fostering two 7 month old Quakers

[flockleader]

Well my husband, Bob and I have been given the chance to foster two clutchmates from a breeder that we know. Our mission is to "calm them down" meaning that they do now thrash around the cage when someone puts their hand inside, and "teach them to step up" and "manners". Well, although we are not supposed to name them, for our purposes, we have given them the names fester and gomez as in the Addams Family. Fester is more mellow but very very stubborn. He will race to the door of the cage then stop dead and wait for you to pick him up. He stays on the playgym but won't explore it. He lets you handle him but REFUSES to step up. Gomez on the other hand is more fiesty. He still flutters around the cage a bit but will allow you to take him out of the cage. He will step up nicely with encourgement, not much needed does a good job. But he doesn't like hands in the cage much. Even so neither on of them have bitten us. Yes, the occasional nibble, some curious and some, stop or I will bite types. They are very good birds and I will hate to give them back, but it is nice to be able to handle different types of parrots besides the ones I own, Beeker, my GCC is a bit jealous at times when we handle the Quakers but outside of being a bit more nippy now and again he behaves rather nicely. Anyone have any tips on how to coax a stubborn Quaker to do something he just doesnt want to do? so far he wont take treats from the hand so that makes it a little harder.

 

[JensFlock]

I would just give them some time to adjust. I just took in a quaker with a little attitude, and he's protective of his cage. I have heard that quakers can be like that. If I reach in to get him, look out!!! If I open the cage and let him do what he wants, he flies to me, lands on my head, and is the most cuddly little lovebug ever.

I have been reaching in the cage, moving things around and giving treats in the food bowl. I want him to know that my hands in the cage means good things.

 

[flockleader]

I have from time to time just sat in front of the cage with the door open enough for my hand to rest comfortably on the bottom of the cage and let them decide when and if to approach. when they do i keep the hand still and let them beak and explore. hopefully they will come to understand that the hand is their friend. I also talk to them while I sit there. They are in a double cage so once one has had his chance to check out the hand I slowly remove it and place it in the other side for the other bird to have a look, so to speak.

 

[cnyguy]

Sounds like you've taken on quite a project, with two stubborn Quakers to deal with. It often works better to simply leave the cage door open when you'd like to invite the Quakers out, and let them make the decision on their own whether or not to venture outside the cage. Attaching a hanging perch outside the cage, just below the door, makes it easier and more inviting for the parrots to step outside.


Stubbornness is actually a common trait in Quakers (and in other types of parrots too, for that matter). A favorite treat can help encourage them to cooperate. Find out what treats Gomez and Fester like best, and offer those treats when you want them to do something they might be reluctant to do voluntarily.


Good luck with your foster care of those two QPs!