Might be getting a Sun...

[joeyekcbs]

I might be getting a sun conure, handfed baby early October. Can someone make a shopping list of what I need. Will a handfed baby still breed? I also have one more question...what is a sun conure's lifespan?

[Monica]

Cage
Perches - wooden, natural, cotton, sisal, grooming perch
Toys - ones that make noise, ones that make them think, ones that are easy to destroy
Dishes - 2 for main food, 2 for secondary food (if you have), 2 for fresh foods/treats
Cage Cover - if your up late and he sleeps in his cage in a busy room
Carrier - sleeping cage/travel cage
Food - whatever the breeder is feeding him, what you want to feed him if not the same as the breeder, what else you'd also like him to eat, plus fresh foods [veggies, sprouts, fruits, eggs, legumes, etc)
Camera - you know, for all those MUST HAVE pics when you go "AAAWWWW" or "How sweet!" or for those first moments!
A gym - place for him to hang out with you without having to be in his cage
Extra shirts
Maybe some extra toy pieces for toy repair or to make new toys (must find great craft shops as well as hardware stores!)
Cast iron and steel pans
Possibly an air cleaner that DOES NOT ionize the air...

I'm sure I'm missing something from the list!


Yes, handfeds can still breed, however I've heard parent raised birds make better parents than handraised (think about it... they'll have more instinct on how to properly raise chicks than a handraised bird will)

A conures lifespan could be as little as 10 years, to as much as 30... varies by diet and environment.

[Valo's Moirana]

i'd add towels to the list - in the appropriate size to get the bird used to being on and in towels as it makes vet visits significantly less stressful

[ROYJOY]

source of minerals, such as, cuttle bone, mineral block, and the controversial grit.

[Valo's Moirana]

don't offer grit - it's not necessary nor helpful and can cause problems.... cuttle bone and mineral block are great, you can grind it up and mix it with the food if birdie won't go for it otherwise

[4HAND]

Hi I think a Sun Conure is a great choice I have a Sun Conure named Cheddar Head he is very sweet. A Sun Conure normally lives to be 25-30 years old.
If you get a Sun Conure these are some things you need
cage- 20-20 - 22-22 our Sun love his play top
perches- sandy perch concrete wood
bed- Happy Huts are good Cheddy loves his
lots of toys- wood cabobs are very fun wood cotton leather
travel cage
food- mix of seeds nutriberries pellets fresh fruit
bath- shallow heavy dish