and knowing how prepare it and feed the bird. I would strongly advice getting 2 instead of just one. Think of all the hours it will have to spend alone in its cage (you can't be with him 100% of the time). It will bring psychological issues on the long run. Also, depending on the age it will need a heat source and maybe kept in a box.

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Taellie · Jan 31, 2018

lomeraniel said:
You need formula and knowing how prepare it and feed the bird. I would strongly advice getting 2 instead of just one. Think of all the hours it will have to spend alone in its cage (you can't be with him 100% of the time). It will bring psychological issues on the long run. Also, depending on the age it will need a heat source and maybe kept in a box.

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The breeder should provide me with both formula, as well as all the necessary information to pick up where he left off. And after a lot of consideration and reading, I know what I'm getting into with just one.

His age is something like 2 months, I believe?

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lomeraniel · Jan 31, 2018

Taellie said:
lomeraniel said:

You need formula and knowing how prepare it and feed the bird. I would strongly advice getting 2 instead of just one. Think of all the hours it will have to spend alone in its cage (you can't be with him 100% of the time). It will bring psychological issues on the long run. Also, depending on the age it will need a heat source and maybe kept in a box.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

The breeder should provide me with both formula, as well as all the necessary information to pick up where he left off. And after a lot of consideration and reading, I know what I'm getting into with just one.

His age is something like 2 months, I believe?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

With 60 days it can be in a cage but provide a heat source if it's cold al your place. At that age it should be almost weaned.

Taking care of 2 is the same or less work than taking care of one. I've read a lot too and have 6 lovebirds, and believe me, being alone is a bad thing for them. One of mine lived alone before coming home and has serious issues.

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LordTriggs · Jan 31, 2018

why is getting an unweaned bird unavoidable? You are not trained and can easily within a day kill them and not realize you are killing them. It takes a lot of training to hand feed a bird. If the breeder is telling you that the bird will only bond with whoever feeds them or that they wont be tame or whatever walk away. The only reason for a breeder to sell an unweaned bird is to save money on formula. It is THEIR JOB not yours. To give you an example of how dangerous it is the practice of selling unweaned birds is now illegal where I am which can go up to jail time.

as for when you first get one home, give them time. Let them set the pace and not you. Patience upon patience. You WILL be bitten, get used to the idea. It's never the parrot's fault. There is a reason behind their actions. I wish I knew all of those I'm sure other people know more. I can't stop you but do really think about it, they need to work for what's in your wallet. IF you do still hand feed read everything you can in the breeding/raising parrots subforum!

Honestly I don't know how to introduce them as I never have done. So I'll just say CAREFULLY! Remember your dog is hard wired to see that bird as food so just be careful and slow to avoid any incidents. If anything does happen make sure to get the bird to a Certified Avian Vet as they will need antibiotics prescribed (dog and cat saliva is toxic to them)

as for shopping list it's not too bad. Cage with a grid covering the floor above where the poop and half eaten food will go, Natural wood perches (don't use dowels or plastic perches), some toys (try having only like 2 hanging toys in the cage (at least one they can hide behind) and a foot toy of some sort though I would get a couple more so you can switch out as time goes on (you don't have to go crazy), newspaper for lining the bottom of the cage, pre-mixed bird disinfectant F10 appears to be the standard at vet practices so good to have for the monthly clean out, if you do hand feed make sure you have a thermometer to check the correct temp of the food so you don't burn a hole in the crop or cause the crop to slow and starve them. get some solid food the breeder has been using as that will be the easiest thing for them and will be comforting after the stress of the move. For all the supplies make sure you have them all set up BEFORE you go get the bird. The last thing you and the bird needs is to have them stuck in a cardboard box whilst you rush trying to set up the cage. Once the cage is built and everything is in place spray it all down with the disinfectant to make sure it's all clean.

Good Luck!

LordTriggs · Jan 31, 2018

lomeraniel said:
Taellie said:

lomeraniel said:

You need formula and knowing how prepare it and feed the bird. I would strongly advice getting 2 instead of just one. Think of all the hours it will have to spend alone in its cage (you can't be with him 100% of the time). It will bring psychological issues on the long run. Also, depending on the age it will need a heat source and maybe kept in a box.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

The breeder should provide me with both formula, as well as all the necessary information to pick up where he left off. And after a lot of consideration and reading, I know what I'm getting into with just one.

His age is something like 2 months, I believe?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

With 60 days it can be in a cage but provide a heat source if it's cold al your place. At that age it should be almost weaned.

Taking care of 2 is the same or less work than taking care of one. I've read a lot too and have 6 lovebirds, and believe me, being alone is a bad thing for them. One of mine lived alone before coming home and has serious issues.

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

NO

Taking care of 2 is at least double the work. Double the money, double the time and often they end up bonding to each other rather than the human. If the human cares for them properly they don't get issues. Don't mistake human neglect with lack of another bird. Many owners here have a singular bird and they're fine

lomeraniel · Jan 31, 2018

I strongly disagree. I thing having one is pure selfishness. I have 6 and they like humans too.

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Taellie · Jan 31, 2018

LordTriggs said:
why is getting an unweaned bird unavoidable? You are not trained and can easily within a day kill them and not realize you are killing them. It takes a lot of training to hand feed a bird. If the breeder is telling you that the bird will only bond with whoever feeds them or that they wont be tame or whatever walk away. The only reason for a breeder to sell an unweaned bird is to save money on formula. It is THEIR JOB not yours. To give you an example of how dangerous it is the practice of selling unweaned birds is now illegal where I am which can go up to jail time.

as for when you first get one home, give them time. Let them set the pace and not you. Patience upon patience. You WILL be bitten, get used to the idea. It's never the parrot's fault. There is a reason behind their actions. I wish I knew all of those I'm sure other people know more. I can't stop you but do really think about it, they need to work for what's in your wallet. IF you do still hand feed read everything you can in the breeding/raising parrots subforum!

Honestly I don't know how to introduce them as I never have done. So I'll just say CAREFULLY! Remember your dog is hard wired to see that bird as food so just be careful and slow to avoid any incidents. If anything does happen make sure to get the bird to a Certified Avian Vet as they will need antibiotics prescribed (dog and cat saliva is toxic to them)

as for shopping list it's not too bad. Cage with a grid covering the floor above where the poop and half eaten food will go, Natural wood perches (don't use dowels or plastic perches), some toys (try having only like 2 hanging toys in the cage (at least one they can hide behind) and a foot toy of some sort though I would get a couple more so you can switch out as time goes on (you don't have to go crazy), newspaper for lining the bottom of the cage, pre-mixed bird disinfectant F10 appears to be the standard at vet practices so good to have for the monthly clean out, if you do hand feed make sure you have a thermometer to check the correct temp of the food so you don't burn a hole in the crop or cause the crop to slow and starve them. get some solid food the breeder has been using as that will be the easiest thing for them and will be comforting after the stress of the move. For all the supplies make sure you have them all set up BEFORE you go get the bird. The last thing you and the bird needs is to have them stuck in a cardboard box whilst you rush trying to set up the cage. Once the cage is built and everything is in place spray it all down with the disinfectant to make sure it's all clean.

Good Luck!

The bird is on the verge of being weaned (trying to eat and partially eating seeds, but still taking formula), and has taken significantly longer than he was "supposed to", and the breeder has a planned vacation. It's either sell the bird to me now(and hope he starts eating more on his own between today and Saturday, because we were talking today), or leave him with somebody else equally unprepared. The breeder screwed up a bit, and didn't leave enough wiggle room when planning his vacation, for any birds that would wean late... but not entirely his fault, the way our country works(regions have legally planned out weeks for winter vacations, and our region is now).

And this is the only hand-feeding breeder that I can buy from.

But thanks for writing

I appreciate it <3

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Taellie · Jan 31, 2018

I have a friend and coworker who has years of experience with love birds to help me make sure I'm keeping my single one happy and well loved and whatnot... I'm confident I'll be able to handle the one and address any problems that arise from my lack of experience with her help.

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itchyfeet · Jan 31, 2018

Lovebirds by nature are pair birds.
We have a hand-reared singleton, however his cage is next to the ringnecks and he often mimics them. He loves being out with them.
Two birds are more work than one, however, a single lovebird requires more planning than two.

As for the shopping, don't spend too much on toys. Get a couple of a few types until you can figure out your lovies preference. Google homemade and foraging toys and get your creative on - you'll end up with a greater selection for much cheaper

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