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sassie
Bappie
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 72
Location: ohio |
| I might be getting a baby!!! |
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As some of you know, My last dissapointing experiance! I was very sad about that! Well tonight, I got an email from a breeder friend of Mine -- about a young man who breeds quaker's! Sooo, I call him up & he has 2!! They are about 6 weeks -- still hand feeding twice a day! He is asking $100.00 for them & he has a special delivery person. With birds this young, I was wondering if they were out of the "I can put them in baby play pen age's" or can I still get there wings clipped so they do not fly?! I was also told I could put him in a aquarium until weaning is over. I am trying to save some extra money to buy him a nice large cage -- bigger then a cockteil -- but not as big as a king *I wish I had that type of money* So I am calling My pet store tomarrow, to see if I can come in & be taught how to hand feed -- via sirienge *spelling* I do feed out baby kittens all the time this way -- so I dont see why I can or couldnt do it! If anyone has pointers --- or thinks I shouldnt take in a hand feeding baby let me know thanks
*doing the happy dance*
Also, how important is it to you, to have your bird sexed? How costly is it, and how harmful is it> |
Saturday June 3, 2006 1:41 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Sassie, I'm sorry, I can't remember if you have had parrots before, or not, I sometimes get confused with new members 
My heart says not to take on an unweened baby without a lot of experience with it. I've just heard too many tragic stories about hand feeding. On the other hand, I know experience has to begin somewhere. I would just suggest that you have someone experienced go thru it very thoroughly with you & make sure you are confident with it before going out on your own. So I don't know .... Will he not wait until it's fully weened before selling it to you? THAT kind of makes me mad when breeders do that! I realize the price would probably be higher for a weened one tho.
As far as tips if you do decide to go ahead with it, I'm afraid I can't help as I've never had an unweened bird before.
I've heard very good things about Quakers tho, & while I've never lived with one, I would love to have one myself! |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 2:57 am |
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sassie
Bappie
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 72
Location: ohio |
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Hi, no at this time I do not have a parrot. I have been searching for one & doing research on a could of species for a long time now. I had been approached about 3 green cheeks & a ringneck aviable. I was all stoked & ready for a trip to pick them up. Then I saw her re-post the same birds for sale again! So I was heart broken really!
I have never hand feed a bird. I have a cat, dog - I am going to a pet store in the morning. They breed & hand rear bird also. Although they do not have Quaker or a pair! I am sure she will teach Me & allow Me to feed theres.
I did not address him finish feeding them. He expressed to Me, he only sells to pet stores. A friend of ours had directed Me to him. Since he only has 2 at this time, the store will not buy! There must be 10 or more, so hes selling these 2 @ store price.
What type of horror storys have you heard? I guess I dont really see since I do have "some" experiance -- why it would be so bad. I mean, if the pet store says they cant/wont teach me -- then I would definatly drive there to learn & pick up the bird/birds. He does offer shipping (a personal driver in a car) to deliver his babys. So Im opt'ing for that with him being so far away from Me.
I am trying very hard not to get My hopes up to high yet- due to the pain of the last let down. I can not help it though, Ive been waiting for so long --and now babys are coming "into" season!
How long do babys need hand feed? I have read some 4/6 months? With them being 6 going on 7 weeks -- they are on 2 times a day feedings. Im pretty confident that as long as they will eat the 2 times a day, things will be fine. If it was earlier -- I would surley say NO!
Id love to hear more storys about baby quakers & people who did simalar situations -- last few months handfeeding |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 3:09 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
I can't remember off hand the stories I've heard, but I know that it does have to be done precisely, if not done right it can be fatal to the baby. As for your other questions, sorry I just can't help, but I think there are others on this forum that have done some hand feeding & I'm sure they will be along soon to answer some of your questions.
Oh, I know you're excited & I'm sure it's hard NOT to get your hopes up, I do know what it's like once you get your heart set on bringing a parrot into your life  |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 3:31 am |
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sassie
Bappie
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 72
Location: ohio |
thanks for your support
I have a question about cages -- what would be a good size? I see all these diffrent 1 inch ect. things ??!!??!! Gosh! What fun it is to shop |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 3:33 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
The spacing between the bars of a Quakers cage should be up to 5/8". As always, a birds cage should be as large as you can feasibly afford & fit into your home. BUT, with the smaller bar spacing, normally comes the smaller cage. It's just real hard to find a very large cage that has small bar spacing.
The bar spacing has to be right for the size of the parrot so that he can't get his head stuck between them. Yet, not so far apart that the bird can get out.
Very sad story, but my 'tiel & his mate used to be in a cage that was supposedly the correct spacing, but his mate was able to manage to squeeze her head thru them & must have got stuck when we were gone & I think she wrenched her neck  |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 3:54 am |
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birdgirl
Flutterer
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 106
Location: ohio |
Congrats.  I love quakers. I am glad that you are having someone show you how to handfeed. So many things could go wrong. Its not like raising a cat or a dog at all. But at least you will have someone to help you out if you need it. |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 11:24 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7956
Location: Australia |
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hey I'm glad that you found another baby that you can get as your own, hopefully this one won't fall through for you. good luck with it..
Here's what I think... handfeeding is really not recommended unless it is not syringe feed... Ask if the quaker baby is on spoon or on syringe.. if syringe, I would recommend wait till at least it's on spoon feeding... that way you wont cause aspiration (I think that's what it's called) and also the temperature has to be perfect, not too hot , and not too cold. If it's too hot, it could cause crop burn, if it's too cold it could cause ummm sorry (I can't remember exactly what, but it'll come to me sooner or later.. hehe.. sorry... )... also, with weaning, I'm not sure how long it'll take quaker to wean, but I can't imagine it being 6 months, that's quite long for a smaller parrot. Do some research on the weaning age.. but also keep in mind each individual birds are different so therefore the weaning age may differ... and also remember to not force wean the baby if you want to wean it yourself.. use abundant weaning method, which is keep giving it formula until it rejects it by itself, but all the meanwhile keep a variety of food that it'll have access to, things like pellets, seeds, veggies and fruits.. make sure the fresh veg and fruits are changed regularly.. some fresh stuff needs to be changed every two hours, sooner on warmer days... oh dont forget water as well.
it doesn't matter if you wean the baby or not, it'll be just as easy to train it if you dont...
Oh with the wing clipping thing... please make sure the bird's wings aren't clipped until it has learnt to fly like a pro for at least two weeks or so... this will build their confidence up and also helps develop their chest and wing muscles. Yes it is ok to keep it in a fairly large aquarium provided that it is clean and also very well ventilated for the little baby..
Good luck. |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 12:22 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7956
Location: Australia |
Oh forgot to mention... sexing isn't important unless you're wanting to breed... they are all the same really apart from may be a slight personality difference between a boy and a girl... not much diff otherwise.
cost really does depends on where you're at.. for example, if Perth Australia, I can get it done for $40AUD... it's not harmful to them.. Some may draw blood, and some may pluck a couple of feathers out. not sure which would be used.. I haven't had my Cockatoo sexed as I really don't care whether it's a she or a he, but it's a he for me at the moment..
A few people here have had their birds sexed, may be they are able to give you a rough price from the US, and also how it's done for them. Cheers. |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 12:35 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
I think it only cost me about 25 US dollars to have Manu DNA sexed. The only reason I had him tested is becuz he was having a full blood profile done at the time, so for the small additional fee I had that done too. |
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Saturday June 3, 2006 12:45 pm |
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sassie
Bappie
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 72
Location: ohio |
UPDATE---
I reserved a rental car to go & pick up this baby! Made an appointment for wen @ 1pm ---
Now I get an email from the breeder --- he has sold the 2 baby's he did have aviable to a breeder friend of his. So here I sit, once again --- yuck taste in My mouth!
I dont understand what is with My luck? Where in the heck can I find a breeder with some morals or heart --- not only thinking with the wallet? Im so flustrated at this point -- I could spit nails.
If anyone could help Me id really appercaite it!! Im looking for a green or split quaker --- preferably weened --- freshly though! |
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Monday June 5, 2006 6:33 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
DARN! Sorry that's happened again! It does seem you're having a run of bad luck at the moment, but you hang in there. don't give up-the wait will be so worth it in the end |
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Monday June 5, 2006 11:29 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7956
Location: Australia |
Oh no, I'm so very sorry that one fell through as well... 
I am sure the right bird will come along and you'll be finally be together with a bird that is meant just for you.
All the best with your search for your little companion. |
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Monday June 5, 2006 3:01 pm |
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sassie
Bappie
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 72
Location: ohio |
I dont quiet understand My luck with this search? I would think that a breeder would want to sell there bird? Why would they after telling someone they could buy one --- go underneath them & sell them to someone else. I can not find a breeder in or near Ohio -- that has quaker's within a reasonable price. A couple of pet stores have them instock -- $395.00 and they have been in a cage, for 6 months -- only being around hands when cleaning a cage. They are 3+ years old -- I do not want to get into re-training one. Thats for sure. I guess next time I see a bird, I have to pay for it & take it home right away?
How did some of you others come along with buying yours |
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Monday June 5, 2006 3:05 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Weeeeellll, to tell the truth, there are some very good, honest breeders who care for their birds more than, or at least as much as their money, but I think that most of them are in it for money & will sell to the first one with the cash!
I know your heart is set on getting one now, but like Bih says, your time will come! Please don't settle for something you don't want! Don't walk into a pet store & buy one of those like you mentioned above!
Have you done internet searches for breeders in your state? |
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Tuesday June 6, 2006 2:18 am |
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