What am I getting myself into...

Hello everybody. I am new to the forum and I joined for one reason; I adopted a quaker parrot without knowing anything...

Now let me tell you the story. I am not one to go out and buy animals without research. I have a Tennessee Walking Horse and before I got him I spent no less than 8 hours researchingthe breed. Before I got rats I researched for hours and I still read new stuff every day on them. And I have a lovely blue parakeet who I bought years ago after deciding budgies fit me better than my previous cockatiel.

I had no intention of adopting another critter so soon. I just adopted two ratlets not four days ago. But when my friends texted me asking if I would take their 11 year old quaker parrot off their hands... I couldn't refuse. This was a bird I had admired every time I went over there.

My friends seemed to think that she would get along with my three year old blue parakeet but I don't think so... What would you say?

She has some nipping and biting issues and I have no idea how to attacl those. She is currently in a carrier on my lap. Should I let her accumulate to her new surroundings? Personally that's not how I train my animals but this is a realm I know nothing of. How would I adress these issues?

I would really love some links to helpful information on the breed as well as personal experience and any ideas to keep her cage interesting.

Thank you for any information and help you can offer

Camille

Just got home. When I opened the carrier she flew out and I honestly was taken aback by how powerful and beautiful it is when she flies. I hope she can come around to being a nice birdie.

For health reasons you will want to do a containment, so not allowing any access to your other bird. There's a huge size difference between Quakers and budgies, and friendliness is never guaranteed. You will have some time before having to worry about the introduction due to the quarantine. I have never had a Quaker as they are illegal to own in my state, but I do highly recommend ALOT of research. I don't just mean hours. I spent 8 months researching before getting my girl. A bird with aggression issues is going to take a lot of time and patience. You will get bit, and you can not be afraid of it happening because that will only make it worse. Birds are like human lie detectors and can see and feel your fear, it will become something to use against you. Don't set time tables or expectations. Some birds come around quickly, others can take a year or more to earn that trust back. Can you handle her at all? Is she flighted or clipped? Does she have a large cage and plenty of toys? Wishing you all the best and welcome to the forum.


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Read the first thread on Quaker parrots because it will help tremendously! Quakers are cage territorial so be prepared for aggressive behavior around the cage when taking your baby out of it. I would recommend target training at first. Quakers are extremely smart so reinforcing good behavior should help also . Mine is crazy about grapes so a quarter of a grape is a great treat for her but yours may like something else. Boy Quakers like sticks to build things with so you can provide some safe wood or sticks as well as foraging toys. Good luck with your birdie

One thing to remember that is fairly universal in the bird world, forcing a bird to do something they don't want to do, is almost always bad. You can't "make" a bird do something like you can a horse, or a dog, or most any domestic breed. Because in birds its almost a guarantee to be detrimental to your relationship. and birds can hold a grudge for a *very* long time.

I was given this advice when I first brought home our African Gray, which I think is pretty great universally. "you don't tell a bird what to do, you ask. And when the bond is strong enough you will know because their answer will be yes more and more".

Of course I'll research beyond that, I was just saying the more immediate information. Her cage is large with lotsof fun stuff. She is definitely more aggressive in her cage. As for out of it, I haven't handled her much besides putting her away. I did that by gently placing a towel around her and scooping her up in it. She didn't seem annoyed or scared. She is flighted.

Hmmm. I didn't know you can target train quakers. I'll see what treats she likes later today!

I don't force any of my animals... No matter what. Unless they are in danger.

Congratulations on your new family member!
I'd love to see pictures of her

Hi Camille! Welcome to the forums! Congrats, quakers are one of my favorite species. Quaker size can deceive, they have huge personalities and they are outrageously intelligent. They not only speak but often in context. They are a hardy species and in the wild they are prolific breeders, this can cause females to be chronic egg layers, both male and female quakers are more prone to plucking than many other species, in extreme circumstances plucking can lead to quaker mutilation syndrome, QMS. They can be extremely cage territorial, they tend to be nippy in general, the biting can become vicious if unchecked. Both my quakers are fully flighted, while I have no problem with clipping for training, quakers are a species I would personally never clip, there's a chance it could lead to plucking.

Both my quakers have a time out perch attached to the outside of their cages. Quakers nip to get their point across, they nip to get your attention or to warn you to get out of harm's way, they nip out of pure joy at seeing you. If the doors of their cages are open and they have freedom to fly, the cage cleaning routine will go much smoother. I never clean a quaker cage with a quaker inside, I could and without getting bit but there's no reason to push a confrontation when you don't need to. I trained my quakers to respond to verbal commands but a pumpkin seed, a piece of walnut or a small piece of dried fruit is always appreciated.

I should mention, most quakers are born escape artists and locksmiths, you may want to take extra measures to secure the cage doors.

The biting is more pronounced when a quaker is in new surroundings, especially an older adult, everything has changed and the biting is likely to continue until your bird gains some trust. She's defending herself the only way she can.

My two quakers are allowed out of their cages with my cockatiel and two budgies, they share common play areas. The first few meetings need to be closely supervised so no one gets hurt, you should be able to tell how it will go after the first few encounters. You may want to cover the cage tops to protect toes until you see how well they will get along.

Quakers generally have strong opinions about toys, safe bells, toys with knotted leather strips or cotton rope are popular with quakers, soft wood blocks to chew are really good for their beaks, foraging toys with several textures are good too. In spite of their small size they do better in a big, roomy cage with a variety of perches.

Here are a few good links for you.

The Quaker Parakeet Handbook

Quaker (Monk) Parakeet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_Parakeet

http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/captivestatus/monk_parakeet/

Enjoy your new addition. Please keep us updated. What are your bird's names?

She is amazing! I was told she bit and had a bunch of biting problems, the most she has done was bite over and over not even hard enough to break skin. Besides, it was because she was sick of snuggling! I've never had a bird snuggle... But she LOVES to cuddle into my hand as I stroke her and she nibbles me. I do wear gloves when handlinh her because I'm still wary and her bites aren't painless.

It was quite funny when she was at one end of the room on the ground and she scurried her way to the bed and climbed up to be scratched behind the neck. I've never had such a sweet bird. Granted I've only had two cockatiels and a parakeet.

She doesn't know how to step up onto hands well, any tips?

Allee, thank you forbthe informative post! I love how I can tell what her nips mean! She nipped earlier because she was tired of skritches. Not long after, she nibbled in a grooming way and made a strange purring/clicking sound. And then later she threw a hissy fit because I wouldn't let her climb onto my shoulder! It's honestly so interesting to read her body language.

I still need to learn a lot about the training process. I would love to train her to do more extensive things. When I asked her to step up onto my hand she repeated a strange sound in the same tone that I had said "step up". It was funny.

Her cage door has a double locking system and it's difficult to open, but thanks for the extra bit of info!

For some reason when I approach with a stick for her to step onto, she attacks it viciously. I find it funny that she doesn't do it me but does it to the stick that came out of her cage.

Once she is fully accustomed to her new home, as well as gone through quarantine, I'll attempt an intro with Will. After more research of course!

She loves a paracord toy I made her. I will add more toys and take pictures of her cage in a few days. She will probably be out whenever the rats are not out so I'm sure her cage is fine, it is large anyway.

Thank you so much for the links!

(I can't figure out how to add pics rn but I will tomorrow. Her name is Starry)

I think this webinar will come in handy! Goes over a lot of information which can be rather helpful!

http://www.parrotforums.com/trainin...omed-parrots-barbara-heidenreich-webinar.html

Jeans said:

She is amazing! I was told she bit and had a bunch of biting problems, the most she has done was bite over and over not even hard enough to break skin. Besides, it was because she was sick of snuggling! I've never had a bird snuggle... But she LOVES to cuddle into my hand as I stroke her and she nibbles me. I do wear gloves when handlinh her because I'm still wary and her bites aren't painless.

It was quite funny when she was at one end of the room on the ground and she scurried her way to the bed and climbed up to be scratched behind the neck. I've never had such a sweet bird. Granted I've only had two cockatiels and a parakeet.

She doesn't know how to step up onto hands well, any tips?

Allee, thank you forbthe informative post! I love how I can tell what her nips mean! She nipped earlier because she was tired of skritches. Not long after, she nibbled in a grooming way and made a strange purring/clicking sound. And then later she threw a hissy fit because I wouldn't let her climb onto my shoulder! It's honestly so interesting to read her body language.

I still need to learn a lot about the training process. I would love to train her to do more extensive things. When I asked her to step up onto my hand she repeated a strange sound in the same tone that I had said "step up". It was funny.

Her cage door has a double locking system and it's difficult to open, but thanks for the extra bit of info!

For some reason when I approach with a stick for her to step onto, she attacks it viciously. I find it funny that she doesn't do it me but does it to the stick that came out of her cage.

Once she is fully accustomed to her new home, as well as gone through quarantine, I'll attempt an intro with Will. After more research of course!

She loves a paracord toy I made her. I will add more toys and take pictures of her cage in a few days. She will probably be out whenever the rats are not out so I'm sure her cage is fine, it is large anyway.

Thank you so much for the links!

(I can't figure out how to add pics rn but I will tomorrow. Her name is Starry)

Click to expand...

It's possible she had some kind of traumatic experience with a stick in the past, or something stick like. One of those famous bird grudges (they are just as happy to hold a grudge with inanimate objects as with their people ) Sounds like you are really enjoying the new addition, that's always fantastic to see. Can't wait to see the pictures

I was thinking the same thing!

I really love having to figure out her behaviors. Even though she is nippy when she annoyed, I'm learning to read when she is getting annoyed to avoid that problem in the future.

I have a question on diet; what food should I feed her? She was being fed some crap cockatiel food that is full of dyes and has moths in it... It's disgusting... I'm ordering food tonight, which is a good brand to start out?



Here she is last night asking for skritches


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What is your opinion on dominance over birds? I watched a video where the bird trainer said you have to be dominant and always higher than the bird. And to chase it with a stick until it steps on, even if the bird steps onto fingers no problem.

I really don't see how this helps.
Opinions?

I also watched a video on teaching "step up" and they to ignore biting.

I read on this forum to not ignore it but I'm not sure what to when she decides to start nipping. What is the correct response?


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Jeans said:

What is your opinion on dominance over birds? I watched a video where the bird trainer said you have to be dominant and always higher than the bird. And to chase it with a stick until it steps on, even if the bird steps onto fingers no problem.

I really don't see how this helps.
Opinions?

I also watched a video on teaching "step up" and they to ignore biting.

I read on this forum to not ignore it but I'm not sure what to when she decides to start nipping. What is the correct response?


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Click to expand...

I see you missed my post.



For your convenience, please watch this webinar.

Webinar Recording: Training Rescued and/or Re-Homed Parrots | InstantPresenter Web Conferencing, Video Conferencing and Webinar Service

MonicaMc said:

Jeans said:

What is your opinion on dominance over birds? I watched a video where the bird trainer said you have to be dominant and always higher than the bird. And to chase it with a stick until it steps on, even if the bird steps onto fingers no problem.



I really don't see how this helps.

Opinions?



I also watched a video on teaching "step up" and they to ignore biting.



I read on this forum to not ignore it but I'm not sure what to when she decides to start nipping. What is the correct response?





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Click to expand...

I see you missed my post.







For your convenience, please watch this webinar.



Webinar Recording: Training Rescued and/or Re-Homed Parrots | InstantPresenter Web Conferencing, Video Conferencing and Webinar Service

Click to expand...

I tried. It would not work on my phone and I do not have wifi to use
my laptop.


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Any chance of going to a library or fast food place that has free wifi? I assure you, it's worth watching.

Jeans said:

I was thinking the same thing!

I really love having to figure out her behaviors. Even though she is nippy when she annoyed, I'm learning to read when she is getting annoyed to avoid that problem in the future.

I have a question on diet; what food should I feed her? She was being fed some crap cockatiel food that is full of dyes and has moths in it... It's disgusting... I'm ordering food tonight, which is a good brand to start out?

Here she is last night asking for skritches


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Click to expand...

She's too cute for words! Maybe it's the name or the small size of quakers but lots of people think it's fine to feed the cheap seed mixes for cockatiels or budgies. I feed my quakers pellets (Zupreem naturals, no added color is the house favorite, I've tried all the more expensive brands but my flock prefers zupreem) they get fresh chop daily, boiled eggs with shells and a little chicken twice a week and a small amount of Mayan Harvest Yucatan blend in the late evening.

Jeans said:

What is your opinion on dominance over birds? I watched a video where the bird trainer said you have to be dominant and always higher than the bird. And to chase it with a stick until it steps on, even if the bird steps onto fingers no problem.

I really don't see how this helps.
Opinions?

I also watched a video on teaching "step up" and they to ignore biting.

I read on this forum to not ignore it but I'm not sure what to when she decides to start nipping. What is the correct response?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I've seen those videos about dominance, my personal opinion, it's baloney! All my birds are fully flighted, I have high ceilings and I'm short, I've never had dominance issues.

Ignoring the bites is a little difficult with quakers, they clamp down and make a sawing motion until you bleed. If they have the ability to fly they can chase you down and bite you. My female quaker was super aggressive, I'm sure she had been treated very badly. We went through several rough weeks, rougher for me. She wanted to be with me, she learned a bite got her a time out. Every time she attacked, I would return her to her time out perch on the front of her cage. Three times in a day was my limit, the third time her time out was spent inside her cage with the door closed. She learned the routine so well that she would put herself in a time out and slam her door, complaining all the way. She has replaced biting with head butting and she loves to fly by and hit me with her feet, I let her get by with it because it makes her delirious with joy.

I ordered tropican for her and this morning she shared some scrambled egg with me. I have it for breakfast day as do my rats so I figured I would let her have some.

I do give her time out when she bites but usually it doesn't do anything. She has been sitting on top of the rat cage all morning and when I go to ask her to step up, she bites. If I go to skritch her head she makes her strange purring sound.

I don't know what to do because I can't get her down without having her step up so there is no way for me to give her a time out. What should I do?


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I just thought I'd touch on the stick thing. My Ekkie is the same way. She will step up onto a hand or a towel (my wife wraps her hand in a towel to ask for a step up), but if you offer a stick or perch, she flips. She's done everything from attacking it to trying to get away from it by jumping down. Even if it is a perch from her cage she would otherwise stand on just fine.

Judging from her reaction, and the reaction of other animals I've had from bad situations, I think she was hit with a stick at some point. Whether intentional or accidental, she will have nothing to do with a stick of any sort unless it's attached to something and won't move.

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That is exactly what she does! Or she will fly to another place. I don't think she was ever hit because she has has the same owners for years and they were very kind to the bird physically and would never have hit her.


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