Despite the current disasters such as hurricanes, wild fires, and other maladies of Mother Nature that make international headlines, often the most overlooked disaster for a companion bird goes without notice. This is something that occurs often, yet, rarely makes a headline: it’s a storm of another kind. The kind of storm that can be sudden or perhaps it’s an event that’s actually brewing in the not so far distance. It’s the absence of the avian caretaker. Perhaps this is due to family emergency or unexpected death of the caretaker. Maybe it’s the slow decline of health on the part of the avian caretaker that creates comprises in the bird’s daily care. Unfortunately, a disaster from a companion parrot’s perspective is a disaster indeed…it is the interruption of life from that bird’s normal care.

We at HARI often hear about a pet bird or perhaps a collection of parrots, be it a breeder, a pet store, and even some parrot re-homing facilities in need of assistance due to human related emergencies. With that being said, we’d like to make a few suggestions and reminders for all of the avian community to take charge of their feathered companions before a “storm” actually strikes.

What can you do?

Take Charge!

First and foremost, avian caretakers need to take charge of their own flock. The HARI team encourages pet owners and large flock caretakers alike to keep records and prepare for emergencies. While some emergencies are incredibly unexpected, others are much like the storm in the not so far distance. Life has its challenges for all and if you feel as if the care of one bird or several is getting too difficult, ask for help. You know your bird or birds, and you know who you can count on. Take decisive steps in this matter to avoid someone else making decisions for you and your pets or flock.

Companion bird owners:

Companion bird owners can very easily keep a supply box that includes everything needed for caring for their birds in case of emergency. Keep in mind that should an emergency arise that would give cause of for emergency personnel to enter a household, a simple notice on the refrigerator stating: Pet bird profile located in… let’s say, pantry, cupboard or whatever. This bit of information should include your avian veterinarian telephone, plus contact information for someone that can take over the care of your bird in your absence. Please feel free to review one of our older post , “HARI Approved First Aid Arsenal: Are You Ready?” for list of other items.

Strategies for Bird Clubs:

Bird Clubs usually have a network and committee chairpersons set up for education, speaker, pet bird adoption and other services for their membership. Designate an emergency relief team and protocol. We’re not suggesting that a diehard watch dog team be in place, but perhaps a couple of members that can respectfully network within the bird club membership and be available to members in need.

Set up phone calling trees and encourage membership to have an emergency book on their pets filled out. To get started, make use of the Parrot Profile available from HARI which includes basic pertinent information about a particular bird. An Emergency or Disaster Relief committee might want to organize a presentation on this topic for a regular club meeting. Be sure to include an article on the subject in a monthly club newsletter for members unable to attend meetings.

Strategies for Avian Specialty Retailers & Pet Stores

Some of the best retailers are very familiar with their regular customers and the products they buy for their pets or flock. During the normal course of business it’s easy to lose track of every customer-but usually something will trigger that will make one think, especially when it comes to reordering a particular item because they know ‘so and so’ will be in and need…and then they discover that particular item is still on the shelf. A customer database, especially for routine grooming appointment reminders, is one way of not only creating a database for customer contacts, it’s a great way to keep in touch with the store’s area market and support community outreach projects that benefit the business.

Large Flock management

Whether it’s a breeding facility, a re-home facility or even a home with several parrots, large flock management emergency care is a little bit different. In extreme cases, municipal agencies are the ones who are called to these collections in the event of emergency. And, not every agency is equipped with knowledge of caring for exotic parrots. If the situation is temporary, the birds will be easier to manage without moving them from premise. At any rate, a response team will need to know location of food, particular dietary needs of species, as well other supplies such as nets, disinfectants, extra bowls, that are used in every day operation of a large flock management. Please note that most aviaries are very concerned with security as well as bio-security. Respect for the operation is essential to be of benefit overall. Ideally, the response team should be made up of experienced avian caretakers or facility avian veterinarian educated in large flock management. Efficiently operated large flock facilities will have record keeping system unique to the operation.

These types are record systems are often on computers; therefore, it’s suggested to have a hard copy of some kind that includes a map of facility with the location & identification of each bird, flight, cage as well as location of food, and extra supplies. Contact information for food supplier should be included as well to avoid interruption of the flock’s normal diet.

As avian caretakers, we’re very concerned with the quality of care of all parrot species in the avian community. By this post we’re not endorsing anyone particular group of the avian community, we just want the birds to be protected from storm damage…because it’s not always a Mother Nature
event!

Under the directorship of Mark D. Hagen (MAg), HARI continues as a world leader in psittacine aviculture. From the humble beginnings in a warehouse operation with imported parrot species to the state of the art psittacine aviculture facility located on a mountain side in Rigaud, the HARI Team has learned and shared a great deal in the way of companion bird keeping. While some things in aviculture have changed, some things remain the same such as experiencing the passion of parrots.

What’s changed?

First of all, the vast variety of parrot species that make up the HARI Flock.

At one time the HARI flock consisted of quite a variety of parrot species to include many cockatoo species as well as smaller South American species. Currently, the HARI flock consists of ten main core species that excel as companion pets in today’s society. This is especially beneficial with the HARI developed technique of raising companion birds – the 6 stages of Early Parrot Education. We have touched on some of the stages in previous blog posts, with lessons in towel cradling, flight harness training, bathing, preening as well as nutrition. These lessons are critical in weaning parrot chicks so that they are prepared for their life as a companion pet.

The many faces of the Avian Community reflected in Parrot Life Magazine- the official publication of HARI. Unlike many other companion animal segments, the Parrot community is so varied with interests in companion, aviculture, medical, and especially a topic dear to the hearts of the HARI Team, conservation. While the publication is limited in print, we do invite readers to get the complete volume set in PDF form at the HARI web site. And, not to worry, there will be more!

What’s the same?

Aside from the many challenges the day to day facility brings, it is the passion of parrots that keeps HARI running! As anyone who cares for animals can attest, the caretaker’s day is not always smooth. HARI has experienced aviculture diseases such as Pacheco’s Virus, PDD, as well as everyday diseases that have resulted in depth research investigation in natural therapies. Mark Hagen and members of the HARI Staff have shared their experience and have spoken at Avicultural conferences all over the world. Work in the areas of disease continues as the HARI staff members collaborate with top avian veterinarians and veterinarian techs throughout the year.

HARI continues to serve as the testing facility for HARI Approved products such as Tropican, Tropimix, Prime and Living World products such as foraging and enrichment Natures Treasures Toys and new Clay-Cal.

The HARI Team wishes to say thank you to all that have supported our work and especially to those in the Avian community. IT is truly a shared Parrot Passion that will keep us going for the next 25 years!

Some of the” Spokes of the Avian Community”

Companion, Conservation, Aviculture, -none exist without each other and we don’t exist without all of them!

Whether you’re a companion bird owner, an aviculturist, or conservationist, the common love and respect for the parrot is so tightly entwined…much as stated by the theme for the 7^th Annual Parrots International Symposium in Miami, Florida June 2-3rd. “One World For Parrots: Conservation, Aviculture, Companion”

As Mark Hagen, director of HARI, prepares his HARI Presentation for this conference, the theme for Parrots International, very much like the sub title of Parrot Life Magazine, helps to bridge the gap between the “spokes” that make up the wheel of the avian community.

Let’s face it, many folks have pets. And of those pet loving folks, many have a pet dog. Of those people that have dogs, how many are concerned about the welfare of a gray wolf? After all, the companion or domestic dog that dominates today’s pet industry is a descendant of the gray wolf. Not a whole lot when we consider the number of pet dogs! This is somewhat understandable. Our companion dog today, regardless of breed, is over 15,000 years removed from his wild counterpart.

Well, so what does conservation, aviculture, and the companion bird communities have in common and why is it so important that these spokes maintain a close relationship? In a nutshell, it’s a constant evolution and a very synergistic relationship. While it is widely documented that Man has had a close relationship with the pet parrot as early as 400 BC, there is still so much we learn about our modern world when we take a look at parrots in our homes or in the wild. Our feathered companions, especially if they’re fairly young, are possibly only a generation or two from its wild counterpart. With the lifespan of some parrot species, many wild caught parrots are amongst the companion or aviary populations. Some of the behavior challenges that plague the companion birds can be attributed to a stifling or better explain, a lack of understanding of parrot’s innate behaviors derived from living in the wild. How about nutrition for companion birds? In the 1980’s, HARI director, Mark Hagen studied the caloric metabolism of a nesting pair of Scarlet macaws’ diet in the wild in comparison to that of captive parrots to determine the needs of a companion parrot’s caloric energy needs. This information was the corner stone in the development of HARI Approved Tropican. What if these parrots were not there?

Let’s switch to captive breeding populations of parrots. Look at the plight of the Spix’s macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii.) While there are many parrot species that are considered critically endangered, the Spix’s macaw is the probably amongst the most well known in the avian community. It is believed the last known Spix’s macaw disappeared in the wild in 2000. What caused this? Some would say it was greedy collectors for the illegal captive parrot market. Some would say the destruction of environment due to over development of lands for cattle grazing and the need to fulfill man’s progress in the world that outsourced the trees and food sources for this little blue parrot. A combination of all of these to be sure! Parrot populations in the wild are like the looking glass or microscope of how things are in an ecosystem. It is said that when a species goes extinct-it is quite possible that at least 10,000 living things go with it…trees, plants, insects and more! We’re in a bit of a quandary with global warming….

The work and unity of concerned avicultural facilities such as Loro Parque Foundation and Al Wabra Preservation , to name a few, have been of great importance in rebuilding populations of the Spix’s macaw with captive breeding practices. While production in captive breeding programs have brought the world population to over 70, the current population is not sufficient enough to repopulate the wild bird numbers-but it’s better than zero! More studies on the behalf of the conversationalist communities is necessary is required to understand the demise in the Spix’s wild habitat. Meanwhile, captive populations of this species needs to be responsibly maintained and remain fruitful and healthy. Success of this species is in the hands of professionals that have committed to years of dedicated aviary management.

While these are only brief examples of how the spokes come together, we at HARI celebrate the endeavors of all them and we hope you do!

How often do we really look at our bird’s physical appearance? And what are we looking for?

What if you are unsure about something you’ve noticed on your bird? Do you call the veterinarian? You do if it’s critical!  These are questions that are easier to address with an understanding of what is normal and what is abnormal. While the best way to assess the health of a bird is typically through regular avian veterinarian checkups, documented observation and monitoring as well as routine grooming offers the avian caretaker an excellent opportunity to assess the health of the companion bird be it a pet or a breeder bird.

So, let’s take a look at a pododermatitis!

Pododermatitis-normal and not normal!

Evaluating a bird’s feet is critical and is one of the most often missed ailments that affect pet birds and especially breeding birds with mere casual observation. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the bird is standing on his feet all of the time!

Pododermatitis or “Bumblefoot” can result in many health issues and the severity is rated by grades. The causes of the various grades of pododermatitis are often correctable by the avian caretaker.  Birds challenged with obesity, and lack of perch rotation are most certainly are prone to bumblefoot condition. Other causes include diets low in Vitamin A & E, excessive use of grooming perches, lack of exercise, and exposure to cigarette smoke.

So, while the bird is securely wrapped in proper towel restraint and ready for his routine grooming, be sure to check the condition of his feet for signs of pododermatitis or “bumble foot.”  The following photos show signs of various grades of Pododermatitis as well as suggested remedies. In some cases, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian. Do make a notation in your bird’s records.   For further information on pododermatitis, please check with your avian veterinarian and check out Dr. Petra Burgmann’s article in Parrot Life Volume 1-page 46.

Don’t forget that grooming is an excellent time to weigh your bird and record his weight!

A record of weights on a bird gives indication of “normal.” A variance in a bird’s average or “normal” weight is a sure sign that a bird might need a diet change or new exercise routine or in the case of unwarranted weight loss, a closer look at the bird’s current health condition.  Be sure to take this opportunity to evaluate your bird’s choanal papillae! Have your tools & suggested supplies from your HARI Approved First Aid Arsenal ready before beginning your own health assessment! And, don’t forget to make a record of his feet!

Fledglings learn very quickly that their towel is “OK” which makes grooming or emergency handling a less stressful situation. Well, what about parrots that were not towel trained…that can be challenging for the both the bird and the novice handler. In the same manner we practice fire drills or other emergency procedures at home or at work, we do recommend that you practice towel restraint with birds long before an actual emergency arises. With regular practice on a method that is non invasive, your feathered buddy will soon learn that this is “OK” too! If you are uncomfortable at first, ask your avian veterinarian or an experienced bird friend to assist.

So let’s begin this first lesson in a step by step guideline for Towel Restraint, but first take a moment to understand the cautionary statement about preparing your bird for a towel restraint!
CAUTION: Care must be taken never to apply pressure on the body of the bird. The bird’s air sacs are found throughout the body. Many handlers fail to realize that compressing the lower body (above the hips) can be suffocating to the bird!
If the bird shows signs of hypoventilation (rapid breathing and signs of overheating), then release the bird immediately to resume at a later time. Overweight and inactive birds have lower tolerance to restraint and stress. The towel will restrict movement of your bird if it is tucked properly.
TIPS: overweight birds or birds unaccustomed to handling can be sprayed with water prior to towel restraint. This cools the body temperature and actually eases the “wrap” process.

1. Assemble your tools :
Towels: choose a towel material that does not slip or one that does not shred or unthread easily, as nails tend to get caught in the loops and lose threads.
For All Size Birds
Gel Pad ( A Gel-type Seat cushion is perfect as it protects the bird’s shoulder region when he’s lying on his back on the counter)
Spray mist bottle with room temperature water
Large Bird
Advisable for 2 people
2 Large towels (3 X the size of the bird with wings expanded)
Velcro strap for larger bird restraint
Small Bird
2 Hand size towel-
Small Velcro strap

2. Place the Gel Pad Cushion on counter top for padding. You can use a large towel if you don’t have a cushion.
3. Place Open Velcro strip on the pad about where the bird middle section would be once he’s on the Gel Pad. It doesn’t have to be perfectly placed-but rather ready.

And, that will lead us to our next segment: grooming & heath assessment. So until then, practice!

An avian veterinarian should always be consulted as soon as possible should your bird present health concerns. The list compiled below includes recommended products you should have easily accessibility, although their use requires fundamental education of their potential benefits and contra-indications and proper dosages. Should symptoms be alleviated with their use, we still strongly recommended that an avian veterinarian be consulted nonetheless as soon as possible. Here are 2 different reference books that we recommend you could add to your bird library.

First Aid For Birds: An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet  Julie Rach Mancini, Gary A. Gallerstein

Holistic Care for Birds: A Manual of Wellness and Healing David McCluggage, Pamela Leis Higdon

• Pet status file with weight monitoring chart
• First aid reference manual
• Emergency contact info for a specialized avian veterinarian, a reliable animal veterinarian with whom you have built a trustworthy relationship that can contact a specialized avian veterinarian for advice , an experienced handler or aviculturist
• A small cage or aquarium that can be adapted for use as an intensive care unit until a veterinarian can be consulted
• Scale  and scale perch for weight monitoring
• Restraint towel and Velcro strips
• Pen light- to monitor pupil dilation and for the monitoring of papilla of the choanal region
• 5 1/2  size Hemostats for the removal of blood feathers
• Ripley Miller leg band removal pliers (exclusively from L&M Bird leg bands for smaller Psittacine and hooked-billed species leg bands)
• Cutters for the removal of sturdier leg bands and potentially cage wire if entrapment arises.
• Sharp/blunt sharp scissors (to free birds that have caught leg or neck in rope toys….and bandage material
• Small battery operated  rotary-Dremel tool with white or light blue stone ( manicure Salon Shaper is the best for use on birds)
• Tweezers
• magnifier
• 5cc syringe
• 1 cc syringe
• Heating pad

• Transporter or Pet Carrier
• Hand sanitizer
• Hand feeding formula
• Fresh millet
• Nylon dog bone for the inspection of the oral cavity of a parrot, a small paper clip can be used for the inspection of a small cockatiel, lovebird or budgie sized bird.
• Bird or fish net for birds in flights suitable for the species size
• Roll of white paper towels ( to use in bottom of cage to monitor droppings)
• Coffee grinder (to grind formulated granules into formula for syringe feeding )
• Sample size bag of fresh food in case of emergency evacuation or hospitalization
• Oxyfresh Cleansing Gele’
• Sample bag –“Ziplock” style: to conserve feces samples and feathers with abnormalities(stress bars, off colors, damaged feather due to feather damaging behavior)
• Clamp and fixture for heating lamp
• Silver nitrate sticks (for bleeding nail only never apply on skin)
• Nail Safe Styptic powder (for use exclusively on nails)
• Misting-spray water bottle

Bandaging material

• Vet wrap roll
• Cosmetic wedges Latex free (used for Human application and blending of make-up)
• White bandage tape
• Steri-strip Skin closure ( Nexcare)
• Cotton tip applicators
• Thin sanitary pads individually wrapped for bandages
• Coffee stirrer plastic sticks  for splints

Water soluble ointments such as:

• Calendula Gel
• Oxyfresh  Pet Gel
• Aloe Vera 100 % pure gel

Other Ointments and Aids

• Hydrocortisone cream ( concentrated for young  or breeding birds)
• Hibitane® ointment

• Vitamin E gel
• Packets for sterile lubricant – or better yet a small vial of olive oil both for use topically on the cloaca for emergency treatment of egg retention
• Calcium Gluconate or liquid calcium (without sugar) for oral administration in case of egg retention (used ideally in conjunction with lubricant on the cloaca and an increased humidity in the immediate environment.
• Rehydrating solution such a Gastrolyte® oral rehydration salt or Pedialyte ® Freezer Pops.
• Liquid Aloe Vera gel ( drinkable Aloe see Parrot Life for therapeutic virtues)
• Camilia® for pain relief (“Boiron” single dose homeopathic medicine for teething babies)
• Living World Clay-Cal
• Activated charcoal  Digestive aid Art:B-2456
• Bentonite Clay paste Tube ( Argiletz)
• Bentonite – green clay powder ( Argiletz)
• “Traumeel” tablets ( Heel)
• Oculoheel® Heel homeopathic eye drop preparation
• Bismuth subsalicylate liquid ( Pepto Bismol®)
• Gentian violet 1 %
• Apple cider vinegar unpasteurized with “mother”
• Nutri-cal ® nutritional high calorie dietary supplement paste
• Grape fruit extract tablets
• Saline Nasal Spray
• Chamomile infusion bags

Additional items for the Aviculturist & Retail Bird Department

• Collection  jar 10% neutral Buffered Formalin ( in case something needs to be preserved for histopathological examination)
• Culturette (collection swab to be brought to your avian veterinarian for isolation of bacterial and fungal infection)
• Feeding tubes for crop washes of neonates ( Tyco health care Kendall Sovereign)

Well, not really, if we’re talking about a HARI Fledgling! One of the most chronic ailments in many companion birds is dealing with overweight condition as a result from lack of exercise.  Birds have wings and they’re designed to fly. But, we must be responsible with companion birds and their flying exercise regiments.  And, a quality made flight harness is just the tool required for responsible flying.

The least stressful way of adapting a bird to a flight harness is to start them out as babies.  At HARI, we introduce the flight harness at a very young age-before the chicks even have feathers. This desensitizes the chick to a foreign item. Simultaneously, we continue offer towel cradling, nutritional support, as well as nurturing. This all reassures our chicks that it’s ok!

As the fledgling advances with further lessons in his weaning stages, he will have mastered the idea of ‘getting dressed’ for his flying exercise. Once his wings are grown and he has graduated to advanced levels, HARI staff members spend time with supervised flying regimens.

With proper instructions and guidance, quality flight harnesses are an amazing tool that benefits a companion bird’s physiological and psychological well being.  The mere act of flying burns off extra calories and keep the bird in top physical shape.  There are many other simultaneous brain functions that occur in flying birds that help in behavior situations as well-especially aggression. For further information on the studies of how flying benefits companion birds, we do invite you to download Parrot Life Magazine #5 and read the article “Thinking on the Wing”, by Steve Hartman of The Parrot University at Hartman Aviary.

With the emergence of hand fed babies over the past three decades, the aviculturist or nursery caretaker has focused on nutritional and physical health only. Unfortunately, the lessons that would be considered behavior related or under the responsibility of the new caretaker come too late in the developmental potential of the young parrot chick.  These lessons should be taught at this very limited, yet inquisitive stage that begins with the emergence of feathers.

To insure a fledgling’s success as he transfers from the nest box to his life as a companion or pet, he must learn weaning, grooming, independence, plus other  valuable lessons that will help him to be a companion parrot. It’s critical for their success. And, as mentioned before, the HARI Weaning for success philosophy in raising the Quakers is applied to all species of Psittacines raised for companion lifestyle at HARI.

Before we get to the next lesson, it might be helpful for the human caretaker to take a moment to view a foreshadowing of future lessons. Take a look at the Primary  Lessons  Check List used at HARI.

And, if you’re still not sure how critical this aspect of raising a parrot chick is, we invite you to also check out the Episode #49 of Wing N Things at Pet Life Radio. HARI facility manager, Josee Bermingham, explains the Theory and Philosophy of HARI’s “Seizing the Moment” with Avian Enrichment Specialist, Robin Shewokis.

Weight

Monitoring the weight of youngsters in the weaning process is a very important tool in determining weaning success. Quaker fledglings should be weighed daily until you are confident that they have successfully weaned. The weight monitoring can then be done every second day. Most baby parrot species should have a 10% daily weight gain until they reach a “plateau-level stage” which usually coincides with the emergence of the pin feathers. Once the “plateau” is reached the chick will usually maintain his weight or lose a few grams from then throughout the end of the weaning stage. The allowable weight loss should be no more than 10% of the “plateau” weight by the end of the weaning process. It is critical to be especially attentive to the weight loss, as too much loss can be indication of unintentional starvation weaning.

Introduction to the Weaning Stages

Syringe feeding continues as spoon-feeding is introduced. At this point the fledgling’s crop has reached its maximum potential and will now decrease in size.

Quaker chicks are syringe fed exclusively with the Tropican Hand Feeding Formula until approximately 5 weeks of age.  At this time gradual introduction of soaked Tropican High Peformance Granules will start to replace the hand feeding formula, spoon fed a few times a day with a following small quantity of syringe fed hand feeding formula. Abundance weaning is recommended; chicks thrive best when syringe fed prior to spoon-feeding of the soaked, warm weaning granules. A chick will regress if it is too hungry, or fed a diet lacking in the optimum fat content. A record of each chick’s progress is monitored by nursery technicians and noted in the Weaning Chart

Pre-fledglings will become increasingly inquisitive nearing their fifth week of age. It is most important to take advantage of this very narrow window of opportunity of curiosity when the pre-fledgling is starting to mnove around and explore the nest substrate to offer a a small bowl of dry Tropican High Performance Granules in their baby pens. As the pre-fledgling is not agile enough to allow climbing or perching, food must be placed in a stable dish on the nest substrate. (note: substrate should never be corncob granules as these are easily ingested and are a playground for yeast infection). Pre-fledglings at this stage should be spending most of their time sleeping, nibbling on dry granules or preening other clutch mates. There should be no toys to distract them from the essentials. The chick pet is covered with blanket top and 3 sides to encourage exploration within the cage.

It is important for the young chicks to start digesting more solid food to prevent the GI tract from becoming lazy. Soaked granules enhance the tonus and motility of the young bird’s crop and should ideally be of the same formulation as the hand feeding diet at this age, a high performance formula.

Weaning Cage Food Set Up

The Weaning Cage only contains Tropican and occasional spray millet to encourage limited independent foraging. The importance of stimulating their young minds at this age must not be overshadowed. Fledglings that are offered over stimulation in the way toys, excessive foods, lose their focus on weaning which can lead to dietary problems in their future. Many nursery caregivers often make the mistake of offering an assortment of foods that do not meet the fledgling’s still developing needs. There is plenty of time after the fledgling has weaned and learned to eat a nutritiously sound diet to then experiment and try other foods such as fruits and vegetables.

We recommend that all feedings be done in the weaning cages, as this will facilitate the successful weaning process. Young birds must understand that food comes from within the cage.

Who can resist the robust, “big parrot-trapped in a small body” personality of a Quaker? Also known as monk parakeets, Quakers are one of the most popular parrot species for companion lifestyle.

While the HARI flock includes many parrot species, the collection includes this ever popular companion species, the Quaker parakeet. HARI Staff  explains the “HARI way” on weaning and educating the owner so they are well adjusted for companion bird lifestyle.

Quakers: Weaning for Success

At HARI, Quaker chicks are typically pulled from the nest at 2-3 weeks of age. A Chick Information File and Chick Growth Chart is set up for each baby. Health is assessed with a physical exam, initial weight monitoring, and logged into the chick’s file. And, it is this critical stage that Quaker chicks begin their “education” process!  In the next coming weeks, the pupils are introduced to many skills such as towel training, technician handling that includes: grooming, observation of choanal papillae, behavior and more.  But, their first lesson, and most critical for long healthy life, is the weaning process.

Initially, fledgling Quakers are housed in a brooder with clutchmates.  To assimilate the sense of security of their nest box, the brooder is kept dark and covered.  They will soon be ready to make a transition to their weaning cage.

Weaning cages should be well thought out with a very specific set up to make the weaning process as easy and as rapidly successful as possible. A weaning cage can also be the Night Cage for fledglings, as both should not have toys, only perches and food. For a nighttime cage, or “sleep cage” we recommend that toys should not be included to avoid hazardous accidents not to be discovered until the morning. Weaning cages, however, should not have toys for entirely different reasons. When fledglings are weaning their inquisitive minds need to be stimulated with food and nothing else as it is too easy for them to be distracted. Instead of toys the cage should contain several food bowls.

You can sometimes add a plastic or cardboard hut to give a hiding place to the Quakers, but this should be used with caution as they may become aggressive when provided with these shelters. We do suggest though that three sides of the cage be covered with blankets or towels during the day, and that all four sides should be covered at night. This will maintain focus and allow for the birds to sleep. Smaller cages are also better for weaning as it will help minimize distractions. We have had failures based on the size of some of the cages we have placed weaning birds into. A cage with too many toys or a variety of foods distracts the fledglings from the main focus of weaning onto a desired nutritional food,   As the birds get older and are maintaining a proper weight they can then go in bigger cages, or Day Cage, where toys and foraging activities are encouraged.