Some good news and a bite

[BobNY]

It looks like the time to bring home our little TAG is getting closer.
He (or she) is at the point where he isn't really taking much formula. He plays with it more than he eats it. The guy at the pet store said we can take him any time, but I think I want to wait a bit. The girl I usually talk to wasn't there today. I definitely want her opinion before we take him home.
Tuesday I am going to go in at feeding time, and they are going to teach me to feed the formula, as they said (and I have read here) that they tend to regress when they go to their new home.
How will I know if that is the case, and I need to give him formula?

While we were visiting with him today he gave my wife a nice bite on the hand. She did good, and didnt make a big deal of it. We had read that it is best to try to ignore the bite, and not give the bird a reaction. It definitely hurt her though. It drew a little blood. That does make me a bit nervous about our daughter handling him. This is his first bite to us. I am hoping that once he is in our home he will get to know and trust us better. Hopefully the bites will be kept to a minimum.

The DNA sample was sent out yesterday. Hopefully the beginning of next week we will know weather we have a boy or girl. My gut tells me he is a boy.
We will see.
We havent thought of many names yet. So far this is what we have.
Boy: Zak, Cody, or Jake.
Girls: Isaballa, or Shelby.
These are just some that we have thought of. We may not use any of them.

So thats my update for the week
I cant wait until the updates are about expiriences with him in our home!!

[Lisa B]

congrats,,,,,

The biting issue can be worked on.Remeber with him still being in the store, he still might be a bit nervous of hands...when he gets home he should settle in well.
thanks for the update!

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Congrats. Can't wait till your babies home & get updates & photos. Crystal

[little_angels]

i wouldnt worry too much about the biting thing my grey was doing that when i went to see him...but the second i took him home and he was happy he just calmed right down!
btw i love the name shelby!!! if i thought ours was a girl id call him that!! lol

[The Outlaw]

Bob:

Sorry about the bite. Keep some Preparation H cream handy. Just rub it on the bite and it will numb the pain and also reduce the swelling. Its the price we pay for not understanding bird language (LOL). I'm not so sure a TAG was a great choice for a family pet as far as children go. Though generally sweet natured, they really are more adult friendly. The frantic nature of kids can be a bit overwhelming for them. However, they are wonderful little birds. I have one myself and I've had her for 5 years.

You'll know if your baby bird needs to be handfed if it cries everytime you enter a room and squats and begs for food. Its essential that you monitor what it eats and drinks for the first few weeks. Sometimes, they just play with their food and don't really consume very much. I suggest for new bird owners to weigh their food before you offer it and again after they are finished eating. Include whatever they drop to the cage floor. You should have a gram scale already to monitor the weight of your new baby bird, so its no big deal. You can then get an accurate measurement of how much the baby is actually eating.

[Lordian]

Bob it seems a lot of times CAG/TAG pick a person to bond to. Thats the person they trust the most and allow to handle them. In our house Zoey has chosen me.

My wife can only hold Zoey if I take her away (into another room) from her bedroom (cage). I have to then sat Zoey down on the coffee table and leave the room. If Zoey can hear/see me she will not allow the wife to hold her. Atleast this way the wife still gets a little bonding time with her.

CAG/TAG I dont believe are suitable for children. Of course there are always those rare cases.

[BirdFace]

I'm not an expert, but my experience with our baby was to just watch and respect her moods. My 10 yr old would just run up to her and pet her whenever she felt like it which resulted in a few good chomps. Now my daughter approaches more slowly, talks to her and "checks" before offering a scratch or step up.

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Bob: I'm not so sure a TAG was a great choice for a family pet as far as children go. Though generally sweet natured, they really are more adult friendly.

[quote=Lordian CAG/TAG I dont believe are suitable for children. Of course there are always those rare cases.[/QUOTE]

Just curious, which birds would you consider for a household with kids.

[BobNY]

Just to clarify... I am not buying this bird for my daughter. It is for us as a family. I dont think that is what you guy's thought, but just incase.
My daughter has handled the bird at the store and does great with him. She understands how to approach the bird, and how hold it. The bird does step up to her and is perfectly fine when she is holding it (so far).
That said.... She will of coarse not be allowed to handle the bird when my wife or I aren't with her.
The bird has been a model citizen with us up until that bite. I know that they will sometimes do that. It definately took all my wife had not to react to the bite. That made me think how my daughter would react if that happened to her. She held the bird after that, so it didn't scare her off.

Thanks again,

[CALVINS MOM]

Hey Bob - haven't heard from you. What's new with the baby? When are you bringing him home?

[BobNY]

Hey Kathie,
He's not ready yet. He is still taking some formula. The evening feeding he mostly just plays with the syringe, but he is taking formula in the morning.
I sure wish he would hurry up!! LOL.
I have been collecting toy's in the mean time. I think I am going to order a manzanita tree for hom this week. I still need to buy a new scale. I have a regular gram scale, but I want one of those that comes with a pirch.
I think he know's that the longer he takes to be ready to come home the more stuff I will collect for him before he arrives :)
He was hatched in May. Do they usually go much longer that 6 months to be weaned? Also am I correct in thinking I should give him a week at the store after being weaned?
I haven't received the result from the DNA test yet, but my gut tells me he is a boy. We'll see. I may call monday to see if they have the results.