Second guessing myself on GCC care

[kreach]

After a 5 year hiatus, I am now a bird owner again. Obviously, I want to do what's best for my bird, so I'm trying to do the proper research. I've been browsing the board and reading various threads and I've come to the realization that I have a LOT to learn... quite a bit more than I thought I did. Some things that I thought I knew have turned out to be wrong and others are things I never knew to begin with. Suddenly, I find myself questioning everything I have done for my bird and I'd like to get the input of the experiened bird owners out there on my current setup and care of my green cheek conure.

Cage: Approximately 18" x 18" x 24", hung at eye level in a corner of our game room away from any windows or direct sunlight. A mite/lice bird protector has been hung on the back of the cage.

Food/Supplements: Mixture of seeds and pellets given to me by the pet store (he won't touch the pellets), cuttlebone, millet sprays given weekly, and I'm starting to add fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. I also have hand feeding formula (mixed and heated to between 105-110 degrees) which I let him nibble off of a spoon as a supplement/treat given weekly (he's only 3 months old and recently weaned). Finally, a liquid vitamin supplement is put on his soft foods.

Perches & Toys: 2 plastic perches (came with the cage), 2 wooden perches, 'comfy' rope perch, ladder made of wood and rope, bird pacifier preening toy, and a plastic interlocking links toy. There's also a small mirror in there, but I plan on removing that tonight when I get home.

Other Care: I do not allow him out of his cage unsupervised and I do not allow him to interact with my other animals (2 cats and a dog). At night, his cage is completely covered with a clean sheet.

So, is there anything I'm doing wrong or something I'm not doing that I should be? If you need further information, I'm more than happy to provide it. Thanks in advance!

[Freedomoflight]

"A mite/lice bird protector has been hung on the back of the cage. "
Get rid of it- those things do more harm then good, they contain harmful chemicals, and actually do not prevent lice/mites- the bird would have to be standing right next to it at all times
If the bird is eating all the food you are giving him (fruits, veggies, grains, etc) then the vitamin suppliment is not needed- it is possible for a bird to OD on vitamins
His perches and toys sound fine- I would recommend some rope/leather/wood toys to satify his chewing needs, and GCCs really like bells to knock around.
Foodwise- it sounds like you are doign everything right. Keep supplimenting hsi food with fruits/veggies, also pastas, sprouted seeds, etc. Make some birdie bread/birdie muffins- they are good for birds, and you can sneak some fruits and pellets in when he isnt looking :)

[kreach]

Ok, the mite/lice protector will be going in the trash along with the mirror and I'll pick up another toy or two for him on my way home. As far as food goes, I'm only just starting him on the veggies, fruits, grains, etc and he hasn't been overly receptive to them thus far. I don't think he has quite figured out that they are food. Should I keep him on the vitamin supplement in the mean time until he is eating a better variety of foods?

[Monica]

Freedomoflight has really explained it well already!

The cage size is fine for him, though bigger is always better! Just never look into round cages, and try for square cages, or cages that are longer than they are high, unless it's a big cage that is at least around 3' wide, then heighth may not be too much of an issue (that is, if you ever go looking for a bigger cage - he is of course fine with the one he has now though)

As far as perches, it would probably be best to get rid of the plastic ones, and it would also be a good idea to look into some natural, safe branches from outside (such as those from elm, apple, or several other safe trees if you have any in the area that you can prune...). You can easily clean them up, put them in the oven for 5-15 minutes (don't remember the exact temp) if you want... and a fresh branch with leaves is a great chew toy when the trees are full of fresh leaves!

[Elizabeth]

Hi, I would try corn. My GCC, BooBoo loves corn, banasas, apples and will try whatever I am eating. Then just start mixing things together. Booboo loves bells and loves to chew. He also like the little plastic cat balls with the bell inside. I hang this by a leather strap and he just goes to town. He also loves to bathe in my hands under running water. Your Casonova is just darling and they are so much fun. I agree with the mite protector, get rid of it. BooBoo is in a 30x24 cage. I think the bigger the better as they are very active. Have fun.

[Xavier]

Hello there:

Well, here's MY two cents. I can't help you with the cage, because I can only figure out dimensions if I have mesuring tape . In any event, I DO know (or think I know? ) that the reason your bird is not eating pellets, is most likely because they are too attached to the seed.

I'm pretty biased when it comes to pellets, because I am all for them. Of course, pellets can never make up a complete diet, one must also provide vegetables and occasionally, fruits. Seeds can be a treat, but in my opinion should not be used as a complete diet.

Good for you for adding protien, grains and vegetables though! That's on the right track. If you do decide to change to pellets (which is entirely up to you,) then remember to start weaning ASAP. Other members on here could probably be of more use in that area then me, however.

Other things- birds need a variety of toys, perches etc. to keep them happy, as you probably know by this point. Different textures of perches are a MUST, because plain plastic or straight wood is like standing on cement, barefoot, for days. Eventually, your feet WILL get sore.

I suggest you go out shopping for various types of perches. Or, you can research which trees are edible and safe for birds, and go cut your own! Natural perches are always good, and CHEAP! Rope perches like you have are wonderful! A real treat for the feet.

I would also say that you should go out and buy (or make) some new toys. They should be rotated often, but not too often, to keep the bird's interest.

Otherwise, it sounds like you are doing everything fine. Hopefully someone who's more "cage size saavy" then myself will answer... As well as some members who know about weaning from seeds to pellets, or someone who can clear up anything else i've missed.

Goodluck with Casanova!

[Freedomoflight]

Keep feeding it to him. They are naturally curious little buggers, and sooner or later he will take a bite.
With his broccoli- hang it up in the cage, soem birds are more receptive to that then just having it put down in the food dish. Shred the carrots, its one of the 2 only ways my zon will he carrots- he doesnt like them in big chunks- he likes them sliced paper thin, or shredded.
Eat food in front of him and play- its so good I am not sharing with the little birdie. It will perk his interest, and he might be more receptive to eating it. Thats one way I get my zon to eat food- walk past his cage, after giving the 2 other fids a bit of whatever I am having, then eat loudly and say how good it is- he spins circles on top of his cage, and when he cant take it anymore, hops down and helps himself to whatever I am having.
Since he is newly weaned, he probably prefers soft food. Try to find some unsweeted applesauce, and give it to him. My fids go nuts over it, and since its no sugar added, its good for them. Orange juice, with some water in it to water down the sugar content, is also something you can try. I have found most birds to be apple fiends- honestly, havent had a bird yet turn up a beak at apples. Try soaking pellets in some unsweetend apple juice and see if that does the trick to get him interested in pellets. You are going to have to outsmart him on his food, but thats what makes it fun! They get bored easily if it is served the same way day after day.


On the seed note- its not bad for him to have seed- on the contrary, little birds like greencheeks, parrotlets, caiques, etc, eat an all seed diet in the wild and thrive on seed in captivity (as long as it is supplimented with fruits and veggies). Some birds who have been reportedly on a pellet diet have come down with illnesses affecting their liver and other sever problems... so just to put your mind at ease. Just an FYI- I have my fids on a high quality, no sunflower seed diet, and they are all happy and very healthy! My zon is in my avatar....

[kreach]

Monica: Add the plastic perches to the trash list. As far as natural perches, I have the problem of living in a newly built neighborhood. There are hardly any trees to begin with, much less any big enough to prune branches off of! I'll see what I can find. Any idea where I might find a list of 'safe' trees?

Elizabeth: I hadn't tried corn yet, but I'll add that to my list and I'll look into the toys you suggested. Casanova doesn't bathe in my hands, but he loves to flutter around in the sink.

I'm not in a position to get a new cage for him right now, but that's definitely something I'll keep in mind for the future.

[Xavier]

On the seed note- its not bad for him to have seed- on the contrary, little birds like greencheeks, parrotlets, caiques, etc, eat an all seed diet in the wild and thrive on seed in captivity (as long as it is supplimented with fruits and veggies). Some birds who have been reportedly on a pellet diet have come down with illnesses affecting their liver and other sever problems... so just to put your mind at ease. Just an FYI- I have my fids on a high quality, no sunflower seed diet, and they are all happy and very healthy! My zon is in my avatar....

Ugg! Whenever I think of seeds I ALWAYS think of sunflower seeds!

It is ok to have seeds, when I was posting about seeds I kept thinking you were feeding sunflower seeds which are high in fat. Personally, I would still switch to pellets... preferably Harrison's, or Zupreem... but seeds are fine, as long as you don't feed sunflower seeds in high amounts. They do make tasty treats though!

[Xavier]

Here are some links to sites talking about trees...

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html

http://www.birdsafe.com/woods.htm

http://www.robharvey.com/information/plants.html

You can find plenty more if you Google yourself.