Baby Sun Conure Feather Concern

[Skittys_Daddy]

Is it a genetic thing? If so, then I should be in the clear. Skittles has many 'relatives' out there and I'm sure it would have shown up in one of them and I've no doubt his breeder would've addressed it.


As far as other birds are concerned, he doesn't come into contact with any other birds. The closest he comes is sitting on his playstand by the window and 'taunting' the black crows that 'gather' on the stone wall directly across from the window.

 

[Paco_the_Amazon]

My condolences, he looked like such a sweetie with a long life ahead of him. When I read the update last night, my heart sank and I had to sign out cause I was so angry. NOT at the OP, but at the breeder.

I've had a day to calm down, so I'll say this.

I understand that no one but the OP knows the entire situation and I acknowledge that. But there is a much larger issue here and its not just this breeder, but many others- I hear about them on Craigslist all the time. My friend tells me (I had to tell her to stop doing that cause I couldn't bear hearing it knowing I can't stop it).

But far too often breeders sell unweaned birds and birds that are too young to be sold. While MOST breeders are responsible and caring providers, to me one bird dying because of irresponsible breeder is one too many. In Maine, the rules regarding birds are VERY strict, Maine has some of the toughest animal welfare laws ESPECIALLY regarding birds (however, the penalties are a joke, IMO). They are required to provide access to food and water 24/7 which has to be changed every day, they are required to have their birds in a certain temperature range as well as having to provide at least a certain number of hours of light each day. While those laws do not apply to breeders, but rather retail sellers, I'd hope there are some regulations about that.

When I got Skittles, I received a certificate of health from the store which contained his birth information and his last vet checkup. Both required by law. I was provided his breeder information ONLY because the pet store offered it because the breeder requested it. I know for a fact that Skittles breeder was a VERY loving and caring provider. In fact, I still email her updates and new pics still. I did so just a month or two ago and she lets me know how healthy he looks and how much she appreciates the updates. Why can't all breeders be so nice?

I want to reiterate that my DEEPEST condolences go out to the OP and the poor bird as well. But I won't say what I think of the breeder (and other breeders who are like that one because that I KNOW would get me in trouble here, and I don't want that. I like it here). It was just seeing those adorable pics and knowing what happened broke my heart.

Okay, now that I've got that off my chest I feel better!

I wish the OP the very best with their new bird and many happy memories.

I’ll make sure this new bird gets regular vet check ups and lives a happy, healthy life. Thanks for your concern.


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[Skittys_Daddy]

I'm glad my post didn't offend you cause that was never my intent, I feel nothing but empathy for you and your situation. The situation with the breeder is what I'm angry about. But I'm glad you understand and I've no doubt the new bird will be loved and cared for.

 

[EllenD]

I'm so sorry about the baby Sun...That's exactly why I mention that he had to be kept in a Brooder at the correct ambient temperature, and his hand-feeding formula had to be between 104-110 degrees F at all times, because most baby parrots at that age do in-fact die of a Crop infection due to their breeder not caring about either temperature...I'm not saying that you weren't using a cooking-thermometer in his formula or weren't keeping him in a Brooder, it very well could have been the "breeder", and I'll use that term loosely, because anyone who would sell someone an unweaned baby parrot/bird isn't much of a breeder at all, they're a Broker...So I wouldn't be surprised if the breeder wasn't even keeping them in a Brooder or measuring the formula temperature...

I too would get your new bird to a Certified Avian Vet or an Avian Specialist Vet for a complete Wellness-Exam that must include full Fecal-testing on a fresh sample you bring-in with you that day, and then also full, routine, baseline Blood-Work, along with requesting that they do each individual Blood-Test as well as the routine, baseline Blood-Work they always do...Each one of those Avian Viral Diseases is a separate Blood-Test that they will just add to the Blood-Work order, and must be done because you need to know if he is sick or is going to get sick, or if he needs to start treatment with an Antibiotic or Anti-Fungal for any infections. The breeder you got him from is not one I would trust, so unless they gave you a Certificate of Health stating that he's tested-negative for each individual Avian Viral Disease, has no active Bacterial or Fungal Infections, etc., then you must get him completely checked-out ASAP...

***Just in-case you're not aware of this, all birds/parrots hide any and all outward signs or symptoms of being sick or in pain for as long as they possibly can, and they do it very, very well...It's an innate, natural survival-instinct that they all possess, and that keeps both them and their entire Flocks from becoming "easy targets" by predators, because if a Flock of birds/parrots has a sick or injured looking or acting bird in it, that makes the entire Flock a target...So because of this natural instinct that all of our pet birds/parrots possess from the time they hatch, by the time we as people/their owners first-notice that are birds are acting like they are sick, in pain, or simply that something is wrong, THEY HAVE USUALLY ALREADY BEEN SICK FOR AT LEAST MONTHS, IF NOT LONGER! Often it's too late to help our birds by the time we realize they are sick, even if we take them to a Certified Avian Specialist the same day we notice that something is wrong, it's often too late...And they often die from very common, easy-to-treat Bacterial and Fungal infections because off this...It makes for a bunch of hyper-paranoid, neurotic parrot-owners, especially life-long ones! (Myself included!)

***So this is why getting your new bird to ONLY a Certified Avian Vet or Avian Specialist Vet is very important, it should be done with every pet bird/parrot at least once a year anyway and should include a full Fecal Testing an full routine, baseline Blood-Work...And some people also get an X-ray done during their yearly Wellness-Exams (I do this because you can see the entire bird's body on one X-ray, and this is the best way to catch things like growths/masses/tumors extremely early while there is still something you can do about it, and it also lets you see the size of their liver, their kidneys, their heart, and their pancreas, the 4 organs that become diseased the most in pet/captive birds, usually starting when they are very young, usually due to diet, a lack of exercise, and environmental contaminents and dangers around them)...

***Just make sure that you NEVER allow any Vet to put your bird under ANY sedation and/or anesthesia AT ALL just to do a simple blood-draw from their neck!!! This is a sure sign of a Vet who is not an Avian Specialist Vet, certainly isn't a CAV, has little to no experience treating birds/parrots, and is very uncomfortable treating them! Most "Exotics" Vets in the US will tell you that "they have to use sedation or anesthesia to take blood from a bird's neck", but it's just not true, it's totally unnecessary, it's a risk that doesn't at all need to be taken, and even more importantly it's a sign that the Vet you're talking to/seeing is not at all qualified to diagnose or treat your bird...There are some "Exotics" Vets in the US who are also Certified Avian Vets, but they are very rare, so the best way to find one is to use the search-tool here in the forum, I'll try to find the link to it and post it here again, or someone else may have it ready to post...There are more Avian Specialist Vets in the US and IN ALL STATES than people usually think, they often say there is no CAV or Avian Specialist in their entire State, or there are only a hand-full, then they use the search-tool here and find dozens... (a "Certified" Avian Vet or an Avian Specialist Vet does not at all mean that the Vet "is a member of the Association of Avian Vets, that means absolutely nothing other than they filled out a form to join, sent them a check, and got a certificate or placque back in the mail to hang on the wall, and that they get a quarterly newsletter from those associations, that's all it means in the US)...

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Thank you Ellen. You said what I meant to say in a far more eloquent and 'less emotional' manner. I'll just say this- that I echo your sentiments and advice. I think most people here on this forum know me well enough to know that I'm not always playing with a full deck. In fairness though, my lack of clarity re: bird issues, I tend to have a few cards missing where it concerns any poker-parrot.

 

[BAMM17]

I've never had a bird that young before but my breeder had sent pictures of my conure weekly as he grew and there were some spots that were not fully covered until later. And even now when he has a big molt, his head and nape area tend to get pretty thin until the pins come through.

As long as you don't see evidence of plucking or anything like that, I'd wait to see if new feathers start to emerge. Also might be worth discussing with your vet over the phone or such.

 

[dhraiden]

Sorry to hear your first passed prematurely. Have you named the next? Wishing you and yours long life and joy!

 

[Paco_the_Amazon]

Sorry to hear your first passed prematurely. Have you named the next? Wishing you and yours long life and joy!

Thanks and I know it’s a very common, boring name but I’ve decided to name the new boy Mango. It’s easy for my children to say that’s mostly why I chose it.


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[Aratingettar]

It’s easy for my children to say that’s mostly why I chose it.

And that's a perfectly good reason to name Mango. Did I mention the great color match for a Sun?

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Mango is a great name. I was actually considering that one for Skittles first. I was originally considering 'chewy', 'clowny', 'cuddles' and if he'd turned out to be female, I was considering 'diva'. lol. One of my friends recommended Mango for Skittles and I was seriously considering it, but it just didn't seem to 'fit'. You know when the name is right, it hits ya. Then another friend (at the time) suggested Skittles and I was like 'thats it!'

When my mom gave me her 1y/o cockatiel, she named the tiel 'Bobby' and I told her, 'ma, thats a female tiel'. She figured the all grey one was male and the one with the pretty yellow head was female. lol. I changed 'Bobby's' name to 'Tortilla' cause she loved Doritos (this was LONG before I knew what I know now and given how poorly I fed her the first ten years of her life, its amazing she lived to be almost 21. Anyways, despite choosing the name 'Tortilla', it just didn't 'fit'. Then I was watching tv one day and someone had a cute little gray puppy named 'Peaches' and I was like 'thats it!' cause she was soft and sweet like a peach and had those orange patches.

I do think a lot of people on this forum have some amazing names for their fids. I just happen to stick to the plain, common ones myself. Like for a sunnie, the most common names are 'Sunny', 'Mango' and 'Skittles' (in that order).

I'm both relieved and saddened about finding out how common it is. Relieved in that knowing what causes it (so it can be prevented in the applicable cases) and saddened by knowing how common it is.

I have a dear friend who keeps telling me I should get a female sun and breed Skittles with her cause I'd make a lot of money. I tell her over and over that I couldn't do that. The commitment required and the work involved is not something I can be certain I would be able to do. Also, I don't think I could cope with a stillborn bird in an egg and I certainly couldn't let those little feathered bundles of joy go after they were weaned. But some people (non-bird people) are just clueless no matter how many times you tell them. So many non-bird people think owning birds is a 'piece of cake' and as simple as owning a fish (which actually isn't a piece of cake either). I can't help but worry my little sunnie babies would end up in the home of one of those idiots.

Okay, no more rant. But I welcome Mango to the forum! Lots of love and joy are heading your way. If I can just offer one piece of advice (besides proper diet), try and create and enforce boundaries and limits. You'll be glad you did. Sunnies can be incredibly obedient if properly trained, but if not- well, all hell will break loose and I'm not kidding about that.

 

[noodles123]

Is it a genetic thing? If so, then I should be in the clear. Skittles has many 'relatives' out there and I'm sure it would have shown up in one of them and I've no doubt his breeder would've addressed it.


As far as other birds are concerned, he doesn't come into contact with any other birds. The closest he comes is sitting on his playstand by the window and 'taunting' the black crows that 'gather' on the stone wall directly across from the window.

Both PDD and PBFD are viral and easily spread bird to bird and mother to embryo (close contact isn't a prerequisite though..Feather dust, dander, regurgitation, fecal matter, etc...) There are many carrier birds in the world who have the virus, test negative and spread it to others who become infected and die. Both are complicated (PDD is more complicated than PBFD though).