Handfeeding schedule/co-parenting

[LoveMyConlan]

Does anyone have experience with Co-Parenting GCCs?

My Green Cheeks laid a few eggs and I've heard different stories on raising. Please note this pair CAME to me already bonded and separation caused plucking. They were DNA sexed male and female before I got them.

I work a full time job, so hand feeding every 2 or 4 hours isn't going to happen. I heard Co-Parenting is easiest for that situation but still allows for babies who won't be as skittish, but still won't be as friendly right off. I know normally breeders pull babies at 2 weeks.

At what age do they normally go down to 2 or 3 feedings a day? I had to finish weaning my Sun Conure (2 feedings a day) so I know about the temperature and constancy for formula. I have a scale, the feeding syringes, and a home style heating box I used for my Sun. It's just a small aquarium with toys and a perch and a nice heating lamp on the grated cover on my side. A temperature gage so I can keep track of the warmth.

But I was also told that once they are down to 2 or 3 feedings a day, they don't need it. I used the heater for my Sun because she was on anti biotics due to Sour Crop from her breeder over feeding her a crappy formula. She was going to just let her die but I took her in and straight to the vet . She's my world.

Any information is welcome and thank you!!

 

[henpecked]

Hey. I'll respond, but i don't mess with conjures any more. New world parrots are pretty simular. I've messed with co-parenting and some pairs won't stand for it. They'll stress bad with you in their box messing with their babies. You just have to learn about your pairs. For instance one pair of Naples will let you handle their babies and another will instantly kill their babies if you look in the box. Ex pet breeders are bad about that.

What other question, at about 5 weeks they don't need much heat. Fully feathered , a perch and more flapping room is more important, imo. 3 feedings a day at about 4 weeks, if you're doing it right.

Why do you feel co-parenting is the best course? If you're raising companion birds, I'd pull them at 3 wks.

 

[LoveMyConlan]

My pair came to me bonded. I had no intention of breeding and was doing everything to discourage the behavior, but a found an egg on the grate if the bottom of the cage. The male was chilling out on it, but it was a dud. They are both jumpy with people, the male is nasty and the female is handleable but really skittish. They stress easy when not together.

I had someone tell me to give them a super small box so there isn't a chance their leg bands won't get stuck while sitting on the grate. I have them a small wooden box with nothing in it. No bedding, no paper.

The male like it more and they spend a lot of time in there. So far no more eggs. They don't get upset if I open the box top they just chill on the other side of the cage.

I love my GCCs. They are my world. Recently my grandmother lost her dog of 11 years. She was looking for a companion but isn't a cat person and can't handle another dog. She mentioned her love of my birds and I figured, if mine do lay, I can give one to her. She's home all day alone so it would be wonderful. She loves my one Gcc but I won't give her up lol.

I was told that they may never be a proven pair, not that I would mind, but at the same time I'm not sure I could destroy their eggs. My vet said to leave them be, and they are on extra calcium just in case. They may never produced anything viable. I'm almost hoping. But I just wanted to be ready for anything.

Plus if they do produce anything, I have a friend that breeds large birds that said she would help me find homes for any feathered littles. I'm super picky about the health of my little ones. They are my kids . They see their vet twice a year and this summer we are building a large indoor playroom aviary for them

I just want to do this right is it happens! Thanks for responding HenPecked!!