Bringing home baby

[TikusMom]

Okay, Tiku is still working on finishing weaning, and his arrival date is drawing ever closer!!! Needless to say I'm getting ancy! LOL!

I was wondering if any of you guys had advice for how to settle a new bird into his new home and what are some ways I can make his transition as easy for him as possible.
He will have a long day of flight time to get from PA to MO, then I plan to take him straight to the vet and get that out of the way so that once he comes home he can take his time to adjust and I don't have to uproot him again just to take him for his check up....if that makes any sense to anybody.

What can I do to help him settle, and let him know that I want to be his best friend? I've got a bad case of the new mommy jitters!
TIA for any advice!

[loyallyroyal]

I would just bring him home, and let him settle for a couple of hours. And make sure he gets some good sleep that night. I was worried about the same thing bringing my ekkie home, left him alone that afternoon in his cage with food and water, said good night, opened the door that morning and he has been into EVERYTHING ever since.

[Tom Lawless]

Yeah, the first day let him recover from all of his travels and travails. I don't think it would hurt to sit by his cage and talk quietly and reassuringly to him but I wouldn't put him in the middle of a lot of action. Try to read his mood. I'm not sure what kind of attention he was used to at the breeder's but he may need to be held and petted if the breeder gave them a lot of human contact like that. When I brought Bing home I was fully prepared to leave him alone that whole first evening but I was the only familiar thing to him because I used to visit him nearly every day. He was kind of sad not being around other birds and being in a strange cage instead of a big, open bird room so I was holding him that evening while watching t.v. I didn't follow the 'leave them alone rule for the first day or first few days'. I'm not saying that's not good advice but there is no hard and fast rule that works perfectly in every situation so be open to both possibilities.

Now I'll turn the forum over to someone who is probably more qualified to offer advice.

[LoveMyBeak]

Ya same thing here, Hannah didnt want to stay in her cage for long after getting here so I got her out and started to handle her, she warmed right up to me but that is because I visited her a lot and also she is a very well socialized bird. Before you know it Tiku will be running your house and you as well, get used to it cause that is going to be the case probably for the rest of your life having that bird around.........LMB

[TikusMom]

Thanks guys! I'm so worried that I'm gonna mess up! My cockatiel Jingles came from a local breeder, and my other tiel Smokey Joe was a re-home so I've never had a baby come to our household from half way across the country! I just want to make sure everything is perfect and that he gets properly settled in.
I've already got so many toys for him (yeah, daily Tiku toy excursions) that range from destructable, chewable, shredable toys to mind puzzles, foraging and indestructable toys as well. I've got his cage all set up and ready where he can be part of the family and watch tv if he wants (I also have a large black "blanket" to cover him with so he can sleep), plus several different play stands throughout the house so he can be with me virtually everywhere......<sigh>

The breeder is absolutely awesome with all his birds! They all get lots of socialization and family time which is why I was so impressed with this aviary and bought Tiku from him. He's always sending me photos of Tiku and updating me on how he's doing.
I thank you all for your help and advice! you guys are great!
God Bless