Dependent conure

[templelove]

Looking for some advice. My conure hatch was March 15th. Breeder said he was ready to go home this Monday which was May 4th. He came with pellets (Zupreem fruit flavours, I want to try and get him onto Zupreem natural) and he is drinking water.
He's very dependent, just assumed it was apart of the conure personality I read about before looking into adopting one- how they're playful and cuddly..... however I get this feeling I'm the problem lol. He always wants to be on my shoulder or cuddle.
I think I made the mistake of showing too much affection starting from the 2nd day. Now he is not enjoying his time in the cage it seems, he will not play or chew toys (He would before). He will no longer go on his perch in front of the window, he will just fly to me or my daughter. If you go near the cage, he paces and gets vocal, wanting to come out. I think I may of actually added stress to him by giving too much affection to the point he dislikes his cage and waits for me. For the last 4 days, he hasn't been in the cage that much, I admit to it. I would let him hang out on the perch by the window, then cuddle time. noon go in the cage for a few hours, back out the cage for most of the day, so on so forth until bed time. Seen a change in him yesterday, not occupying himself in the cage. I think now he just waits for my attention.
How do I rectify this while he's still young. He's got toys. He's not foraging. He just stares or vocalizes to come out if he sees me.
I've tried taking some toys away, add new toys. Not helping. I've tried to show him to play toys in the cage, or talk to him in the cage. He tries to fly out to me.
And, how do I teach him to be independent again on a perch in a room?
Forgive me, but he is just too cute and beautiful.

 

[lollipoppy]

Looking for some advice. My conure hatch was March 15th. Breeder said he was ready to go home this Monday which was May 4th. He came with pellets (Zupreem fruit flavours, I want to try and get him onto Zupreem natural) and he is drinking water.
He's very dependent, just assumed it was apart of the conure personality I read about before looking into adopting one- how they're playful and cuddly..... however I get this feeling I'm the problem lol. He always wants to be on my shoulder or cuddle.
I think I made the mistake of showing too much affection starting from the 2nd day. Now he is not enjoying his time in the cage it seems, he will not play or chew toys (He would before). He will no longer go on his perch in front of the window, he will just fly to me or my daughter. If you go near the cage, he paces and gets vocal, wanting to come out. I think I may of actually added stress to him by giving too much affection to the point he dislikes his cage and waits for me. For the last 4 days, he hasn't been in the cage that much, I admit to it. I would let him hang out on the perch by the window, then cuddle time. noon go in the cage for a few hours, back out the cage for most of the day, so on so forth until bed time. Seen a change in him yesterday, not occupying himself in the cage. I think now he just waits for my attention.
How do I rectify this while he's still young. He's got toys. He's not foraging. He just stares or vocalizes to come out if he sees me.
I've tried taking some toys away, add new toys. Not helping. I've tried to show him to play toys in the cage, or talk to him in the cage. He tries to fly out to me.
And, how do I teach him to be independent again on a perch in a room?
Forgive me, but he is just too cute and beautiful.

Practice putting him in and out and give him a bite of one of his favourite treats when he’s in there (Milo - whose just 11 weeks old - loves apple and safflower seeds.)

I also started taking toys out of Milo’s cage and playing with him on the couch, and then putting those same toys back in his cage so he knew how to play with them a wanted to.

And lastly - I’m certainly not an expert here - but Milo has now been home 3 weeks and just these past 3-4 days he’s really starting to come into his personality more. Until now he was always on my shoulder or cuddling but now he’ll actually willingly explore the couch or the table or wherever we’re sitting. (Which means I have to be extra careful lol!)

Take your time in getting him to see the cage as a positive place, and do as much as you can to be enthusiastic about it and enjoy it. That seems to help! I hope someone else chimes in with more guidance


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[noodles123]

I would make sure you know if he is fully weaned before assuming it's behavioral. If he isn't feeling well or is hungry, that could be part of it...I only say that because I think you had some concerns about that on another thread.
Once you know that, you will have a better idea as to how to proceed (depending on if it is health-related or behavioral).

 

[templelove]

I would make sure you know if he is fully weaned before assuming it's behavioral. If he isn't feeling well or is hungry, that could be part of it...I only say that because I think you had some concerns about that on another thread.
Once you know that, you will have a better idea as to how to proceed (depending on if it is health-related or behavioral).

He was homed too soon. I asked around after you gave me advice. I asked breeders, they were telling me 10 weeks at least, preferably 12 to be homed. I asked owners on IG, they all found it too soon. Then I contacted a rescue with foster homes (The breeder is ignoring me!!!!), a woman helped me by giving him formula. She said he'll let us know when he's no longer ready for formula. NOW he is so much bigger and active. He is looking more rounder. The poor baby was tiny, he maintained that weight with no large crop. He started to sit at the bottom of the cage, calling out. Being a first time bird owner, I figured that's how small a conure is as a baby coming home, figured clingy/velcro behavior. It taught me a lot. What's thrown me off, this breeder has many good reviews, people saying their babies came so hand tamed, fearless. I experienced the opposite. He wasn't hand tamed, very frightened, non stop biting/he needed time and reinforcement plus too young to be homed. I don't understand if it's just people aren't aware or I got unlucky.