Bringing home my (long awaited) baby!

[Kelsih11]

Hi everyone! I have been on the waiting list with the breeder since last May and she finally has some baby rock pebblers available so I JUST put down my deposit!! She is pulling them for hand feeding tomorrow and then they will be DNAed and I should be able to bring him home in June sometime. I have a few questions, since I want to make his transition from her home to mine as easy as possible.
1. The car ride is about 1.5-2 hrs door to door, so should I do anything in the car to make him more comfortable?
2. What are your thoughts on "Settling in" time? I have been told by another breeder that you should handle them after letting them get used to their cage, but definitely the day you bring them home (put them in their new cage for a while then take them out). I have also read that you should leave them alone in their cage for 3-7 days, but I feel like that would benefit our bond at all.
3. The cage should be set up and ready to go, obviously, but should it have fewer toys than normal? I don't want to overwhelm him.

EDIT:
4. When can I start clicker training and taking him out of the house to socialize. I want to get him an aviator harness and work with that before taking him out of the house to socialize.

Any of your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Just have a secure carrier for the ride home. I keep mine where I can talk to him all the way home I would take him out cuddle with him a bit then show him his cage. Give him a night to adjust . Then start interacting with him I would not wait on that you want to bond . Worked with my flock of 26

 

[ZephyrFly]

You shouldn't have to worry about the ride to and from, but maybe take a friend with you to help? I got a friend to help me (hold on the cage during the drive + moving stuff from car to house) and I really think it helped make everything smoother.

While I'm all for Pinkbirdy's advice, someone mentioned rock pebblers are less hands on. I'd imagine (and may well be wrong) your little guy might not want to be hands on straight away which if the case it might be better to put him in his new home straight away. Then later when he wants the attention work with him.

Sorry if this isn't very helpful.

 

[psychocircus91]

I didn't know exactly what a rock pebbler was. Good to learn something knew.

I would begin interaction right away. Your bird may be nervous, so cuddling may not happen. I think it is something you will need to play by ear. Offer treats by hand and go from there. Try not to force interactions, unless you absolutely have to to get him/her in the cage.

 

[DRB]

Visit the baby as often as possible before bringing it home. If the bird knows and trusts you before you take it home, the rest will be so much easier.

 

[GracelynNBirds]

Congrats on your baby, and I can't wait for pictures! But once you get him inside, if he will let you, make him step up and walk around the house to explore. I have no idea who invented that idea or why but you should hold the bird as soon as possible!

 

[Kelsih11]

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!!!! I picked out my baby on Saturday and will be able to pick him up on July 2nd!!!!

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Congratulations on picking your new baby. You must be soooo excited...you wont feel it now until July 2nd is here and you are a full time paront...just in relation to the drive home lots of people have scented air fresheners in their car I would remove anything like that and air the car by opening the doors for a while before you head off to pickbup your baby...its just something I have always done before a car trip to the vet or whatever...I dont own a car so I usually get brought to the vet by my niece who is willing to comply with my request or perhaps I should call it demand to remove scented air fresheners from her car prior to the trip ...enjoy the wonderful joys of Paronthood and the company of your Beautiful baby for many long years to come

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hi everyone! I have been on the waiting list with the breeder since last May and she finally has some baby rock pebblers available so I JUST put down my deposit!! She is pulling them for hand feeding tomorrow and then they will be DNAed and I should be able to bring him home in June sometime. I have a few questions, since I want to make his transition from her home to mine as easy as possible.
1. The car ride is about 1.5-2 hrs door to door, so should I do anything in the car to make him more comfortable?
2. What are your thoughts on "Settling in" time? I have been told by another breeder that you should handle them after letting them get used to their cage, but definitely the day you bring them home (put them in their new cage for a while then take them out). I have also read that you should leave them alone in their cage for 3-7 days, but I feel like that would benefit our bond at all.
3. The cage should be set up and ready to go, obviously, but should it have fewer toys than normal? I don't want to overwhelm him.

EDIT:
4. When can I start clicker training and taking him out of the house to socialize. I want to get him an aviator harness and work with that before taking him out of the house to socialize.

Any of your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Interesting questions, as both of our birds couldn't have been any different than each other when it came to all four of these questions:

1. Some birds like to look out the windows and see where they are going (Monty). Others freak out and want to feel more secure (Rhubarb). So when taking the bird home, have a plan for both situations!

2. Monty was a real grouch when we brought him home. He wanted to stay on or in his cage, and was really hands off for the first 3-4 days when he got tired of being by himself, and also became interested in what we were eating (food is the way to a 'Zon's heart). Rhubarb was immediately interactive and wanted to be held, and in close proximity to someone else all the time. However, the main determinant was what the bird wanted, not us. Forcing a bond before the bird is "settled in" could be worse than waiting a few days. But trust me, your bird will let you know when it is ready.

3. You are potentially taking a bird away from familiar and safe surroundings, and putting it in a new and (to the bird) unsafe environment. Certainly, it should have something in it's cage to occupy it, but it should also not be lurching in terror non-stop to get away from all the new and scary things. I think your approach is sound - start with less, and if the bird is settling in quickly, or is more a Rhubarb and less a Monty, then give it as many toys as it wants.

I kind of think putting too many toys in a new cage for a new bird is like putting a foster kid in this:

4. As soon as the bird (and you) are ready. Trust will need to be built between the two of you, and clicker training is a great start to working with the bird and making things fun. The harness, have fun, but yes, once you are both comfortable with each other - the sooner the better. LOL.

Exciting days, and I hope you enjoy your new companion.

 

[snowflake311]

Hi everyone! I have been on the waiting list with the breeder since last May and she finally has some baby rock pebblers available so I JUST put down my deposit!! She is pulling them for hand feeding tomorrow and then they will be DNAed and I should be able to bring him home in June sometime. I have a few questions, since I want to make his transition from her home to mine as easy as possible.
1. The car ride is about 1.5-2 hrs door to door, so should I do anything in the car to make him more comfortable?
make sure the bird does not get cold. Covers are good. I don't like music at first just my voice.

2. What are your thoughts on "Settling in" time? I have been told by another breeder that you should handle them after letting them get used to their cage, but definitely the day you bring them home (put them in their new cage for a while then take them out). I have also read that you should leave them alone in their cage for 3-7 days, but I feel like that would benefit our bond at all.
This is going to depend on the bird. I say 24 hours or 2 days is good. Some birds adjust quicker. Some might take days. Let the bird tell you when she is ready.
3. The cage should be set up and ready to go, obviously, but should it have fewer toys than normal? I don't want to overwhelm him. set it how you want it i think but not so many toys that the bird can't move. I would not worry much

EDIT:
4. When can I start clicker training and taking him out of the house to socialize. I want to get him an aviator harness and work with that before taking him out of the house to socialize.don't rush it. Just do normal trainer like step up, no bite, step down, poop (potty training). You can train that without a click. The clicker training is for more advanced tricks when you need to capture an action.

Any of your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Congrats . It's so exciting bringing home your new pet.

 

[Kelsih11]

He's here! Saturday was a long day and yesterday we started bonding, so here is a picture from this morning! Meet Lil Pete! He is so clumsy and ridiculous the named seemed to fit He chatters away and loves attentions and pets. We are working on the nipping and the flapping, and we've made a lot of progress since Saturday.

 

[psychocircus91]

He's here! Saturday was a long day and yesterday we started bonding, so here is a picture from this morning! Meet Lil Pete! He is so clumsy and ridiculous the named seemed to fit He chatters away and loves attentions and pets. We are working on the nipping and the flapping, and we've made a lot of progress since Saturday.

Yay! cutie!

 

[Allee]

Congratulations and a Huge Welcome to your adorable little rock pebbler! He's beautiful! I'm so glad you waited for the perfect match. Love the name, it's as cute as the owner!

 

[Piasa]

Congrats! Lil Pete is SO CUTE! I know he will have been worth the wait

 

[shar0]

He's adorable [emoji847]


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[Blancaej]

Congratulations! He is a sweetheart!