Advice on new Moluccan (LONG)

[lilkelley]

We are bringing our rehomed M2 home tomorrow. My fiancee and I both have years of experience in the vet world, various bird experience, he is a forever student of sociology, and I teach middle school (with years of behavior modification working with students with emotional disturbance). My former students also hit, bit, screamed nonstop and self mutilated at times, so I figure I have some on the job experience I can apply to a M2!!

Pablo is a 17 year old, thought to be male, Moluccan. We will be his third and final home. The family that is rehoming him with us has had him for five years. He was living in a small cage out in the backyard of his previous owners- very neglected. He now has an appropriate sized cage, but doesn't get out much. The family has several birds: male eclectus, african grey, goffin cockatoo, yellow nape amazon, a cockatiel, and a parakeet. There is much screaming between the eclectus and Pablo. They are side by side and set off from sight from the other birds.

The man seems a bit frightened of Pablo and never lets him out of the cage. He says Pablo becomes VERY dominate. His wife will open the door and give Pablo scratches half in and half out. She says she lets him out occasionally. Pablo was very affectionate to me, if the man was not in the room. If the man is in the room Pablo becomes a bit more agitated, but responds the man talking to him. My fiancee was also able to give him some treats from outside the cage, but Pablo kept his distance and wouldn't let me scratch him with either man in the area. The man seems concerned about getting Pablo into a carrier, but his wife thinks we may be alright.

Pablo needs beak, wing, and nail trim. We have an appointment at a local avian specialist tomorrow. My concern is that Pablo will already be traumatized by the transfer to a carrier. Are we better off taking him directly to the vet, or should we give him a month or so to acclimate to our home? I have no other birds so we are not concerned with introducing disease to an established flock. Pablo is a plucker, has some down, but pretty naked on his chest. The eclectus next to him was also a plucker, and seems another bird at the home is a plucker. I am probably going to run a blood panel to see where he is at this point.

I would like to take it slowly with him, and let him get to know us all. We are keeping a schedule even on the weekends for free time (mostly in the evening) and cage time. I would like for him to have a separate sleeping cage in a quiet room, while keeping his large cage in the family room. Eventually he will have play stands in each room we frequent. My neighbor is my pet sitter, so he will get to know her before she has to feed for us. For now, he will have his large cage until we have him to the point of being taken out and handled regularly.

What is your advice on the vet trip- get it over with or wait until he trusts us? Also, any other nuggets of wisdom? I've lurked here, done research on the M2s, and have waited over 20 years to get one. We have a mixed species home: humans, canines, felines, and a pig. His family now has the same mix, except a goat. They have tried to place him for several months, but no one met their criteria. I want Pablo to have the best life he can in our home. I appreciate your input!

Kelley

[Lori~D]

What I do. Carrier ...Covered...straight to vet get it done and then go home to new home and start over. I like to get it out of the way and not be the "bad guy". So I dont like to be in the room for the exam. Done and then no more for a looong loooong time.

[jaded1313]

I agree. My moluccan throws the biggest fit if I'm in the room with her when she's getting anything done ('why aren't you helping me attack them mom?') *but* my umbrella is actually calmer with me in the room, like knowing that I'm there for her. So its getting to know your bird and figuring out what works for them. Zoey (M2), I let them take her in the back and I watch and listen from afar, where she can't see me. For Sadie (U2), I'm right there to comfort her and let her know she's ok. That's what works best for them. The others haven't been in often enough (yet) for me to know their preferences- but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
For your first time, just get it in and get it done- then lots of bonding time. For the next time you might stay and see if he freaks more with you there or not. GoodLuck!

[Greycloud]

I am the parront of an older rehomed U2. He hated women,yet is very bonded to me since I am his caretaker. When I brought him home I left him alone for about 2 weeks. It was hard. I would treat him thru the bars and sit and read and sing to him. Then in about 2 weeks after he gets to trust you, start opening his cage door. You have to take it slow. Or eveything can go bad from the beginning. Congrats and send pics!

[lilkelley]

Thank you all for your advice. I hated having to be in the room with my YC Macaw. She would run to me for rescue after they were done. I can't wait to post pictures, but please excuse his bare chest. I hope it is able to grow back.

We have told family and friends that we are adopting a 17 year old boy with a pink mohawk named Pablo. They are speechless until we tell them it is a Moluccan. They think we are nuts. "One more thing to make noise... Y'all are crazy."

[Greycloud]

Crazy makes the world go round. It helps keep us sane!

[chinniechantel]

Congrats on the new addition! I think you will be just fine, it sounds like you have patience which is the most important thing. I think you should bring him to the vet right away, that is what I did with our new baby and it worked out great. Then he also hopefully doesn't hate us and think we did it to him, maybe now he will think that we saved him from that evil man with the nail clippers! If you need any moluccan help, I am here. They are amazing animals and should be cherished and loved unconditionally, I am so glad to see a moluccan get a great forever home like they deserve.

[lilkelley]

Thanks again to all that replied. We are about to leave to go get him. I will post this afternoon/evening about our adventure.

[silvercb67]

Can't wait to hear all about it! cONGRATS!