Weight and going to the bathroom in his cage...

[nicolee003]

Yogi is a regular green cheek conure. He's 3 months old and I've had him for a month. Is 62 grams too low of a weight for 3 months old? He constantly eats but I can't get his weight to go up at all since I've gotten him (which means he weighed the same at 2 months old).
Also, any time we leave, he doesn't go to the bathroom until we get home and let him out (even if its an 8 hour work day). He absolutely hates going to the bathroom in his cage. Whenever his cage is open he flies away from it to go to the bathroom, then flies back. I feel like it can't be good for him to hold it for 8 hours Any suggestions?

 

[Conurebreeder]

Is there a specific area he potties? Try putting newspaper there, then put the same paper in his cage to teach him it's okay. It could be some sort of predator fear. Try making him feel safer by having his cage against the wall and away from windows also try putting his cage higher up.
As for the weight, my 8 month old is tiny. He hasn't gaine weight since he was 2 months old. He's 61grams. My fattest conure is 85grams lol just check often and watch for further weight loss.

 

[MonicaMc]

Green cheeks, depending on health and subspecies, can weigh around 55-80 grams in weight. As long as Yogi isn't underweight or overweight, I wouldn't be too concerned!


I have heard of some birds who absolutely refuse to go to the bathroom in their cages. It might help to have a separate cage that he *will* go in, but likewise, birds typically don't go to the bathroom in the middle of the night while they are sleeping, either. Granted, they typically aren't eating and drinking in the night if they are sleeping.

I can't say it's really healthy to hold their poo in during the day, but hey, look at the bright side! Cage cleaning is easier!

 

[ConureCrazy]

I think his weight is fine! My 10 month old GCCs weigh 54 grams and 55. Is that underweight, or just tiny???

 

[MonicaMc]

If they are underweight, you can feel it via their keel bone. Muscle weighs more than fat, so that can also play a role in a birds weight.

Here's a couple of diagrams. It's meant for cockatiels, but it can loosely be applied to other species as well. Some birds are naturally more robust than other species while others will be more slim-lined.

 

[ConureCrazy]

They seem like the 'normal' tiel. I heard that birds that are clipped weigh less because they don't have as much muscle....

 

[Bobioden]

I have read a GCC should weigh between 60-80 grams. I think my Maxx is on the small side and he weighs in constantly either 65 or 66 grams. He eats like a pig, but never changes weight.

Get a digital scale, available on eBay for $10 or so. Best money you will ever spend. As long as their weight is constant, there should be nothing to worry about.

 

[ConureCrazy]

I have a flat digital kitchen scale, and they always weigh in at 54-56 grams. And their 'tummy' area seems normal.

 

[nicolee003]

Thanks everyone I bought a digital scale so I can keep up with weighing him but from everything I've read, he's at a good weight!