Picking up my yellow sided GCC tonight, after some final tips...

JonnyG · Feb 2, 2012

Im going to pick up my GCC tonight, he is almost finished being hand fed and I shall be taking over for the last weeks worth to secure bonds. Basically im after some advice on a few bits, im sure I have asked some of this before but it doesnt hurt to double check.

Feeding wise (solids), do I just add seed mix for an hour a day or leave some in the cage at all times?

How often should fruits be added and whats the best sorts of fruit?

Wing clipping, is it a good idea and best options?

Any tips for training e.t.c? He is young and now is the time to get habits to stick.

And any other 'must know' facts?

Heres a pic of him the last time I see him, 2 weeks ago this was taken:

402632_10150485596597374_730587373_8938100_83903958_n.jpg

Cheers

Jon

mtdoramike · Feb 2, 2012

WOW, he is adorable. I wouldn't have a bird that isn't clipped. But that is my preferance. I have lost to many birds to open doors or flying into walls.

wenz2712 · Feb 2, 2012

Hi again. Im pleased your new Baby is ready to come home

I would keep seed in the Cage at all times,but as she is still so young probably best to offer her mashed up food with bits of veg in as well. They tend to like most fruits!!..... Its best to try all different types to see which she likes... apart from Avacado as this can kill Birds.

Wing Clipping is down to how you feel about it!! Conures are very good fliers and do tend to crash into walls, mirrors, doors, etc. When I had a Conure, which I no longer have, I did get her wings clipped in the end due to the reasons I have said...

Have you had experience with Handfeeding a Baby Bird? Ask the breeder to let you have some formula for her!! Good luck with her and dont forget to post some pics when she has settled in

There are lots of Conure Owners on here and I am sure they will offer you some great advice

wenz2712 · Feb 2, 2012

mtdoramike said:
WOW, he is adorable. I wouldn't have a bird that isn't clipped. But that is my preferance. I have lost to many birds to open doors or flying into walls.

Totally agree with you!! Both of mine are clipped... I too lost a Bird due to not having its wings clipped

JonnyG · Feb 2, 2012

wenz2712 said:
Hi again. Im pleased your new Baby is ready to come home

I would keep seed in the Cage at all times,but as she is still so young probably best to offer her mashed up food with bits of veg in as well. They tend to like most fruits!!..... Its best to try all different types to see which she likes... apart from Avacado as this can kill Birds.

Wing Clipping is down to how you feel about it!! Conures are very good fliers and do tend to crash into walls, mirrors, doors, etc. When I had a Conure, which I no longer have, I did get her wings clipped in the end due to the reasons I have said...

Have you had experience with Handfeeding a Baby Bird? Ask the breeder to let you have some formula for her!! Good luck with her and dont forget to post some pics when she has settled in

There are lots of Conure Owners on here and I am sure they will offer you some great advice

Thanks for that, wing clipping sounds like a plan then, I shall be taking him to an avian vets for ringing, sexing and a first check up soon so will get it done then, I may even ask the breeder if he can clip the wings as he is a very competant breeder.

I did hand feed him when I last went to see him and the breeder is giving me a weeks worth of mix so thats should all be good.

I have kept various birds but this is my first parrot so looking forward to it...

Jon

Mayden · Feb 2, 2012

Personally, I don't think you should clip the birds wings, but it is totally personal preference.

Your baby is only young and so I think it's vital that he learns how to fly properly before having his wings clipped, it's crucial to development of muscles. If you find that he's being terrible unclipped, you can always decide to get him clipped at a later date. Just have to be careful around him potentially get out.

Merlin isn't clipped, part of the reason is because he has a bad leg, so it'd make getting around very difficult for him without good use of his wings. But I also trust him enough to not dart to windows if he spots one is slightly open etc.

I think you should get to know your bird first before deciding on that, but do not let your guard down about safety with him.

Training: um, with training I'd suggest something like clicker training in short bursts, when he does behaviour you like, click and give him a treat of whatever seems to be a favourite on food.

He'll quickly learn that that behaviour gets him nice things!

Food: are you getting the formula that the breeder is using? Personally I don't think it's necessary for you to finish feeding him to create good bonds since you'll be spending the next 30ish+ years with this bird, there's no rush!

but preferably stick to what the breeder is using and then introduced chopped fruits (probably best with soft fruits and veggies at first) and maybe a 'whole food' like harrissons/zupreem.

andddd I'd say leave the food in all day so he can pick at the solids when he feels like it, change the fruit as and when you think it needs changing (he poops in it, it's going 'funny' after a few hours etc).

He looks beautiful, I'm quite jealous!

roxynoodle · Feb 2, 2012

I don't have handfeeding or weaning experience. I hand fed my BCC exactly once at the breeders...10.5 years ago. But, I wanted to add that I would wean to pellets rather than seed.

Your new birdie is adorable though!

JonnyG · Feb 2, 2012

Mayden said:
Personally, I don't think you should clip the birds wings, but it is totally personal preference.

Your baby is only young and so I think it's vital that he learns how to fly properly before having his wings clipped, it's crucial to development of muscles. If you find that he's being terrible unclipped, you can always decide to get him clipped at a later date. Just have to be careful around him potentially get out.

Merlin isn't clipped, part of the reason is because he has a bad leg, so it'd make getting around very difficult for him without good use of his wings. But I also trust him enough to not dart to windows if he spots one is slightly open etc.

I think you should get to know your bird first before deciding on that, but do not let your guard down about safety with him.

Training: um, with training I'd suggest something like clicker training in short bursts, when he does behaviour you like, click and give him a treat of whatever seems to be a favourite on food. He'll quickly learn that that behaviour gets him nice things!

Food: are you getting the formula that the breeder is using? Personally I don't think it's necessary for you to finish feeding him to create good bonds since you'll be spending the next 30ish+ years with this bird, there's no rush! but preferably stick to what the breeder is using and then introduced chopped fruits (probably best with soft fruits and veggies at first) and maybe a 'whole food' like harrissons/zupreem.

andddd I'd say leave the food in all day so he can pick at the solids when he feels like it, change the fruit as and when you think it needs changing (he poops in it, it's going 'funny' after a few hours etc).

He looks beautiful, I'm quite jealous!

The breeder is giving me some of that mushy seed stuff to finish the feeding, I dont think its as much to do with bonding but more I cant wait to get the little blitter home so im happy to finish it off.

The wing clipping is something im undecided on, yeah it would stop him flying away but like you say it is healthier to let them fly. I have been told a mild clipping will allow him to fly but not too far or high, I think its something that will wait till the vets.

Yeah he's a beauty, cant wait for him to get home and in his new home...

wenz2712 · Feb 2, 2012

Yes, both mine have their wings clipped lightly, this allows them to still fly , but not so strongly that they can do themselves harm by flying into Widows.etc

Bobioden · Feb 2, 2012

What little cutie. I would start him out with pellets instead of seed.

JonnyG · Feb 2, 2012

Bobioden said:
What little cutie. I would start him out with pellets instead of seed.

What benifit is there in doing this? Only reason I ask is I already have plety of seed, not that I cant put it away but still... Is it a case of hes on pellets for a few weeks or months?

Safira · Feb 2, 2012

One of the most important things a baby bird can learn is how to fly. It helps both mental and physical stimulation.

I would make sure your bird has that down before clipping his flight feathers.

As for seeds, they can be very fatty and won't give your bird all the nutrients they need. It can be very hard to get a bird to eat anything else but seeds once they are use to it.

DannyA93 · Feb 2, 2012

usually birds fly into walls and stuff because they aren't strong flyers my bird would do that so i started with flight recall and working on it and now she never runs into anything she's strong enough to stop herself so i think thats the main problem in my personal opinion.

the windows and mirrors she flew into a window one time then i would just take her to window or mirror and tap on the glass so that she would see that its a solid thing and she never flew into them again.

hope i helped

Helitorian · Feb 2, 2012

I'm with Mayden on not clipping his wings. A flighted bird is so much healthier and smarter. Plus it's what they were meant to do. After the baby fledges, it might be a good thing to clip once or twice in the first year or so until you can teach all the skills you want him to have and definitely work on recall training.

My Con is currently clipped (wasn't my choice!) and its very easy to train her when she can't just up and leave when she feels like it. And while she's "grounded" I'm teaching recall training and we're currently working with her harness. She got her head and one wing in today!

After that, she got grumpy so we stopped until later but she's improving.

Training is something that you take very slow and you repeat sessions up to 6 or 7 times a day. Each session should only be about 5 minutes long so that the bird doesn't get tired out or stressed. You should always stop when the bird WANTS to stop. You going nothing by pushing your bird to do things it doesn't want to do.

I love his little beard of pin feather

mnkeastman · Feb 2, 2012

Pretty baby, congrats

roxynoodle · Feb 2, 2012

I also agree that they should learn how to fly first and build that skill and confidence. Then if you want to clip for training, go ahead. After that though I have always left my birds flighted and no one has crashed into anything.

JonnyG · Feb 3, 2012

Cheers guys, well I think I will leave clipping for now, I got him home last night and hes flying quite happily although he prefers to walk. Heres a pic of him in his new home:

426111_10150518624882374_730587373_9031222_1471652697_n.jpg

He has setteled straight in, as soon as he was home he was flying between the cage and me quite happily and spent the evening snuggled up on my shoulder so I think hes happy with his new home.

Only thing I had a struggle with was his food, I have been given the mushy tyoe stuff and was told 2 parts food mixed with 4 parts water, it didnt look like what the breeder was feeding him, looked more lumpy and wet, he still ate it tho so its all good I suppose.

Training will be started soon, will give him a few days to figure out whats what. I have put his harness in his cage so he knows to not be scared, I will start making games of it soon.

roxynoodle · Feb 3, 2012

Your new baby is beautiful and it sounds like you are off to a good start.

erik7181 · Feb 3, 2012

take a look on this sight for food. Paradise Ultimate Blend - BIRD PARADISE BLENDS by Bird Paradise

Picking up my yellow sided GCC tonight, after some final tips...

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