Bringing Baby Home

[Chickensneezes]

Hey all! I will be bringing my GCC home very soon. I've been looking into exactly how to handle her first weeks at home and have gotten mixed opinions.
Some people say I shouldn't put her directly in her cage, cuddle her a bit. Others say leave her entirely alone (except to feed) and avoid eye contact for a full week. Still others say let her dictate, hold her if she allows it, leave her be if she pulls away from my hand, ect.
I'm adopting her from a breeder and all their past clients say their babies are extremely friendly and socialized from day one.
Can anyone help me out and give me some guidelines? I don't want to make a mistake that will slow her trusting me or damage our relationship. How did you handle your baby's first weeks home?
Side question, I've heard if our birdie hears my voice on the long drive to our home, she'll associate it with stress. Any truth to this? Do I really have to be silent the entire seven hour drive from the breeders?

 

[Flboy]

Love her, cuddle her, at her pace!

 

[IndySE]

Kermit came to me extremely friendly and cuddly. She was super social; she came from a very good pet store where she was the sole bird doted on by all the employees, and before that I assume a very good breeder. To have ignored her for 3 days would have been stressful to her.

So I'd say take it at the pace your bird desires. If he/she is seeking you actively out and wants to come out, then go ahead. That rule of thumb is more for birds that are not as tame around humans and to handle them while they are settling would cause them stress

Best of luck and have fun.

Also I'm not sure if a bird would associate your voice with stress. Every bird is an individual and what may bother some won't bother others. Birds naturally communicate with their flock to alert each other where they are; your feathery friend might very well find it comforting to have an occasional whistle or kind word and let them know you are flock.

 

[LeaKP]

Yes, at the bird's pace. I'd also say be nearby and ready to connect from day 1. If your baby is coming from a socialised place, he/she will be looking for comfort. Imagine being used to contact and then suddenly have none for several days!!!

 

[itzjbean]

Hello and welcome!!

I'm sorry you've been getting a lot of mixed advice. Birds are tricky in this way, in that they are all different and have different personalities. Some birds may be more friendly and outgoing than others, which is why you really do just have to go at the bird's pace.

If it is hand-tame and other clients of theirs say their babies come home very friendly, then you should expect the same with your baby. However, you want to be prepared for a little wariness. Conures are generally very sweet and affectionate when they are hand-fed/raised and are quick to bond with their new owners, yet with the larger species like Macaws they tend to be more skeptical/wary of new situations and people. Regardless of species, the general rule is, you want to let them get adjusted to their new cage, environment. But your bird may adjust rather quickly and may want to be with you as soon as it's brought home. That's ok! If you put it in the cage and it seems to want to be out, with you, then let it out Read your new bird's body language.

Are you getting your conure shipped, or picking it up from the breeder's directly?

 

[wrench13]

The OP was talking about a 7 hr drive, so I assume picking the bird up. Agree 100% go with the individual birds personality. Salty was tame and friedly from day 1 and is now so much a part of our flock. He eats dinner with the family every night reminds my wife when it is time to eat! Just learn your babys body language. I would hope for a 7 hr drive that it is not kept in a carrier the whole time. And yes, I would be talking to the bird, to reassure it.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Congratulations! I'm glad you have joined our community.
GCCs are hugely popular and well-loved here (deservedy so).
You'll get a lot of support.
Glad you found us, and looking forward to seeing pictures of your new darling!