Schala is Home!

[skygoneblue]

We road tripped from Orlando to Miami, Florida today to pick up our baby. We named her Schala.

The trip home went great. She wasn't shy or easily spooked at all. She spent almost the entire 3-hour trip chewing on my ear, pooping on my shoulder, and quietly chirping to add to the conversation.

Well, now we're home, and it's all different. She seems absolutely miserable in her cage. She is sitting on the bottom (although she's perfectly capable of climbing to the perches). If one of us isn't near her, she chirps incessantly, as if she hates being away from us, but who can blame her, right?

Is it real important that we just let her get used to being in her cage for the first few days? Right now, she's content as can be on my shoulder, but I don't want every day to be a fight having to go back to her home.

I know, I know, I'm a new owner freaking out over nothing...

 

[Riio]

OMGosh!! How cute is that picture?!? Stinking adorable!!
Ok so I am by no means an expert, but I say if she wants to be held...go for it. It may help since this is a whole new world to her. (But I'm also one that says babies (human) can't be spoiled by being held to much!so take my opinion as you will!) I think she will have plenty of time to adjust to her cage, for now...build that trust and bond if she is willing!! Best of luck with your cute new baby!

 

[RavensGryf]

Very cute. Congratulations! The turquoise are pretty.

 

[Terry57]

Schala is gorgeous! You know, if it was me, I would go ahead and hold her Everything is new to her, and now you are the only familiar thing to her. I would alternate between holding her and having her in the cage. Maybe it would help to just open the door so she can come in and out on her own for awhile as well
Congrats on your new baby!

 

[skygoneblue]

Thanks everyone. She has calmed down a bit after discovering her snuggle tunnel (or whatever you call those triangular hanging fuzzy beds).

We left the door open for a bit, but the breeder clipped her wings, so she is pretty clumsy at the moment. She tries to fly to me and just ends up on the floor.

I'm sure she'll be ok over the next few days.

 

[Oscar23]

She's beautiful! Congrats on your new baby!

 

[EnglishMuffin]

oh my god WHAT a cutie!! She is so pretty!

If I were you I would take Terry's suggestion of alternating between handling her and putting her in her cage, and I would stay near the cage and talk or read to her so she feels like she has company. When she is out of the cage, take out some of her cage toys and play with them with her. If she feels comfortable with you she may have fun exploring her toys while they're in your hands, that way she may be more inclined to entertain herself and explore them further while they are in the cage with her. It's all about letting her adjust and get comfortable

 

[Agapornis]

What a beautiful little GCC! Congrats on your new baby!!!

 

[skygoneblue]

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions everyone!

I've been alternating the cage and holding her, but holding her is kind of a chore at the moment. She wants to be with me, and then sees a mirror or window, and flaps over to it, then promptly ends up on the floor. It's kind of amusing, and a little sad...

She has no reservations about being pet on her head, cheeks, back, or anywhere once she's in my hands. I can tell the breeders handled her a lot. But, she's still got an adventurous spirit in her to where she'd rather walk around on the floor with our dog than be held at all.

For now, I'm trying to just ignore the attempts to coax me into letting her out, and just letting her out when she's being good in her cage.

On that note, is it normal for them to have a reduced appetite for the first few days? I've seen her crunch maybe 3 or 4 Zupreem nuggets, and a tiny bit of scrambled egg, but that's it. She seems to have zero interest in food at all.

 

[KiwiPlusUs1025]

Congrats on your new baby! She is gorgeous.

 

[Allee]

She's a beautiful baby and she sounds like a real sweetheart. It's common for birds to lose their appetites following a move. If she is eating at least a little and showing some interest in her food she is probably just feeling a little overwhelmed and insecure. Keep reassuring her and pretty soon her curiosity will get the best of her and she will feel confident enough to start exploring.

 

[skygoneblue]

She's a beautiful baby and she sounds like a real sweetheart. It's common for birds to lose their appetites following a move. If she is eating at least a little and showing some interest in her food she is probably just feeling a little overwhelmed and insecure. Keep reassuring her and pretty soon her curiosity will get the best of her and she will feel confident enough to start exploring.

Hah, that shy little bird with no interest in food lasted about half a day. She's now pigging out constantly, and really seems to like her Zupreem food more than anything else I've given her. I've tried apples, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and even scrambled eggs (I know, weird). As long as she's eating something, we'll figure out what fruits and veggies she likes later.

Something else weird we're noticing - she seems to have potty trained herself. Most of her toys and food are at least mid-level or higher in the cage, with only a couple perches in the lower portion. Whenever she has to poop, she (not so gracefully) crash lands onto the bottom of the cage, does her business, and climbs back up to keep playing and eating. I'm hoping this stays a normal thing - it'll make potty training her a breeze later if so!