Our Simple Steps to Follow!
From choosing to bringing your bird home – we make it easy! It is important to note that a Handraised Bird will still be nervous and will still need time to settle in. Like we say would you flog your brand new car? or do you wear it in! The same goes for your little feathered friend with big feelings! We have done the hard work of hand raising and taming your baby, but once you go home it is up to you to keep up with the taming and interacting every day. If you leave any bird in a cage for a few weeks it will return to survival instincts.
Be Relaxed!
Your bird will be quite nervous for the first few weeks, adjusting to their new family and life with you. Stay as calm as you possibly can! We know it can be difficult, and it’s very exciting! But when interacting with your baby always ensure it is a relaxing environment. Like humans birds can get overstimulated.
First 24 Hours
This time frame is crucial to your bond with your new bird. You need to handle your baby as much as possible with as many treats as possible. We encourage you to have millet with you at all times while interacting with your new baby so they associate you with treats and positive actions! It is normal for your baby to not eat or drink much in the first 24 hours while they adjust, do not stress! Your baby will not be confident to fly in and out of the cage alone, you will need to get baby in and out of the cage while they learn how to navigate your home and their cage!
Food Arrangement
We recommend for the first week to have all seed, vegetables and treats on a flat dish on the bottom of the cage, this ensures it’s easy to reach/see for your new little family member! Slowly transition up to where you are wanting to place their food long term.
Millet/Food
Your baby is to have unlimited seed, vegetables and millet at ALL times while they are growing up. While babies are young we encourage to use millet as much as possible to keep their body weight up as high stress situations like moving homes, you may find they will not eat as much for the first few days. Rest assured once they are feeling more comfortable they will be eating ALOT!
Interacting
Interact with your baby from the get go! Even from the car ride home, your baby needs to learn to trust you and interacting with them as much as you possibly can will help you build this bond without stressing your baby out. We recommend 1 hour stints outside the cage and then returning to the cage for an hour and repeating. Ensuring you keep millet with you at all times while interacting with your bird so they associate you with treats!
Introducing to other flock members
Babies should be housed in a different cage to your original baby/s for 2-3 weeks while they quarantine to stop the spread of any unwanted virus to your baby. They have lower immune systems at a young age and are prone to catching any illnesses. Have their cage close for the first 2-3 weeks for them to get used to one another before properly introducing.