Lola/Ben

[conureconnie]

I finally got my conure! I brought him home yesterday and he has been settling in. Getting a DNA test done but decided on Lola or Ben. The breeder said he is about 4-5 months. So far I have not tried to handle him because he seems a little scared. Also, he isn't eat much pellet or dried fruit treats. I was given a piece of millet and heloves to eat that. Is that ok? Will try to feed some fresh fruit and veggies later today.
He is also working on getting used to my dog so I think I might have to wait a little longer before trying to interact. Very excited and having fun watching him explore new cage!

 

[itzjbean]

Congrats on the new addition! He/she's a cutie!

Here's a great article I suggest you read...

Tips for Bonding and Building Trust

I have a dog too but you ALWAYS want to keep an eye on the two of them if they will be out together. Never unsupervised play!

Work slow with the new guy especially if he seems scared. Sitting by his cage and talking to him softly can help. When he seems more comfortable with you and his surroundings you can open the cage and allow him to come out.

Keep an eye on him as the days go by to make sure his appetite returns. Continue to offer the millet, and also pellets and you could try making birdie bread to entice him/her to eat veggies/fruit. You can put all kinds of stuff in it.

Remember, you can be creative with your name! Lola is nice, but... Not saying Ben is a bad name but it's a person name and not that creative and you'll be calling your bid this for their whole life! When I look at the little guy, what comes to my mind....

Tangerine, Ginger, Papaya, Poppy, Applejack, you could pick a character in a book you like, movie, favorite band/musician, etc. you have so many possibilities!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I forget if we aleady shared this with you, so I'll post it again...

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2012...n-parrots.html


Millet is a good snack in moderation, yes. Here's what I feed.
Harrison's Bird Foods

I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff, like fruits and vegetables! My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day. I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.


Not sure if you've already heard this, buttttttttttttt... a bird is a naturl prey animal for even the sweetest dog, so a bird should never get used to a dog, nor ever be near one unsupervised. We've heard so many awful stories of the taest dogs knocking over a cage and harming a beloved parrot.

Other than that, CONGRATULATIONS! Your bird is a beauty!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Our Bean beat me to some of that!

P.S.
With a bird named Rickey, I'm not one to talk. You'll see what feels right. I'm so happy for you.

 

[EllenD]

What is the regular, daily diet he was weaned-onto by the breeder? If he was weaned-onto pellets, a healthy, varied seed-mix, etc., and he continues to refuse to eat it after a week at most, then you definitely want to get him to a Certified Avian Vet for a wellness-exam (should do this anyway within the first month of getting any new bird) to get any health issues/infections caught early and treated...He's probably just nervous and settling-in, and that's why he's not eating much (they'll always eat millet, lol). The millet is fine as an occasional treat, but you don't want to get him thinking that he's going to be getting millet now and not have to eat his pellets/seed-mix, so be careful with giving him too much until he starts eating his normal food on a regular basis...And yes, start offering him lots of different fresh veggies too, try out some different "chop" recipes until you find what his favorite veggies are...

 

[conureconnie]

Thanks for the responses! I am not putting my dog in the bird cage I just mean he is still my dog and is in and sleeps in the room with me and the bird so I can see the bird watching him. He seems a little more comfortable and took some pellets from my hand and has dipped his beak in the water a couple times.
I like the names I picked the names you suggested are a little typical of animal names I kinda think its cooler to have a name you wouldn't expect from a bird but thanks for the input on my birds name.

 

[lplummer52]

You’ll do fine. Soon, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for your bird. You’ll be surprised how quickly they pick up on things. I am still amazed that my little Sun is so, so smart! Keep posting here and you and your bird will learn A LOT!

 

[Laurasea]

Congratulations!!!!! Your GCC looks just like my Ta-dah (so named for her grand entrances!) She even has that exact same toy! Small world. It's great that you joined the forum, I'm new myself. But enjoy learning, brushing up, abd reading people's stories. It's smart to get DNA testing done. My first GCC I named Burt the Bird, lol but turned out to be a girl. You'll know the right name. What a beauty hope to see more pics. My GCC and quakers say hi!

 

[MonicaMc]

Did the breeder tell you what mutations Lola/Ben's parents are? If the mother is not a cinnamon, then you have a Lola. If the mother is a cinnamon, then could be either!

I think it's great you are going with more unconventional names! I can say that Lola is more common as a bird name than Ben is, but not as common as names such as Charlie, Sunny, Sunshine, Cosmo, Kiwi, Skittles, Mango, Smokey, etc! Gah! I hate common bird names!!!! Love the unique ones! Saying that, I do have a Charlie... he came with his name and says "Hi Char-LEE!" or sometimes it comes out as "Hi Charee!" and "Charlie-saurus!". Also have a Casey which is kind of common-ish, and the breeder pretty much named her that, so I kept it.

Also love that big cage you got for Lola/Ben!

 

[conureconnie]

I don't know about the parents but test is already paid for so will see. The bird sometimes goes on the side of the cage wall where I am sitting and crawls around while moving his head and neck side to side. Do they want to fight me or play haha?

Also, birdie is eating pellets! And kind of a lot. He ate a lot of fruit and veggies yesterday and now is eating pellets for what seems like a while like they're really hungry, maybe I just don't really know birds.

 

[conureconnie]

enjoying some broccoli

 

[Squeekmouse]

Hooray! Glad to hear he is enjoying his pellets and broccoli. GOOD stuff!


If he's crawling around on his cage bobbing his head at you, he's most likely trying to get your attention and wanting to play with you.

 

[MonicaMc]

Awesome! So great that he's a healthy eater!

As far as behavior, that could be many things! LOL They have a lot of personality packed into a tiny body!