My baby is currently 4 weeks old. She has been DNA just a few days ago so now I know specifically which one is mine. I get to have her mid-May, just in time for my birthday! I want to upload a picture of her but I don't know how...if anyone can help me with that that would be greatly appreciated.
I pretty much have it all ready for her, and I am not a complete novice bird owner, as I have owned budgies, a lovebird, and a cockatiel. My cockatiel Kody passed away tragically about 6 months ago from Teflon poisoning...
I have a cage, it is a 32"x23" A&E cage like this one http://www.mysafebirdstore.com/img-aery2422.jpg , and I bought toys, supplies, cage cleaners, UV light, perches etc. I also bought a small pack of the food she is getting weaned on (roudybush), and a big pack of Harrison's which I will transition her onto. I also am ready to take her to my awesome board certified avian vet as soon as I get her.
My questions is, what am I missing? What else should I do, get? What should I do with the baby once I bring her home? Should I handle her? If not, how soon? When should I start training? I am not going to clip her wings and the breeder agreed not to clip her either until I get her, so I would like training to commence little by little as quickly as possible before she starts flying away from me too much.
Also, what issues could I be bumping into with the baby being around my Dove. The thing is, although I shouldn't share this, I have a wild mourning dove which I rescued in the first heavy rain of hurricane Irene. I was out walking my dog and the baby was sitting in the grass. The rain and wind was heavy so I took her home. She was at most 7 days old and I hand fed her and brought her to work with me. Anyway that is the story, and I can never take her to the vet because she is illegal to keep. Of course, if she was sick I would surrender her if I had to to get her better, but I can't take her in for a checkup before the baby gets here. I am 100% sure she has no mites though, as I handle her regularly and check her skin.
I also had a question about my breeder. While she is very nice and kindly updates me and sent me pictures, one thing that struck me is that she didn't want to take pictures of the parents while they were on the nest, because I asked her to provide pictures of the parents just so I knew what I was getting myself into. Is this strange or normal practice? She did send a few pictures of previous babies, and is willing to have me come in and look at where she breeds. I am planning on picking up the baby myself from her when she is ready, me and my boyfriend will be making a road trip out of it.
Sorry for such a long post! I have a lot to say and am very excited! Thanks a lot guys, loking forward to your responses.
Kate
