Guess What??

[Tracie]

Guess what??

My Husband Rich, my Son Richard and, I went bird shopping, Rich bought us a Parrotlet, it's a male, he's 3mons. old, and as cute as cute can be. He loves to nest in my hair, and hide in our clothes. We are so HAPPY with him. We didn't name him yet, I want to watch how he act's before naming him.We just got him Saturday up in Landcastle, PA we paid $ 300.00 for him. He has a red band around his little ankle, the lady is going to mail his paper's to me. I haven't had time to get any pictures yet, but as soon as i do i will be HAPPY to post them. :emot-danc
If any of you can tell me more about Parrotlets please do so. The Lady said they live to be 20 to 30 years old :heart: I hope so. I was thinking of breeding Parrotles to get an Grey, but I have changed my mind very fast, I really like this little guy.....:dance:

[Jean]

Congratulations! :stars:

With your new baby. :wub: I have read a little about them and I have also read they can live 25 to 30 years. They are a lot of parrot for being the tiniest.

I'll bet, Shirley has some input about them.

Here is a good link with a lot of information about Parrotlets.

http://www.parrotlets.com/Forpus.htm

Can't wait to see pics!

[Shirley]

I'm so happy for you, Tracie! Congratulations!

And Jean found an excellent site for you to study.

Parrotlets are a LOT of parrot packed into a tiny bird... read a lot before getting another -- one is a pet, two is a pair and you usually lose your pet once it has a mate. However, two doesn't mean you get eggs and babies, and if you get a mate and one doesn't take a liking to the other, you may have a nasty fight on your hands, with possible injuries, and sometimes with serious consequences...

Lacy's been with us since she hatched, is 3 yrs old, is headed for her third clutch and the first two were sterile. Her mate is proven. Her parents waited over 2 years before they had two clutches. I used to raise canaries... if I didn't count the cost of raising them and caring for them, and getting cages for their youngsters, then maybe their babies might have paid for something... so I wouldn't count chicks before their are hatched, so to speak, but having babies is loads of fun once you study up and have some time set aside. And some $$ for baby cages, growing up cages... avain vet bills, etc. I don't mean to sound like a wet blanket on the idea of babies paying for a Grey... but I wouldn't count on it happening that way...
(If it did, I'd have two Greys! ) :doh: :dance:

[Sue]

:emot-danc :emot-danc :emot-danc Tracie, I'm so pleased for you, Congrats!!!!!!!!:dance:

[Islandzoo]

Congratualtions Tracie on your new baby!

have to agree with Shirley on breeding though. it's not something to be entered into lightly I don't think, you should breed for love of doing it not for the money. jmo.

[Tracie]

[B][I]I was relly thinking of breeding, but I just can't i'm in love with this little guy, I do not at all want another bird I am very-very happy with him. One day when we get back on our feet, and Richard is much older, I still want a Grey, but we are talking at least eight years, but to let the truth be known I am in LOVE with this little parrotlet. Thank You again Shirley if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have shopped around.Richard is too young for a Grey, he is to fast. Right now he is so excited over the little guy he sit's very still and he holds him, kisses him. But when i'm holding him he comes towards him to fast. I have to remind him he will scare the Bird from moving fast.This has me a little worried. The Bird don't run from him, but i'm in fear the bird will get hand shy. Please don't get me wrong Richard is a animal lover like me, together we have raised guinea pigs, hampsters, he has the hermit crab's. I raised the animals because I love all animals, and I also did it to teach Richard that they need fresh food, water, love cleaning out, the whole nine yards. We gave that up about 7 mons. ago we both miss it. I think he will get use to the little guy it's just new to him..........

[parrotgirl]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/parrotgirl/greetings/congrats1.gif

Tracie, I am very happy for you and your little guy. Look forward to seeing pics when you have them. Have to agree with Shirley on the breeding, if your happy with your little Mr P, and it certainly sounds like you are, then thats all that matters. Enjoy having him and all the love and fun he will give you in the times ahead.

[Jim]

Congratulations!

[Tracie]

Hi everyone,our little guy is doing very well. I spent the morning and most of the earley afternoon bonding with him, he loves hiding in my hair, he also loves going down my shirt. I have noticed a difference in him today, at first he didn't eat well, that had me scared, my husband said he had to adjust he was right, he is eating more, he's on his swing now, i fixed his cage up really nice, i read they need lot's of toy's so when we go away he won't get board, so i went shopping this afternoon and bought him some really cute toy's. I am very HAPPY with him, he is so cute. My Sophie, she is my :heart: heart :heart: I talk to the bird saying " look at the pretty birdie " Sophie get's so happy she think's i'm talking to her, so now as soon as i say " look at the pretty birdie " i have to hold Sophie, I think she think's she is a bird now, that girl make's me crack up. As you can tell we haven't found a name for him yet, i keep watching his every move trying to get a name. So I need a name and a picture so i can post it. If anyone else has more to tell me about Parrotlets, please do so, i want to know everything so i know what to exspect....

[Shirley]

When I have more time, I'll post more... but if you go back to "the beginning" on the post dates, you'll see pics of all my parrotlets and such.

Some like "tents" or happy huts to run through or sleep in, some don't. Just be careful they can't get their legs or necks caught in loose threads as they chew and play with the fabric.

They love to have their necks and heads preened.

If he decides to bite hard on occasion... that's pretty much normal parrotlet behavior... they are feisty and unpredictable sometimes, and often cage-protective.

Some talk; mine don't.

I can't stress enough how quickly one of your pets can and may kill him... don't take that wrong... it only takes a moment for a pup or dog to snarf at a parrotlet and then he's gone, just like that, even though the dog didn't intend to hurt the bird.

Also... be sure your son allows him to "step up", not to "hold him" or he may squeeze him without realizing it. Birds have to be able to expand their breast (chest area) in order to breathe properly. Kids squeeze a bird too hard without realizing it. Just helpful tips. I'm sure you already know, but better safe than sorry. :wub:

[Griminsdj]

WOOHOO! Welcome on your new family member! I can't wait to see pictures!


I haven't actually had the pleasure of being aroudn a parrtolet first hand, but I have read that they have a personality similar to a hand ferd lovebird, and even feisty and bolder but are cuddlers (you already knwo that now though!LOL) They also call them Pocket parrots.


Guess what??

My Husband Rich, my Son Richard and, I went bird shopping, Rich bought us a Parrotlet, it's a male, he's 3mons. old, and as cute as cute can be. He loves to nest in my hair, and hide in our clothes. We are so HAPPY with him. We didn't name him yet, I want to watch how he act's before naming him.We just got him Saturday up in Landcastle, PA we paid $ 300.00 for him. He has a red band around his little ankle, the lady is going to mail his paper's to me. I haven't had time to get any pictures yet, but as soon as i do i will be HAPPY to post them. :emot-danc
If any of you can tell me more about Parrotlets please do so. The Lady said they live to be 20 to 30 years old :heart: I hope so. I was thinking of breeding Parrotles to get an Grey, but I have changed my mind very fast, I really like this little guy.....:dance:

[Tracie]

I have had my little man for a few day's, he doesn't do to much, meaning he don't run around his cage, i hold him a lot he love's that, but in his cage he is really still. I keep thinking something is wrong with him, so i called the Lady who sold him to us, she said everything is new to him he will adjust. Is she right? I sure hope so, as you can tell i worry alot. He won't let NO one but me hold him, he isn't mean to Rich, or Richard, he just look's at me, and run's stright to me. Will he perk up more??

[Shirley]

He's fine... he might be tired from all the playtime outside his cage.

If he's not fine, he'll be fluffed up and on the floor and looking miserable Are his feathers sleek and close to his body, except when he's sleeping? good.

Eyes clear and sparkly? good.
Eating? good.
Black & white droppings? not runny? good.

Is he getting 10-12 hrs of dark quiet sleep at night w/no interruptions? good.

Does he make excited loud rapid chirps 2-3 times per day? That's normal parrotlet calling if he does.

[Tracie]

Dear Shirley,

He is doing all but cherping, do you think i'm holding him to much??
My goal is to keep him tame, i really love him, he love's me right back. He don't bite my Husband or Son, but he run's to me. I PRAY he is Ok. Keep writing me, i feel scared. Thank YOU,


Tracie

[Shirley]

When you say holding him, I assume you mean letting him perch on you or on your finger, hang out with you, etc, right? I keep a portable T-stand, like the size of a salad plate, nearby and Holly or whoever sits there sometimes where ever I happen to be.

Parrotlets are a species that should be taken out daily in order to keep them tame...they have a tendency to get "wild and crazy" and cage protective and ornery sometimes, so taking them out every day is a good thing. Now, as for how much? No more now than you can when you are the most busy in your schedule. In other words, what he is getting now he will expect next month, and next year, and so on. So, give him now what you can give him later on.

He may not be chirping a lot b/c he's the only one. Mine go into a chirping frenzy among themselves and calling from one room to the other (the pairs aren't in the same rooms) so it gets to sounding a bit like a small jungle at times. If you hear him chirp, respond and talk to him and get excited with him... he'll love that his calls are answered! :heart:

[Tracie]

I get him out around the same time's everyday, it's my free time i have to play and talk to him, he is still finger shy he don't bite but he will run around his cage until i get him, so when he is in my hair i know he feel's safe there that's when i pet him with my hand. I do some house work with him, just little thing's like reset the wash, or get him fresh water, nothing that could put him in any danger. I worry about him way to much, i just really LOVE him and i want him to stay tame. I also want him to be silly, i'm so scared something is wrong with him , i have read up on Parrotlets and they talk about how funny and silly they are, and my man is not acting like this. He watches my every move thow. I put him in our Family room so he feel's involved with us. I cover him at 9:00pm and uncover him at 7:00am. I'm trying so hard.......................

[Griminsdj]

It took about a week for my lovebird sage to settle in and play with toys and begin his chirping. He really started his chirping when he heard birds on TV, try tuning the Discovery, National Geographic or Animal PLanet on the TV and see if the background sound motivates him.



Dear Shirley,

He is doing all but cherping, do you think i'm holding him to much??
My goal is to keep him tame, i really love him, he love's me right back. He don't bite my Husband or Son, but he run's to me. I PRAY he is Ok. Keep writing me, i feel scared. Thank YOU,


Tracie

[Shirley]

Ours run all over the cage and pitch a fit, but once out, they're fine. Playing in long hair is one of their favorite things to do! :funny:

Also, they sell these cute little "pockets" that hang from "ropes" or ribbons about mid-chest around your neck and your parrotlet supposedly sits down in it and "hangs out" with you as you go about your day... You could make one real easily.

[Jim]

Hello Tracie

How do you get him out of the cage? I personally don't force/push any bird to come out of a cage unless it's an emergency. Empowering the bird with the choice of coming out is very beneficial. Builds trust and confidence. Could you teach him that coming out of the cage is going to result in a positive experience or earn a reward like a favorite treat, getting in your hair, a walk around to see things. Anything you think is rewarding to him.

Our 'teil acted like this in his cage but once out he was a love bug. Once he learned that stepping on my hand to come out earned a big reward for him he couldn't wait to get on my hand to get out.

[tielgal]

Oh he sounds like a gorgeus lil man Im sure he'll perk up he may just be trying to settle in it sounds like that anyway. lets us know how he gets on

[parrotgirl]

It took my little guys about 1 - 2 weeks to settle in fully, and they were so quiet, now they don't keep quiet. lol. But the bourkes and the linnies have such a lovely sound, George the rosella, is just crazy and makes the loudest noise, even makes Bucc sit up and take notice, then he tells him to be quiet, then we have a shouting match:doh: :nuts: I'm sure when he has settled in fully he will be chirping all day. He loves you just as much as you love him.:wub: :heart: