Recently adopted a MB Conue. Have couple of ?s...

[mcbaes72]

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I appreciate them.

I just went yesterday to do the 4-in-1 testing. They said it'll take a couple of weeks to get a report in the mail. Hopefully, everything is okay and...hope he's a boy like we think he is.

Funny thing happened last night. After I changed his food and water dish, he jumped into his water bowl several times and splashed around. Luckily, I noticed. Then, I took him out and dried him up, plus I installed a small panel heater recently so he won't be cold during this winter season. But wow, there was water everywhere! I guess I should give him a small bowl of luke warm water every once in a while. I did read that they do like to take baths, so his little adventure in the water bowl was a hint to me to hurry up and get him a big bowl of water I guess. Haha...

[Lori L]

My sun conure Tiki loves to dunk her head in her water dish, I've tried giving her a warm bowl of water but she just looks at it so I let her use her water dish but change the water frequently

[Monica]

A bath here by Noel consists of "dunking" head in water, bringing head up, and shaking head, while at the same time spreading wings. Repeat as many times as needed! End results, walls are completely soaked, the floor is soaked, the perches are wet, a few toys are wet, AND only a small amount of Noel's head (just above her nares and right below her beak) are wet! LOL

It seems as if taking a bath in the rain is a lot more 'wetting', yet when it rains here it's normally too cold, and add to that it hardly ever rains here!

[mcbaes72]

Just yesterday, Sandy from the Feather Farm called me to give me the results on the 4-in-1 testing (which tests for diseases and DNA sex test). It was good news! Damien's results were all negative and, just as we assumed, he's a boy! I was told I'd get a certificate/report in the mail. Just wanted to pass on the info. Thanks for everyone's support.

[cfulhage]

What great news! Damien is adorable, by the way!

[mcbaes72]

Thank you for the compliment!

BTW, I did forget to mention something. Hopefully, someone can provide advice.

I've had Damien for about a month now and he nips quite often, sometimes softly like he's licking me, other times it's pretty hard. And just last night, while I was handling him, he bit me so hard, he made me bleed a little for the first time. I was shocked, just when I got the good news about him earlier. So, I gave him a strict "no" as I usually do, but I couldn't discipline him w/ a tap on the beak afterwards because he was stretching out to bite me again. So, I just put him back in his cage and didn't give him anymore attention for the whole night.

I'll continue to use a firm voice and tap his beak when he nips, but is there any other method that someone can recommend to me? Also, I do plan on having his beak clipped/filed down because it's pretty sharp now.

[Tiki]

I'm so happy you got good test results, that is the best news!

[Monica]

It's not a good idea to tap his beak for punishment, as this can only make things worse... And a birds beak is SUPPOSED to be sharp... and the smaller the beak, the sharper it is...

Might be better to try practicing how long you can touch your conures beak without getting bitten... and if he bites, ignore the bite, tell him firmly "No", and continue on to see just how long you can touch his beak... Do this for about 5-10 mins at a time several times a day and it may change things around. Reward him for each time that he doesn't bite!

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by Monica

It's not a good idea to tap his beak for punishment, as this can only make things worse... And a birds beak is SUPPOSED to be sharp... and the smaller the beak, the sharper it is...

I agree with Monica, you shouldn't tap his beak and only if the vet says his beak needs to be filed down for eating purposes it is not routinely doe, filing a beak because it's sharp. Also sharp beak or not sharp, it will still kill if they want to bite you since it's the amount of pressure they are able to exert

[mcbaes72]

Thank you two for the advice. Okay, I won't tap the beak anymore. I'll continue w/ the firm "no" voice for now. Also, I'll take your advice and put my finger on his beak and reward him only when he doesn't bite. I'll do this a few minutes every day 'til he learns. I was told by the lady at the Feather Farm that this is a phase that they go through (like he's testing how far he can go) since he's still young, only about 5-6 mos. old. And it'll happen again around 2 yrs. old (like the terrible twos). Okay, I'm a little more prepared now.

As for his beak, I guess I won't do anything about it. The lady told me it can be filed down a little, but otherwise to leave it alone. Like you said, he can do a lot more damage if he wanted to, sharp beak or not. So, I'll continue to be paitent.