Time Required for a Sun Conure

[breecarter]

Hi,
We are looking at getting a sun conure but I'm concerned that we don't have the time it will require. With work and commitments with the kids, we can be out of the house for 10 hours a day for 4 days a week.
Will this be an issue?
What is the minimum amount of time you should spend with them per day.

Thanks for your help.

 

[wrench13]

Each parrot is different. One might be fine with a hour of close 1 on 1 time,and just hanging out for the rest of his day, while another might require a lot more 1 on 1 time, playing,getting scratchies and training. But 10 hours is a long time for any parrot to be alone. Perhaps time in the AM before you leave for work, and more wen you come home?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Wellllllllllllllllllllll...

I got the Rickeybird in 1984. I was in college and then grad school, so I spent LOTS of time with him. Then it was time to go to work!
There were were years (about 25 of them) when 5-6 days a week, I was gone at 7:30-ish and back at 6-ish.
Some did and will consider me wrong and think I should have re-homed him.
Anyway, here is what I think made it work.
I moved and got new jobs maybe 5 times or so. BUT...
Every morning, he had at least ten minutes, and every evening, he had 20 or so. I have always kept him on a natural light schedule, in a separate room, so sometimes those times together were in the dark. During the day, he had a big window looking out on something interesting, a television on one of his favorite channels (Music channels, CNN - he loves talking heads), a biggg cage, lots of fun foods, and a few toys that I changed out regularly).
He KNEW he could count on those two crummy sessions a day. Somehow we both made it.
I'm now retired and times are good again.
Good luck to you. And welcome to the Forum... you'll get lots of empathy and advice here.

 

[clark_conure]

Being out of the house ten hours a day is not an issue, but it's all in the timing and what you can give. Are the kids old enough to play with the sun conure? Can it basically be out when you are home. 10 hours out, plus 7 or so hours sleep you still have 7 hours or so the bird can be out and about, playing, just sitting on someone as they watch TV or a movie. Birds don't like to be alone, but can be totally content just sitting on there pet human vs. sitting in a cage. It doesn't always have to be active play time, but you have to give him/her time with his human pets.

Think of it the other way around, if he was adopting you, would he be satisfied with what attention your giving him as bird "human owner"...then you have your answer.

 

[LordTriggs]

it's not unreasonable. It all depends on how well you can teach them to play and of course make sure they get time for them. Establishing routine early would be the big thing and if you can teach the small humans how to interact with them then they can play too. I have a 9 hour work day plus commute and me and my green cheek loved our time together. Also make sure you get a larger cage so they can fly about during the day and exercise

Try leaving the radio on during the day or even if possible getting a bird dvd so they have stimuli during the day

oh and if you do get one upload lots of pictures

 

[rita1]

you could get two so it would have company when you are not there. my two love each other.