Soon to be Conure Owner Seeking Any Advice

[menafu23]

Next Friday I am picking up my 4 week old peach front conure. I have fostered for local parrot rescues and am a vet tech, but this will be my first young bird.

The breeder that I am getting the conure from has suggested using a heating pad in the bottom of a rubbermaid container. What are your suggestions? I have seen websites suggesting a heat lamp, heating pad, etc.

I am wanting to be prepared before my little bundle of joy comes home. I have already purchased the Kaytee Exact handfeeding formula, a meat thermometer to test the food, I have plenty of syringes (being a vet tech) and some other items that for the life of me I cannot think of.

Please any advice on the heating source or ANYTHING else would be GREAT!

[QuakerLover4ever]

I just want to be sure, you have hand fed parrots before right? If babies are not fed just right, It can cause serious complication. Also, Welcome to Bird Board!

[mary313]

Welcome to bird board. I am currently hand feeding 2 babies right now, a love bird and a quaker. I keep them each in a 5 gallon glass aquarium with a small reptile heating pad on the outside bottom on the tank. It has a screen top which a cover half with a towel.
I keep either pillow cases or table napkins on the bottom covering paper towels. some people uses soft shavings on the bottom too.

They should be kept warm, dry and clean at all times.

Never heat formula in microwave, as this could cause crop burn. throw out any unused formula.

I also keep millet in the tank and a perch.

Good luck and congrats

[birdlover912]

Peach fronts are the best little birds! I bought my Orrin as a newly wearned youngster, so I can't help you with the handfeeding part...I look forward to hearing more about your new baby! :)

[expressmailtome]

Welcome to BB! If you choose to use wood shavings in the bottom of the tank make sure not to use a wood that has a scent. This can cause serious damage to your baby. I recommend that you get a strip thermometer and put it in the tank. That way you can keep track of how warm the tank is. Good luck!

Matt

[micki]

hi and welcome to the forum.

[becca623]

Welcome to birdboard! Congrats on your new baby. I don't have any advice to add since I think the other posters did a great job covering it. Please share pictures when you can.

[RubyMuse]

Okay, no shavings or anything the bird can swallow. Heat -yes - the ability to move in and out of the heat: better.

Feed - small amounts often. Do not overfeed (crop distention) or feed food too hot.

Honestly, hand feeding with no experience? Scary. But, I wish you the best. Keep us posted.