Baby Sun Conure developing very slow?!

LoveMyConlan

Member
Mar 31, 2015
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Pennsylvania, USA
Parrots
Gcc- Conlan... Sun Conure- Mouse...Jenday- Kellan... RLA- Happy...B&G Macaw- Rhage
The Sun Conure that my mother had reserved for me, Mouse, was hatched late April. My mother reserved her at 3 weeks old on May 7th of this year. It's now mid August and the baby is still NOT ready. She isn't quite wanting to wean and is down to 2 feedings a day but is drinking water a bit and nibbles on food. I was under the impression that Desari bred the birds herself, I was a bit new and figured I'd she raised then she had to have bred them. But she gets them at 3 weeks of age from the breeder to hand feed, she hand raises and sells them at her small exotics store(a well known and liked place in my area), which is very well kept with healthy animals. A lot of the people in my area, including the parrotlette breeder she has, all say she is very good at what she does. I got my gcc Conlan from her. So when I heard that my mom reserved me a baby Sun I was floored.

What concerns me is the fact that the other day, Desari told me Mouse didn't seem to be emptying her crop as quick as she should so she added a bit of ACV to the formula and the fact that her feathers are all in but the tail feathers are growing so slow. I'd say she just got rid of all the pin feathers about 2 weeks ago. Her wings are fully in and to be honest look a bit big. She hasn't yet figured out to tuck them up yet. She gives her Lafebers formula.

She's alert, happy, super sweet, good balance, not congested, clear eyes, very attuned to sounds, nose, beak, toes, and vent are all clear. She has started using her wings for hopping from her branch to my hand and both wings look sturdy, though large. She had been by herself the whole time other than seeing other birds around her, so I'm not sure of that would play any part.

Any idea what is going on? If it normal for some to take forever like this? She's such an amazing baby and I love her so much already but I'm so afraid of any health issues this may cause. My mom didn't pay for a sick bird and may tell Desari to forget it and get her money back. But I love my little girl and after all this time I don't know of I could leave her :( :orange:
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,643
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Western, Michigan
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DYH Amazon
It is unusual for tail feathers to not develop and be in place at about the same time as wing feathers, since both are required for flight.

If the care-giver is concerned that the bird is not emptying its crop without thinning the formula it is fair to ask more detailed questions regarding the overall health of the parrot. At nearing four months, it is fair to say that this specific parrot is somewhat behind what would be considered 'normal'.

Understand that this wonderful individual has not pushed the bird into your hands and wished you the best of luck. That speaks volumes of the quality of this person and her interests in providing health birds to her customers.

I would recommend that you have a heart to heart with the care-giver regarding the overall health and development of this specific parrot.
 
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