New to Senegals

[arcxylem]

So I finally decided to get a Senegal and put the deposit on one yesterday. It'll be about a month before I am able to take her home, so I wanted to get as much information regarding home environment issues as possible. I've done research on Senegals, but I haven't asked many environment questions.

For example, will having my radio alarm go off at 7am cause her to freak out?

Will she be very dusty? (I've had a few cockatiels in the past and they were pretty darn dusty [although I know Senegals are nowhere near as dusty since they don't have that flaky layer crested birds do] I want to have an idea as to whether or not I need to get a HEPA air purifier)

Will watching TV cause her to become overly vocal? She will be living in my room, thus what I see/hear she will see/hear.

Will she be more territorial as time goes on (since she is a female and may take the cage to be her nest)?

Thanks!

[danforth3]

I too just put a deposit on a sweet Senegal.

One: They are not known for their noise. So I do not think he will be overly stimulated by the TV. My birds are in the living room and they are never over stimulated by the TV and their noise is not louder because of it.

Two. They are not dusty like tiels, so I do not think a HEPA filter will be needed.

Three: You can reduce territorialism by constantly changing the interior of her cage as well as move the the cage a little bit every month or so.

[LMPego]

Yeah! I love my Senegal. I'm so jealous you get babies!
Your bird should not be startled by the alarm, but I would shut your bedroom door just in case.
Senegals are not dusty, but an air purifier is good for both you and your bird.
Some birds like TV, some don't. You'll have to experiment to see if anything bothers him or her. Cory loves most of the shows on PBS kids - Sesame Street, TeleTubbies, etc. She likes to sit with me and watch TV, but usually is not interested in what's on the TV (except yesterday she was fascinated by Suze Orman - go figure).
Since she's young, just keep her used to having your hands in and around the cage. A lot of times that prevents cage territoriality. Just do it with respect to her space. If she's in the cage and clearly doesn't want to be bothered, then leave her alone. Otherwise, keep her used to hands in to change food and water, toys, cleaning, etc.
Most important - no Teflon, no aerosols, no scented candles - but you know that, right?

[Featheredangel]

I see this was posted in Feb...so you probably already have a good idea of what to expect from your new baby. I breed Senegals, and really see them as a typical African parrot...a bit aloof and normally not considered screamers, like some other parrot types. With only one to 5 parrots, the dander won't be too big a problem for you. I have bred most parrot types over the last 20+ years and with 100 or so birds..I do see dander problems with certain species..but Senegals are not bad.

They do chew wood with great gusto! Especially during nesting, which won't be an issue for you, but they do appreciate wooden toys for chewing as pet birds also. She will adjust to your routine if she is socially hand reared and will become acclimated to your life style. Some will depend on her personality, as with all living creatures, you cannot make "cookie-cutter" comments about them...they will differ somewhat from bird to bird..but she should be fine after learning the routine in your home.

Offer her fresh veggies, brown rice, pinto beans and corn...they also adore most fruits. NO apple seeds..or avocado...chocolate or caffeine which makes sense. I personally have burned candles around birds for 40 years, and never lost a single one..but some have issues with it.

Best wishes as you begin your relationship with your baby...you will no doubt soon see why parrots are addictive... hard to have just one!! But it always starts that way!! My husband finally realized after over 35 years of marriage, that I just come with birds!
Brenda in Ks.
Feathered Angel Aviary
featheredangel@hotmail.com

Originally Posted by arcxylem

So I finally decided to get a Senegal and put the deposit on one yesterday. It'll be about a month before I am able to take her home, so I wanted to get as much information regarding home environment issues as possible. I've done research on Senegals, but I haven't asked many environment questions.

For example, will having my radio alarm go off at 7am cause her to freak out?

Will she be very dusty? (I've had a few cockatiels in the past and they were pretty darn dusty [although I know Senegals are nowhere near as dusty since they don't have that flaky layer crested birds do] I want to have an idea as to whether or not I need to get a HEPA air purifier)

Will watching TV cause her to become overly vocal? She will be living in my room, thus what I see/hear she will see/hear.

Will she be more territorial as time goes on (since she is a female and may take the cage to be her nest)?

Thanks!

[Featheredangel]

Originally Posted by danforth3

I too just put a deposit on a sweet Senegal.

One: They are not known for their noise. So I do not think he will be overly stimulated by the TV. My birds are in the living room and they are never over stimulated by the TV and their noise is not louder because of it.

Two. They are not dusty like tiels, so I do not think a HEPA filter will be needed.

Three: You can reduce territorialism by constantly changing the interior of her cage as well as move the the cage a little bit every month or so.

I have a pair of Senegals with chicks, and after breeding parrots for more than 20+ years, I finally have Senegals...my question is this:
do you mind telling me what prices you have found to be typical this season for hand fed chicks (weaned of course)?? I breed B/G Macaws, Pacific Parrotlets, Tiels, Lovies, many Conures and Too's over the years...but not the Poicephalus..thanks so much,
Brenda in Ks.
Feathered Angel Aviary
featheredangel@hotmail.com