Apollo is home - now what

[Owlet]

So I got Apollo home late last night after work and I set him up in his cage and left him be. I'm aware that you should leave them alone and not worry about handling a new bird for at least 24 hours to avoid stressing them. He seems really stressed about the 30min car ride and I have yet to check on him today. Waiting for the sun to get a little higher in the sky. What can I do to help him relax into his new surroundings and new cage?

 

[itzjbean]

It really does depend on the bird -- I was able to take out my cockatiel and hold him minutes after arriving home. Yours must be a bit of a nervous fellow.

Keep it quiet and let him see everything happening around him while in the cage. No sudden movements, no loud stuff, keep it as calm and quiet as possible to help him adjust. Possibly a towel or a sheet to cover half his cage may help him be more comfortable, too. As he gets more comfortable you can take it off.

 

[Owlet]

Just checked on him and he was near the top of the cage but when I came in it seems like he panicked and dropped to the bottom and flapped around a bit. He's alert and crest it's far up. He was making an irregular huffing noise for a couple seconds but has stopped. What can I do to help him? :c

 

[itzjbean]

Just checked on him and he was near the top of the cage but when I came in it seems like he panicked and dropped to the bottom and flapped around a bit. He's alert and crest it's far up. He was making an irregular huffing noise for a couple seconds but has stopped. What can I do to help him? :c

Sounds like hissing! That's a defensive behavior. Sounds like he is still scared. Sit by him for a while and talk softly, read a book, basically you want to begin getting him used to you and what you act like and how the routine will be after he settles in.

 

[Owlet]

When would it be okay for me to handle him?

Or let me rephrase, how long should I wait before attempting to handle him? don't want to stress him out.

 

[EllenD]

You interacted with him at the store, correct? So he knows you, at least a little bit...Right now it's the car ride home, the new cage, the new room, etc. It does sound like he's hissing a little bit, so like Itzjbean said, just sit next to the cage and talk to him, maybe offer him a treat like a millet spray through the cage bars, etc. Just let him settle-in and realize that his new surroundings are safe. As already mentioned, it just depends on the individual bird how they are going to react, I handled my Cockatiel from the minute I put her in my truck to drive home, she sat on my shoulder for the 90 minute drive! But some birds just get very spooked...Sometimes I think that letting them alone in a totally new cage, new house/environment, etc. like everyone says you should is actually much worse for them, especially for a hand-raised baby who is used to having people around all the time and to take care of them, and then suddenly BAM! they're in a new cage in a new house and left totally alone...I would think that would freak them out much more in that particular situation...So just sit by his cage and talk to him, maybe put his cage in a room with a TV or stereo so he can get used to the noise, that can often settle them too, just seeing you doing your normal thing around him...

 

[Owlet]

I set up a little spot next to how cage with a drink, some food, a pillow, and my phone charger. The initial fear seems to have worn off I think, his crest is still full mast but he's also puffed up a little and looking sleepy. I have half a millet spray sitting near him as well as some food and water at the bottom of the cage.

 

[Owlet]

he's chirping and moving around now it warms my heart I missed his little chirps

 

[Laurasea]

Awww. Yes I am of the same opinion , he knows you, take him out as soon as he isn't running away, or open the door and let him come out in his own. Glad you have made a nest for yourself by him. Congratulations on getting your second baby home!

 

[Owlet]

He still has shown no interest in food :/ I'm very concerned about that.

 

[ChristaNL]

Oh.... you brought him
The long wait is over \o/

Of course the little fellow is upset- but you are familiar to him, so just be yourself.
Try not to stress out...they follow your cues, so get yourself something nice (and warm) to drink and some munchies.

Flockbehaviour might tempt him to follow your lead...

 

[Laurasea]

Newly weaned birds that have a change ,like bringing him home. They often revert to needing hand feeding again. Can you offer him the baby bird formula again? I read up on the hat before bringing Neptune home, because he weaned so early. He ended up being fine, but your guy might need a few more comfort feedings before going back to eating on his own.... Sorry this has been such a stressful start.

 

[Owlet]

I don't know how comfortable I am with hand feeding. He's been off the bottle for a week now with no problem but if he doesn't start eating soon I'm going to talk to my bosses (the ones who normally do the hand feeding for the babies) on what I can do and if need be i can get some formula and try drip feeding him.

 

[Laurasea]

A week is not that long, he might just need a few feedings, or even just one a day to get him back to being weaned. They are emotional beings just like us. Have you tried playing with his food , and pretending to eat? How long has it been since he ate,? Is he at least drinking water? Once again sorry this has been stressful. Is it cold in your room? Or did you get it warmed up? Big hugs to you both!

 

[Owlet]

He hasn't touched water either but I do keep my room warm. He ate before I got off work at 6pm and it is now 1pm the next day. He was picking at his millet a little. Communicating with my boss to see if I can pick up some formula today. I'm not sure if they'll let me though considering we are normally closed on Mondays and the person who feeds and waters the birds today would have left by now. Does petsmart or petco sell formula i could pick up? Does a candy thermometer work for testing temperature or should I pick up something else? I'll need to pick up syringes.

Here's a small video i just took, tried to get some of the hissing or something but I think hes in love with my phone because he perked right up (ignore me trying not to cry with joy)

[ame="https://youtu.be/tff4ftD-6kk"]December 10, 2018 - YouTube[/ame]


I also opened the cage and he climbed right on out and onto my hand and didn't wanna climb back off.
I Also moved his manzanita perch down to the bottom so he has something lower to perch on if he wants to.

 

[Laurasea]

That wing shrug is a hello! Yes Petco and pets stores should have. Maybe he is starting to relax enough to start eating for you. If he is still such a baby that he doesn't perch good, go ahead and put a folded towel or wash cloth for him to rest on, other than the grate.

 

[Laurasea]

He might take some warm oatmeal for you, you can use the platic lid from a butter container or something flat like that to serve it on. I haven't hand feed in decades so I'm not much help there.... Hopefully people beill get off work in a couple of hours and offer you more advice.

 

[Owlet]

I'll try giving him oatmeal... is there anything I should add to it?

 

[Laurasea]

Don't tell anyone, but a little sugar will probably have em eating it better, shhhh .... You can try some watery, and some very thick. You can offer on your finger..might remind him if the baby food

 

[Laurasea]

Is he still pooping?