Conure sitting in bathing dish help?

[MarciaLove]

I got a proven breeding pair of Green Cheek Conures about two moths ago and have finally seen them mating and making a nest but now I see the female sitting in the water dish for about 5 miniutes at a time, not bathing just sitting is this normal or should i be worried?? Everything else about them seems normal and they seem healthy. I just want to do the best I can with them. I have only bred Lovebirds so far but I ahve done my research on GCC breeding.

 

[weco]

Some nesting hens will bathe then go back & sit her eggs when humidity levels are too low. You may have to learn parroteese to find out why your hen is doing this, if she's not incubating eggs.

You live in GA & probably have your heat running fairly regular.....do you have a humidifier attached to your heating system or a free standing unit in your bird room? What's the average humidity in your house/bird room?

You can pick up an inexpensive digital thermometer/hygrometer at ACE Hardware.....you want the unit (I think it's by Taylor) that has a separate probe & runs about $25.....the cheap one they offer has a lot of negative reviews & doesn't always work.....

 

[MarciaLove]

I dont have a humidifier the temperature in the birdroom is kept around 72 degrees F and I mist my birds when they are incubating so they keep natural humidity up Ill go to ACE and get one thanks and I am worried cause im used to them bathing but not used to them just sitting in the water it doesnt seem right but maybe im just paranoid!

 

[weco]

If they've been nest building, how long do you think she might possibly have been pregnant? I don't know that it is or might be the case, but if she's doing this continually, carefully feel her belly & see if it is hard or more distended than would seem normal...if so, a vet visit is needed ASAP. How long has it been since you saw them mating? How old is this hen supposed to be? Is she wearing a band? If so, can you discern a date on the band? Were they vet checked after you got them? If not, can you find out who the previous owner used & when they may have been last checked?

Have you offered her any calcium supplement (powdered kind mixed in with soft food)?

 

[MarciaLove]

only a few days since i first saw them mating and her abdomen is just starting to get larger now im afraid i might harm her if i check her belly because she will try to get away and attack me she isnt hand tame at all! she is 4 years old and no leg band and yes they were and were given a clean bill of health and I give them Kaytee Forti Diet conure lovebird food which is supposed to have more calcium and i offer boiled eggs crushed up shell and all

 

[weco]

It would be nice if a breeder or two would pop in here, I'm not, though I have had hens that felt comfortable enough at this tree house to go into nesting mode, but haven't had one enjoy sitting in their water dish.

Have you talked to your vet about this yet?

Since she is not hand tame, if you need to get her out of the cage, you can do so with little stress to her & minimal damage to you.....you'll need a flashlight, a travel cage, box or something to hold her/travel with her in, and a helper.

When you're ready, be at the cage & know exactly where she is, turn off the light (all light - completely dark), use the flashlight to make sure of her position (only an on then off), open the cage door & grab her around the neck & as you do, talk softly to her.

When you grab her, you need use your thumb & forefinger, with the thumb under her beak so you can control her head & beak, with a bit of upward pressure...your other three fingers need to wrap her body as best you can. If you're not sure of catching her this way, you can use a tea/cup towel, but if you're not right on your catch, she'll probably start moving around the cage. Also, if you have to use a towel, you need to be sure you have control of her head or get ready for the bites. If you have small hands, enlist the help of someone with larger hands.

Good luck


Since you have other birds, it might be wise to practice the catch on one you handle regularly.....

 

[MarciaLove]

thanks so much and no I havent talked to the vet dont know why I havent.

 

[MarciaLove]

I think all is fine she seems to be doing fine and so does her mate and she has stopped just sitting in her dish at least not that I can see but she still bathes like crazy

 

[Echo]

I haven't experienced this with my breeding pair. It seems odd to me. Sorry I can't be more helpful .

 

[crimson]

I've bred conures before but haven't had the female display that type of behaviour before.
I'm wondering if she just likes how it feels. It might be a soothing technique.
If she didn't do it before they mated and is now displaying that type of behaviour, it has to do with nesting. like Weco suggested, you may have to talk to your vet.

If she is fine, her poop is good, and everything appears normal, then maybe it's just a quirky thing she's doing.
Can you contact the previous owner and find out if she did this with them?

 

[MarciaLove]

sorry it took so long to reply all is well! she laid her first healthy egg and im waiting on the next one soon and the previous owner said she did it during nesting before she laid her eggs as well so I guess its just a little thing she does dunno why

 

[weco]

Interesting.....must be her version of pickles & ice cream.....

Glad she's doing well.....