Hey! I'm Cyrus

[aibocyrus]

Hey! I'm Cyrus **new photos added**

Hello all,

My name is Cyrus. I joined the forums so that I could learn a bit more from everyone here!
Tomorrow, I am going to Ohio to adopt a young Blue Crown Conure and am so floored! Tonight I'm stopping at the grocery store to pick up lemon juice and vinegar to make a homeopathic cage cleaner to prepare the cage for the arrival of the bird tomorrow. I have been so excited all day!
A couple questions I had tonight;
- I understand nonstick pots and pans put out toxins into the air that can cause harm for the bird. I am in an apartment and the kitchen and living room are attached, and had planned on the bird being in the far corner of the living room. Does this still pose a problem that could harm the bird? Or will I just need to bite the bullet and purchase stainless steel cookware?
- fruits... I have learned fruits are a favorite among conures! What are the best?
- foods; any specific brands recommended specifically for conures?
- the cage is used, should the vinegar, lemon juice, and hot water mixture be enough? Can I use Clorox wipes first, then the natural formula, then water?
- the cage came with a perch, should I just scrap it? Or is there a way to make it safe for my new bird?

I have done between 1.5 years and 2 years of research off and on before making this decision, I am just constintely seeking more information to provide the best home possible for the new conure.
Also, should I expect noise complaints for a noisy bird? Or is the screeching of a blue crown not so bad? I've hear fun conures all the way to cockatoos and on to macaws, but from the reading they seem to make noise but are amongst the quiter conures? Are they quiet like a green cheek? On par with a sun or jenday?

I appreciate everyone's help and I'm so looking forward to being a member here!
And a thank you in advance for your help in answering my many questions! Lol
Better safe than sorry!

Cyrus

 

[Freespin]

When i got a second hand cage that came with toys i just threw away the scrappy looking ones and washed the rest with warm soapy water and rinsed them well then left them in the sun for a while. Barry is still alive =D

Oh and welcome!!

 

[Rizosmom]

Welcome Cyrus, do you know what happened to the bird that was in the cage before? If not I would toss the perch and get a new one....someone once told me that if you don't know what happened then it could have been diseased and you cant really sterilize perches (maybe I am wrong this is just what someone told me and it made sense so its kind of a rule I have always followed with used cages).

Rizo loves fruit veggies and frankly anything that I am eating/drinking...so I am careful that I don't eat anything near her that she cant have too because she insists that we share...

Anyways have fun with your new baby and please post a picture....We would all love to see one!

 

[SpotsandSally]

You will need to bite the bullet for new pots & pans.

ANY fruit is a favorite! Limiting fruits is key to getting them to eat their veggies though.

I used a used cage. I used bleach for the metal parts, soaking it, wiped it down, then rinsed in VERY hot water. My birdies lived! I even used the old perches, though I wouldn't reccomend it. If you must, than soaking them In vinegar and a HOT water shower will do until you can get new ones. Through out any toys.

I have a IRN, but I use budgie-sized 'Ecotrition Complete'. I should look at the list of foods and see if its very good, but I did cold turkey and immediately switched him from seeds to pellets, and he likes these. The budgie size also encourages him to eat it, but he's getting an overgrown beak so I would like to up the size. I don't believe these are dyed either - they vary in color, but only in light browns and dark browns.

I'm not sure how loud they are, but I can tell you it's a screechy sound, so be prepared for that. Kiwi - my IRN - makes a cute little babbling noise, like he's talking to himself, when he's content. When he wants to see me, or feels the need to (usually at night) he will do a flock call and screech.

 

[MikeyTN]

Welcome to the forum!!!! Some good advice have been given above. Good luck!

 

[Kissed82]

Congrats on your new baby!

I'm pretty new to birds but I researched till I was blue in the face about cookware!

I use hard anodized pans. You get a non stick type surface, without the PTFE and PFOAs. They are completely bird safe. Here is a link to a write up about them.

Hard Anodized Cookware vs. Non-stick cookware | The-Cookingpot.com

You can find a good set for like $200, or separates for $20 and up...

 

[SpotsandSally]

My dad bought of a set pans that were PTFE & PFOA free. I think it was $60 (it was during christmas so a sale). 2 frying pans, a boiling pan, utensils - basically enough to do everyday stuff. It would probably be 100$ not on sale. Pretty cheap if you ask me, and completely bird safe!

 

[BirdyMomma]

Please always make sure your bird is inside his cage, with the door secure while you are cooking.

 

[aibocyrus]

Thank you everyone! We made the mixture of Vinegar, Pure Lemon Juice, and hot water and scrubbed the cage down, then rinsed with hot water. I think I will run it under hot shower water too just to be safe then dry it down tonight.
We went ahead and threw away the two perches that came with the cage and I will go ahead and buy new ones tomorrow morning. There's a store that is moving and having a clearance sale as they are relocating to Florida, so I figured I do what I can to help them clear out tomorrow lol.
Everyone is so nice and I so appreciate each and everyone of you taking the time to welcome me onto the forums. I am hoping to come here to learn, share, and create some new friendships!
I will definitely post some photos tomorrow.
As far as when we get back home, what do you all recommend I do on approaching creating a relationship? How long should I wait to start trying to introduce my hand, taking out of the cage?
Also, should I bring a blanket to cover the carrier tomorrow as it will be really cold here. I believe I read that quick changes of temperature can affect your bird?

Thanks,

Cyrus

 

[aibocyrus]

Hey all. Sorry for the double post! I spent about 3 hours at the bird shop today to figure out which of the two blue crowns was good for me. I finally settled on one.
I need some help from you all here now, though. The bird was weaned about 3 months ago and the poor birds had not been handled much since their weaning. The one I chose did bite me hard enough to draw blood, but he was overall such a sweet bird. He finally got comfortable enough with me at the shop that he was riding around on my hand while I picked out all of his toys, dishes, and food. He was so good at stepping up and doesn't go out of his way to bite. I think he was just surprised to have so much attention today and was scared. Getting him home went great, I bought more product to sanitize his cage with bird safe solution.
What I'm wanting help with at this point is how should I go about training not to bite. How do I begin the relationship? He is 6 months old and has some minor habits of biting hands I want to break.
Thank you all, will post a few photos in an hour or so =]

Cyrus

 

[Terry57]

Hi Cyrus and a belated welcome It's great that you already made some progress with him while at the pet shop. Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[aibocyrus]

These are a couple photos. All are from the pet shop. From what I am reading it looks like I should really let him be for a few days first and foremost. Anyone have experience with getting a bird to trust them and building a relationship from scratch? I am completely prepared to do all the training I need to do to be sure this bird and I get the most out of the relationship.









Thanks,

Cyrus

 

[aibocyrus]

Well just wanted to share an update with everyone, it's been a week now that our blue crown has been home with us, we have been working on training, and actually jumped into clicker training the other day. He is taking well to it! A lot better than what I had thought he would do!
Yesterday, however, we broke a barrier and he started stepping up on us! He is so good too! You tell him to step up and his little foot comes up and no longer tries to bite you! He hung out with me around the house yesterday, took a shower, and helped me straighten up! Was so great!

Thanks,

Cyrus

 

[Stevie07]

Re: Hey! I'm Cyrus **new photos added**

Hey Cyrus.....that's great that you are getting a Conure, very sweet birds! I had a Blue Crowned Conure a long time ago and he was a sweetie. Now we have a female Eclectus named Scarlett. She's a love and very comical!
As far as the cookware in my opinion you should stop using the non-stick stuff that you have. We went out and bought some inexpensive stainless steel. Our vet said that the non-stick is very harmful and the vapors aren't good for humans either. Better safe than sorry.
Have fun with your new pet!