Kiwiās mum
New member
Hi all. Hope youāre well!!??
Totally new to the bird world and forums too - so, I was wondering if you could give me some expert advice please?.
I have 13-14week old IRN named Kiwi (no guessing why I called Kiwi this š aside from the fact itās a universal name)
Before buying into this new commitment after sadly having to put my 12.5yr old dog down a
month or so ago, I researched the birds I was interested in and would be best suited to the family and our routines and this one ticked all the boxes. I have some basic knowledge on bird keeping as friends and family have had them.
Kiwi is in the corner of the living-room against a wall, has water, feed, toys and enough wing space for now. I do not intend on keeping Kiwi in the cage FT as I want the bird to fly freely around the home and be apart of the family. Just not while cooking or when airing the house with doors and windows wide open.
After that possible irrelevant information, what Iām looking for are the absolute DONTS and MUST DO. Iām in this for the long haul and do not want to stress Kiwi out any more than S/he is. Bought the bird and the bits today and has been in our company for the best part of 12 hours. So far, the springing all over the place and looking for an escape has settled a touch, whenKiwi backs away I stop and encourage others to also do so. For now, weāre focusing on just myself (consensus from the family) to be the one to gain the trust first so I can relate to what freaks the bird out and what doesnāt. Iāve had my hand in the cage 3 times today - yes there was panic from Kiwi but while the flapping was going on I remained still with subtle movements when calmer. A toy was not secured properly and fell to the floor, the perch wasnāt fastened on to the right level (pet shop didnāt do this properly) so the space needed to stretch wasnāt there. Now is! and the other reason was to add a new mirror which kiwi often looks in when s/he thinks weāre not looking. Gets a complex when spotted š
Should I remove the feed given to me as a start up during the day and give fresh fruit, greenery and the like to snack on and give the grains and bits in the evening? Loving the fact Kiwi has the same diet as me - minus the sunflower seeds etc š I donāt mind sharing my food!!
When would it be appropriate to introduce bathing? Iām not convinced this bird has ever seen water to get into! Feathers look not so happy. Kiwi was in a cage with 8 other IRNs almost the same size as the one I have now and to be honest the condition was questionable.
I have registered with an avian vet to get checked over once Kiwi has settled and isnāt so skittish.
Cuttlefish?? Yay or nay? If Kiwi doesnāt take to itā¦ what else can I try?
And, upon reading conflicting dos and donts onlineā¦ I do need to know if soapy water ina bath for him/her is the done thing? If so what? They said baby shampoo or our kind of shower gel is alright - this I find VERY questionable!! Am I wrong?
Sorry for the LONG post. Hope youāre still awake!!
Iāve covered the cage for the night with an old bed sheet with enough water for the night.
I know Iām missing loads out - question wise but these are the ones Id really like/need to know - now.
Iāll add pictures when my face alone doesnāt scare Kiwi and I can introduce a gadget.
thank you for the patience in which youāve had to get this far. I look forward to reading any replies. X
Totally new to the bird world and forums too - so, I was wondering if you could give me some expert advice please?.
I have 13-14week old IRN named Kiwi (no guessing why I called Kiwi this š aside from the fact itās a universal name)
Before buying into this new commitment after sadly having to put my 12.5yr old dog down a
month or so ago, I researched the birds I was interested in and would be best suited to the family and our routines and this one ticked all the boxes. I have some basic knowledge on bird keeping as friends and family have had them.
Kiwi is in the corner of the living-room against a wall, has water, feed, toys and enough wing space for now. I do not intend on keeping Kiwi in the cage FT as I want the bird to fly freely around the home and be apart of the family. Just not while cooking or when airing the house with doors and windows wide open.
After that possible irrelevant information, what Iām looking for are the absolute DONTS and MUST DO. Iām in this for the long haul and do not want to stress Kiwi out any more than S/he is. Bought the bird and the bits today and has been in our company for the best part of 12 hours. So far, the springing all over the place and looking for an escape has settled a touch, whenKiwi backs away I stop and encourage others to also do so. For now, weāre focusing on just myself (consensus from the family) to be the one to gain the trust first so I can relate to what freaks the bird out and what doesnāt. Iāve had my hand in the cage 3 times today - yes there was panic from Kiwi but while the flapping was going on I remained still with subtle movements when calmer. A toy was not secured properly and fell to the floor, the perch wasnāt fastened on to the right level (pet shop didnāt do this properly) so the space needed to stretch wasnāt there. Now is! and the other reason was to add a new mirror which kiwi often looks in when s/he thinks weāre not looking. Gets a complex when spotted š
Should I remove the feed given to me as a start up during the day and give fresh fruit, greenery and the like to snack on and give the grains and bits in the evening? Loving the fact Kiwi has the same diet as me - minus the sunflower seeds etc š I donāt mind sharing my food!!
When would it be appropriate to introduce bathing? Iām not convinced this bird has ever seen water to get into! Feathers look not so happy. Kiwi was in a cage with 8 other IRNs almost the same size as the one I have now and to be honest the condition was questionable.
I have registered with an avian vet to get checked over once Kiwi has settled and isnāt so skittish.
Cuttlefish?? Yay or nay? If Kiwi doesnāt take to itā¦ what else can I try?
And, upon reading conflicting dos and donts onlineā¦ I do need to know if soapy water ina bath for him/her is the done thing? If so what? They said baby shampoo or our kind of shower gel is alright - this I find VERY questionable!! Am I wrong?
Sorry for the LONG post. Hope youāre still awake!!
Iāve covered the cage for the night with an old bed sheet with enough water for the night.
I know Iām missing loads out - question wise but these are the ones Id really like/need to know - now.
Iāll add pictures when my face alone doesnāt scare Kiwi and I can introduce a gadget.
thank you for the patience in which youāve had to get this far. I look forward to reading any replies. X