Hello everyone!
As this is my very first post (big moment for me) I'd like to start by thanking you all, both the experts, who have undoubtedly gotten calloused fingers from all their great advice and the beginners for all their updates and questions. I have learned a lot from you all.
Now you can probably derive from the title that this post is about a parrot, not unlike many other posts on this forum. In this case, in two days I am going to pick up my new friend, Quinn, from the breeder. Quinn is a Senegal Parrot, which is also how I found out about this forum. (Seriously, try YouTubing 'senegal parrot' and not seeing Michael and Kili pop up everywhere on your screen )
I have spent the last two months eagerly anticipating and preparing myself. I have watched most of The Parrot Wizard's YouTube channel, read his book, blog articles and perused most of the forums here. I even picked up a few books on parrot health, anatomy and common diseases and other ailments. I therefore feel that on a theoretical level, I am quite prepared. I also think that, similar to war, most plans do not survive the first contact with the enemy, or in this case, the parrot. I am therefore eager to seek out some of the more experienced parrot owners for tips and tricks.
Quinn will be six weeks old when I will pick him/her up. I know this is quite young, but I believe I have found a good breeder who has given me lots of information about taking care for this young bird. I also found an avian vet really close to me, just in case, and of course to get Quinn checked out asap.
The main thing I'd like to focus on now is the cage. The breeder told me the bird is still too young for a cage and will have its own special house thingy. However, I was very anxious, and yes, I may have gotten a bit carried away, but anyway I spent some time repurposing an outdoor cage that used to belong to two cockatiels. The cage has been quite thorougly disinfected and cleaned, together with everything in it.
(The cockatiels, my first birds, have sadly made a desperate bid for freedom a few months back. This is to say that they were outside in their cage, to enjoy a bit of sunshine when the cage, another model, really meant for inside use, fell over because of the wind and burst open. Result: no more cockatiels.)
I think it is fair to say that I have definitely learned from my mistake(s). After all, I erred in more ways than just allowing those birds outside in an apparently faulty cage. By attentively reading Michael's blog and book I realised that I had made several rookie mistakes, such as reinforcing bad behaviour (giving attention to screaming), putting the cockatiels on freefeed, and generally not being aware of their potential for training and tameness.
With the arrival of Quinn I am determined not to make the same mistakes and to try and raise a baby Senegal following the principles in Michael's book to achieve a happy, healthy companion for what will hopefully be a very, very long time. That being said I am quite sure I will regularly have questions for you or maybe I am just too excited and simply have to share a parrot related story, in which case I hope you will indulge me.
As I said I wanted to focus on the cage. I'd be delighted to get some feedback, tips and tricks about it. Do you think there are enough toys? Or too many? What about the perches? Do you think the cage is safe and so on?
I am looking forward to your advice, suggestions, tips and tricks.
Floris.
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