What a great movie!

All right, about bringing home your new lovebird. . . .

There are some things you need to have to bring your baby home and keep them happy and safe:

1. A travel cage - I recommend a critter cage that you can pick up from the various pet warehouse types of stores.  In that you'll need a perch with a base.  I also recommend getting a stuffed animal that fits tightly in one half during travel.  These little guys loose their balance a bit until they get older.  If you're not going far (30 minutes or so) you won't need to worry about food and water.  If however, your trip is longer - you may want to provide food like apples, veggies and lightly watered food pellets.
2. At home you need a cage.  You want a cage large enough for these fellows to exercise their wings.  You also want a cage with a door large enough to easily get in and out of that cage - no parakeet cages.  Keep the bar spacing (the wall material of the cage) to 5/8" or less.  Make sure it has sturdy cages, these guys like to chew up stuff.  I would also recommend a cage with a separate bottom tray and a separate bottom grill.  That makes it much easier to clean the cage
3. A good location for the cage!  These guys are part of the family.  You really want them where you spend most of your time.  You'll also need to provide them with some security, a place they can retreat too.  Putting the cage against a wall or in a corner is a good idea.  Remember, these guys like and need sunlight!
4. TOYS - you need to give them lots of toys.  Toys to play in and around and toys to chew up and destroy.  My guys go through those bamboo toys in about a day so. . . .  I also provide toys that I can stuff with treats.  It gives them the mental challenge they need and a reward.
5. Food - you don't know how many people buy all the fun cage stuff and forget the food.  I recommend starting with the food your baby was weaned to.  Then you can slowly introduce other foods you would like to have them eat or switch to entirely.  Any new foods you try will take some time for them to get interested in, we are talking weeks here.  Don't give up, patience works well here.
6. Water dish or bottles - Some babies are weaned to bottles, others dishes.  Rose, my great vet at Potomac Valley prefers dishes.  She feels that you can never really sanitize the water bottles.  If you do use water bottles, she stated that you should change the water daily.  For my sake I prefer the water bottle.  This helps keep the mess down- a lot.  Lovebirds like to dump things - anything really - into their water dishes.
7. Paper or Plastic - kidding.  What I'm getting at here is the paper you'll need to coat the bottom of the cage.  Do not use those things like grit and the like.  Because these guys can shell their nuts externally they do not have a gizzard to do the job internally.  If they ingest the grit - and they will - it can block their systems and be lethal.
8. Treats - yep, those seeds and people food.  NO junk food or candy, okay.  Lovebirds are omnivores.  They can eat most of what you eat.  Millet is candy to these guys.  It is fattening too - so keep it as a treat.
9. Cage cover.  It’s a worth while investment.  It provides them some privacy and comfort.
10. Happy hut - this is a personal preference item.  If you do use one, take it out every morning.  If you don't your little buddy can become very territorial over it.

Let me know if I forgot anything.

 

 

Okay, I'm late - sorry.

Sometimes it's hard to take that extra bit of time to get something done - LIKE playing with your little buddies!

Hey, I understand, it happens to everyone once in a while.  You come home too tired for a game of tag or to train the little ones, so you wave on the way to bed.

You can't do it.  You have to stop and take some time with them, even if it is only 5 minutes.

You are their flock, a real and important member of their family.  Just imagine how you would feel if your family member walked in the door and went to bed.  You would wonder what's wrong. 

Are they mad?  Are they sick?  Don't they love you?

Why would you think your little guys would worry any less than you do?

They are pretty well attuned to their world and notice much more than we do. 

So, go to the cage and play with your friend.  You'll find that maybe, just maybe you feel better - and very much loved.

 

How can you tell that your lovebird is happy?

Through observation!  Most lovebirds show they are happy by their actions.  What I mean is that these little guys love to play and explore.  They love toys, and make toys out of just about anything!

My guys love to play in my fig trees and my Swedish ivy. (WARNING - not all plants are safe for your birds *note to self, put up a list of safe plants and dangerous plants)

If your little guy is sitting on the perch all day, puffed up - you've got problems.  You need to check them immediately to see that they are not ill.  Often these little guys will huddle on the bottom of their cage all puffed up if they are ill.  If yours is doing something like this - take them to the vet.

If your little guy isn't sick but is a bit down there are some things you can do. 

1.  When did this start?  Did any changes happen recently, like relocating the cage, new food, new bird?  Try to track down when you little buddy started showing his/her displeasure.  That often is a big clue and offers you some opportunities.

2.  No changes huh, okay.  Is your little buddy getting enough sleep?

Now here's something many people do not know.  Your little friend needs at least 10 hours of undisturbed, dark sleep.  This means having your little friend in a room that you can close off from the hustle and bustle of evening activities - or a really good cage cover.  Now, here's something to remember - these guys are attuned to their world!

What I mean is this, daylight hours impact how they act.  When they are active in more than 12 hours of light, they think its time to increase the population.  Breeding time makes these little guys moody!  I have a sweet little blue who is a joy - except during the breeding time when she'll rip you finger off if given a chance.  Females especially are very moody at this time.  She and I have an understanding at that time.  I still play with her, but I take her out of the cage with the towel.  She knows that and will move off of her "nest" to come out. 

3.  Have you changed your schedule?  My guys give me fits when I'm not home on time or I've left at a different time than normal.  They get over it, but they let me know they care.

 

There are a host of other things that can affect your bird’s happiness too, boredom being a big one.  Change those toys out and move them around every week or so that they'll be happy!

Well, thanks to Deb who made me think of this!

I'll be back later - send in those ideas!

Terry

 

A good friend of mine suggested starting a lovebird blog.  He said, "think of all those cool bird people you'll meet."

So here it is - started anyway.

One thing I'll say.  Trying to find happy homes for baby lovebirds is not easy!  They are so much fun to have around though; I guess it is no real bother.

 

I'll do my best to publish a little article everyday - even if it’s just keeping up with what my colorful crew are up to.

 

Presently they are hinting strongly for dinner!