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

[mcbaes72]

Recently adopted a 5 mo. old Maroon Bellied Conure this past weekend at Feather Farm in Napa, CA. Bought a floor-standing cage and they included at no extra charge: food, millet, a toy and even trimmed his nails and wings. Also, since it's winter, I purchased a sm. panel heater online that can be attached to the cage. Moreover, I did do research on conures before getting him (wife named him Damien). But still, I have a couple of ?s:

1) It's been a few days and Damien seems to be adjusting to his new home quickly. When we approach the cage, he goes to very back and hides, but does jump on our finger when we say "up" (still working on basic commands) and rarely bites (never hard or anything). So, my question is...will our MB conure eventually be comfortable enough to go from hiding in the back when people approach -TO- waiting by the door of the cage and can't wait to be handled? Just hoping he does reach that stage. (As an example: my cousin adopted a Green Cheek Conure and she's already tamed like that from the first day and both of our birds are the same age.)

2) When I adopted him at the Feather Farm, they offer a 4-in-1 testing for $95.00 (Chlamydia, Polyoma, PBFD (Beak and Feather) and DNA sexing). Is this a good deal? I'm thinking I should do this, but wasn't sure if it was absolutely necessary at this early stage of bird-guardianship.

Any opinions/advice is greatly appreciated. And to show him off a bit, I included some pics. It may be a little blurry because I turned the flash off so I wouldn't scare him.

[Alika]

1. If you work with your bird, he should be very tame in no time at all. Just give him lots of time and don't push him too fast.

2. Disease testing is always a good idea, and, yes, that is a pretty good deal. If you ever need to board your bird, you will have to have proof that he has tested negative for certain diseases.

[kensbuns]

Yep what she said, my thoughts exactly also that cover is completely removed during the day right?

[The Outlaw]

I agree. Even if you did the tests yourself, you'd still need to provide blood and the tests would still come to about $90. By all means, do it now and relax. At least you'll know what he doesn't have. Besides, it won't be long until you find yourself looking at another bird and having healthy birds should always be your objective.

[mcbaes72]

Okay, I'll give him more time to adjust. He climbs on our finger okay when we reach in to get him, but if we don't pull him out fast enough, he jumps back off. I hope he'll eventually be waiting for us by the cage door when we walk into the room.

And since everyone is in agreement, I'll go for the 4-in-1 testing, maybe as soon as next week after the x-mas holiday weekend.

Finally, yes, the comforter is open during the day time (except for the very back cage area against the wall). So, he can see out of 3 sides of the cage for plenty of light that filters into the room. And what I forgot to mention was that when we get home from work, we put him out on top of the cage. It's covered in the pic, but there's a perch on top of the cage w/ a couple of ladders and food + water bowl on each side, too. So, he's out for a couple of hours each day.

[Alika]

Sometimes you have to work with them a lot on step-ups and bonding away from their cages before they get good about coming out of their cages on the hand. So once you have him out, take him to a room he's not as familiar with, away from his cage, and just do step-up practice.

Right now, you're giving him the option: come with me, or stay in your safe cage. Well, his cage makes him feel safe and he's not quite sure about you yet, which is why he is hopping off before you can get him out. That will be remedied with better step-up conditioning and bonding, which will come with time.

[Monica]

You might also want to try attaching a perch to the cage do, so when it's on that particular perch (maybe bribe him over with a treat???) open the cage door (then give him the treat!). Get him used to doing this for a week or so then give him the treat after he steps up onto you.

[mcbaes72]

Thanks for the advice. I have been taking him into another room and doing step up exercises which he's getting used to pretty fast. Also, I'll try your advice and attach a perch by the cage door...good idea.

Update: He's not hiding as much in the back of the cage anymore. In fact, he seems to be more comfortable now. When I reach in there and he climbs onto my finger, he doesn't jump off anymore. Also, he's becoming more advertureous by coming out of the cage by himself if I leave the door open, even w/ me next to the cage. I'm glad we're making progress and it's only been a few days since we adopted him.

[Monica]

Sounds like things are going well! Glad to hear it!

[Tiki]

Damien is just adorable! And I want to commend you on your excellent taste in coordinating the Happy Hut and toy with his colouring. Good taste is appreciated on Birdboard!

That 4 in 1 sounds like a good deal. I wish we had that here, I pay $25 Aussie ($18 USD) just for DNA sexing. When I got Chaska, the AV charged me $200 (I think) so $150 USD for Chlamydia and PFBD. Does this Feather Farm have their own lab? Can anyone use it? I am hoping the lab I use in Melbourne will offer disease testing as well, they said they were considering it.

My Chaska took a couple weeks before she would willingly step up though she allowed me to pick her up anytime. Now she is always running over to me, climbing all over me, trying to steal my food when I am eating. Just give it time and let Damien get used to you.