My Trip to the Pet Store!..

[bird_luver24]

Well, Cathy asked me in another post about what I got for my new upcoming lovie and I figured I would make another post to share what happened on my trip today.
Well, I made the trip to Berts Pet Center and this is where I met a BEAUTIFUL Macaw she was absolutely gorgeous. She was so sweet and said numerous phrases. I went up to her and spoke softly and petted her head and it made me feel so bad when I walked away as she squawked and screamed and followed me throughout the store looking through her cage. I felt so sorry for her because I knew she must have had a nice home before and been dumped at the pet store. Then a Worker came out and had a glove on to get the bird out. I was the only customer there at that time since it just opened about 20minutes before. I walked over to the worker and automatically the bird jumped onto my arm...I got scared at first thinking maybe the bird might bite me but, lol she started to preen me I guess you would say lol..She started to pick at my hair gently and rub her head on me. If I had the money I would definately take this wonderful bird home. We finally got the bird to go back into her cage and I still feel bad about leaving her... They did offer payment plans on her but, I just dont think I could afford the stuff for that big of a bird . Plus, I am very happy and content about getting my lovie I cant WAIT!! :D
I did get to buy some things though for my lovie...
I bought 3 different kinds of perches(2-Cement, wood, and calcium), a few toys, Cuttle bone, Mineral Bone/Treat, 4 feeding/watering dishes, bird bath, Nutriberries(as a treat) and then to my amazement I turned around and there was the Zupreem food I wanted. Yay! I thought as I picked it up and then looked at the Price! :eek: $17.97 ...WOW! I can get 10lbs of food for this price shipped to my door!!!...this bag was only 2.5lbs!!! So, of course I didnt buy this..I am sending off my order in the mail for the 10lb bag tomorrow morning! I do still need to get a few other things I am sure. Can anyone think of anything else that I might need to get for the baby?...besides food and seed.

Thanks!:)

[LauraO]

Kelly: Your experience at the pet store is one too many of us have gone through. It's sweet the Macaw really seemed to like you as they do tend to pick those they like. It's also good you saw she wasn't for you. I have a grey and I really don't recommend big parrots for most people. They are not only very costly, they are very complex and demanding.

Here's a cute thing I found the other day

http://www.harleysperch.com/

:D :D :D :D

[Susan27]

I understand your:omg: at the Zoopreem cost...I paid $18.95 for my small bag.

Good for you being able to walk out, I had the same experiance today, and did the opposite. (went for 1 lovie walked out with 2)

For me, I found that my lovies' favorite toy is the most inexpensive plastic balls with the bells inside, the one's where there are about 4-5 hanging down and they look like cat toys. Also mine like the hanging rings...I buy the more expensive toys and they barely play with them....Oh I made a mistake their favorite toy is ME!!!

Susan

[Z28Taxman]

Oh I know all about the Macaws. The bird store I used to go to for Ditto's food had an 18 year old B&G. Every time I'd walk in he'd shout "HI!" and start waving at me with his foot.

Good thing he was the owners personal pet and not for sale.

[Christine9]

Sounds like you had a wonderful shopping spree! The only other thing I can think of is did you happen to get millet? Whenever I have a recently weaned bird, I make sure that he/she always has millet available. It will help to keep their weight up while making the transition between being handfed and eating completely on their own.

[bird_luver24]

Laura, Very Cute Site thanks for sharing!! It was really hard to walk out knowing that she did like me and wanted attention with no one to really give it to her. But, I looked at the "BIGGER" Parrot Toys, Perches, Treats etc...and Everything was just WAY more expensive and I have read they are alot more demanding than most birds! She was also in a cage that was way bigger than me and I just would not be able to afford something like that. But, she was beautiful! Maybe one day! **Sigh**:rolleyes:
Christine, Nope I sure didnt, I am glad you mentioned the Millet!!...Ill pick some up tomorrow!! ;)
Susan, I am glad you mentioned that your lovies liked those toys cause those are just 2 of what I got..:) lol I am afraid that is how I am going to get with lovies later on..lol..But, if you can afford it and do have the time for them that they need there is no harm........right????:whistle:

[bellarains]

Kelly,

It sounds like you had fun shopping. I used to have fun clothes shopping, but birdie shopping is so much more fun:happy:

The millet spray is something you want to have, and also I would highly reccomend the comfy perch. These perches bend and twist to fit the way you want them to, and they are also a favorite of all my birds, and other birds here also. Here's a link so you can see what they are if you don't know already, and of course, it's a great place to do some birdy shopping too;)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=5806&Ntt=comfy%20perch&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

[Janie]

I guess it's best that I'm too old to consider a larger parrot. My kids (boys that are 24 and 21) made it clear that if I got one, they aren't going to take it when I'm gone! :D An African Grey is my "wish" bird but it won't happen. I might have a conure one day but I think that's as large as I'll go. Gosh, I love 'em all and wish I'd gotten birds years ago. If only I'd known what great pets they are. :rolleyes:

[Z28Taxman]

I guess it's best that I'm too old to consider a larger parrot. My kids (boys that are 24 and 21) made it clear that if I got one, they aren't going to take it when I'm gone! :D An African Grey is my "wish" bird but it won't happen. I might have a conure one day but I think that's as large as I'll go. Gosh, I love 'em all and wish I'd gotten birds years ago. If only I'd known what great pets they are. :rolleyes:

You could always adopt an older grey! :evil: :whistle:

[Susan27]

You could always adopt an older grey! :evil: :whistle:

Trouble maker

Yet good idea!;)

[bird_luver24]

They had two beautiful Sun Conures at the pet store. I just wanted to take all these birdies home with me!!!...I actually considered a Conure as my first bird But, I decided on a Pretty little Lovie!! :D:D
I think you might have something there Dave! ;)

[Z28Taxman]

I think you might have something there Dave! ;)


I think I'm gonna have Janie's boot somewhere in a few minutes! :eek:

[linda040899]

The last bird that decided to hang around with me was Harley (TAG). I was at a bird show to sell some of my lovebirds and he was there with the vendor at the next table. Well, he was bound and determined that he was going to convince me that he needed to come home with me! It took both days of the show, but his charm worked..... :)

Did you get your new lovie a swing???? All of mine just adore theirs!

[bird_luver24]

Linda,
I seen the swings and have heard lovebirds are a GREAT FAN of these...But, Since I have 2 cement perches I can put in the cage I didnt know if I hsould get one of the cement swings they had or find like a wooden one somewhere else..Ill find one somewhere! :)...Gosh my babys cage is going to be full!!...But I am sure that is how they like it!

I was wondering has anyone just got their lovebird "Pet" DNA'd?...
I would like to know what my baby is and I mean do lots of people Sex just their Pet Birds??... Just Wondering?? I know some people I talked to acted like I shouldnt care about that....

[Christine9]

I, personally, have to know the sexes of my birds, even though I don't breed and they are pets. I feel if I have a hen, I want to know, so that I know if I have to watch out that she never gets eggbound. Plus, because I have multiple birds, I know that I am not going to have any suprise babies. And then there is the curiousity factor. So, yes, I do DNA them if they are not dimorphic or a sex-linked mutation.

[Kathryn]

Kelly May,
There are several people here who raise Fischers, so perhaps they can help identify the sex ...cause I think Fischers can be visually identified..but they know better than me.
DNA testing is the most accurate method for identifying the sex of a lovie...99.99%. And the most recommended method.:happy:

[bellarains]

Kelly,

With Fischers a good guess is by the eye shape. Almond shaped=female, Round=Male, but even that is not 100% accurate. You can get a free kit from www.avianbiotech.com (http://www.avianbiotech.com) to DNA your lovie. They send the kit with instructions. I chose to pluck the chest feathers rather than cut a nail short, but you have to make sure you get the feathers by the shaft to get good DNA. You can of course have an avian vet DNA them also.

[linda040899]

Easy on the cement perches! They can be very hard on delicate feet! I don't have any and I still don't have to trim lovie nails. If you use one, put it, say, in front a food/water dish rather than in a place where your lovie will be likely to sit on it all the time. Personally, I would get one small cement perch and a swing! Gotta, absolutely gotta, have a swing!!!!!

[bird_luver24]

Christine that is one of the main factors in doing this. I may one day get another lovebird or more ;) and definately dont want any suprises at bad times or at all. I also just have a HUGE curiosity level and I want to be able to name my lovie on what he/she is! How long should i wait before i get this done?....I know he/she is going to be stressful coming to a new home with new stuff and new surroundings! So how long would u suggest?

Thanks!

[bird_luver24]

Yeah I thought to many Cement perches wouldnt be too good...I will order one when I order his/her food.
I actually ordered the free kit from Avian Biotech but, I am kind of scared to pluck the babys feathers..I am going to feel bad doing it. I think I might actually just go with an avaian vet. I already have an experienced Avian vet picked out...

[Janie]

Easy on the cement perches! They can be very hard on delicate feet! I don't have any and I still don't have to trim lovie nails. If you use one, put it, say, in front a food/water dish rather than in a place where your lovie will be likely to sit on it all the time. Personally, I would get one small cement perch and a swing! Gotta, absolutely gotta, have a swing!!!!!

I have one and only one concrete perch in the cage for two. They prefer the rope perches and only go to the cement perch when they play with the toy handing over it. The swings I use are also made of rope and/or wood.

Like Christine, I don't breed and only wanted males so I did have DNA done on the two boys that I got just over a year ago. But, I had the breeder do it for me! :D Personally, I can't imagine not knowing the sex of my birds, even if I only had one.

[bird_luver24]

I want a male to! I am hoping this is what my birdie is! :) The breeder offered to do it for me and I still might mention it to him. Obviously he would charge me an extra $20 for doing it but, it is getting kind of late to be asking this. I will talk to him about it though and see if he will..How long does it take for a Avian Vet to get the results back?

[Janie]

My breeder charged me $25 and did it by feather plucking. My avian vet would charge me $50 and do it by blood sample and if I'm not mistaken, the results are almost immediate. With the feather plucking it's a few days. If your breeder will do it for you, I think it's worth the $20.

[Z28Taxman]

I have 3 concrete perches in Ditto's cage. But if it wasn't a large cage I wouldn't have all 3 in there.

One down low that he hardly uses other than to hop across to go somewhere else.

One up high in the back. He spends a little time on it but not much. It is the one he uses to clean his beak after eating veggies.

And there's a little one he uses as the front porch for his happy hut. He only uses that one at night for about a minute while I cover him. Then it's into the happy hut. Also first thing in the morning when he comes out.

Most of his time is spent on his swings, either the rope covered triangle rocker swing, his boing or the regular wooden swing.

I forgot his 2 manzanita branches and 1 java tree branch. Hmmmmm, is there any room in there for Ditto? :rofl:

That is when he's not hanging/climbing around on his rope toys ro ME!:cool:

[Christine9]

I agree with Janie, if you can have the breeder do it for a lot cheaper, then I'd recommend doing it that way. It won't take that much longer to get the results, and it's just as reliable. Plus just think- you'll have more money to spoil your little boy or girl with! :wink:

[bird_luver24]

I emailed my breeder a little bit ago and asked him if he would do this for me still. So, hopefully he says Yes! Keep your fingers crossed! ;):)

[kimsbirds]

FYI,
I always offer to DNA sex any bird I sell, whether it's right when a client buys the bird, or a year or two later. All I charge is the DNA company's fee, as my own time to do it is minimal and I feel its' part of the ongoing communication between buyer and breeder. I don't think your breeder will have a problem following through on her offer but who knows?
Best Wishes
K

[Janie]

FYI,
I always offer to DNA sex any bird I sell, whether it's right when a client buys the bird, or a year or two later. All I charge is the DNA company's fee, as my own time to do it is minimal and I feel its' part of the ongoing communication between buyer and breeder. I don't think your breeder will have a problem following through on her offer but who knows?
Best Wishes
K

Kimmie, that's Jeanette's take on it, too. :) BTW, the first one she DNA'd for me (which I did pay for) did turn out to be a female and the next time around she DNA'd both Shy and Big Boi and did not charge me. I thought that was more than fair since I wanted two and expected to pay for two DNA's. Finding a good breeder really matters and you and Jeanette are a good example of that. Ongoing communication is important, IMHO. It just makes sense to me that a breeder would want every baby placed in a good "forever" home. :)

[LauraO]

I want a male to!

While most people seem to prefer male lovies, I have some really great females that have great personalities. Of course, there's eggies and possibly territorial issues but those can sometimes add to the charm of the bird. I have 20 lovies and have issues with some males and some females.

Of course, I don't wish the personality of my Creamino Cuddlebunny on anyone. She is mean and regularly hurts birds and humans:x :x . Lately she's taken to camping out in between these two cages (we have three cage stands that hold four cages each) and it's dangerous for anyone to get near her. I've had to start squirting her with water just to get her out and then she bites the heck out of me when I grab her. Then when I put her in her cage, she backs her butt up in the corner and starts plucking the bottom of the cage to make this really awful noise :x :x . Funny thing, she's totally tame. When not in this situation, I can pick her up, pet her, tip her upside down and kiss her belly :rolleyes: :rolleyes: .

[bellarains]

Laura,

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that says, " 0 to B---- in 60 seconds"? I think they made that was just for Cuddlebunny when she goes into nesting mode:lol

[bird_luver24]

I would like to have a male but, if This bird turns out to be a female I am going to be perfectly happy either way! :)...Cuddlebunny sounds like she has a MAJOR CASE of the mood swings lol..
When a female lays "dead" eggs(dont know what they are called?) arent you suppost to leave them there where she layed them untill she abandones them so that way she wont continually lay them?.. I mean if you kept taking them away she will keep laying, right?
:)

[Janie]

Kelly, I don't have hens but have read here enough to know that yes, you should leave eggs, even if they are infertile, until the hen abandons the nest. I can't remember what that time frame is but I think it's around 23 days. If you start removing duds (my term for infertile eggs) the hen will continue to replace what you remove.

[bird_luver24]

My Breeder isnt going to DNA the Baby :(...
He just got laid off of his job yesterday!...which really sucks I think he might be scared to DNA the baby thinking that I might not want the baby if it turns out to be a female. He has two availiable and is letting me come and have first pick of the two. It doesnt matter to me if the baby is male or female my preference is just a male so, he told me he would give me a kit to test the baby myself....but, I already have one...
Oh well I guess...Aslong as I get a lovebird baby!! :)
I guess I am going to use the Feather plucking method to DNA the baby...It is 24.50 to do it I believe this way...

[bellarains]

Kelly,

You can try and see if you can tell the difference in the eyering. Study them both closely, round eyering=male, slant eyering=female. It's not 100%, but it might get you a male:)

[linda040899]

Kelly,
The eye shape will give you an idea of the gender of the baby, but it's not 100% accurate. It's always worked for me but I would never guarantee gender based on this method. If you have a hard time deciding which one you want, you could always take both of them home................ :eek:

[bird_luver24]

Linda.......lol ;)...I would love to have 2 lovies but,I dont think right now is the time...
I am definately going to use the eye method. Is it the eyering or the eye shape?..

[Janie]

It is the "shape" of the eye, not the ring.

[Cathy]

Kelly, I have found that no matter what type of perch I put in my birds' cages, they will sleep on the highest perch. So, I put in a rope perch and a manzanita perch to see which one they liked the best and it is always the rope perch.

I discovered when I first got my p'let that she was very wary of new toys so I started introducing new toys when I had her out of her cage with me. With my new lovie, I have discovered that it is just fun to let her play with a new toy with me first before I put it in the cage. I also make sure that I am around to watch for a couple of hours after I put the new toy in the cage to watch for any potential problems but then I found that I got to watch all of the fun, too.

I have to get off for a while to go clean my keyboard because Noni has dropped seed hulls down in it!

Good luck and enjoy your baby.