Adopting 3 new parrots - advice greatly welcome

birdresq

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Hello everyone! I am so happy to be here and this is my first post. I am a bird lover and have been my entire life. We live on a farm and are home to many chickens, ducks, lovebirds, cockatiels, rabbits and more. Everyone has a happy loved life. Our most recent adventure, adoption of 3 conures (?), I noticed upon meeting them they are extremely distressed.

I am unsure of the type of conure - they are mainly green and black with black head and beak. They look STRESSED. Their owner passed away over a year ago and they have been taken care of by a family member who can not give them the attention and care they deserve - that's where I come in. So here are the details;
- two of the conures are together all the time, they do not wish to be separated, however one of them has plucked or has been plucked completely bald and many of her other feathers are plucked as well - the other of the two is fully feathered yet only has one foot (unsure of how long he has been without or if he has ever had another foot). The third stays in his own cage alone and seems to be more welcoming of love and attention but his nails are so long and look so uncomfortable!
My questions:
- I am unsure of their handling - I am sure once upon a time they were hand fed and held, but they do not know me , where should I START with them in terms of having them out and exploring , getting used to me/coming to me.
-How should I handle their new cages - I think their current homes are atrocious and disgusting/haven't been cleaned or changed, they have no toys - how do I get them to go into the new homes
- I would love to take care of their nails at least the lone conure because they look painful. I will post pictures of the babes tomorrow when I get them home, however , should I bring them to a vet? I do not want to stress them anymore but I am also unsure of how helpful that would be.
These birds are at least 10 years old according to the current family member I am used to handling young birds, but am SO excited to bring these babies to a new loving home where they will be appreciated and given as much attention as they can handle.

I apologize for the long post, but I truly appreciate any encouraging helpful advice! Thank you!
 

Laurasea

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Welcome to the forum! Thanks for stepping up fir the parrots. Sounds like Nanday conure....would need pictures to know.

I would nit separate the pair. As that would be cruel, and so stressful for them. But a larger cage more space may improve things greatly. And getting time out of the cage. If their us true danger to one cage dude by side and allow out togher for hours but separate at night. Do lots if objective flock observations. Sometimes things aren't the way we perceive them. A pair should have some space between their cage and other parrots cages, I think 5 feet is recommended. Because sometimes a pair can feel a high level of stress by having others to close and take it out on each other.

Everything takes time. Changes on food go slow. I just offer what ever crop they have had but offer other great stuff in different bowls.
Even veggies. On day one of my sunflower seed fed only rescue I stuffed some broccoli through the bars and she just crowed on it I think her body craved it,. The rest of her diet change sure took a long time...lol...still a work in progress. Though she eats many more veggies now.

Be thoughtful. Sometimes just putting them in new already set up cages when the cone home is best if theirs are horrible. But sometimes slow changes work better. It's hard to know. If yiu can arrange the new cafes with the new stuff to resemble the arrangement they had before it can help.

Expect some acting out, or depression fear. It can take a few months for their true personality to shine . Earning trust can take time .
 

Laurasea

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Feed treats by hand or have a small treat only dish that you out a seed treat in every time you come to say hi, so like 50 times a day lol
Use the same greeting and phrases. I always say good birdie when they take a treat, or eat or do anything happy, they quickly learn what good birdie means that way.

Can't wait to follow your story
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome, kudos for rescuing the trio from abominable circumstances. Really appreciate a thorough intro, please post pics so members can best share advice!

You've identified pressing needs, helpful to prioritize their adjustments keeping in mind the stress of change - even when positive. Cage cleanliness, addressing the lone conure's nails, and vet checkup among most critical. Dietary changes a long process of trial and error. Assessing cage layout for bird with single leg helpful to ensure safety and maneuverability.
 
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birdresq

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Hi everyone here are some pictures of the babes. I noticedthe one with the bald head has a growth on her neck.
the one by himself has been trying to take the metal ring off of his leg and desperately needs a nail trim .
 

Laurasea

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That band needs to be removed, his leg has sore probably catches on joint. Look like an older type added as an open band type. I've had to remove leg bands before that caused issues. His feather loss us definitely self plucking, and messed up tail from beating it up in dough a small cage. Poor babies

They are nanday conures, which can be a loud species.

Those cages are small enough to cause significant stress. I'm glad you rescue them!

That is bald....and with the lump. Definitely a vet check. Please keep separated from any birds you have!!
 
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birdresq

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That band needs to be removed, his leg has sore probably catches on joint. Look like an older type added as an open band type. I've had to remove leg bands before that caused issues. His feather loss us definitely self plucking, and messed up tail from beating it up in dough a small cage. Poor babies

They are nanday conures, which can be a loud species.

Those cages are small enough to cause significant stress. I'm glad you rescue them!

That is bald....and with the lump. Definitely a vet check. Please keep separated from any birds you have!!
Thank you! Well the bald one stays together in a cage with another . They stay very close together and “cuddle” they also never perch they just stay attached to the side of the cage . It’s odd. Can I keep them all in the same room do you think?
 

Laurasea

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Yes they can all stay in the same room.

Fear can keep them on dudes if cage. Cages are way way to small. Cage should be at kept chest high. Lower causes more stress. One side should be against a wall. Or just cover the back. Always approach from the front and use same phrase like hello birdies. To help less stress. Make sure you have st least one wide thick perch, bigger around than the ok symbol with thumb and ginger spread apart an inch. Of I didn't share my stressed bird article I will link. Ok I already shared that. Can you share a wide view of cage? I know things are temporary as you just git them. But it will help with suggestions. Hanging on the side of cage us very taxing and stressful fir them.
 
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birdresq

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Yes they can all stay in the same room.

Fear can keep them on dudes if cage. Cages are way way to small. Cage should be at kept chest high. Lower causes more stress. One side should be against a wall. Or just cover the back. Always approach from the front and use same phrase like hello birdies. To help less stress. Make sure you have st least one wide thick perch, bigger around than the ok symbol with thumb and ginger spread apart an inch. Of I didn't share my stressed bird article I will link.
Thank you so much your advice is very helpful if you could share that link I would greatly appreciate it!
 

Laurasea

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please share a complete picture of your cage and set up do we. An help with tips. I know yiu just got them and will be changing things. But hanging on the sides if tge cafe is very hard on them. We need them to perch and be more comfortable
 

Cycletim

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Definitely need to go to a CAV. Is the cage mate preening the head of the other one?
 
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birdresq

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Definitely need to go to a CAV. Is the cage mate preening the head of the other one?
I’m sorry I’m new here with the terminology on the forum, CAV?
I think that is what is happening I’m not sure I just brought them home today.
 

Scott

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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.
I’m sorry I’m new here with the terminology on the forum, CAV?
I think that is what is happening I’m not sure I just brought them home today.
Certified Avian Vet. Traditional practices specialize in mammals, commonly dogs and cats. "Exotic vets" treat mammals, birds, various rodents, ferrets, lizards, etc. Certified Avian indicates specialized training, equipment, and dedicated pharmacy. Highest "rating" is American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. (ABVP) Please note terminology varies by nation!

Helpful links to find a vet: https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
 
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birdresq

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New home getting settled . New cage with accessories.
turns out they were feeding him cockatiel food /seed Bags
They were also giving them hot peppers ? Is that a thing? Never done that before - doesn’t appear they like those
EA2E6DEF-5A4F-4401-956D-56326E970A55.jpeg
 

Laurasea

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Hot peppers are a thing!! A great source of vitamin A and for our central and South America parrots a natural food source. Parrots font have the "heat" reception. Most love peppers of all types! Dried , hot, bell peppers ect. But things go in and out of favor so mix it up.

Observation of how parrot uses cage, and move and adjusting. Several short perches at different height, try to get maximum use out if cage space while room to move from place to place. Perchrs attached to outside sides and tops turns tge cage into a ply gym and increases use
 

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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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.
Gorgeous cage, nice selection of toys and accessories!!

For convenience many of us line the bottom tray with newspaper for fast cleaning. Typically a grate between occupied cage and waste tray to prevent contamination. Appears to be missing?
 

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