Green Cheek Conure questions

[Cleo]

I've had my Fancy Green Cheek Conure named Cleo for two weeks now. I am trying to wean her off the seed diet and I am not having much luck with it. She seemed really hungry when I tried to get her out. She kept biting me and did not want to train or anything. She just wanted food. She will also get to the top of her cage and not come off no matter what I do. It seems she is going through she's boss stage. I am a first time bird owner too, so all of it is new to me. I have two conure books but they are very limited on information. Is there any good books out there that can help with the seed diet weaning, taming and training?

 

[raleej337]

With my limited experience weaning birds from seed to pellets is to soak the pellets in apple juice, just enough to make it moist then feed it first thing in the morning and evening. Some people mix the pellets with the seed then every few days slowly making the seed less and less. One way is the "cold turkey" approach where you abruptly remove the seed and introduce the pellets. When the birds get hungry and doesn't have any choice it will eat the pellets. This may work or may not work and also kinda unhealthy, but honestly I did thid on my CAG and just recently with my new Pineapple GCC. Maybe I'm just lucky to have a good birds that will eat anything.

Give your bird time to settle, dont train it yet. Let the bird trust you first before training. By the way how old is your GCC?

 

[greycloud]

I don't recommend the cold turkey approach. First of all, birds can go down hill very fast. Secondly, there have been reports of organ damage to birds who's systems went into a form of shock by offering a complete diet change. Why not try sprouting the seeds and see if they are accepted. Sprouting is full of lots of vitamins.
You can make birdie bread with pellets and some seed in it as well as soak the pellets in juice or sprinkle on fresh foods and see if they are accepted.

 

[Rio Mom]

For a good book, try Parrots for Dummies, it's got a lot of good information. You can get it cheap on amazon, or I found mine at Ollie's for $5

 

[Cleo]

With my limited experience weaning birds from seed to pellets is to soak the pellets in apple juice, just enough to make it moist then feed it first thing in the morning and evening. Some people mix the pellets with the seed then every few days slowly making the seed less and less. One way is the "cold turkey" approach where you abruptly remove the seed and introduce the pellets. When the birds get hungry and doesn't have any choice it will eat the pellets. This may work or may not work and also kinda unhealthy, but honestly I did thid on my CAG and just recently with my new Pineapple GCC. Maybe I'm just lucky to have a good birds that will eat anything.

Give your bird time to settle, dont train it yet. Let the bird trust you first before training. By the way how old is your GCC?

Cleo is 4 months old. I appreciate the advice. I do know the cold turkey is not healthy. I have been mixing it in her food and have done less less, but she keeps looking for sunflower seeds. How long should I wait until I train? The training I am trying right now is step up.

 

[Cleo]

I don't recommend the cold turkey approach. First of all, birds can go down hill very fast. Secondly, there have been reports of organ damage to birds who's systems went into a form of shock by offering a complete diet change. Why not try sprouting the seeds and see if they are accepted. Sprouting is full of lots of vitamins.
You can make birdie bread with pellets and some seed in it as well as soak the pellets in juice or sprinkle on fresh foods and see if they are accepted.

Thank you! That helps alot

 

[Cleo]

For a good book, try Parrots for Dummies, it's got a lot of good information. You can get it cheap on amazon, or I found mine at Ollie's for $5

I almost got that one and my boyfriend said it's for Parrots don't get it. I told him it was a smaller parrot pretty much. I will check it out on Amazon. Thanks so much

 

[angiemw]

I've been told that sunflower seeds are not good to give a bird.
I can't help you with getting yours to eat the pellets. I just got mine Friday and she's eating the pellets. I give her seeds as a treat. Mine also loves fresh corn and broccoli. I was told to cut them really small and put some juice on them. She seems to really love it. When I talked to the vet's office today, they suggested that if she's not eating pellets to mix them with her vegies with some juice on it. Hope that helps. Keep us up to date on her progress.

 

[Rio Mom]

For a good book, try Parrots for Dummies, it's got a lot of good information. You can get it cheap on amazon, or I found mine at Ollie's for $5

I almost got that one and my boyfriend said it's for Parrots don't get it. I told him it was a smaller parrot pretty much. I will check it out on Amazon. Thanks so much

Exactly! Conures are small parrots. But don't tell them that, they think they're big!!

 

[raleej337]

Train her when you think she is ready. You can use a dowel as a starter in training her step up and down if she is really biting. If it just a nip then I think it is only normal. Birds do test your finger if it sturdy and safe to stepped on. Running away from you when you offer your hand/finger is normal too since she doesn't know what that hand for. Patience and consistency is the best key plus lots of treats. Besides Cleo is still young.

 

[Echo]

What is it with people wanting to completely remove seeds in a Conure's diet??? There are high quality seeds with little to no sunflower seeds that are acceptable in your bird's diet. A varied diet of seeds, pellets, nuts, grains, pulses, fresh fruits/veggies, eggs, sprouts, is a balanced diet where your bird will thrive on. Yes your bird will be VERY upset if he is hungry. Wouldn't you?

I breed Green Cheek Conures and have done extensive research on these birds. They DO NEED some SEEDS in their diet.

 

[Echo]

A really good book to read is : Parrot Training, By Bonnie Munro Doane

 

[amysaviary]

Ok sorry just have to say this because it is 1 of my pet peeves. u said "I've had my Fancy Green Cheek Conure" ok there is no such thing as "fancy Green Cheek. This is a name the pet stores call them because they don't know what the true mutation or color is called. I understand u r new to this but 1 of the first steps I think is knowing what kind of bird u have. Green Cheeks come in many colors or mutations, I can produce 8 colors here but they have more. So maybe if u post a pic. we can tell u what kind of Green Cheek u really have. And we all love pics.!!!

Again I am sorry and I am not trying to be smart, this is just a pet peeve of mine that drives me nuts! lol!!!

 

[Cleo]

For a good book, try Parrots for Dummies, it's got a lot of good information. You can get it cheap on amazon, or I found mine at Ollie's for $5

I almost got that one and my boyfriend said it's for Parrots don't get it. I told him it was a smaller parrot pretty much. I will check it out on Amazon. Thanks so much

Exactly! Conures are small parrots. But don't tell them that, they think they're big!!

LOL!! That is for sure. They sure do think they are big. We were actually thinking about getting another one because we saw a pineapple one. The store owner said they have to put him in a locked cage because he knows how to open the doors of his and he will let all the other birds out of their cages too. I was like hmm not so sure if I want him or not now but its still cute story.

 

[Cleo]

Ok sorry just have to say this because it is 1 of my pet peeves. u said "I've had my Fancy Green Cheek Conure" ok there is no such thing as "fancy Green Cheek. This is a name the pet stores call them because they don't know what the true mutation or color is called. I understand u r new to this but 1 of the first steps I think is knowing what kind of bird u have. Green Cheeks come in many colors or mutations, I can produce 8 colors here but they have more. So maybe if u post a pic. we can tell u what kind of Green Cheek u really have. And we all love pics.!!!

Again I am sorry and I am not trying to be smart, this is just a pet peeve of mine that drives me nuts! lol!!!

I am also new to the site so I hope I attached the photo on this message right for it to show. Well, that is what I was told she was called, so yeah...

 

[Echo]

Ok sorry just have to say this because it is 1 of my pet peeves. u said "I've had my Fancy Green Cheek Conure" ok there is no such thing as "fancy Green Cheek. This is a name the pet stores call them because they don't know what the true mutation or color is called. I understand u r new to this but 1 of the first steps I think is knowing what kind of bird u have. Green Cheeks come in many colors or mutations, I can produce 8 colors here but they have more. So maybe if u post a pic. we can tell u what kind of Green Cheek u really have. And we all love pics.!!!

Again I am sorry and I am not trying to be smart, this is just a pet peeve of mine that drives me nuts! lol!!!

I thought I was the only one who got a bit fed up with the "Fancy Conure" from the pet stores! LOL I always say to them "Well, aren't you FANCY"? LOL. Always nice to know what color mutation you own.....

 

[Cleo]

What is it with people wanting to completely remove seeds in a Conure's diet??? There are high quality seeds with little to no sunflower seeds that are acceptable in your bird's diet. A varied diet of seeds, pellets, nuts, grains, pulses, fresh fruits/veggies, eggs, sprouts, is a balanced diet where your bird will thrive on. Yes your bird will be VERY upset if he is hungry. Wouldn't you?

I breed Green Cheek Conures and have done extensive research on these birds. They DO NEED some SEEDS in their diet.

I have read they need seeds too, but pellets was more healthy. I have learned sunflower seeds are her favorite so I will possibly use those for treats.

 

[Cleo]

I've been told that sunflower seeds are not good to give a bird.
I can't help you with getting yours to eat the pellets. I just got mine Friday and she's eating the pellets. I give her seeds as a treat. Mine also loves fresh corn and broccoli. I was told to cut them really small and put some juice on them. She seems to really love it. When I talked to the vet's office today, they suggested that if she's not eating pellets to mix them with her vegies with some juice on it. Hope that helps. Keep us up to date on her progress.

I haven't tried veggies yet, but I tried blueberries because in one of the books it said conures liked them. She of course didn't at all.

 

[Echo]

What is it with people wanting to completely remove seeds in a Conure's diet??? There are high quality seeds with little to no sunflower seeds that are acceptable in your bird's diet. A varied diet of seeds, pellets, nuts, grains, pulses, fresh fruits/veggies, eggs, sprouts, is a balanced diet where your bird will thrive on. Yes your bird will be VERY upset if he is hungry. Wouldn't you?

I breed Green Cheek Conures and have done extensive research on these birds. They DO NEED some SEEDS in their diet.

I have read they need seeds too, but pellets was more healthy. I have learned sunflower seeds are her favorite so I will possibly use those for treats.

No, pellets are not more healthy actually. Pellets will ensure that your bird receives all the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy life IF you are the type of person who can't be bothered feeding a variety of food to achieve this the natural way. The problem is that a lot of people offer a very limited food that offer a rather poor nutrition. People who don't take the time to cook for their bird, who don't offer multiple veggies or fruits in season. People who don't sprout etc.... Let's face it, a lot of people tend to want an easy 2 bowl type of food. Say, 1 bowl for pellets, 1 for water, and a fruit kebob if you're lucky. And the odd table food and Nutriberry as a treat. That is why a lot of vet recommend a pelleted diet. Can't mess this up that way.

We can't always get the exact diet that a Conure was meant to have, and having some pellets available is important, but they should not be the main source of nutrition.

 

[Cleo]

What is it with people wanting to completely remove seeds in a Conure's diet??? There are high quality seeds with little to no sunflower seeds that are acceptable in your bird's diet. A varied diet of seeds, pellets, nuts, grains, pulses, fresh fruits/veggies, eggs, sprouts, is a balanced diet where your bird will thrive on. Yes your bird will be VERY upset if he is hungry. Wouldn't you?

I breed Green Cheek Conures and have done extensive research on these birds. They DO NEED some SEEDS in their diet.

I have read they need seeds too, but pellets was more healthy. I have learned sunflower seeds are her favorite so I will possibly use those for treats.

No, pellets are not more healthy actually. Pellets will ensure that your bird receives all the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy life IF you are the type of person who can't be bothered feeding a variety of food to achieve this the natural way. The problem is that a lot of people offer a very limited food that offer a rather poor nutrition. People who don't take the time to cook for their bird, who don't offer multiple veggies or fruits in season. People who don't sprout etc.... Let's face it, a lot of people tend to want an easy 2 bowl type of food. Say, 1 bowl for pellets, 1 for water, and a fruit kebob if you're lucky. And the odd table food and Nutriberry as a treat. That is why a lot of vet recommend a pelleted diet. Can't mess this up that way.

We can't always get the exact diet that a Conure was meant to have, and having some pellets available is important, but they should not be the main source of nutrition.

Thank you for explaining that to me. I will fix her things to eat when I venture into trying more foods. I tried blueberries and she didnt like those. I will have to try some veggies and other fruits.