sun conure in need

[lissa]

hi all,

im new to this forum as i needed help with a sun conure that we have in store at my work (I work at a pet store). This sun conure is a baby between 4-6 months and it is really scatty it wont let you anywhere near it in its cage and it will fall from great heights just to get away! Now ive been working with it for a while and it has gotten used to me but is now in bad habits has i cant be there all the time and people wont listen to me when i say keep it off their shoulders etc. It keeps breaking its tail feathers and the other day was bleeding on its chest which noone picked up until i went to go see the bird in the afternoon on my day off. Im really concerned about this sun conure and fear that will get worse and never be able to be sold. I have tried giving him a snuggle hut and taken out some toys as to prevent his tail feathers from breaking but am now out of ideas! PLEASE PLEASE can someone help

[Monica]

Well, first off all young birds tend to be clumsy. Second, it's possible that the conure hasn't found a chosen person thus runs from everyone else... Third, have you talked to management about this issue?

[kensbuns]

And put those toys back in there!!

[Valo's Moirana]

i think i'd be good to keep it a little quiet around the baby for a while so it can get used to people slowly instead of 10,000 people around all the time, everybody trying to snuggle, touch etc... i know that's probably a hard thing in a petstore, but i thought to mention it.
don't take all the toys out, but make sure the baby has enough space to move around without hitting them - flapping, etc... place rope perches in to make it easier for the baby to move around his cage and find a place to hold on to...
if s/he keeps falling down in the cage, you can put a towel onto the grate and cover that with newspaper that you change daily to create a softer landing (i did that with pita, since he has issues with breaking feathers too)... make sure the perches are appropriate sizes and that the baby eats healthy... instruct people how to properly hold the baby (preferrably on the finger instead of the shoulder - though it should have good grip if you don't file/cut the toe-nails which i would absolutely avoid by any means to give her/him something to hold with)

hope this helps a little

other than that - agree with monica, speak to the management

[lissa]

hey guys thanks for the advice! Don't worry not all the toys are out of the cage there is heaps in there but we took a few out as we thought it was over crowded. He also does have ropes perches in there as well. I like the idea of putting the towel in there but he is mainly falling off peoples shoulders when someone else goes to grab him. I've tried explaining it to everyone at the store but there is a lot of chiefs and no indians for a better way of putting it and everyone thinks they know better. The baby has also been out in the shop for a couple of months now so is used to people coming in and out of the store. The baby is on parrot mix which is a mixture of dry sunflower, bananas, peanuts, canary seeds and pumpkin seeds also fruit and veges twice a week, which i know is really bad for him but again noone listens as we have to think of expense and anything i bring from home he doesnt seem to respond very well to like frozen ice blocks with fruit and veges and sprouted seeds.

[Chamon]

Hey Liss, I am so proud of you for taking on this baby.. something you know I would back you on 100% if I were there.

Like I said, if he feels more comfortable in a towel or blanket let everyone slowly take turns in getting to know him inside his safe place, ensuring he gets fresh foods EVERY day would be a start, it doesnt cost much to give him some extra greens, maybe a bag of mixed veges in the freezer (I would happily donate a bag) that you can offer him a little every day and soon he will become interested in it and start trying some...

Guys, this pet store is actually very good, not like some others, they do genuinely care about their animals, and the staff (MY team) are fantastic and have hearts of gold. Obviously with any business you do need to think about the bottom line but extra vitamins (ornithon 4 times a week) and fruits and veges won't break the bank and they will benefit this bird, in healing and in general health.

You have my total support sweetie, I am only ever a call and a short drive away. Good luck and thank you for looking after the little guy xx

[Tiki]

I can't add anything to what was already said, but I just want to welcome two new Kiwis!

[LadyJean63]

Although in a pet store, you really should consider posting a sign that it's not ok for the potential owner, customer to place this bird on shoulder, because he is unsteady on his feet. "There is no problem in stating this fact on a bill board, such as the one in a local parrot store in my area which says, "All birds bite, and not liable, ...... yadda, yadda, yadda.

You want to protect this bird.

[gbird]

Sounds like Petco. Thats were I worked and were I got Pita, but I won't go into that now.

Everyone has given good advice. Good luck with the baby, and keep us updated.