Our first GC Conure - advice?

[Del]

Hi All,

We just got out first conure a few days ago from a Breeder over here in the UK, she's approx 11 weeks old and we're just trying to get into the swing of things, I can see this little lady taking over us!

I've been reading around the internet and we bought a book a while ago looking for info and advice but most info doesnt seem to cater for the people like me who are at the first few days of adoption.

For example, our Conure (Elmo) doesnt seem to play with her toys when she's in the cage but has no problem playing with things when we let her out. This worries me as we work during the day and obviously have to leave her alone in the cage whilst we're working, so I'm concerned she will get bored.

I have a few toys in the cage and also put other things in bottom of the cage to amuse her but she doesnt seem to play with them.

Do baby conures take time to get used to toys? Everywhere I've read says they love to shred small boxes, cardboard rolls etc but our Elmo isnt interested.

 

[mtdoramike]

Run don't walk back to your breeder and see if it's not tooooo late to get your money back. Hopefully it's not too late, if it is, then your in the right place. I'm just kidding of course well, not really, well kind of. Once you get one bird, you will want another, then another and you got the picture.

First off, your Conure is a might young and still checking out the suroundings and whats going on. But once she settles in, she will start looking for things to occupy her time. You will need numrous toys to switch in and out on a regular basis to keep the Conure from getting to bored with one or two toys.

Yes, most Conures as well as other parrots love shreading type toys. But make sure you get them from a BIRD SAFE source. Cardboard tubes and such contains glues, which might not be safe for your bird. Try getting some foraging toys, where you can put anything in them from Food, treats, shreadable paper........ You might find that she will learn that there may be something nice hiding in that particular toy and start playing with it.

Conures can be LOUD, fortunately for you, yours is quite young. But wait until she gets around a year old. You'll be back looking to see what you can do to stop the screaming and squawking. Hopefully your not living in an apartment. I see Conures constantly listed on Craigslist in my area by folks who saw them in a pet shop and thought how cute and sweet and took them home. Then within the first year they are posted looking to re-home them bacause they live in an apartment and didn't realize how loud they can get.

 

[Beilana]

Hello and Congrats on your new addition!

I also have a cinammon GCC named Chia GCC's are not very loud at all and although it depends on the bird chia's loudest scream is still NOTHING in comparison to a cockatoo or sun conure. I live in a condo and have had no complaints from the neighbours regarding her noise level.

As for toys Chia didn't play with them at first but once she adjusted she started to get curious and plays with them a lot more now. Another thing I suggest with her trying new toys, food, basically trying anything new is that you SHOW her. Eat the things you want her to eat, play with the toys you want her to play with. She will view you as her flock member and her teacher and possibly one day her mate lol

With the toys in the bottom of the cage, birds generally don't go to the bottom of the cage and usually prefer the top this could be why she isn't getting any use out of them. I also suggest starting off with just a few toys then adding more so she doesn't get overwhelmed. Rotating toys is also recommended to keep her occupied.

Good luck! I'd love to see more pics of her! Is she DNA sexed????

 

[Del]

Thanks for the info guys, I've rotated her toys and hidden a bit of food and treats in there with them so when i get home after work I should be able to tell if she's been playing with them.
I'll take some pics of Elmo over the weekend and post them up.

 

[Printer bird]

Congrats on your new GCC! I have one as well, a sort of rescue that has come along quite nicely although since he didn't have a lot of training when he was younger, he can be a bit of a brat when he wants I do the same with hidden treats and toys when we are away at work. I see lots of evidence of him chewing away at his wooden toys and football with treats (and always his little cup with hidden bits of almonds). It did take him a few weeks to get into playing with his toys and cage so don't be too worried if yours doesn't play with them too much right off the bat. Charlie loves climbing and poking his head in to investigate things and mostly chewing! Since yours is so young, they may not be as into the chewing as they will be when they get older. Hope you are enjoying your new friend! Our greencheek is great, very funny and very affectionate. Just make sure you restrict pets and scratches to the head area as they can become hormonal if you pet their back too much.

 

[Adz]

Congrats on the new Birdie. My GCC Loco was the same when new. It would just sit around in it's cage, wasn't really interested in toys etc. I've had the bird about 3 months now and it's settled right in. It's mad for it's toys, love to chew them etc. It just takes time for them to get used to the new environment etc. Loco is just starting to play with paper tubes etc as well. I also have a play gym which Loco didn't want anything to do with, it would want to be with me and that's it. Now Loco is happy to sit alone and play with the bells, dangley bits and chew the wood etc. It's a slow process but I guess you have to remember you'll have this bird for a long time so like any new baby, they take time to learn and get enjoyment from new things.

Another piece of advice, when I first brought my bird home it did not want to be alone. If I left it on it's perch or play gym and it would simply fly over to us. Now it's a lot more chilled out and independent

 

[Del]

Thanks Printer bird and Adz, that's put my mind at rest more.

 

[Von1983]

Many congratulations!

Can I just add to the good advice you've been given above?

My girl was 3 months old when I took her home from an aviary. Birds do not instinctively know what to do with toys and believe it or not, they benefit from being shown! This applies to all sorts of things....how to take a shower and not be frightened of the spray bottle, that new foods can be nummy....all sorts!

Cal had never seen a toys in her life and she had never been handled either so if you are past the "I hate you" part and into the "hmmm....you're a pretty cool bloke!" then it'll make your job a LOT easier lol.

I would suggest you take Elmo with you to a comfy place where she can either be on or off you like the sofa.

Take a toy and start playing with it. Don't attempt to get her to join in at this stage. Conures are so unbelievably nosy that this rather rubbish reverse psycology actually works lol. If you play "no, it's mine!" the more she will want to investigate what you are doing! You'll find she sits in your lap/shoulder/hand and plays with the toy with you! If you do this with the first few toys, you'll find that any new toy is met with excitement.

I have to rotate Cal's toys weekly and she "helps" me do it because she STILL loves to play "no it's mine!!!".

I also find myself making a lot of parrot pinata's lol. She loves to shred them and get the nuts I put inside. If you are interested, I made a video on how to make a bird safe one. It is in the DIY part of the forum. http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/6385-step-step-guide-parrot-pinata.html

Well done on doing your research - sounds like you're really going all out with this little girl.

 

[Del]

thanks for the info Von1983, the Pinata looks fun and a cool idea! I may have a go at that.