Hello from Appalachia Maryland

[KennyB]

Good day to you all,
I just received for my 72nd birthday a green-cheek conure whom I’ve named Connor (with his approval). I had a parakeet for 13 years when I was much younger. Connor along with my horses, dog and wife make a nice family.
It’s 18 degrees out this morning so heat is on for Connor along with humidifier and 2-3x daily misting so he doesn’t dry out.

He’s 7 months old and quite friendly. Hand feeds and lets me pet him w/o biting on occasion. Working on step up soon. I’ve only had him about 1 week but he already calls for me and goes to location in cage where I start to hand feed him.

Connor gets mostly “chop” for meals along with occasional nutriberry and pelleted food sparingly.

While I love the cold weather, I am concerned for Connor’s health. Mornings inside are upper 50’s warming to mid-60s during day. There is an oil-filled radiator heater near him. Also heat with wood stove, so it is very dry thus the humidifier. Any comments welcome.
Kenny

 

[Laurasea]

Hi and welcome! This is the inside temp of your house?? Brrrr
I always recommend the Sweeter Heater as sold on Amazon. I hang it on it's side though not overhead.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CYTU95K/ref=psdcmw_3048866011_t3_B01CYUS7XK
This heater is a radiant heat panal that hangs outside the cage, and the smallest size they make is perfect. It puts out a lot of heat, so they need to be able to move away from it, I hang mine in lowere outside corner of the cage, with a perch inside the cage right in front of it , if they want more heat. And don't cover the cage completely so the heat can escape. I've used this heater for 18 years, so I am really happy with it!!! It's no light , just radiant heat. Put your hand a few inches from it and wait you will feel the heat.
Welcome, you found an active and careing forum here with lots of experience and diverse ideas to solve parrot problems, and just to cellibrate birds!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome, Happy Birthday, and Conuregratulations! Connorgratulations, too.

I'm glad you found us.

 

[Scott]

Welcome Kenny and Connor!!

Oil filled radiators are considered safe, but use caution with the wood stove. Hazardous combustion by-products and smoke can prove dangerous to birds.

Connor seems well adjusted and should be receptive to your continued socialization.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you! I don’t bother with heat during the winter, so it drops to about 63 a few days out of the season! My JoJo seems to have no issues with it!

 

[Allee]

Welcome to the forums, Kenny and Connor, so glad you joined us. Congratulations, Connor is adorable in his nice new set-up.

Sounds like you've thought of everything. As mentioned, I would be cautious about the wood stove.

Enjoy your new family member and please share photos and adventures.

 

[noodles123]

Welcome! I wrote some random advice that you may or may not already know below:

Make sure you don't come running when your bird calls for you or you may encourage undesirable noises. Stick to petting on the head and avoid cuddles (they are usually cute while cuddling, but a sexual bird can quickly become a terror, not to mention the health risks hormones pose to birds). Never give any sort of cuddle huts, tents or dark places in or outside of the cage- birds change when they hit puberty, and you don't want to encourage any bad habits that you can't continue....and be careful with the wood stove---and make sure that temperatures in the 50s aren't too cold for your bird (that would be taxing for many, but gradual change is the most important thing). In terms of the stove, birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, so any chemical, smoke or fume (even cleaners) can cause serious damage or death. Do you already know about the dangers of Teflon/PTFE/PFOA?