Multiple parrot owners - how to split time?!?

[NandayMom]

Hi all, last night I brought my new baby Sun conure home and my Nanday conure was not happy....
I instantly felt bad.... I don't want them together yet so how do I spend time with each of my babies, without 1 of my boys feeling left out??

My Nanday is still not happy to be on the play tree, he wants to be on me. I have tried everything to get him to like it, special "tree only" treats, toys, etc, but nothing makes him sit on that tree more than about 10 mins before he yells for me. If I ignore him, he will flutter over to me (his wings are clipped but he can flutter the 4 feet to my chair from his tree) any tips there?? If my Nanday could hang out on the tree while I bond with the baby, then it wouldn't be as big of an issue but he won't stay there....

how do you split your time between your babies?!?! (without feeling guilty and selfish for bringing the new adorable baby into the house )

 

[jenphilly]

You are living with the very problem I worry about when considering adopting another hands on interactive type bird... My Ivory is such a needy bird (granted she's a too so that's almost a big duh....).

Victoria has done very well with having multiple birds and interacting with everyone. Teaching your bird to entertain itself is a big factor.... either lots of toys on the playstand or in the cage. Will Richard play on his own if he does not see you? You might want to consider interacting with them in separate rooms so Richard cannot see you and try to get to you. Is there anyone else in the home that can play with Richard? Victoria does that too... she will walk out with Loki and just drop him on me or my husband and we play with him while she is working with someone else.

 

[Birdman666]

Easy. They each get a turn. The order, and length of the interaction depends on the bird, and what mood they are in that day.

They have been taught from day 1 that they have to self entertain sometimes.

And I have five, that are out of cage 24/7, with a huge birdroom, and plenty of things to do...

I don't feel guilty...

Except when my HUMAN child feels neglected...

Although my (Now EX) girlfriend was pretty good about laying on the guilt for paying attention to them, instead of her...

 

[thekarens]

That's exactly why I only have 2. I work across town so that doesn't leave a lot of time for them and chores in the evening. Thankfully pois are good about playing by themselves.

 

[RavensGryf]

Certain species are more easy going about needing a lot of direct attention than others. I think conures are just one of the more needy guys Good luck working it out. As many multiple conure owners that are here, I'm sure you'll get more good suggestions.

 

[jenphilly]

We have 3 conures and I would not consider any of them needy... but take that from the person with a cockatoo!!!

Teaching your bird to play with toys and entertain themselves is the key. But once you are ready to introduce them, you may find they enjoy hanging out! Victoria's two green cheeks are best friends, but they want nothing to do with baby Loki (sun). Loki would hang out with anyone, he's not particular at all

I think once you are able to let them meet, you might have much better luck. Even them hanging out on you at the same time.

Until then, just try to avoid spending time with the baby when Richard can see you, you don't want him jealous when there is no need for it. When you are ready, try eating with both of them in the same room or near each other, the whole flock eating together thing, its a bonding activity for birds and humans alike!

 

[RavensGryf]

We have 3 conures and I would not consider any of them needy... but take that from the person with a cockatoo!!!

Right Jen, I can see where you'd say that since you have a white Too
It's all relative... I guess I meant compared to Poi's and Pi's

 

[jenphilly]

We have 3 conures and I would not consider any of them needy... but take that from the person with a cockatoo!!!

Right Jen, I can see where you'd say that since you have a white Too
It's all relative... I guess I meant compared to Poi's and Pi's

that was my point!! My definition of needy is way different then someone who has all budgies!!! I did type that with a smiley and hoped it came across with that humor.... like someone from Florida or Texas telling that 50 degrees is freezing... that's a heat wave for those of us in the Arctic zone previously known as Pennsylvania... and its snowing here just in case anyone was wondering!! totally off topic!!! :11:

 

[thekarens]

Hey, I resemble that remark. 50 is freezing!!!

 

[RavensGryf]

What smiley face Jen??!! Humor?

JK your post always make me smile or laugh.

 

[Birdman666]

We have 3 conures and I would not consider any of them needy... but take that from the person with a cockatoo!!!

I had three as well, and I also don't consider them needy. (Substitute cockatoo for two large macaws.)

My conures LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, the interaction, attention, and stimulation with trick training, by the way. And it definitely seemed to improve their behavior. They really do have the temperment for it.

Conures skateboarding across my living room coffee table fell within my definition of normal...

 

[NandayMom]

thanks guys, great info.
the biggest thing is that the play stand is in the living room, their cages are in the spare room (only place and it is the only room I can regulate temp properly, it is the bird and snake room with a small oil heater)

I can let Richard hang out in the room with his cage open and make a play gym on top .... then put Ravi away and let Richard out with us for a while.

just take some adjustment,

 

[JustAWhiteCap]

Hey friends... I can vouch with the ladies down south in Texas. I used to live in Dallas for 37 yrs before moving back to Toronto Canada, and yes,
50 degrees there is pretty cold for a true Texan and if there's any type of snow or ice storm.... Forget it! The whole city shuts down until it all melts away, in which usually results within half a day. But for the ladies up north or even north eastern, I agree winter is VERY cold, especially this current one that JUST WONT go away!!! I pray for just one day of 50 degree day with sunshine if that's not to much to ask for!!!! :09:

 

[BirdyMomma]

We have three young birds, and although we both love them very much, they are much more bonded to me, and prefer me to my boyfriend. I make sure to devote at least a few special, one on one moments to each bird, every day. Usually it's more like a special training session, an outing or just one on one cuddle time. It makes a big difference for them.