New Quaker owner

[tracyloibl]

I just got my first Quaker two days ago... his name is Dizzy (he came with that name). I was told he is about 9 years old. I have a couple questions and I am hoping someone here can give me some insight. I am not new to birds... I have a U2 and a B&G but I am new to Quakers. I have been researching their specific care needs, etc. online but it's a bit overwheming.

Here are they few things I am wondering about: First, his cage is in great shape but I would like to get him a larger one. The cage he came with is 16" deep x 22" wide x 26" high. Will that be okay for now until I can get him a new larger one? I read that they need at least 18x18x18. His is technically larger than that except for the depth of it. Regardless I will get him a new larger cage but I can't right this second because I have to spend quite a bit of money taking him to the vet this weekend. The girl that had him said that after her daughter was born she wasn't able to give him the attention that he was use too. She started having to work more and was gone more. He started plucking. She's had him for about 4 years, she rescued him from a really bad home, he's been plucking for the last 1 & 1/2 years. He is not completely bald but his feathers are thin with a few bald spots. She was hoping since I work out of my home and he can get a lot more attention that he will stop plucking. My concern is that when I got him home I realized that he is missing feathers on the back of his neck. I don't see how he can reach that to pluck so I am guessing he is plucking and also maybe just loosing feathers for some reason. My last question, Dizzy does this weird chirping when I am petting him, he fluffs up and kind of sits back on his perch and it seems like he's rubbing 'himself' against his perch. All of that tells me it's somekind of breeding/sexual thing. Am I correct? His previous owner doesn't know for sure if he is a he... she just assumes so because when he is in his cage he also rubs 'himself' again the perch even when no one is petting him. How should I handle that when I am petting him? I have yet to take him out of his cage until after his vet appt. on Saturday. I have him isolated from my other birds and I wash my hands very very well after I have had any contact with him. I don't want to hold him and have him on my clothes incase he has something that could affect my other birds.

Any insight would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

Tracy

[Monica]

Personally, I'd recommend an HQ/A&E/Centurion Flight Cage or a cage that is 32 x 23. These cages can usually be found within the price range of $75-$200, sometimes a little more.

As for the petting, you should keep to the head region only. If he, or she, gets a little "riled up," simply set him down and allow for a cool-off period. Otherwise, you can try and distract the behavior via toys, a bath, foraging, etc. There's a few good articles on sexual behaviors in parrots, some of which are somewhere on this forum!


Best of luck at the a-vets!

[DeguMom]

You're off to a good start, and have a very good knowledge base.

It does sound like your little friend is doing some masturbating behaviors. Birds of both genders do this, so it doesn't really help in the sexing department. It's a good piece of advice there to try to distract him (I'll call him a "him" for now) with something else, and of course, if it happens when you're petting him, stop petting him. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, just try to get his attention on something else.

Hope all goes well at the appt, and I think your concern over the feather loss on his neck is wise. Keep practicing that strict quarantine like you're doing, and you'll keep your flock safe if he is ill in some way. Nice work so far!

[Astrid660]

Good luck, I once adopted a quaker that was around 15. They sure are big birds in a small package

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