upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Let me start by saying I've had birds for over 5 years. Until recently, I had 2 green cheek conures and a 7 month old African Grey. This past Saturday my fiance and I went to a pet show with the sole intention of buying the grey some new toys. And we ended up coming home with a 3 1/2 month old Blue and Gold. We just fell in love with this bird's personality. I feel a bit guilty that I gave in to the urge to buy at one of these pet expos from a breeder that I hadn't researched at all. What's done is done though. Once we got him home it was apparent how young this little guy is. He perches fine but is slow and clumsy. He doesn't want to come out of his cage and acts a little fearful. Once out he's okay though.He doesn't understand "step up" at all and still does the baby head bobbing thing. He is eating pellets and fruits and veggies just fine though. So what is my question... Well, basically, what should we do with him? I'll be monitoring his weight, and will supplement with hand feedings as needed (my Grey breeder is amazing and has offered to help if I need). Should we just cuddle him and baby him for now or start training? Should he be getting more sleep because he is a baby? Any and all help is appreciated!!!

Considering where he's come from, it's CRITICAL that you quarantine him very carefully and get him to a good avian vet this week for full bloodwork and disease testing. Cuddle him wearing clothes that can stay in his quarantine room. Go slowly, maybe using a sofa or bed -- depending on what's in his quarantine room -- to let him walk and step up onto you without danger of falling. He'll get plenty of sleep between visits. Try to visit him every couple hours, but don't open his door while he's screaming for you ... wrong lesson there.

The single article that made the most dramatic difference in how I live with my parrots is Bobbi Brinker's "Stress in African Greys and Other Birds": http://birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww30eiii.htm Other Must Reads are:

Karen Pryor’s Don’t Shoot the Dog
Linda Morrow's Clicking With Birds( http://www.avi-train.com/manual.html )
Steve Martin http://www.naturalencounters.com/about.html
Susan Friedman, PhD http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/HTML/friedman.htm
Barbara Heidenreich's Good Bird! A Guide to Solving Behavioral Problems in Companion Parrots!

Good luck!

He is quarantined and surgeons don't wash their hands as good as we are! I'm going to set up his vet appointment tomorrow. At least he's good at riding in cars. )

You might want to buy the online version of this British mag for Leslie Moran's article on teaching her B&G macaws to let her trim their nails: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=ho ... 578?ref=ts Notice the pic in the bottom right corner of the cover. There are about 8 pix in the article of one of her B&G's expressions as the other bird's nails were being done. PRICELESS! I'm sure several B&Gs were sold already on the basis of these photos

At 3 1/2 months old the baby should be on one or even two bumps (hand feedings a day) so find out what his formula is and get busy .

Weight and size check every day. Should be still gaining 2% of body weight a day if not check the bump.

What is the weight now?

Perch stability does not begin yet, they are just clumsly little goofs, enjoy this time with your baby it won't last long. Will be flying soon and a master at clinging to everything in their eye sight!

Do not clip until fully fledged.

Play with your baby 3-4 times a day for at least 45 minutes each time.

Start some fresh fruit and veg's daily and a few small pieces of freshly cooked meat with no seasoning. Feed the same time everyday like when you sit down for diner.

So, he's been given a clean bill of health by the vet (pending all the blood tests come back negative ofcourse). He's at 903 grams and is eating like a pig. He's already perching much better too. Now the big question... What do we name him? We've been going through names for almost a week now and can't come up with anything. My fiance wants to give him a boy's name. Any suggestions out there?