Welcome Na'ringa home!!! :'D <3 (Plus... nutrition slander??)

[aidan16]

My baby is finally home!! After a week of anxious (I mean ANXIOUS) waiting and preparation, I got to take Na'ringa home yesterday evening!! I've gotten a gram scale and am monitoring her weight, have her pellets (mixed with her previous food) and chop diet, and I have her wellness exam scheduled for the 30th! (id prefer it sooner, but my only day that works is Thursdays and Thanksgiving day is a no go sadly).

The bird store first told me yesterday that I needed to bring my cage to their store so they could train her, but eventually decided I could take her as long as we record her weight and monitor her feeding. (Which I am planning to do daily anyway until I know her baseline and then maybe weekly or every other day once shes established.)

When I mentioned to them her diet and asking how to slowly change her from seed to a pellet/chop diet, the lady quite sternly suggested that I must keep seeds in her daily diet, NOT just for training. She explained how she has 30+ birds at home (tons of tiels and an amazon, not sure if having so many birds is advisable if you're the solo caretaker but I could be wrong) and years of experience and that lack of seeds causes kidney failure, and that I should follow their advice as opposed to online stuff, and that my vet will tell me she needs a large majority seed diet. I found this... dubious to say the least.

From my research seeds are heavily fatty and can lead to kidney and liver issues, is she misinformed or is this a very classic way of thinking? I am very much a beginner and willing to hear people out, but the way she said it to me was akin to the tone an adult uses to chastise a child. She gave me her number and asks for updates- if she is incorrect, I think it is more ignorance than not caring- they all seem to care about the birds very much, I just am not quite sure where to go from here!

Onto how shes been at home, overall, extremely agreeable! She was quite nervous at first, but has seemed to settle in, she loves her raw veggies and pellets and seeds, shes been napping on me, preening me, and getting tons of scritches!! When I leave the room she will do brief contact calls, but seems contented when I respond, she lovesssss just listening to me speak! In the beginning of her day she naps, then wakes up and gorges herself on her food, chugs water, plays and preens, sings, gets crabby near bedtime, and then goes to bed. I got her a cover for her cage and once that goes on, she doesnt make a peep until morning!

She is so incredibly sweet and people oriented, and though she is quite chill just watching tv with me, she does eventually get crabby when I'm not solely focused on her, which means scritches or preening. She doesnt really know how to play with toys yet, I got her a foraging box and shes been inspecting it, but still shy, I know once she settles in she will be much more lively and exuberant!! (Nice way to say crazy xD) Its been an adjustment for me as well, she is by far more intensive than even my service dog, but gosh it has been amazing so far, I feel so connected to her, and am socializing her with my family, so far shes doing wonderfully!!

I wanted to make this so you could all get the update, and I will be sure to post more as she gets settled in! I also wanted your opinion on if that lady has valid points or is talking total BS lol, I appreciate all of yall and wanted to show yall my beautiful girl!!!

 

[Pixiebeak]

Welcome home little baby!!


Sounds like things are really going well. So happy for you!!!

On seeds, I read a lot of recommendations that say still 10% of daily diet. Useing them as treats is fine . There are different views out there. All agree shouldn't be just seeds. You are well able to read up yourself and you will get to see what your vet recommends.

 

[zoo mom]

Congratulations

 

[aidan16]

Welcome home little baby!!


Sounds like things are really going well. So happy for you!!!

On seeds, I read a lot of recommendations that say still 10% of daily diet. Useing them as treats is fine . There are different views out there. All agree shouldn't be just seeds. You are well able to read up yourself and you will get to see what your vet recommends.

Of course!! It can be difficult with so many varying opinions, it's hard to decide or find out what will suit her best! From what I've read she should have a large amount fresh fruit and grains (her chop recipe is kale, spring mix, cauliflower, green beans, carrots, oats and quinoa, 2 tbsp 2x daily, I know she won't eat that much I just dont want her to lack), pellet mix (currently on zupreem natural 2 tbsp a day, though might try tops next time! and seeds (she had millet spray in her cage as suggested by the store so she will forsure eat while she acclimates) I will continue to look into her nutrition, I guess I'll have to learn by trial and error!

 

[aidan16]

Congratulations

Thank you!!! Couldnt be happier, I adore her!

 

[Mizzely]

It's definitely an older view of nutrition. In the wild some species do eat a lot of seeds - cockatiels and budgies, for example. Even then, they don't recommend all of their diet be seeds.

Seeds are not the enemy, but they are a calorie dense food source that can cause nutritional imbalances if fed as the sole diet. My Jardine's was extremely sick when I brought him home - he was on almost exclusively a seed diet. My vet told me to get him onto pellets ASAP, and I did, which truly saved his life.

I feed only a little seed here, except for sprouted seeds. I think they are great for enrichment, but for my species I don't consider them a necessity. You'll hear differing amounts from lots of people. I tend to err on the side of pellet focused diet with lots of veggies, sprouts, and fruits, and a bit of seed and nuts.

Basically one thing we all tend to agree on though is that all pellets or all seeds tends to be too much of a good thing.

 

[Xoetix]

Yay!! Congrats!!

 

[Shezbug]

Many still feel that pellets are not a good option as they are made by humans and are not a whole food, many feel that seeds alone are not a good option as they lack in certain nutrients and can be quite fatty for pet birds who do limited exercise in comparison to wild birds. Birds in the wild who are seed eaters do not eat a full diet of seeds at all and they especially do not eat just 10-15 kinds of seeds like many pet birds are given for life, wild birds do have the ability to eat fresh grown seeds which are much more nutrition packed, various nectars pollens and flowers, bugs, small animals like lizards, barks, clay and many other bits and pieces to add to their nutrient intake- the seeds we have available for pet birds are not the only seeds that seed eaters in the wild will eat and some of them are seeds that wild birds would never really have access to unless they found them growing at a farm.

You will need to decide what you feel and think about the nutrients available in the varying suggested diets and make a decision on how to feed your bird in a way that works for you guys.

 

[Shezbug]

It's definitely an older view of nutrition. In the wild some species do eat a lot of seeds - cockatiels and budgies, for example. Even then, they don't recommend all of their diet be seeds.

Seeds are not the enemy, but they are a calorie dense food source that can cause nutritional imbalances if fed as the sole diet. My Jardine's was extremely sick when I brought him home - he was on almost exclusively a seed diet. My vet told me to get him onto pellets ASAP, and I did, which truly saved his life.

I feed only a little seed here, except for sprouted seeds. I think they are great for enrichment, but for my species I don't consider them a necessity. You'll hear differing amounts from lots of people. I tend to err on the side of pellet focused diet with lots of veggies, sprouts, and fruits, and a bit of seed and nuts.

Basically one thing we all tend to agree on though is that all pellets or all seeds tends to be too much of a good thing.

So true! I also feel many need to look at the seeds we often feed in premixed bird seed... budgies and cockatiels who do eat a lot of seed do not necessarily eat the kinds that are in the mixes made for them as they do not freely grow out in the wild. They eat a lot of native grass seeds which are not harvested as far as I am aware. I watch the native parrots here eating seeds from many of the weeds and grasses growing in our yard while they ignore the store bought seeds that are sitting right next to the fresh grass seeds they are picking.

 

[aidan16]

Yeah I am planning on ordering a seed sprouter with my next paycheck! I want to offer her as varied of a diet as possible, and it is so rewarding seeing her try new things with me! I already know she prefers green beans, and that she enjoys the quinoa quite a bit as well! She is such a brave girl and is very headstrong about certain things. (Gets to be a squealy mess when I take her off of my head lol) I put her on my bed while I vacuumed her cage out, I wanted her to have some space from the noise in fear she'd be afraid, instead she waddled over to me and sat on my shoulder as I cleaned out her cage, no fear of the vaccum at all! She readily steps up, and I'll start on target training with her on Sunday, just want her to have some time to adjust before then. Shes so silly and fun, I cant wait for what's ahead!

 

[Emma&pico]

Your new baby gorgeous

my gcc breeder said same to me but didn’t speak to me like a child and is actually shocked how good he looks but personally I think for fairly big breeders pellets cost a more than seeds

 

[Pixiebeak]

One thing that helps you know your u have got it right , is lush radiant feathers, regular molts that don't drag on , good body condition, shiny beak that isn't full of flakes ( it is normal to flake and wear some), and legs and feet aren't dry and flaky. After awhile it's easy to spot the ones that aren't eating a good diet . Just as it easy to spot the radiant ones who are!

I feel getting time outside with real sunshine when weather permits, does wonders..mine sparkle when they are getting time outside. Do not ever stick them in full sun without access to shade. Bring in part shade , or going on a walk or bike ride with you is perfect.

It sounds like you are on top of everything! Your parrot is very lucky to have come home with you!

 

[aidan16]

One thing that helps you know your u have got it right , is lush radiant feathers, regular molts that don't drag on , good body condition, shiny beak that isn't full of flakes ( it is normal to flake and wear some), and legs and feet aren't dry and flaky. After awhile it's easy to spot the ones that aren't eating a good diet . Just as it easy to spot the radiant ones who are!

I feel getting time outside with real sunshine when weather permits, does wonders..mine sparkle when they are getting time outside. Do not ever stick them in full sun without access to shade. Bring in part shade , or going on a walk or bike ride with you is perfect.

It sounds like you are on top of everything! Your parrot is very lucky to have come home with you!

I can definitely tell that she isn't in the best of shape, a lot of stress lines in her feathers/ uneven chewed on tail feathers (I suspect from her siblings since I haven't seen her over preen so far. I think overall the bird store was just a stressful environment for her, she has new feathers growing in and loves having her face preened, I'm just gonna keep a close eye on her physical condition, I'm relieved she's an eager eater and drinker, and seems fairly content, I'll be sure to update on how shes doing, she's a absolute sweetie and I'm so happy shes home!

 

[Trent84]

OMG she's lovely
My vet recommended psittacus (I don't know if you have this brand in US) high protein and omega pellets, as caiques burns PLENTY of energy during the day. From my experience, after the weaning process, they eat pretty much everything offered -mine was trying to steal my niece's pasta from the plate today- so it's really easy to have them experience new foods. They likes everything you offer, eventually.
Good luck with your cutie!! She's precious

 

[Zara]

I can definitely tell that she isn't in the best of shape, a lot of stress lines in her feathers/ uneven chewed on tail feathers

Normal for a baby bird. They play rough and wreck their baby feathers. Those first feathers are also duller than their adult plumage, so I wouldn't atribute it to diet at this age.

 

[Lady Jane]

Store person giving you advice for seeds means they sell more!

 

[Trent84]

Normal for a baby bird. They play rough and wreck their baby feathers. Those first feathers are also duller than their adult plumage, so I wouldn't atribute it to diet at this age.

I'm experiencing the same issue, my caique's tail feathers are a mess, but he's always playing on blankets/wrestling/climbing stuff. He's also having a whole lot of new feathers because of the season and diet changes.

Please don't be paranoid as I was when I first got my caique. They'll are sturdy, amazing little creatures and they'll adjust to the lifestyle they are given. You can't imagine how stressed I was about anything on our first days and how my little fella was just so happy about it instead. Somehow, he helped with my anxiety as he doesn't have any I'm sure you'll be fine!
One last question... Is she clipped or not?

 

[Trent84]

I forgot to say, I'd suggest to socialize her with people once she's settled a little. Every parrot is one of a kind, but I noticed mine thrives when people come over and entertains him for a few hours with treats and the right attentions. I'm working from home and he's with me basically 24/7 as my bf has a full rime job, so mine is a low energy home. Obviously I'm his main point of reference but being so active, intelligent and alone (ATM), he also likes to play and fool around with basically everyone.
I make sure that the people I invite home are aware of his possible behaviour (such as him flying on their head and the frantic wind flapping, or him using the beak gently) and I always let him does the first move. At first, I gave my friends some treats to hand over, now they're the treats

 

[aidan16]

I'm experiencing the same issue, my caique's tail feathers are a mess, but he's always playing on blankets/wrestling/climbing stuff. He's also having a whole lot of new feathers because of the season and diet changes.

Please don't be paranoid as I was when I first got my caique. They'll are sturdy, amazing little creatures and they'll adjust to the lifestyle they are given. You can't imagine how stressed I was about anything on our first days and how my little fella was just so happy about it instead. Somehow, he helped with my anxiety as he doesn't have any I'm sure you'll be fine!
One last question... Is she clipped or not?

She unfortunately is clipped. She is comfortable reaching and flapping short distances but yes her flight feathers are cut. They offered to clip them again when they grow in- no thank you! And I have been socializing her, my family all came to watch a movie at my apartment and she, while reserved, approached everyone and said hello (In her own special way, preening and cleaning hair and ears). Unfortunately by the time they got here it was just about her bedtime, so she got a little crabby, I think especially because this was her first day with me at work.

She is nervous about some things, and completely fine with others, like she was nervous going into the shower but adjusted well, meanwhile has no issue with the loud handheld vaccum I use to clean her cage, she's a pretty brave girl, but I try to be considerate and introduce things slowly!

Luckily I have tomorrow off, and I'm planning on starting target training. I want her confidence to build, while also modeling desired behaviors. She is a baby and is needing to learn her beak strength, she has not broken skin or anywhere near it, just will overpreen me and pinch sometimes, and gets all squealy when I redirect her. Luckily shes eating readily, and I think millet will be our road to success when it comes to training, she is so intelligent, I cannot wait to see what she learns!

 

[aidan16]

Normal for a baby bird. They play rough and wreck their baby feathers. Those first feathers are also duller than their adult plumage, so I wouldn't atribute it to diet at this age.

Thank you!! I was worried lol, theres so many little things like that that I'm yet to learn! Though it makes sense, I feel like a total helicopter parent with her!!