Adjustment time to new home?

[Dusty73085]

Hello All,

I found a great breeder who is really super nice, and she has a number of GCCs that I am interested in going to see.

I just have a few worries/questions for you all that Im hoping some of you can answer with what you have experienced.

The birds range in age from 6-8 months, and are kept in averies outside. They do get human interaction everyday and are well socialized.

I am kinda concerned that getting a bird that is a bit older than a baby (just weaned) and lives in a significantly larger cage might cause some behavioral issues once brought home. IE screaming while I am at work or just getting frustrated with the space limitation it will suddenly be placed in (I will most likely be getting the HQ flight cage everyone recommends.) Not to mention the loss of all of its companions and being placed inside, rather than a nice outdoor cage.

What do you think?

Am I getting overly nervous for no reason? I just want my new baby to be happy and healthy.

Thanks!

[Greycloud]

Wow! That is a good question/concern. As soon as I read that they were kept in an outside aviary but well solialised a little red flag went up. But, I just may be overthinking. I do agree it is a real concern. The bird is used to unconfined surroundings both outside and inside of it's cage. Putting the bird in the flight cage is a nice cage and the bird may enjoy having it's own abode, so to speak. I think you may have to start with a wing clip, I'm sure I may hear about that. But this bird uses flight to escape an uncontrolable situation. So it may use that escape when trying to train it. I think if the bird is offered enough out of cage time it should settle nicely for you. See how socialised they are. Let us know.

[pippy]

Originally Posted by Greycloud

But this bird uses flight to escape an uncontrolable situation. So it may use that escape when trying to train it.

Surely though taking away the bird's only means of escape will make the bird more afraid, not less? Is there not any other way of gaining the bird's trust?

Even if I were a fan of clipping, surely to do so to ensure a bird is unable to get away from you when afraid is the ultimate act of cruelty?

[Dusty73085]

I trust that enough time is spent with the birds. There are nothing but five stars on her page on breederboard. A ton actually! (EMR Exotic Birds in CA)

I'm just worried going from a nice out door cage to a smaller indoor one might be too much stress for it. I think I will go and see them either way, just so I can compare her birds to others.

I feel like I am stressing and worrying too much and it's making me nervous! :blush:

[Dusty73085]

Originally Posted by pippy

Surely though taking away the bird's only means of escape will make the bird more afraid, not less? Is there not any other way of gaining the bird's trust?

Even if I were a fan of clipping, surely to do so to ensure a bird is unable to get away from you when afraid is the ultimate act of cruelty?

I can understand the reasons behind why she says that clippng would be a good idea. I can imagine a bird could become scared in an unfamiliar place and then try to escape in the only means it knows how...which would be to fly, and then it could possibly injure itself.

That would be what I would fear could happen. Not that it would.

But, for now I'm not really concerned with wing clipping or not. It seems it's just about as hotly a debated topic as anything could be.

I'm just looking for a little help. :)

[Dusty73085]

I am going to just go and check out all the birds she has and interact with them while I pick her brains. Who knows, my future fid might be waiting for me there! :)

O! She has all of her birds sexed before she sells them, so I'm going to be looking at boys...mainly because I haven't found a girl name that I like. I'm in love with the name Monty, so I'm thinking a boy will be in my future.

[Congobongo]

Just take the leap of faith and go from there. I am sure I have dealt with bigger issues than yours and I was successful.

Just go for it.

[Greycloud]

Pippy, I knew the statement might stir some pots. I don't want this to turn into a debate as this is not what this thread is about. I would be on your side anyway. Both my birds are fully flighted. I was just commenting that the GCC is probably very adapt at flying to escape. Yes, there are many ways to get around it. It will take some experimentation.