Plans for a green cheek conure...

[julie]

Hello everybody, my name's Julie, and I've been reading around this forum for a few weeks now. I am currently on a local breeder's waiting list for a baby green cheek conure. My father has a Moluccan Cockatoo and a lesser sulphur crested cockatoo, so I do have [some] experience with birds, but new to conures!

I won't be getting the little one for some time (they haven't even hatched yet!) but I am still looking for a cage, food, etc so I will be ready when he/she comes! I have some plans and was wondering if anybody could give me pointers or critique my ideas!

For food, I was planning on either using Totally Organics pellets or Harrisons super fine (confused as to whether I use the regular adult or high potency formula?). I definitely want something free of dye, totally natural... all of my animals eat a "species appropriate diet" (my dogs and cats eat raw), so I want to make sure I get the best food possible for the bird aswell! What do you think is best? Any other suggestions? Of course the bird will have fresh foods available too!!

Everything I read says you should get the largest cage you can afford. I found one online that looks great (especially for the price, and I do want a BIG cage). Here is the cage I was looking to purchase: BIRDCAGES4LESS.com: Lani Kai Lodge™ Playtop

Is it too big? The bar spacing is 3/4", is that too wide? I know you guys are the experts!!!

I am so excited to add a bird to the family. Please, if you have any good information or constructive criticism, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Printer bird]

Hi Julie! Exciting about your new conure! I am a relatively new owner of a conure myself although I previously had a parrotlet (for ten years) and a budgie for a couple prior to that. My conure is on the Harrison's super fine high potency. I think that one is best for when they are just weaned and its definitely the brand that my vet recommended. She says its top of the line in terms of quality. I think I've read that the bars should be 1/2" for a green cheek. Perhaps someone can confirm that. So far Charlie has liked all toys and attacks bells as enemies (and then makes up with them by holding them with his beak while he scratches his head). he also likes toys he can chew up and destroy as most parrots do. He's an busy guy, takes well to training despite having lived fairly rule free for at least a year with a guy who didn't take great care of him so I imagine one from a breeder would have a great personality. Lots of people on here have great experience so ask away, you'll get lots of great answers!

 

[Von1983]

Welcome to the forum!

A GCC is a wonderful choice. Such snuggly, happy birdies! Well done on doing your research first....if only more people would!

The food you choose will depend on what your bird will be fed by the breeder after weaning. My bird was on an all seed diet. Nightmare! I initially tried her on zupreem....dream on Mam! Next came Kaytee exact rainbow because I figured this was better than seed.....she loved it due to it's fruity taste and colours. Now she is slowly getting more Harrisons high potency super fine. This is because underneath it all, she'd still be a seedie if I let her and these are lovely little millet seed sized chunks which I think in a way fools her lol!

If you can have a say in what your future fid (feathered kid!) eats after weaning, then you could possibly request that the breeder feeds him/her harrisons from the off. Especially if you would pay for it? Just an idea. Many issues with this I know, but if you know the breeder well enough to discuss this then it would save you a LOT of trouble...believe me, I know!

Well done for going all out on the cage - it looks like paradise! My girl has something similar that she uses as a play den.

You may want to get a smaller cage also for sleeping purposes because very big spaces can mean a bird doesn't feel relaxed at night and therefore exposed. having 2 cages for Cal makes my life easier, believe it or not! Although, on balance, she DOES enjoy her smalller cage more which is odd as she was an aviary baby.....they are ALL so different!

The 3/4" bar spacing will save tail feathers getting ratty. My girls is around the same but Sun's are around 2" larger than GC as a general rule. Definately not big enough to get heads caught or anything nasty!

Hope that helped you a bit, I am no expert but this is what I have found with my girly.

 

[Spiritbird]

Your choices are all excellent except the cage size. My friend has a cage for her conure that is no bigger than 1/4 to 5/8ths. bar spacing. I too feed Harrisons HP to my grey and she gets flying colors for her vet exams. Welcome to our little group of bird lovers.

 

[Von1983]

There you are, Di answered the bar spacing question for you!

3/4" is said to be ideal for sun's but I have no real life knowledge of a GCC.

I just could not picture a GCC in Cal's huge cage accurately enough! I just know they are around 2" smaller!

 

[julie]

Thank you all for your very informative replies!!

Printer bird, Charlie sounds adorable. I initially wanted to rescue an unwanted bird, I even filled out an application and met a couple, but the rescues all wanted somebody with more experience with birds (and rehabbing, as many of the birds do need some extra TLC if they've suffered trauma/neglect) which I understand. I did read that 1/2" bar space was preferred for green cheeks, but I wanted to check and see what others with experience thought, thanks for your input!

Von, that's a great suggestion! I will contact the breeder and ask if that's possible, I have heard the horrors of seed diets and how difficult it can be switching seed-addicted birds over to pellets. :11: Also, thanks for the suggestion on getting a smaller cage... I had thought of that, I'm glad somebody confirmed it for me. I suppose a 24"x22"x60" with 1/2" bar spacing would be more appropriate? I definitely want him to feel cozy in his cage.

Thanks for the reassurance, SpiritBird! I am taking you guys' recommendation and ordering a smaller cage. This one seems very nice BIRDCAGES4LESS.com: Kokee Kondo™ - Two Top Options .

It seems like Harrisons high potency superfine is the top pick for food!

I can't wait til I get the email saying she sees babies! I'm so excited to have a bird join our pack... er, flock! haha

 

[Adz]

Yeah the cage is super important. I have to return mine this weekend as I was sold a cage that my conure can easily escape from!


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7WdXkWBcTs]YouTube - Green cheek conure break out[/ame]

 

[Printer bird]

Oh no on the escape! These guys are so tricky. Apparently Charlie used to escape from his old cage but I haven't really seen him try with his new big one. He seems to like it so I'm sure that helps but I also put little bird locks on all the food doors (not that that would help your situation! Crazy that he gets through the bars!). I know its not a good thing that he is doing that but its pretty funny to watch him just go for it, no problem.

 

[mtdoramike]

Yeah that cage is huge and more for large parrots. I would ;look for one with 1/2 to 5/8" bat spacing. I have a Senegal and it's in a cage with 1/2" bar spacing and seems to be the perfect fit.

It should save you a few bucks. This cahe and stand runs around $200.00. You can also check on Craigslist they are always people on there selling parrot cages. Just make sure to sterilize it good if you go used cage route. I would also replace all the wooden parts like perches of you happen upon a nice used cage.

 

[julie]

Yeah the cage is super important. I have to return mine this weekend as I was sold a cage that my conure can easily escape from!


YouTube - Green cheek conure break out

Yikes! Thanks for including the video... your little guy/girl is so cute!!!!
So glad I'm getting so much information on the cage, I was VERY close to ordering that huge one. :53:

 

[julie]

Oh no on the escape! These guys are so tricky. Apparently Charlie used to escape from his old cage but I haven't really seen him try with his new big one. He seems to like it so I'm sure that helps but I also put little bird locks on all the food doors (not that that would help your situation! Crazy that he gets through the bars!). I know its not a good thing that he is doing that but its pretty funny to watch him just go for it, no problem.

I have heard that conures are good at learning how to open their own cage! My dad's cockatoo used to be able to, but I didn't know conures were also that crafty! Sure is a whole lotta parrot crammed in that little body.

 

[julie]

Yeah that cage is huge and more for large parrots. I would ;look for one with 1/2 to 5/8" bat spacing. I have a Senegal and it's in a cage with 1/2" bar spacing and seems to be the perfect fit.

It should save you a few bucks. This cahe and stand runs around $200.00. You can also check on Craigslist they are always people on there selling parrot cages. Just make sure to sterilize it good if you go used cage route. I would also replace all the wooden parts like perches of you happen upon a nice used cage.

I found a cage that has 1/2" bar spacing that I think I'm going to order, thanks to you guys' recommendations.
I have checked on craigslist, haven't found anything worthy to go look at in my area. Thanks!!!!

 

[Robert Gift]

Oh no on the escape! These guys are so tricky. Apparently Charlie used to escape from his old cage but I haven't really seen him try with his new big one. He seems to like it so I'm sure that helps but I also put little bird locks on all the food doors (not that that would help your situation! Crazy that he gets through the bars!). I know its not a good thing that he is doing that but its pretty funny to watch him just go for it, no problem.

Should birds NOT be allowed to escape?
Our Jenday's cage is always open in the daytime.
Closed and covered at night.

 

[Printer bird]

Oh its fine if they can leave the cage but I wouldn't want mine getting out when I didn't want him too such as during the day when we are not in the house or when I'm cooking and I don't want him getting out and investigating the stove where he could get hurt. He's allowed out of his cage but only when we are around. Whatever works for you, your parrot and family, though!

 

[mtdoramike]

My Senegal's cage is usually open from sun up until sun down as well. But his wings are clipped and my wife and I are both retired and at home with him most of the time. Now if we leave for some reason or are going to be out of the room or near by room for for awhile, I will close up his cage.

Tiki's cage is in my work area and I have ship models and R/C airplane that I'm working on. He would love to get his beak into those since they are made of wood. I have thousands of hours in labor in them and would hate so to see them wind up in a pile of kindling.

 

[Echo]

I would not buy a cage smaller than 26" wide. GCC are very active and you need to get the larger cage you can with a bar spacing not bigger than 5/8".
I have a lot of experience with them as i do breed them

 

[jew1187]

I won't be getting the little one for some time (they haven't even hatched yet!) but I am still looking for a cage, food, etc so I will be ready when he/she comes! I have some plans and was wondering if anybody could give me pointers or critique my ideas!

Good for you. I have been looking at getting my Eclectus for quite some time now and just been looking at birds in general for a very long time. It is a good thing to have everything prepared. I have my cage, some toys, and some perches now and I won't be getting my little boy or girl until next month. So exciting!!

And before you do decide on a cage, find one you like, and see if you can find the same one on ebay for cheaper. The one you've posted on here I am certain I have seen for under 200 on ebay. Just make sure you watch the shipping prices.