I just got happy - REAL HAPPY

[Mum2rory]

Hey guys, after a few weeks of sad/bad things happening in my life, I just got happy again. I looked up our Trading Post and there was a quaker for sale. I rang and enquired about him. I had actually rung up about another one last week, but got no return phone call.
This is what I know
male, blue, 7mths old, current "owner" has allergies and doctor told her to get rid of bird, has an unprouncible name (Chiko for short), she got him then immediately went overseas, somebody else cared for him, no time was spent with him, then she came back and now has to re-home him. He is not tame, unsocialised, lives in a smallish cage with no toys & dowel perches, but inside house. How could I not take him?
He will be joining my flock on Thursday as I have to drive over an hour to get there. Then the fun begins (after quarantine) Question - with quarantine. I know to keep separated from current flock, wash hands, change clothes etc, but can they be in same room? We have quite a large open plan area, and I want the new guy in the thick of it all, like the others but not with the others yet. So distance wise, is it ok to have in same area (The area consists of - kitchen, meals, lounge and family, current flock in meals area, the furtherest part away would be family area, approx 6-7 metres. Then there is the a-vet check but is it ok to let him settle for a few days after such a long drive and life change, before I put back in the car for 40min drive to a-vet? Waiting is providing he shows no sings of illness. I am so darned excited, finally something good to look forward to.
I know I have my work cut out, but I do have plenty of time and patience and LOVE to give this little guy- when he wants it. He will set the pace as I am sure he feels very insecure and lonely. Poor guy, he is not going to know what hit him when he gets to my mad-house LOL. Hope he likes noise and constant activity. No matter how it goes, he has a home here for as long as I have breath in me, he is a keeper, whether he tames down or not, he aint going nowhere. Now to tell hubby, although he did say we could get another birdy after Rory flew away and we accepted that the chances of getting him back were very slim. I still cannot bring myself to get another tiel, tho I love them dearly, such cute little fluff-buts, one day tho. Sorry, will stop rambling now. Excitement, excitement. Can you tell I am excited?

[Cage Cleaner]

Absolutely CANNOT be in the same room. That would completely defeat the purpose of quarantine. Ideally, quarantine = not only a separate room, but a separate room with a separate entrance AS WELL as a separate air supply.

The point is to keep air-born pathogens that could be coming from the new bird from your current flock, as well as of course the other pathogens that could be spread on contact.

If you cannot provide this, consider keeping the bird at someone else's house who doesn't also have birds.

Ideally, a vet visit would be scheduled before bringing the bird home, with whatever tests you can pay for/is recommended. This list probably would include chlamydia, beak and feather, etc. This way you know at least the current state of health of the bird, and have the test results on the way. You could also ask about quarantine tips at this time, too.

If the bird was the only bird in its past home, then risk is lower.

Keep it apart from your current flock for 40 days, to give most diseases time to become symptomatic.

Congratulations on the new little guy.

[liz]

Ditto all of the above. Congradulations.

I still say Rory is out being a cockatiel with a flock. (I caught a wild goose that had to stay at the vets for a month. When I got it back I took it to it's original place. It stayed wih me for a while then started calling. I didn't hear a response at first then saw a flock coming. It was coming to claim the stray.)

You would have to consider your new bird a rescue. He needs you and you don't want someone else to get him and keep him in a little cage with no toys because they got him that way. It will be an adventure for you both.

If possible keep him in a room close enough that he can hear the other bird. They will start calling to each other.

[Mum2rory]

Malakai Update. I went over and picked him up on Thursday 13th Oct. I arrived at 10.20am. The lady was in her pyjamas, the quaker cage was still covered, there was NO food or water in the cage - huh!. The cage was tiny (I reckon it would fit in his new cage 6-7 times). His wings are hacked. We were talking (she was very hard to undrstand, poor english, thick accent) She said the bird bites, not trained, makes her cough (but she is going to get a cockatiel), he is a boy cos he is very big quaker, she is going overseas, nobody to care for him etc etc. He has not bitten me, even tho he doesnt really like being handled too much. Her meaning of not trained is "he doesnt talk". Her first quaker was killed by her dog (she let bird out in morning, forgot about it, went to work, came home, dead bird, killed by dog - what!!!????)
Monday 17th Oct, went to certified a-vet. Got him fully checked out. He was also tested for chlamydia and dna sexed (I dont care about the sex, but she said it is best to know for his vet records/future medical care) She also notated his leg band number. Will find out results next week. Vet looked at his wings and said "OH no, Oh dear" She later said "this is terrible". She did clip a little off the left wing to try and stop him from spiralling. He also had a bruise on his chest from where he has crash-landed. I hope he moults soon, so he can get his feathers back. The vet actually said he is a little quaker at 102gm (s/b 100-110gm)
His previous diet was terrible - a very cheap brand of bird seed. I have to get him to eat pellets and fruit and vegs. We are working on that and things are looking up in this department. Made birdy bread today. Will sprout seed tomorrow. Have also given him a couple of mist showers and I swear he is getting bluer. I reckon he has never had a shower and he was dirty. Will try and post a pic of him. He shows up green, but he is blue. And I have REMOVED the toy in pic due to loose threads.
Sorry, will have to go read up on how to post pic. Post pic soon

[Mum2rory]

this is the photo that was on trading Post. the one i took is too big so will need to learn how to downsize it so it fits.

Malakie Photo

Malakai.jpg (10.72 KiB) Viewed 3845 times

[Zanizaila]

Thumbs up to you for taking in this bird - and I sure hope she doesn't get that cockatiel.

[liz]

It sounds like Chico was a "throw away" like Myrtle. He knows where he has been. As soon as he realizes he is in "the house with good food" he wil bond to you fast.

Congradulations and thank you for saving yet another baby.

[laducockatiel]

Great, he looks beautiful!

Good on ya for taking him in, I'm sure he is settling in well and bonding to you.

[Cage Cleaner]

Sounds exciting. You two have lots of fun!