What should I treat Charlie with?

[fhgwgads]

So as I posted before I got a new boy. My concern is that I got him from a place that housed him with canaries, shaft tails, societies, stars, cordon bleus, oc waxbills, etc. All my other birds seem to be more domesticated.. Shadow and Kuri were as domesticated as possible without being trained and their babies obviously took on much of their temperament and are used to us. Charlie however.. acts like he is on crack. I can be near his cage and he will sing and bounce around but if I make a sudden movement or he sees hands he starts to go crazy.. and forget changing bowls.. then he's all over the place! I hope he will calm down soon.. but he is obviously more inherently wild and most likely didn't have much human bonding. I would like to treat him considering he is new. First and foremost I want to cover mites. I don't know where to start. The easiest would be to find something in stores but it seems most stuff needs to be ordered online. Is there anything I can get from Petco or Petsmart? And then what else do I do? I know it's good to give them certain things once you get them and they are in quarantine. But sure if it was F-vite or Thrive? I am just going from names I remember, lol. I am assuming those need to be ordered as well. But I definitely need some advice ASAP! (My zip code is 11501.)

[Ginene]

I would definitely start with a mite & lice spray. You can get that at any pet store. As for quarantine meds, a wormer is a good idea. I use Worm Away. I also give new birds NV Powder. It has vitamins and electrolytes. I wasn't able to get it when I placed my last order on glamgouldians.com, so I got Thrive instead. I also ordered some 4 in 1 Powder which is good to have on hand for sick birds. Since you have zebras exclusively, I'm not sure if you need to do an S76 treatment...but I always do with any new birds. It goes into their drinking water for 2 consecutive days, over 3 consecutive weeks. Be careful not to do too much at a time. Hopefully the experts will have more to add...btw, my minimum quarantine was 30 days, but my vet suggests 90 days so thats what I do now...Good Luck

[Daisy]

I hope you find mite and worm medication and that he will be alright. These little birds are nervous and scared easily, some more than others. My finches were like that when they first came here, it took them weeks to be less afraid of me. I have 2 new young parakeets that need to be tamed and this takes time and patience. I think birds have to adjust to new surroundings like other pets do. The dogs I adopted over the years from the animal shelter took months to adjust, first they learn to trust you then they must adapt to a new home. I guess birds are as varied as people, some much more nervous than others, give your new bird time and try to work with him every day.

[chirpy]

I can't help you with the medication stuff (as you know... ) just wanted to say.. I hope he calms down soon! I used to scare me when they go crazy everywhere and bashing into things like night fright - during the day! poor little fellas.. if only they knew we have them for a reason - to love them..

[nelloyello11]

As far as the skiddishness goes, I have one hen who has always been more easily frightened than all the rest. She's gotten A LOT better, but still gets freaked during cage cleaning, etc.
I've found that lots of talking helps them get used to me. Say something to them whenever you are near the cage, even if you are just passing by. If you're standing near the cage, talk to him, tell him a little story. Doesn't really matter what you say, but how you say it, I think. Talk in a calm, gentle tone, moderate pitch and volume. Getting him used to your voice and intimations in a non-threatening situation should make him more comfortable with you. Then, when you're working in the cage, cleaning, changing out dishes, etc, speak to him in the same manner and it should help him translate it into "ok, I'm not getting attacked. This human is okay! Hey that's food!!!"

[fhgwgads]

Thankfully Charlie settled in very quickly! Within a few days of being in with Kuri they were absolutely in love and he has calmed down a lot, become very social and is quite the character! He doesn't talk to me like Shadow used to.. but he isn't freaked out by me. And he is one smart little bugger and understands certain things I say. I talk to all of my birds throughout the day as if they are people, lol.