Baby Bird PLEASE Help!!

[midlandhippy]

Hello all, my name is Brody and I live in the UK. In a weeks time I will be getting my first bird. He will be a 28day old Blue Quaker. (Un-weaned) To put your minds at rest I have been working with the breeder for 3months on handrearing a baby quaker and the agreement was that only when 'he' was comfortable I was able to do this unsupervised he would sell me a baby. That time has now come and i'm very excited

Although my breeder 'Steve' has 15 years breeding experience he does only breed the birds and does not keep them as pets so my many questions to him on training/taming etc have been left unanswered. This is where I'm hoping you guys will help )

As i've said he will be 28days old when I have him and so not fully weaned until 10 - 12 weeks (on all food including pellets)
So my question is, at what age should I begin target training? (should I do it while still syringe feeding him, getting him to touch the stick before I give the feed, even if it means me putting the stick to his beak)
If the answer to the above is yes, should I also start using the clicker when he is eating the food I supply?

I know some people disagree with handrearing a baby bird and I respect your opinion but please also respect mine. I am doing this to ensure a bond with myself. If all goes to plan my little bird will be extremely loved and have an amazing life as I work from home so can give him lots of attention. My father also owns a gym so I will be able to free fly him regularly in a safe environment.

Any help would be extremely appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

xxxx

[rebeccaturpeinen]

Congratulations with your new baby!!!

I do not have any experienced with young uned birds so I'm afraid I can not answer you question... my guess would be that he is too young while you are still feeding him.

I'm sure someone more qualified will answer your question But good for you for finding this forum, it's a great source of information.

[laducockatiel]

Hi mate, well recently I bought a hand tame cockatiel which was 3 weeks old wen I bought him/her. I trained flight recall first, as he got attached to me quick and flew to me wen I called him. He is 5 months old now and I haven't taught him target trained him yet, still perfectin recall.

Back to ur question, u cud teach him target training as soon as u get him, but remember, be patient as he is only a baby.

Good luck,

Laducockatiel

[liz]

The only hand feeding I have done is with wild birds when I find a baby and no nest or parents.

It is a non stop stressful experience.

They call when they want food and they want food all the time. The parent birds don't fly at night so when it gets dark the bird will sleep but the baby will start calling before dawn.

Good luck and keep in touch.

[PapayaTheConure]

Not that I am challenging your opinion but buying a un-weaned bird will NOT ensure a closer bond. In fact, it will ensure quite the opposite . Think about it this way, you are the bird's parent who feeds it lovingly. Once the bird has fledged, it will fly away from your "nest" and look for a mate; thus, completely forgetting about you. It will bond with someone else in your household. Nature's way of preventing incest. Consider changing your mind about purchasing the quaker.

Papaya-

[liz]

I have found that any adult animal that you rescue will bond to you with love and care. The resued ones know where they have been and are grateful to you.

[theparrotletdude]

I don't know much about target training but do not use a clicker. it may confuse the bird & slow down the training process and verbal praise ("Good job" Smart bird") is a bit easier for the mom/dad of the bird.