Sleep structure???

[TwoGreenFids]

Hey there community,

I’m debating purchasing some kind of sleep structure for my new Quaker baby as a bit of extra comfort. But I don’t know if Puk is a male or female and I’m worried that a happy tent or something similar could trigger nesting behaviour and potentially egg laying. I’ve had a traumatic experience where a past female of mine (Indian Ringneck) passed away due to egg laying complications, so it’s something that really freaks me out. I’ve been getting inconsistent info online on whether these little guys need some kind of snuggle hut. I want to make sure I’m meeting Puk’s needs regardless of my anxiety. Any advice?

 

[Emma&pico]

@Pixiebeak what’s your thoughts

hi and welcome do you have pictures of your new baby

sorry to hear about your ringneck female

I had a sea grass hut for my lovebird male but it made him hormonal removed it but he just moves Onto something else so now I’ve just left him with his cat bell ball which seems to have less problems

I did try my gcc with a hut but wasn’t bothered like sleeping in a rabbit tunnel during day naps when out but when I put it in cage she wasn’t bothered slept on highest perch

 

[Pixiebeak]

Quakers unlike most species, in the wild use their community nests year round .

I do have sleep structure for all 3 of mine . I haven't felt it's triggered any hormones.....

Tho I've had eggs, but they have never used their tent for the eggs. They use a food dish or bottom of cage ....so??? And my girls have close binds to each other thst might be the trigger

One girl lsud an egg at 5 months and just seems to be an egg layer. My older rescue never has. My 6 year old girl just did her first this year ....

 

[Emma&pico]

Quakers unlike most species, in the wild use their community nests year round .

I do have sleep structure for all 3 of mine . I haven't felt it's triggered any hormones.....

Tho I've had eggs, but they have never used their tent for the eggs. They use a food dish or bottom of cage ....so??? And my girls have close binds to each other thst might be the trigger

One girl lsud an egg at 5 months and just seems to be an egg layer. My older rescue never has. My 6 year old girl just did her first this year ....

Do they sleep in them ? Would love pictures

 

[TwoGreenFids]

This is Puk, he’s a good boy and today is our first day together. He’s hanging out with me in my quiet room for a few days before we bring him down to the main floor where our other parrot resides. “Puk” is a small house dragon from Germanic folklore who is good to his people but can also stir up trouble

 

[TwoGreenFids]

@Pixiebeak what’s your thoughts

hi and welcome do you have pictures of your new baby

sorry to hear about your ringneck female

I had a sea grass hut for my lovebird male but it made him hormonal removed it but he just moves Onto something else so now I’ve just left him with his cat bell ball which seems to have less problems

I did try my gcc with a hut but wasn’t bothered like sleeping in a rabbit tunnel during day naps when out but when I put it in cage she wasn’t bothered slept on highest perch

Thanks

 

[WillowQ]

Agreeing with Pixiebeak. But I think some Quakers aren’t too into huts or houses. I bought Willow a Jolly Ball (took the inside ball out) but he continues to be afraid of it. I think it looks like a kids playground structure, but nope.

he has a wicker toy basket in his cage but he hasn’t tried to climb in it. He’s very suspicious of any toy he hasn’t had for years. It’s sad because he’s gotten lots of new toys but he won’t touch them for months. He does like his perching basket!

 

[Emma&pico]

This is Puk, he’s a good boy and today is our first day together. He’s hanging out with me in my quiet room for a few days before we bring him down to the main floor where our other parrot resides. “Puk” is a small house dragon from Germanic folklore who is good to his people but can also stir up trouble

He’s gorgeous

 

[WillowQ]

I would offer Puk some coffee stirrers, chopsticks, or shishkebab skewers to see if he would like to weave. Many quakers have a drive to weave stuff through their cage bars. It keeps them busy and not screaming or plucking.

my Lucy weaved for hours each day until she got really old. Willow will hold his hanging toys and make weaving motions with his head, but hasn’t figured out how to weave. Then again he came to me at seven years old and maybe this is something that they start earlier in life.

Anyhow, if you have a weaving Quaker they will enjoy arranging their toys and will probably weave dropped tail feathers into the cage bars. Weaving keeps them busy and out of trouble.

 

[TwoGreenFids]

Thank you everyone! I’m currently drying shredded corn husks to make up a foraging box for Puk, I’ll add weaving materials too then! Today is day one and he has not yet felt comfortable enough to leave the play stand on top of the cage. But maybe weaving materials will entice him to explore more. Luckily he is giving my plenty of beak grinds so I know he’s content for now! I’ve been reading him the story of The Little Prince to help us get acquainted

 

[Emma&pico]

Thank you everyone! I’m currently drying shredded corn husks to make up a foraging box for Puk, I’ll add weaving materials too then! Today is day one and he has not yet felt comfortable enough to leave the play stand on top of the cage. But maybe weaving materials will entice him to explore more. Luckily he is giving my plenty of beak grinds so I know he’s content for now! I’ve been reading him the story of The Little Prince to help us get acquainted

I am in love he’s so gorgeous

 

[WillowQ]

I’ve got corn husks, too. I wonder, if I tied the ends to his cage bars, would Willow weave then?

he’s less scared of papery or natural wood or grass things than he is of plastic objects. Plastic and metal are very scary. Why? Who knows.

Puk may enjoy a plain old happy hut. PVC pipes hung from the side of the cage were popular with Quaker parakeet society members for a while, too.
I think that the hormonal trigger for Quakers may be shredding the nest lining. My girl Quaker only got broody if she was shredding. She wove all the time.

 

[TwoGreenFids]

I’ve got corn husks, too. I wonder, if I tied the ends to his cage bars, would Willow weave then?

he’s less scared of papery or natural wood or grass things than he is of plastic objects. Plastic and metal are very scary. Why? Who knows.

Puk may enjoy a plain old happy hut. PVC pipes hung from the side of the cage were popular with Quaker parakeet society members for a while, too.
I think that the hormonal trigger for Quakers may be shredding the nest lining. My girl Quaker only got broody if she was shredding. She wove all the time.

That’s good to know! Thank you so much

 

[WillowQ]

I have kept Quakers for many years and am happy to answer any questions you have. Pixiebeak has, as well. I think Quakers are very social, clever, unique little parrots. They can be so friendly and often very wordy birds, too.

 

[haze]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but many birds like to sleep on flat plank perches. They do not cause nesting behaviors as far as I know. I will attach a photo.

 

[WillowQ]

I’ve never seen such a big one. My disabled Quaker would have like that. She slept on her ladder or corner perch.

 

[haze]

I’ve never seen such a big one. My disabled Quaker would have like that. She slept on her ladder or corner perch.

This is a handmade one I found on Etsy. They have many sizes and even ones big enough for amazons and greys! I'm not affiliated with this seller at all but I am going to link it in case anyone would find it useful.

FLAT PERCH 6 X 6. Great for Small to Medium Size Birds Cockatiels, Parakeets, Conures. - Etsy

This Bird Toys item by FlatPerch has 777 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Dewey, AZ. Listed on Mar 23, 2024

www.etsy.com

Looks like they also sell fabric covers for it so it may be a good option for a bird that suffers from foot joint problems.

 

[TwoGreenFids]

Okay since this group has been so supportive I’m going to lean in and ask a few more questions. I hope that’s alright

The corn husks I shredded into strips are a HUGE hit!!! Ah he’s so content now! No signs of weaving just yet, only shredding hahaha. Happy destruction As you can see from the photo he is on top of the cage. Since bringing him home he will not willingly go INSIDE the cage but happily plays on top. So for the past two nights I just cover it up with a towel when he’s ready for bed and that seems to be working. If that is where he feels safe I don’t want to force him elsewhere. I have placed him in the cage twice but he immediately races out and I want him to select that as his safe space rather than be locked into it. I’ve currently got his food and water up where he is, but the TREATS either come from my hand or are inside the cage. That’s my current strategy. I think I’m going to put corn husks in there too. I’m not going to bring him down to the livingroom where our other bird is until he is fully comfortable with his setup. Especially because I want them to meet without any physical contact for the first few days, and that means this little dude needs to be IN his cage. Our livingroom is set up so that our birds can fly wherever they like in it. We keep the cages perpetually open so they can choose when to go in or out. We have shelves on the wall for extra perching and details in the windows so no one accidentally splats into them. So if Puk here isn’t a fan of being in his cage that’s totally fine later. But not until I know he can safely be around our other floof.

Slight change of topic… I know it’s only been two days but I’m worried we aren’t bonding. Well ONE of us is but it’s not exactly being reciprocated When we first met at the breeder‘s, Puk was happy to step up, sit on my shoulder, be petted, and even nibble on my hair! I fell in love instantly. I actually had no intention of buying a baby bird. For the past two weeks Ive been looking for an adult in need of adoption that fit our family. I had just stopped in for some birdie supplies without knowing there was this little gem there. When I saw him I literally thought „uh oh“ because I knew I was hooked. I didn’t stand a chance. But I’m a bit nervous that since we have been home he only lets me pick him up when he startles and wants help getting back to his perch. He seems to like talking to me, and may even have given me love eyes a few times? He never bites, but he makes clear signals when I offer my hand that he is not ready, which I respect. I’m studying his body language and sounds and trying to get to know his own unique communication. He seems perfectly comfortable around myself and my family. And at times he actively seeks my attention by squawking or bobbling his head and approaching me. I’ve also been reading to him just to make myself familiar to him. But is it working? I feel like a teenager worrying that their crush doesn’t like them

Any suggestions?

 

[Pixiebeak]

Thank you everyone! I’m currently drying shredded corn husks to make up a foraging box for Puk, I’ll add weaving materials too then! Today is day one and he has not yet felt comfortable enough to leave the play stand on top of the cage. But maybe weaving materials will entice him to explore more. Luckily he is giving my plenty of beak grinds so I know he’s content for now! I’ve been reading him the story of The Little Prince to help us get acquainted

I want to smooch those fluffy birdie cheeks! What a doll baby

 

[Pixiebeak]

Smash a comfy chair uoti the cage . And see yourself up with snacks for you both , little things to play with . Just hang out and do your own thing. And sweet talk offer snacks , let him get curious and crawl around on you then back to cage. I like to vuo them with my hand while they snuggle on my chest. Dint focus on training, just ket then get brave climbing on you getting kisses, stepping on and off a hand held close to body like you just a play gym . But if course you brag how smset and special they are when they do