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| Shy Green Cheeked Conure? | |
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| Topic Started: May 25 2009, 08:27 PM (164 Views) | |
| kevdiggity | May 25 2009, 08:27 PM Post #1 |
Advanced Member
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So my wife and I brought home a beautiful 3-month old (he was born on Valentine's Day!) Green Cheeked Conure from Petsmart today. I had the same kind growing up and I cannot tell you how excited we are to have him in our home (mostly because I know all of you know what I'm talking about!) So we brought him home today, and he's really shy. He won't "step up" on our fingers (that's training for later, right?) instead he will fly onto our clothes and kind of "hide" his head. I don't know if he's just scared of us or scared of being in a new place or just shy. I'm sure we're just jumping at shadows here, I want to make sure this transition for him into our home is super easy for him. We've had him out on my shoulder the whole time since he's been home (and we put him back in his cage, we could tell he was getting sleepy). So should we keep heling him to get to know us by having him outside the cage with us? Or just be more gradual about him getting used to his new surroundings first and then getting used to us? Thanks in advance for any insight/advice!!! |
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| conure58 | May 26 2009, 06:17 AM Post #2 |
Administrator
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Welcome Kevin (Cool avatar..  ).He'll probably take a week or two to really get settled into his new home. I remember when I got Kahn (also at 3 months old), he was kind of shy at first too. Now, he's far from shy. Of course, he's a lot older now (18 years +). Summer was never shy though. Birds, like people, are all different. You'll have to post some pics and also tell us his name.. 
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| BUUZBEE | May 26 2009, 11:38 AM Post #3 |
Administrator
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I'm in agreement with Mark... Give him some time to settle in and get used to you, your wife, and his new home welcome to CC by the way ! |
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| CRToon83 | May 26 2009, 11:52 AM Post #4 |
I'd rather die while i'm living than live while i'm dead!
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"step up" and other tricks are all easily trained. But it will take time. Seeing that it came home from petsmart, it's probably had weeks or months of little kids screaming and poking at it. I would let it just relax in it's home for a day or two and don't handle it too much. Feed it a treat here and there through the bars, let it get to know who you are, and that you aren't an evil brat running by the cage with a stick in the bars making a terrifying noise. Flying to you is good, flying elsewhere isn't. If you do really just want to take it out of the cage, you may want to first try getting the bird to step up onto a dowel. This can be seen as less scary to a young bird. If it does fly away from you, instantly walk over to it and pick it up in cupped hands, and place on a "safe" perch. This will help train the bird where is safe to land and where isn't. While you are doing this, may I recommend some reading. www.rationalparrot.com has a very unique and interesting view of how to control behavior, food, and a few tricks. Another website with differing views, yet still good, is www.avianweb.com May I ask what you are feeding the little guy/girl? I don't mean to condescend you in the least, I just know that when I had a bird "while i was growing up," I never really paid too much attention to the technical aspects of how to properly care for it - my parents did most of that. So when I started looking for a new one, I found a lot of new and updated information. There have also been some great advancements in food over the years, which is why I asked the question on what you're feeding it. Best of luck, welcome to the board! |
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| kevdiggity | May 27 2009, 07:46 AM Post #5 |
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Advanced Member
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Thanks to all for the advice and quick replies!! If you want to get to know Desmond better, I made an "intro" page for him here:  http://s11.zetaboards.com/Conure_Crazy/topic/7157507/1/ CRToon83, thanks so much for your interest, you weren't condescending in the least. In fact, it is because of that concern of other owners I hoped to meet here that I joined this forum! I have in his little food bowl a mix of seeds (mostly sunflower from what I can see), but from what I've read recently, those can be high in fat for him? He mostly chows down on spray millet, which I made sure I bought for him because it's what he was eating at Petsmart when we got him. They also had those little pellets that look like colored cat food available there, are those any healthier for him than the seeds? Edited by kevdiggity, May 27 2009, 07:55 AM.
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| CRToon83 | May 27 2009, 08:52 AM Post #6 |
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I'd rather die while i'm living than live while i'm dead!
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IMO, Pellets are the way to go. They basically are a complete meal in one bag. The only problem is some birds don't see them as food, so it is a little tricky to get them to start eating it, however I think that should be done asap. Personally, I do not like artificial colors - for myself or a pet. Therefore I feed Harrison's pellets (only available at vets or online) or i've heard Zupreem Natural pellets are good as well. One thing you need to make sure you're feeding unless they get unfiltered sunlight is a Vitamin D3 Supplement. This is a chemical which is synthesized through UV exposure, then ingested when preening. (Glass filters UV light, so they have to be outdoors, or easier, fed the supplement.) Check out www.rationalparrot.com and www.avianweb.com for some quick info on feed choices (avianweb doesn't like pellets... but i've done immense research and I am convinced that's the only way to go...) and training tips. |
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| kermits | May 27 2009, 09:24 AM Post #7 |
moderator
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A lot of people use pellets to feed their birds. I must have really stubborn birds because none of mine touched them, so i had to go back to normal food. |
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| Bird_Lover | May 27 2009, 09:59 AM Post #8 |
Silver Member
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Just remember if you decide to feed pellets (I buy roudybush in bulk for my flock--it's great stuff!), to offer fresh fruits and veggies daily. Pellets have the nutrition birds need, but not the variety or probiotics.
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| BUUZBEE | May 27 2009, 01:53 PM Post #9 |
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I prefer a well balanced diet of pellets, seeds, nuts, fruits & veggies, and a soak mix is great I feel they need some seeds and nuts for their natural oils. So mine get a mix daily (i mix my own seed/pellet mix) and use either harrisons or roudybush (depending on the bird) I'm lucky, my local bird store carries both, so no need to order online *phew* |
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| kevdiggity | May 27 2009, 03:01 PM Post #10 |
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Advanced Member
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You guys are awesome, I'm so glad I don't ever have to feel like I'm in the dark taking care of Desmond! |
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