Nanday Conure - I'm a new bird guy

[JRG]

I adopted Charlie about two months ago. I was told he was a male and they thought he was 5-6 years old....who knows. LOL He is super calm, has a large cage with several perches, toys, sleep hut, etc. He steps up with no issues and loves to hang out with me, usually on my shoulder while I surf the need do household chores, including vacuuming.

Here's what I'm trying to learn....he doesn't seem to want a bath, either a shallow dish in his cage or in a sink. I tried a squirt bottle and he didn't care for that. In the sink from time to time he will get into my hand with the sink running and sort of stick his head under the faucet, but not very often. Is this something to be concerned about?

Although he has several toys, he doesn't spend much time playing with them. I leave the cage door open and he hands on the door or the top of the cage, naps, primes himself.

I feed him Zupreem and his water has a supplement added. He love's Cheerios (one at a time) maybe 6 during the course of a day. He enjoys carrots, loves apples and won't eat greens.

I guess I'm looking for assurance that I'm taking good care of him?

Thanks, JIM

 

[GaleriaGila]

Sounds petty good to me, Jim!
So much GOOD news... and you sound as if you are completely enchanted with him just as he is. I like your emphasis on making sure HE has what he wants/needs. I'd say keep working on the toys maybe interact with him, since he's so social. About the bath... my conure ONLY wants shallow water in a gigantic wok I got for him. He detests sprays, MAY enjoy a falling trickle from the faucet. Maybe your bird had bad experience(s) with water or baths. I'd say keep trying. If he really doesn't progress, you might just give him a spray now and then for feather/skin conditioning. He sounds adorable. Can we get some pictures?
In my experience, Nandays and Patagonians are pretty similar in a lot of regards. You can check my guy out in my signature links. Aren't they similar in movements and appearance?

 

[damir]

very nice!

hope you don't mind me asking, what kind of water supplement are you using?

is that recommended, or you have a specific reason for it?

we are new conure owners as well (less then 24h lol) so, whatever will make our girl healthier / safer, i am up for it.

bit thanks!!

 

[JRG]

Abby, Supplement is "Nektons S" and was a recommendation from an Avian Vet.

 

[damir]

thank you!
i tried to pm you, just to confirm if this product is the right one:

https://www.amazon.ca/Nekton-Labs-BNK201035-Bird-Vitamins/dp/B0002DILSI

i wasn't able to pm, due to being new on this community, and i do not have enough posts.

i apologize for writing about this in your thread, i hope you do not mind, and i would appreciate if you can confirm.

big thanks again!

 

[JRG]

Abby,
Yes that's the right stuff!

 

[JellyBean]

It took a while for my GCC JellyBean to get used to bathing! I got him a perch in the shower and he loves it!

I did catch him take a sneaky wash in his water bowl!!!

 

[SirEdwin89]

Sounds like you are doing good! Just keep experimenting with the greens. Just because he doesn't seem to like something the first time you offer it, doesn't mean he won't change his mind, so it's a good idea to offer things repeatedly. And bath time can certainly be a struggle, I know some people have some horror stories trying to get their babies in the water.

 

[Allee]

Some birds really don't enjoy bathing but all birds need frequent showers to keep their feathers and skin in good condition. Turning on a vacuum cleaner will often cause a bird to want to get wet. Another way to force a bath on a reluctant bird is to catch them in a playful mood and spray a gentle mist over them, some birds learn to love this method and will dance in the rain.

If you could add a variety of vegetables and a little fruit to your conure's diet it would be a healthy alternative to vitamins. Your conure may not be familiar with greens, you could try adding chopped kale, broccoli, sweet potato and other vegetables to the carrot and apple that he finds acceptable. We have a lot of great recipes for basic chop and birdie bread in our recipe section.

Parrot Food, Recipes and Diet - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

 

[shellaves]

My girl Conure loves showers and doesn't know what to do with a bowl of water. My boy, when I first got him loved bowls of water to splash in but seemed hesitant/afraid? of showers. I eventually just started putting both of them in the shower together and the boy over time figured it out. I have no idea why the difference in preference but I determined he wasn't super fearful and went with the shower method because it was something I knew I could get them to do together and was easier for me. Cracks me up nowadays if I turn the shower off too soon he doesn't come towards me for a step up. That's his way of telling me he wants more


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[AmyMyBlueFront]

BB my new 'tiel does NOT like ANY type of showering! A mist bottle he runs from in the shower he tries to fly out of the bath tub!

However, he is fascinated with the kitchen sink I put him on the counter top as I wash dishes by hand,and he'll peer over the edge as he runs back and forth..stopping...and "looking" like he wants to hop in. Of course I don't let him coz the water is too hot.
However,after I am done, I turn the water down to a trickle and make sure it is just luke warm,then I step back to watch him.

he still runs back and forth on the counter,chirping away. Then he'll stop and JUMP...into the sink lol. I keep the drain open and he beaks at the trickling water,but won't go under it.

I end up letting the water run on to my fingers then shake the water droplets on to him. At first he'll try and run away,or hop out of the sink,but the sink is too deep for him to escape. After a few minutes of him trying to get away...he'll get the idea,then open his arms wide,do the "eagle" stance...shake his booty...but only for a couple minutes...that's the only way he'll allow himself to get wet


Jim

 

[Notdumasilook]

Personally I avoid any supplement added to water. It breeds more bacteria.. yep.. u will have really healthy bacteria in the water.. that's a given. Feed your birds a good quality pelleted diet (nothing that looks like fruit loops) and a wide variety of veggies/fruits as well as well cooked lean meats/fish and scrambled eggs on occasion. Your bird is an omnivore and meat protein is fine........ NO avocado..no chocolate, caffeine, and NO salty food from your plate... heck fritos can be fatal!
Some folks might feed a total pelleted diet and that might be fine.. but imagine yourself eating the same damn thing every meal..... yuck!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MonicaMc]

Here's some different bathing techniques you can try....

• Try luke-warm water
• Try cold water
• Try ice-cold water
• Try a spray bottle
• Try a plant mister
• Try in the sink with the water running or just some water in the bottom
• Try in the sink with the sprayer
• Try in the tub with some water in the bottom
• Try a casserole dish or similar with some water
• Try the dish with ice
• Try the dish with foot toys
• Try the dish with some small rocks or pebbles
• Try the dish with some leafy greens like endive or other types of lettuces that may create a "natural" bowl
• Try the dish with a vacuum cleaner running
• Try in the shower with you - watching you having a blast getting wet!
• Try dancing the bird into the shower with the water already going
• Try spritzing yourself, and have fun doing it! Then spritz the bird
• Try outside in an empty cage large enough to spread wings during a nice rain shower
• Try outside in an empty cage using the hose with a mist/shower attachment
• Try playing videos of other birds bathing

 

[janiners305]

My pineapple green cheek loves ice cold water. The colder, the better! And she will only bathe in her water dish or a red tupperware bowl lol. One of my ringnecks loves mist from a spray bottle and taking showers. The other ringneck will only bathe in her water dish. And only immediately after I have given her fresh water.

It all depends on the individual bird, and their preferences

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