antibiotics and strange behaviour

[sal]

Hi all, have two questions i need help with....
1- a vet has advised me that as i have purchased a new bird recently, before i put it in with the rest i should give it antibiotics just in case it has psitticosis and should do the rest of the flock as well. Does anyone think this is nessisary and will it be harmful to my birds..they are gang gangs.

2- the new bird is in perfect feather and condition only he does this strange thing...he puts his head down and then raises it as if he is swallowing after drinking and repeates a few times. He does this when he is unsure or nervous and i am assuming that this is a behaviour he has picked up somewhere not a medical problem. None of my others have ever done this. Any suggestions? I am hoping if it is behaviour then once he is with the others he will get out of it(and pick up the others cheeky behaviour no doubt!!!)
Cheers,
Sal.

[billspets]

hello sal
it is a good pratice to isolate any new bird for a time period before placing it into your main flock area
what type of bird are we talking about and how old is it as the actions you are describing in some birds can be yaken to be part of the mating ritual
regards
bill

[AussieBirds]

It will pay you to isolate the bird ( quarantine) it for about two weeks, as far as the head dipping is concerned this is something that Cockatoos do and is nothing more than a display ritual, I don't believe it is medical related. I just adore Gang Gangs they are a magnificent bird.

John

[sal]

Thanks guys, i have quarantine avairies down the back of my place to keep new arrivals. 'Oscar' has been there for 4 weeks(i usually keep them between 4-6 wks depending on any suspicions or problems). I have wormed him and done all the nessisary checks but this antibiotic thing threw me and then his wierd behaviour was a worry!!!
He is due to meet his new flock this weekend(as i can't stand the calling between him and his potential new mate!!) Does anyone else give antibiotics as a standard practice as a 'just in case' scenario? These birds are too beautiful and expensive to risk any probs with.
I totally agree these are fantastic birds...a little biased but hey!! Full of character and personality plus!
Cheers,
sal.