New bird owner need response by Friday

[Birdmaniac1990]

I'm going to be the owner of a Sun Conure,Jack, and a Green Cheek conure,Cleo(Cleopatra) they are 1 1/2 years-old. They are already hand tame. Will be getting them in a few days-2 weeks need some info on what to feed them, breeding, temperment, personality, disease. Just waiting for the snow to blow over in Philadelphia,Pa. :aiwebs_01

[SavvyMoon]

Start off with a trip to the nearest PetCo or PetsMart, or other decent size shop and buy a nice large bag of Parrot seed blend. (Size suitable for conures- it will say on the bag).
A good seed blend will have at least 4-5 different types of seeds,
and include the following and maybe more:
dried and diced celery and carrots, peanuts, split peas, whole corn, cracked corn, rolled oats, pumpkin seed, apples, raisins, etc.
Whenever you hear bird folks talking about "seed" this is what they (should) mean. Not just sunflower seeds or any single type of seed.

Now find a similar size bag of pellets; preferably all-natural and non-colored, but that's up to you. Some birds are stubborn about converting to pellets that have no colors or fruity smell or taste.
Make sure they are also a suitable size for a conure, or cockatiel.

Take the two bags home and mix them together in a nice air tight plastic bin of some sort. This seed blend should be available to them all the time; Scoop out what you need each morning and evening, throwing away the left overs from the day before. (Or you can save those left overs and toss them outside for the wild birds and squirrels). :icon_smil

I also give my birds fresh fruits too; each morning they get their seed blend refill and another bowl of fruit 'salad'; usually three types of fruit like pears, apples and mango, or melon, peaches and apples... depending on season.
Then for dinner, along with their refill of seed blend they get some cooked veggies and/or a cooked birdy meal I've made up in big batches and take out of the freezer for a few days at a time. I use Crazy Corn brand (cooking) bird meals. My birds love 'em.

I Always recommend people use bottled spring water for birds, and that too should be refilled fresh at least twice a day, and more if they really like to mess up their water with food, etc.

always wash out the feeding bowls or crocks with very very HOT water and a mild detergent every day. When refilling them for the evening, it's fine to just use very HOT water (I'm talking scalding hot!) to rinse them before refilling. You can run them through the dishwasher every few days, too.

Remember to give your birds good treats too... salt-free tortilla chips or crackers, bread sticks, bits of raw veggies and fruits, etc.

[greyburd]

Originally Posted by Birdmaniac1990

I'm going to be the owner of a Sun Conure,Jack, and a Green Cheek conure,Cleo(Cleopatra) they are 1 1/2 years-old. They are already hand tame. Will be getting them in a few days-2 weeks need some info on what to feed them, breeding, temperment, personality, disease. Just waiting for the snow to blow over in Philadelphia,Pa. :aiwebs_01

Hi Birdmaniac......welcome to the group. It sounds like you're getting 2 good birds. I think Sun Conures are really pretty birds. You should be thoroughly entertained by the 2 of them. Savvy gave some good ideas when it comes to feeding, make sure you follow what she's said.

As far as personality goes (I'm no expert), I can tell you that the conure that I used to have was quite a ham. He loved attention and loved to play. He had his moments when he would get a bit loud, but what parrot doesn't? As I've said to other "newbies", talk with the people that you're getting your birds from. Every bird has different personalities (just like you and I). They should be able to tell you about each of the birds (especially since they're a little older). Good luck with your new birds. Let us know how things work out. Post some pics too......we love seeing new babies!!!

~don

[Birdmaniac1990]

The clerks at the store don't know squat they said they didn't think the birds would have to be sold seperately and i read that they are suppost to be kept in pairs, They are alrady trying to mate, they prune and feed one another. So that's why I decided to buy them both cage 250, sun conure 300, green cheek 150. So they are bonded they have been to gether since they were 6 mths and they are 1 1/2 old and very bonded.

[Majj]

CONGRATULATIONS....Check out the conure forum you might get some tips over there ....I have a sun conure and a Quaker who are best buddies sleep together in a nesting box ..but they are 2 boys so I have no worries of babies or egg laying do you know the sex of your two new babies ...just because they are bonded doesn`t mean they are male /female..... Good Luck..

[Birdmaniac1990]

The clerks at the store don't know squat they said they didn't think the birds would have to be sold seperately and i read that they are suppost to be kept in pairs, They are alrady trying to mate, they prune and feed one another. So that's why I decided to buy them both cage 250, sun conure 300, green cheek 150. So they are bonded they have been to gether since they were 6 mths and they are 1 1/2 old and very bonded.
:eusa_naug

[Birdmaniac1990]

male and female Sun is a mall green cheek is a female

[SunConure1]

ok let me see if i can get this straight are you getting a male and female sun conure? or are you just getting the sun conure and green cheeked conure?.If your just getting the sun conure and green cheeked conure and lets just say the sc is male and the gcc is female i hope your not going to breed them. You should really house them sperately and let them play together on there play gym. Theres nothing worse then having people cross breed birds or any animal for that matter. Scientist's have proven now that cross bred animals have problems early in life and they are proven to get diease more. Of course some people are interested and say "i wander if i bred my sun conure to my green cheeked conure i wander what colour babies they will have" if i ever saw a cross brede animal for sale i would just by pass it,people only get cross bred animals cause they can't afford a pure bred one. I hope you relise that if you did breed the sc to the gcc you won't be able to sell them and if you did they would have to be real cheap

[The Outlaw]

I hope you will NOT cage these two birds together. You may allow them out of cage playtime together, but you don't want to starting breeding hybrids. First of all, you haven't even formed a pet bond with either of them and secondly, you haven't a clue how to raise ANY baby birds yet. Its an art. Its nothing at all like raising dogs or cats and countless devasting things can happen.

If you want to purchase both birds, by all means do. However, there is no real reason to. The sun conure will be unbelievably loud and you may find that you're in for a huge surprise. By the way, what was the hurry? Why did you have to purchase them by Friday?

THE OUTLAW

[greyburd]

well said Nancy