Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 12/11/2006

Question
I think they ate, there were empty seed shells on the floor. Acctualy the other pair is away from this pair. I was just wondering if i have to qurantine the male nad the female in this new pair? i got them from a breeder, so they have lived in the same environtment. Do i have to quranting the new 2 birds?( the one i just got) The other old pair is not even close to them as you mention to keep them away for 30 days. I put a nest box in the cage of the new pair. Should i take it off? Because i am not sure if they are bonded. But its looks like they are likeing each other. The mael and the female are looking at each other and when i had the female in the other cage, they both were contacting with these small noises. What do you think?
thnx
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I kept the other ones away from this pair. ACtually i got it froma  breeder. THis is not a true-bonded pair, infact i think they just got introduced to each other. They are going fine in the cage, no fighting or anything but should i qurantine them? i think they got bonded already because they are sitting together staring and each other. the male even tried to preen her. Well any ways is it normal for them to be fluffed up? like i said i just got them 2 days ago. They only ate a little bit. So is it normal for them to act this way? fluffed up,shaking and eyes closing. The female sometimes puts arae leg inside her stomach part. They even make the "seed eating" noises from their mouth. Do i have to worry about this? will they be fine?
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi Chrys,
I just got a pair of cockatiels. I live in canada..so its pretty cold here at this time. Today at morning time i went to get the pair. The male and teh female were all fine in the pet store. But when i got them home, the female is fluffed up,eyes closed and shaking. When ever i look at ther she opens her eyes, but when i dont look she closes. What should i do? I got her at 12 p.m now its about 6 p.m and she hasnt eaten a single seed. What should i do? I also forgot to tell you that her wings are also down low. Plz help ASAP!
-----Answer-----
Hi, Zuhair.

Usually when you first bring new birds home, they need time to settle down in their new environment and get used to you.  This might take a week, a couple of weeks, or could take a month, depending on the birds.  Your new tiels are most likely scared to death and stressed out from the move.  I'd just leave them alone until they become more comfortable in their new environment.  Keep them warm and in a quiet location in your home.  You should quarantine new birds for at least 30 days if you have other birds (don't you have another pair of tiels?).  This means keeping them completely separate from any other parrots in your home (in a different room, in a different part of your home).  This quarantine period is necessary in case the new birds are ill (stress from a move can allow them to shed illness/disease if they happen to be harboring any) so they don't infect your existing birds.  Wait a day or so and if the female is still acting sickly, call the pet store where you bought them from and tell them you think the bird is ill.  If you have an avian veterinarian, I'd take the new birds for a medical evaluation (which is something you should do anyway when you acquire new birds, particularly with other birds in your home).

Chrys
-----Answer-----
Hi again, Zuhair.

YES, you should quarantine these new birds from your other birds.  No, they have not bonded yet.  Even birds who are just friends will sit next to each other and preen each other.  You'll know they are pair-bonded when the male feeds the female beak-to-beak.  

It's normal for parrots to be frightened, scared, etc., of their new environment and new people.  The fluffing up, not eating much is a sign of stress, therefore, leave them alone for the most part until their stress is relieved.  The closing of the eyes could mean they are dehydrated or that they are just sleeping...have they had anything to drink since you brought them home?  If not, you need to try and coax them to drink.  This is very important.  Fluffing up and not eating can also be a sign of illness, so watch them very closely for other signs of illness.  You may need to take them to an avian vet for a checkup if they don't seem better in a couple of days.  They are either really stressed out or they could be ill.  When a bird pulls it's leg into it's chest, it's usually sleeping.  

Are they making grinding noises with their beaks?  This usually means a bird is content, but contentness doesn't seem to go along with the other behaviors.  

I don't know if they'll be fine.  Let's see what another day or two brings.  If it's stress and their immune system isn't up to par, they can become sick.  However, if it's stress from the move, they should be OK in a matter of time.  Watch them closely though.

Chrys

Answer
Hi again, Zuhair.

Quarantine your new birds from your existing birds for 30 days.  As long as the 2 new birds came from the same breeder, you don't need to quarantine them from each other.  Do not put up a nesting box yet for the new pair.  They haven't even had time to settled down from the move yet, much less get used to you and each other!  They need time.  When you see the male feeding the female beak-to-beak, they are pair-bonded and then you can put up a nesting box.  This might take several months minimum.  These new birds should be at least 18 months old before trying to breed them.  Don't try to rush them into things just because you are ready!

Chrys