I'd highly suggest taking him to an avian vet, who should at least be able to judge 'old/adult/young' as far as age goes. Unless there's a really good track of all his previous owners, there's really no good way to determine how old a wild caught bird is -- and if he's more than 25, he's almost certainly wild caught.
A vet visit will also make sure he's in good health, and you should probably run at least a basic blood panel ($150 - $300, depending on where you are) to make sure that he's doing okay.
As far as a terrier goes... you probably can train him, but it's not going to be easy. http://www.rationalparrot.com/zoosafety.html goes over how I've taught my dogs (poodle, doberman, shepherd) to be okay around my birds.
Congratulations on your new friend! He looks awfully cute in the picture.
We had a German Shepherd/Airedale Terrier mix growing up. She was incredibly smart and would hunt small mammals (which we tried to discourage). We also had a cockatiel. Eventually, though years of consistent training, they learned to cohabitate well. It got to the point, that with supervision, I would be able to put Pattie (the 'tiel) on Sheba's (the dog) back and Sheba would just be like, "whatever, no big deal." So it IS possible, but it's hard, and I wouldn't ever recommend letting them have time together (bird out of cage, dog in room) by themselves.
I have nothing helpful except to say too bites hurt! I was working at our rescue today and one was overtired and nailed me. my hand has been hurting all day!
We have an akita who would eat the birds of our house if she could, fortunately she is mostly outside and we just keep her separated from the flock.
We also have a basset hound who is high strung and afraid of the macaw and has been since we brought our bebe home. He hasn't adjusted he just learned that he is below the birds in the pecking order.
I wish i had something to tell you about getting everyone to get along. Our animals just don't and we had to accept that.
Welcome to the wonderful world of being owned by a 'Too. I'm owned by a Goffin and Moluccan cockatoo. Realistically, with an excellent diet, care, and luck they can live to 70.
I second bloolark's suggestion. Get him to an avian vet ASAP to get a checkup and full blood work. What kind of diet has he been on? What kind of diet is he eating now? What kind of cage is he set up in?
And once again, welcome to the exciting and sometimes frustrating world of being 'Too owned. They'll feathered, soul-eating monsters and I love them to death.
Comments 8
I'd highly suggest taking him to an avian vet, who should at least be able to judge 'old/adult/young' as far as age goes. Unless there's a really good track of all his previous owners, there's really no good way to determine how old a wild caught bird is -- and if he's more than 25, he's almost certainly wild caught.
A vet visit will also make sure he's in good health, and you should probably run at least a basic blood panel ($150 - $300, depending on where you are) to make sure that he's doing okay.
http://community.livejournal.com/parrot_lovers/2266284.html has a list of some of the avian vets we recommend.
As far as a terrier goes... you probably can train him, but it's not going to be easy. http://www.rationalparrot.com/zoosafety.html goes over how I've taught my dogs (poodle, doberman, shepherd) to be okay around my birds.
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We had a German Shepherd/Airedale Terrier mix growing up. She was incredibly smart and would hunt small mammals (which we tried to discourage). We also had a cockatiel. Eventually, though years of consistent training, they learned to cohabitate well. It got to the point, that with supervision, I would be able to put Pattie (the 'tiel) on Sheba's (the dog) back and Sheba would just be like, "whatever, no big deal." So it IS possible, but it's hard, and I wouldn't ever recommend letting them have time together (bird out of cage, dog in room) by themselves.
Reply
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We also have a basset hound who is high strung and afraid of the macaw and has been since we brought our bebe home. He hasn't adjusted he just learned that he is below the birds in the pecking order.
I wish i had something to tell you about getting everyone to get along. Our animals just don't and we had to accept that.
Reply
I second bloolark's suggestion. Get him to an avian vet ASAP to get a checkup and full blood work. What kind of diet has he been on? What kind of diet is he eating now? What kind of cage is he set up in?
And once again, welcome to the exciting and sometimes frustrating world of being 'Too owned. They'll feathered, soul-eating monsters and I love them to death.
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