new sun conure owner

[suncon1]

I picked up a sun conure today and a bit concerned about its behavior after the dust settled a bit (much like buying a used car and then going over it more thoroughly after you drive it home). I'm a new bird owner so learning as I go. I have followed up with breeder and awaiting return call but thought I'd post here to get some other opinions. "Feathers" is 6 weeks old and of course still hand fed. Breeder instructed me on feeding and such. Feeding doesn't seem to be a problem but doesn't seem to want to eat a whole lot which I assume is normal.

I can certainly provide more detail about feeding but my main concern is the bird's posture and what appears to be lack of neck, leg and foot strength. I've read and seen around the web babies as young as a couple weeks having no problems standing/walking/etc. It seems my new friend hobbles around sort of as if her head is too heavy (like a human infant). Should a conure be standing and walking strong at six weeks? Assuming yes, is it cause for concern that she's not or should i just give it a few days to acclimate? Posture seemed same when picking up but trusted no problems and just due to being young baby...Also, I haven't heard one sound from this bird but her eyes seem strong and alert and she does try to walk around.

I'll post some pics in the morning.

 

[weco]

First, welcome to the forums and congrats on your new feathered friend.....

As to your breeder, hand-feeding is really something that should be left to experienced feeders and I think (s)he did you and your feathered friend disservice by selling you an unweaned bird.

Because I have never hand-fed chicks, I'll let those who have answer those questions.....

What kind of bedding/cage base material is your little friend stumbling through? You can't use online pics to judge your bird with, because like any animal, humans included, we don't all mature at the same rate and with birds, when changes interfere with their juvenile progression, chicks have been known to regress.....I don't know your breeder, so have no idea of his/her reputation, but have you followed his/her formula recipe exactly.....I know that some birds will refuse to eat if what their new feeder offers them is not exactly what they are used to eating.....will leave further questions/answers to others.....

 

[RavensGryf]

First, welcome to the forum .

I agree with weco that breeders should never sell unweaned babies to new bird owners . That's certainly not your fault! Shame on these people who leave the new owner to do the work. It happens a lot these days unfortunately. There is just so much more to it than meets the eye and so much to go wrong. Not to scare you that being said, and since you already have the bird, fortunately there are some wonderful people here who have loads of experience in this area. They should be chiming in fairly soon. Hang in there, and best wishes with your new baby!

 

[suncon1]

First, welcome to the forum .

I agree with weco that breeders should never sell unweaned babies to new bird owners .

This makes me ANGRY! I feel like this bird was ill and dying before I even arrived to make a purchase!

I bought the bird from a local breeder (arizonaparrots.com). I thought I did a good amount of research beforehand but also felt quite vulnerable as I'm new to bird ownership and don't want to be an instant Google expert on something I know little about. I'd love to elaborate about the breeder, my perceptions, and the purchase process but will keep this thread focused on my new bird.

I did notice (and even mentioned) what I felt was weakness/poor posture but was quickly consoled and told the bird would gain strength in time and that he was/is perfectly normal. I feel like I may have been duped into handing over the cash for a sick bird with little to no recourse. Again, I'm a new bird owner but not new to animals in general. This bird just doesn't seem "right". So today, less than 24 hours after purchase, I feel compelled to make a rather emergency vet visit but awaiting the breeder's response prior to doing so. Perhaps I've just bit off more than I can chew (no pun intended) with the hand feeding and all. I was more or less talked into it from a perspective of bonding with/taming the bird vs an already weaned bird. I'm now finding that is BS and it leads me to believe I was blatantly lied to just so I'd shell out the cash and take an unhealthy (dying, in my opinion) baby bird!

I'm hoping there's nothing to worry about and I'm just overreacting. Pictures are attached. This baby is supposedly 6 weeks old. I picked her up yesterday around 1130am. She had a full crop. By the time I got home and settled, he had soiled the newspaper in his box and crop was empty (around 4pm). I was able to feed about 2ml. I tried again at 6pm and he ate 2.5ml. At about 9pm he ate 6.5ml. This morning at 6, he would only eat about 2.5ml.

I'm upset, to say the least and feel quite foolish. With the comments thus far, I shouldn't even have this bird (yet). Evidently, a solid and reputable breeder who cares about the birds (and their owners) would know this.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Dustbunny]

Ooooh she has the sweetest, most trusting face! I do hope everything works out with her. Personally, I wouldn't wait for whatever defense the breeder tries to give, I'd get the baby to a vet. A checkup is never a bad idea.

Edit: I want to add my Hahn's macaw is about a month old and they are about the same size as a sun conure (not the same species though). He is still with the breeder, but I know he can hold his head and body up already.

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm so sorry suncon, that also makes me angry to read it! The baby sure is cute though. I've heard of Arizona Parrots, and in fact others on this forum have given good reviews so I'm surprised a place that seems like this would sell unweaned. I did see the 6 week old Sun Conures listed on their website. Also telling you that in order to bond better they need to be hand fed by you?! How does that explain the other babies who are not going home until they're weaned? Ugh, that's the most common line some breeders love to give when they spot a 'new' bird person, and I can tell by reading your posts that you're not stupid!

As far as being floppy, I have no idea if it's normal for the species at that age. I also have no idea how many CC's of food is normal for them to want at each feeding, but my feeling is that if it was really sick it wouldn't be eating at all. How easy is it to get a hold of this breeder? Does this breeder have a health guarantee if you bring it to the vet? If they do, usually it's 72 hours. I'd definitely make the emergency appt. If anything at all is wrong with a baby, they don't have days to waste. Good luck... Keep us posted!

 

[EnglishMuffin]

I'm sorry to say although I don't have experience with conures so young, I've seen pictures of birds younger than yours who are able to hold themselves. All you have to do is a google image search of 4-6 week old sun conure to see this posture is not normal.

I think you first stop should be an avian vet to get the birdie sorted out. If it were me my next stop would be to contact the breeder, say you've sought a second opinion on the health of the bird, that you know she should never have been sold so young and in such poor health, and that you'll be contacting a lawyer unless they agree to foot the vet's bills. It makes me so angry that breeders do this!

 

[suncon1]

I just returned the bird and was given a full refund. Technically, she probably didn't have to do that but it was much appreciated. I was concerned about taking home another bird that was selected for me without seeing their environment or anything. I at least partially understand their rationale for that though.

I just had the gut feeling the bird was not doing well - even prior to getting it home yesterday. I suppose my expectations for the breeder would have been a response like "do you love his bird? How can I help?" I feel she was understanding but annoyed with my concerns. The hand feeding was not even my primary concern. I concede that I could be 100% wrong and the baby was/is perfectly fine. Even so, feeding is NOT easy and certainly chock it up as a learning experience. I feared the bird would die and I'd be stuck with the bills - not to mention losing a pet.

All that said, I'm in no way attempting to bash the breeder. Perhaps I simply demonstrated enough confidence to make them feel comfortable. This was certainly a learning experience.

 

[Selestine]

I'm sorry about your experience -- that has to be hard and sad Hopefully the little bird will be okay.

If you're still looking for a bird (and I see that you're in Arizona), we got our eclectus from azparrots.com and we couldn't be happier. We are also getting a blue-and-gold macaw from them.

I go see my macaw every Saturday. They clip my eclectus' nails for free for me whenever I need it done (and his wings if I so desired, but he's flighted) and they're always there when I have a question.

 

[MrsKay]

Hello suncon1, that story just breaks my heart. I'm sure that was a rough couple of days for you, not to mention the poor bird. I hope the bird grows up strong!
It must have been heartbreaking for you to take it back, even though it was probably for the best.
Please let us know when you get your healthy new baby