Newbie

[DeputyDawg]

Hello. I signed up here a couple weeks ago, but haven't posted anything yet. Actually, I haven't really even looked around yet. But I will. I'm awaiting my first bird, a pied lovebird. He gets to come home in about two weeks, as soon as he proves that he can keep weight on without being handfed, and after he makes one more appearance on the local news here. He made his first appearance about a month ago, and he was so well liked that the news station asked to put him on TV again. He's already famous. Anyway, I just thought I should say hi and I look forward to acquainting myself with others here.

[linda040899]

Hi and welcome to our discussion board!
Most handfed baby lovebirds are not completely weaned until they are at least 9 weeks old. Some require handfeeding 2 - 3 weeks longer than that. By all means, don't bring him home until he's not been handfed for a minimum of 10 days. Just changing homes at this young age can cause him to revert and want to be handfed again.

How did this baby find himself on the local news? Sounds like an interesting story!

[bellarains]

Hey,

Welcome to the board. I am so glad that you found us, and please do read through some of the posts here. You will find more real life experience here that you just can not find in any lovebird book, although Vera Appleyard has a very good lovie book if you are looking for one.

Let us know when your little one comes home, and please post us some pics in the photo forum when you get some.

C-Ya around.

[Mummieeva]

Welcome to the board. I love you screen name here. I am Steph. I live in georgia and am owned by 2 lovies. Baggy a Whitefaces Violet and her 5wks old baby Whisper. Look forward to hearing more about your bird and seeing pictures.


Steph

[Paulette]

Hi DeputyDawg....This is a fun and informative board with tons of useful information. How did your bird get into the news? Sounds interesting.
paulette

[mangotiki]

Welcome to the board!! Cant wait to see some pics of your celeb lovie and hear all about how he became famous!!

Traci

[DeputyDawg]

I'll post pics as soon as I can, though I doubt it will be soon. The lady that I'm getting him from has a little bird store. She sells mostly lovebirds and budgies, but also has a few small conures and will hatch and handfeed anything you might want. Anyway, I went in looking for a bird and there were three little cockatiels that were just barely starting to feather out, and he was in the back but I didn't see him. I went back a couple weeks later and he was in his own cage and mostly feathered. I put money down on him while she finished weaning him. As for him being "famous" the local news station asked her to bring down some baby birds to have on the news. Apparently it went over quite well, as they called her up and asked if she would bring a couple of them back to see how they turned out. So, on Tuesday he will be on the news again and then I get to pick him up on Wednesday. He's weaned now and eats his seed constantly, but every once in a while he decides that he really needs to eat when she handfeeds the other babies, so mostly he's just a pig.
I guess that's about it. Sorry it got a little lengthy.

[DeputyDawg]

Hello again. I got my bird home Wednesday afternoon. I must say, he's adjusted surprisingly well. A lot of what I've read said that he would take a few days to adjust to a new environment and all that. Rather, he hangs out and waits for me to take him out of his cage, eats a ton, and if he gets too bored, he tries to stare the cats down. It's really quite amusing. Just thought I would let you all know. I'll post pics when I can.

[bellarains]

Hey DD,

Glad you got your little one home, and s/he is adjusting so well. Sometimes it happens that way. My Bela snugged up with me immediately, which is why he came home with me in the first place, and he has been snugged up ever since :)

One thing about the cats that allot of people don't know, aside from the fact that are natural predators is that they have a bacteria in their saliva called pasturella and it is very deadly to our fids. Forewarned is forearmed ;)

I will look forward to those pics :D

[sdgilley]

Hi DD,

Lori said:

One thing about the cats that allot of people don't know, aside from the fact that are natural predators is that they have a bacteria in their saliva called pasturella and it is very deadly to our fids. Forewarned is forearmed

The bacteria in saliva that can be dangerous to your lovie is also present in dogs and human mouths. My baby loves to give me kisses, and I have to be careful when she tries to grab my lips.

Welcome! we look forward to getting to know you and your baby. Lovebirds are QUITE entertaining!