New to your Forum, and need advice

[Julia]

Hi there! I am currently the owner of a Cockatiel named Kellen, we think she is a she, of about 3 years. I have been here a few times just to see what people say about their birds to see how she compares, to normal birds haha. She would probably say that she owns us and that may be true. I've also been here because my family has been interested in a Green Cheek Conure and so this site has helped me with research on lots of topics. You all seem like a friendly helpful group, so here I am to ask for your advice.

Below I am pasting an email I sent out earlier today to a bird rescue site near my house.:

We were contacted by my cockatiel's boarding house a couple weeks ago(cool place she stays when we go on vacation), who is helping the owner of "Max" the Green Cheek Conure find a new home because the current apartment they live in does not allow pets. I've responded that I was interested, and have made a trip out to visit the owner and Max and all was fine. Max is very sweet, and he hopped up on my hand and up to my shoulder right away. Was showing off with his strut that they do! So I was smitten!

We currently have a cockatiel so the thing we were aware of a possible problem is if the new parrot and our cockatiel would not get along when they are out of their cages. The agreement was that we could take Max for one month, and see how everything goes. Now somehow, no one seems to know how, Max injured his leg somewhere. This happened last Saturday one day before he was going to come to our home. He was taken to the vet by his current owner, and we understand that the injury is somewhere far up his leg that it will need an x-ray to find out what the problem is. Problem is if it is broken or fractured, the only thing to do is wait for it to heal so, so far no x-ray. They did give antibiotics which he was taking.

Now it is a little over a week later and the owner has been in contact with me almost every day. Max is still not really using his foot other than to scratch his face. He does not use it to stand on, and he is not using it to eat. He wasn't talking for a few days, but now he is being vocal. Also, he slept in late after the first day, but every day after that he wakes up at his normal time about 6:30 am. Julie, the current owner sent me a message today that she thinks that this injury is permanent. She wanted to know how I stand as far as the adoption?

My reaction to Julie's message is that I am ok with taking Max, even if that will require extra work to care for him. Asked my husband and wow, I feel very lucky because he says that he is ok with it too. We all suspect that Max will heal up just fine. But in the meantime I have all these questions! I have been reading about GCC as a breed, and have been preparing for possible conflict between our current Cocatiel.

If this injury is permanent I don't really know what it will take to take care of him. The reason why I'm contacting you is if anyone knows about this, you will. What kind of advice do you give to people who adopt a special needs bird? How do they eat real food without the foot? Would I have to puree the food? I would get tired standing on one foot all day, how will he cope? He is very attached to the current owner. I worry that the stress from being moved will stress him out too much, but if he has to move what choice is there?

I will see an avian vet and it's possible that I will get the x-ray just to know exactly what's wrong. I don't sit easily with just not knowing what a problem is.

Thank you in advance for any words of advice you may have.
-Julia

That's it. I am right this minute texting with the owner and I get the feeling she doesn't want to let her Max go. I tell her I'm fine with anything. Meanwhile I spin my wheels with these questions.

[pennyandrocky]

i don't think eating will be an issue my rarely eats with his feet and he loves food.when you introduce the birds do it in a nuetral area away from toys,cages and play areas. the favorite person of the should avoid contact with the while the 2 are meeting most birds do not like to share what they feel belongs to them with a newcomer but once they settle in it should go fine.

[marie83]

It sounds like you will make a really good owner for this little green cheek. I have both a green cheek and had several cockatiels (only 1 at the mo). The green cheeks can be quite bossy, overly confident etc whereas tiels are alot more laid back so there may be conflict/bullying issues. Introduce them slowly and always supervise them and you should be fine. We have to keep ollie (gcc)away from harlie(tiel) as he is fascinated by her crest and just wants to chomp on it and she is scared of him.

The green cheek will be able to eat fine but may struggle with big chunks of hard food if he cannot hold it in his foot, they are very clever and adaptable.
Is there any way you can take the bird for a vet check independantly before commiting to taking him? Of course that will be at your expense, even if you don't end up taking him on.

If he is only able to use one leg to stand on you will need to provide soft areas, maybe a happy hut or a rope or other soft perch, maybe even a shelf perch so he can take a rest and prevent pressure sores (bumblefoot) on his good foot. If he cannot land very well then you may also need to provide a few ladders etc to enable him to move about more freely by climbing as it may put him off of flying if he cant land properly.

[Julia]

Thank you for the advice of how to introduce the two parrots! I suppose he will figure out the food part. Maybe I can help with putting it on a kabob or food gripper of some sort...

[Julia]

If he is only able to use one leg to stand on you will need to provide soft areas, maybe a happy hut or a rope or other soft perch, maybe even a shelf perch so he can take a rest and prevent pressure sores (bumblefoot) on his good foot. If he cannot land very well then you may also need to provide a few ladders etc to enable him to move about more freely by climbing as it may put him off of flying if he cant land properly.

Thank you! I knew it'd be a good idea to come here. Never thought about the landing part.

[liz]

Eating won't be a problem. When Myrtle came to me she did not know to pick up her food. She just put her face in the dish and chomped away.

My kids sleep on one foot. The only problem I see is the standing on one foot to reach for something. If he can scratch his head he might be able to do it.

If he is flighted he will learn to land on one foot.

The only problem I see is worrying if he has pain.

The cockatiel can be an equal or dominant since it was first. You just need to remember that a new baby should not take attention from the older one.

You can do out time if you are with them. Rambo can't fly so he gets nervouse when the tiels fly around him. If one does a bad landing near him his reaction is to defend himself. He is doing better though. Myrtle opened the tiel cage and Rambo called me to tell on her. When I got to him both tiels were sitting near him.

[Julia]

I can imagine if I was the new bird and had a bad leg, I would want to mask my pain. On top of that, his mommy is gone. Then there is this dominant (and bossy) cockatiel, who's been here longer than him.. I will keep the cockatiel on her regular schedule, on her regular perch and introduce Max slowly.

Thanks again, this puts me back on to my original worry of how they will get along! =) hehe

seriously, I do appreciate your advice!

[liz]

Cockatiels are not pushy. That is why he needs to feel dominant and you will have to help him.