It was early when
we arrived home (5:30pm) with our beautiful Blue Masked Lovebird, but for
him it was nearing his bedtime.� His cage was cleaned, food dishes
prepared and all things he would need was placed in our downstairs bathroom.�
He was now in quarantine where he would stay for at least 30 days.�
He didn't have much interest
in going to bed he wanted to be held and loved on.� He was not "hand
shy" or have any fear of human handling.�� He was the opposite
he demanded it.�
The breeder told me he was
weaned eating seed and pellets.� But he was crying as an unweaned
baby would do.� He had no interest in the seed or the pellets.�
I was very upset thinking he was not totally weaned and I had no idea what
he needed.�� I planned to give him baby food for the first few
weeks, but I was concerned he still required his formula.�
I sent Jerry to the store
for baby food and cereal.� Simon was very picky when it came to eating
off the spoon and kept crying.� This was very upsetting because I
was so afraid I would lose my beautiful new baby.� I placed his seed
and water dishes on the floor and removed all perches from the cage.�
Before long he was settled
in for the night.�� The following day Jerry returned to the bird
show for more toys and perches.�� I asked him to stop by the
booth where we got Simon to make sure he was totally weaned.�
He was assured that he was
weaned, but I thought maybe it was too soon.�� The breeder was
not sure about his exact hatch date, saying it was around Mother's Day.��
If this were the case he was no older than 6 weeks at the most.�
The following day was vet
check.�� Dr. Hall, as I've said before, is great with all our
parrots.� The first thing he said was "Don't tell me....please say
its not the bird show."� He had the unfortunate experience of treating
some of the sick birds from the bird show several years ago.�
Since that time several new
requirements were added making it less likely of getting a sick bird, but
there is always the chance one could slip by.�
Simon was given a full exam
including a test for sexing.� Dr. Hall said he was in good feather
and looked healthy, but of course we should keep an eye on him until he
comes out of quarantine.�
I prayed that he was in fact
male because all other small parrots were male and the last thing I wanted
was a female in their midst.�
Making visits to our bathroom
quarantine was not easy.� The bathroom is not that big and I've taken
advantage of the space for bookcases removed from the living room to make
room for cages.� Bird people know what I'm talking about. :-)
I visited with Simon throughout the day, getting him out to play on
the floor and climb on me.� I was also able to see him from my computer
desk making sure he was eating and playing safely.�
I am a "poop" watcher so when Simon's started to take on different colors
I became concerned.� A vet check was prompted and more tests were
taken for my benefit.� Dr. Hall thought he was all right, but for
my own satisfaction thought the tests would be best.�
Thankfully all tests showed no signs of any illness or disease and when
the call came confirming Simon was in fact male my parrot world was great!�
Click on Next to read about
Simon's introduction to his brothers.�� :-)
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