Is this cage big enough for a Quaker?

[Terry57]

That would be a red flag. You could easily come in with a mask, but he's not letting you? The bird may be sick or not weaned.

This isn't necessarily true. I don't know a single reputable breeder who allows people in their house because of worry that someone will bring in disease. I personally wouldn't buy from a breeder who allows you into their home. All the breeders I know here do Facetime so the person can see the baby.

 

[Laurasea]

View attachment 35635

Awww i misss little baby faces
Super cute.

You can ask for their avian veterinarian reference. Or see their seller reviews?

I'm not going to jump on and condem without more information.

 

[Sonjaaa]

ok seller can be talker about covid concern for people, different concerns about birds.

Breeders can have issues from disease Sneaking in its inherent risk for people doing large scale breeding.

I had chlamydiaosis brought in by a budgie and could have killed my whole flock.
Bsbies are much more sensitive and sudden death from disease than adults.

Is it possible for you to give me some guidance on how to disinfect the used cage that I am going to get?

 

[Sonjaaa]

Awww i misss little baby faces
Super cute.

You can ask for their avian veterinarian reference. Or see their seller reviews?

I'm not going to jump on and condem without more information.

Her review is good. Do you think I should take the bird for a body check before I take him home?

 

[StormyPica]

Is it possible for you to give me some guidance on how to disinfect the used cage that I am going to get?

Well, I like to use diluted vinegar, it's the easiest option, just make sure to do it in a seperate room from the birds, the fumes can be bad.

 

[StormyPica]

Her review is good. Do you think I should take the bird for a body check before I take him home?

Probably not. If the reviews are good, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[Laurasea]

This isn't necessarily true. I don't know a single reputable breeder who allows people in their house because of worry that someone will bring in disease. I personally wouldn't buy from a breeder who allows you into their home. All the breeders I know here do Facetime so the person can see the baby.

Terry has lots of experience. Is a mod here and wouldn't steer you wrong

 

[StormyPica]

Terry has lots of experience. Is a mod here and wouldn't steer you wrong

Yup, I can vouch for that.
Trust Terry, I still have a lot to learn!

 

[Laurasea]

I clean my cages outside. Hose them down. I start with dawn dish soap in water and a scub brush scuba every thing. Rinse.
Then I have dilute bleach in a bucket of water and scrub every single bar both from the inside and outside. If its nice weather I wipe down so bleach won't corrode anything and let sit in the sun.
Then for my piece of mind the next day I wipe everything down with dilute bleach, then wipe with water tgen wipe dry.
Then I take olive oil on a rag abd wipe all the bars to preserve the finish

You can't mix bleach abd vinegar or toxic.

But for regularly cleaning my burds cages. I also use dilute vinegar in cold water. Vinegar is great at breaking down burd poop and gunk. Then I wipe dry as vinegar can be a little irritating. Don't add vinegar to hot water as toxic fumes. Don't clean coffee makers with vinegar now that you have birds as again toxic fumes when heated.

 

[Terry57]

Terry has lots of experience. Is a mod here and wouldn't steer you wrong

Yup, I can vouch for that.
Trust Terry, I still have a lot to learn!

Thank you both, you are very kind. There is still so much I don't know, I think we all learn something new every day.

 

[Laurasea]

I think the most important thing. Is this baby should happy and comfortable interacting with the breeder. And be curious and willing to interact with you. Have the breeder show you how the baby steps up for them . Them have step up or passed to you.

If the baby is fearful and cowers away from the breeder and you. Then the breeder hadnt spent enough time socializing it. I would ask to meet a different baby. If no babies are interacting in interacting with you. I would walk away.

Because this is your dream parrot. And you are wanting a friendly and well socialized baby to start out with.

 

[Sonjaaa]

I think the most important thing. Is this baby should happy and comfortable interacting with the breeder. And be curious and willing to interact with you. Have the breeder show you how the baby steps up for them . Them have step up or passed to you.

If the baby is fearful and cowers away from the breeder and you. Then the breeder hadnt spent enough time socializing it. I would ask to meet a different baby. If no babies are interacting in interacting with you. I would walk away.

Because this is your dream parrot. And you are wanting a friendly and well socialized baby to start out with.

Yes. But I already paid the deposit…..

 

[Sonjaaa]

I clean my cages outside. Hose them down. I start with dawn dish soap in water and a scub brush scuba every thing. Rinse.
Then I have dilute bleach in a bucket of water and scrub every single bar both from the inside and outside. If its nice weather I wipe down so bleach won't corrode anything and let sit in the sun.
Then for my piece of mind the next day I wipe everything down with dilute bleach, then wipe with water tgen wipe dry.
Then I take olive oil on a rag abd wipe all the bars to preserve the finish

You can't mix bleach abd vinegar or toxic.

But for regularly cleaning my burds cages. I also use dilute vinegar in cold water. Vinegar is great at breaking down burd poop and gunk. Then I wipe dry as vinegar can be a little irritating. Don't add vinegar to hot water as toxic fumes. Don't clean coffee makers with vinegar now that you have birds as again toxic fumes when heated.

Oh ! You are so nice! Thank you! I don’t have white vinegar. I will buy some.

 

[Laurasea]

Yes. But I already paid the deposit…..

In the videos the breeder sent did they hold and enteract with tge babies?

Because you already have hand shy burds, that you haven't had a chance to master overcoming this. And we all will help the best we. Sn in a different thread for them.

And because it can be so frustrating and daunting for new to birds to work through this. And frustrating with experience too . I took on a hand phobic quaker and it took months to overcome. Not the normal just teaching step up, but a burd terrified of hands. .....
Anyway truly, as free internet advice, I think you should walk away if the baby isn't socialized. It would be so frustrating for you.. But they should be and hopefully they are!!

 

[StormyPica]

In the videos the breeder sent did they hold and enteract with tge babies?

Because you already have hand shy burds, that you haven't had a chance to master overcoming this. And we all will help the best we. Sn in a different thread for them.

And because it can be so frustrating and daunting for new to birds to work through this. And frustrating with experience too . I took on a hand phobic quaker and it took months to overcome. Not the normal just teaching step up, but a burd terrified of hands. .....
Anyway truly, as free internet advice, I think you should walk away if the baby isn't socialized. It would be so frustrating for you.. But they should be and hopefully they are!!

Yeah, they should be handling the baby. Pepper was grabbed in a way that almost broke his wing by a stupid 16 year old, and that was added on to the stress of dealing with other sick animals. The stress can really build up, but a hand-tamed bird can help show the others that humans aren't scary. If the Quaker isn't hand-tamed, you will have more stress (not saying you can't handle that!), so you should request a video of the breeder holding the baby.

 

[HeatherG]

This isn't necessarily true. I don't know a single reputable breeder who allows people in their house because of worry that someone will bring in disease. I personally wouldn't buy from a breeder who allows you into their home. All the breeders I know here do Facetime so the person can see the baby.

Here’s a possible explanation for why the breeder doesn’t allow visitirs and what they mean:
If a person had birds at home, and one of their birds was sick, that person could bring on their clothes, shoes, or body some pathogen(disease causing organism or virus). Maybe that breeder had an unexplained outbreak and believes it was linked to a visitor to their site who brought in the pathogen.

I have not heard of birds getting covid, but only mammals. But perhaps I am wrong. I have been watching reports of non human animals who become infected with covid and have only seen mammals infected.

I used to study a bird virus and would change clothes entirely and leave shoes outside before coming home. We also showered in and out after working with live birds. If I was a breeder I would make visitors wash up and clean their shoes or wear booties. I’d ask them to wear clean clothes or maybe supply a coverup.

 

[StormyPica]

Here’s a possible explanation for why the breeder doesn’t allow visitirs and what they mean:
If a person had birds at home, and one of their birds was sick, that person could bring on their clothes, shoes, or body some pathogen(disease causing organism or virus). Maybe that breeder had an unexplained outbreak and believes it was linked to a visitor to their site who brought in the pathogen.

I have not heard of birds getting covid, but only mammals. But perhaps I am wrong. I have been watching reports of non human animals who become infected with covid and have only seen mammals infected.

I used to study a bird virus and would change clothes entirely and leave shoes outside before coming home. We also showered in and out after working with live birds. If I was a breeder I would make visitors wash up and clean their shoes or wear booties. I’d ask them to wear clean clothes or maybe supply a coverup.

Yup, I was just super concerned that over 40 birds died from a virus. I mean, that's a lot!

 

[Sonjaaa]

Keep in mind, they may not get along.


I meant a Quaker, they are one of the most rehomed birds ever, aside from budgies. Great chop btw, they all look super healthy!

Now I started to get worried. I have only noticed they have round face and body, look really innocent and easygoing…… I have never seen a real one….

 

[Sonjaaa]

Here’s a possible explanation for why the breeder doesn’t allow visitirs and what they mean:
If a person had birds at home, and one of their birds was sick, that person could bring on their clothes, shoes, or body some pathogen(disease causing organism or virus). Maybe that breeder had an unexplained outbreak and believes it was linked to a visitor to their site who brought in the pathogen.

I have not heard of birds getting covid, but only mammals. But perhaps I am wrong. I have been watching reports of non human animals who become infected with covid and have only seen mammals infected.

I used to study a bird virus and would change clothes entirely and leave shoes outside before coming home. We also showered in and out after working with live birds. If I was a breeder I would make visitors wash up and clean their shoes or wear booties. I’d ask them to wear clean clothes or maybe supply a coverup.

Oh my god…. So complicated! I think the Quaker will be my last bird…..

 

[StormyPica]

Now I started to get worried. I have only noticed they have round face and body, look really innocent and easygoing…… I have never seen a real one….

You NEED to do a TON of research before getting a Quaker. They are VERY HIGH NEEDS birds, and frequently rehomed.