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roaddog

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Sep 12, 2018
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Hi I'm new here and trying to get around site.

I have a 4 1/2 old yellow sided green cheek conure who is very sweet but always wants to be on my shoulder. Doesnt bite but runs under my neck and hair, plus he won't "step up" once there to get him down.
I'm trying to point train him/her (Just had DNA testing done and awaiting results).

Would so appreciate any advice. Oh I'm trying to get him/her to eat veges and pellets but this too is difficult since he was raised on seed before I got him. Any advice appreciated re this as well.

Susan
 

Jen5200

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2017
1,874
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249
Washington State
Parrots
Baby - Sun Conure;
Tango - GCC;
Bindi - Sun Conure;
Stanley - Pineapple GCC;
Screamer “Scree� - Cockatiel;
Tee - Pineapple GCC; Jimmy - Cockatiel
Welcome Susan! How long have you had your green cheek and what’s their name? You are ahead of many if your gcc doesn’t bite :).

It can be difficult to get them to step up when they have places to hide, and they know you can’t see them very well and are hard to reach lol. When mine are on my shoulder or neck and won’t step up, I have reasonably good luck bending over toward something like the back of a chair, a standing perch or something else that I can put my shoulder against and having them step onto that - then I get them to step up onto my finger. Over time, they’ve gotten the idea that it’s faster just to step onto my finger while on my shoulder - I only have one now that still needs the extra step.

Diet - all 4 of my conures came to me as adults on a seed diet and I have transitioned them to pellets and chop (veggies, grains, fruit). It was a bit different for each of them and there’s lots of methods to try - persistence will be key :). I had to try cooked, raw, cut different sizes (tiny to chunks), different combinations..... If your gcc has one item that they like, you can exploit that! Mine liked apples - so I started chopping the apples smaller and smaller (to tiny), then I added a wee bit of a veggie (also chopped up tiny), then tried a different veggie (chopped tiny), and so on. One thing at a time until they become used to seeing different things in the bowl (and they were all ok). Mine are now on a chop that is mostly veggies and grains and only a wee bit of fruit in it - and they all love it. But it takes time for some. Pellets - they don’t necessarily like the first pellet you give them, and you may have to try several. All 4 of mine like different pellets...sigh. Buy small sizes and try a few. Mine eat TOPs, Zupreem fruit, Zupreem natural and Lefaber premium. Harrison’s website has a good guide for switching diet from seeds to pellets, and many here say it has worked for them. Mine were surprisingly easy to switch to pellets. I just played with the pellets outside the cage, made yummy noises and they tried them. Stanley was the hardest to convert and I had to try 4 brands of food before he decided that he would eat Lefaber (of course he didn’t like any of the ones that I already had lol).

Anyhow, just some ideas - I’m sure others will add many great suggestions!
 

GaleriaGila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
May 14, 2016
15,045
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Cleveland area
Parrots
The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
Since you're new, may I offer some general ideas that are often helpful to new folks?

Your bird sounds so adorable. I would love to see some photos... !!!

Here we go...

I bolded the parts that might be of most interest to you. :)

***************************


Here's some reading on bonding for you.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community
http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2012...n-parrots.html


Most of us swear by our avian vets in the event of health concerns. I don't know where you are, but here are some links. I only have USA info...
Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.

Diet... yes, I'm glad tou flagged that! Too many are kept on seeds or other poor-nutrition things. They need veggies, legumes, grains... pellets are a good staple. Here's what I use.

Harrison's Bird Foods
I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff, like fruits and vegetables! My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day. I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.

Since you're new parront, I'll just drop a note about avoiding teflon pans, which are lethal to birds if even slightly overheated.

I'm glad you're here. Lots to learn and share and enjoy!
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
Welcome! You found s great forum for you and your GCC! Dig in lots if great topics and you can learn great things that apply from owners of ither type of parrots too.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome Susan and your GCC!

Generally, shoulder privileges are reserved for birds without the slightest tendency to bite hard and deep. Seems your GCC is acceptably mellow but doesn't wish to come down. Sometimes they crawl down the back to a mid-point frustratingly difficult to reach with a hand. My solution is to gently back up to a wall; they don't want such contact and typically rise back to the shoulder.

As far as food is concerned, keep offering healthy items even if ignored or tossed overboard. It can take decades to accept a particular food. A technique is to prepare two bowls of vegetables and fruit, aka "chop" and offer one to your GCC. Second bowl is for you! Begin eating and show great enjoyment, bobbing your head, speaking "Mmmm" sounds. Parrots are flock eaters and you are one of the flock!
 

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