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Baby GCC’s

Fulmer

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Lori
Hello we had a clutch of 5 Green Conure eggs and one hatched this morning. The parents are a few years old and we got them from an avian recuse and I was told they were both males. Obviously that was not correct we are excited and nervous. I would like the babies to be parent raised and if the parents are cool with it we will start handing them at about 2 weeks very slowly. 1 minute a day then add a minute every day. My question is; do I open the top of their box to see that they are being fed and cared for properly? What foods should I being feeding the parents? They are regurgitating and feeding the baby. We do the parrot food now and small amounts of green leaf lettuce and berries. Sorry for the long post.
Thank you ☺
 

mythic55

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If you didnt want them to breed, then why did you put in a nest box?
 

mythic55

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Its imperative that you research breeding before deliberately breed birds- its the responsible thing to do. Otherwise it leads to many health issues, heartbreak and even death.
Where your adult pair conditioned prior to breeding?
Opening the nest can cause some birds to abandon the clutch. Do it as little bum possible. Hand feeding may be necessary- its hundreds of dollars in equipment and food and fed every 2.5 hours even through the night. Just be ready for that.

You should be feeding nestling food to the parents to reduce stress and give the babies a head start.
What is parrot food? seed mix? pellets?
Green leaf lettuce has little to no nuritional value. Instead you should be feeding a chop- best items for 'chop' for development are shredded butternut squash, carrots, cooked kidney beans (not from a can), cooked quinoa, mashed egg then you can still feed your berries. This mix must be removed from the cage every 2 hours or so- but fed multiple times a day.
 
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Fulmer

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I put a breeding box because they had a clutch of 4 6 months ago and none of them hatched so I thought they were males like the rescue stated. I was shocked yesterday when we heard the chick. I’m now doing research and buying supplies as quickly as possible. I have experience with breeding an reproductive health as I am the manager of an emergency and specialty hospital for animal but we don’t see exotics or birds. I know this is a very difficult task but I love my birds and I want happy and healthy babies. I will hand feed but I’ve read a lot about parents raising and want to do that.
 

Fulmer

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I was told they were both males but a legitimate avian recuse. I didn’t say they weren’t wanted, I said they were unexpected. The first clutch didn’t survive I had told some research at that time but truly thought they we not fertile. I have the means to buy what they need and the time for hand raising and to educate myself which is what I’m doing right now. I run a emergency and specialty animal hospital I just don’t have much experience with avian reproduced because we don’t do exotics at my work.
 

Fulmer

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Yep and like I said when one had legs and they didn’t hatch I at that point didn’t know if they were both girls or one was infertile.
I feel a lot of judgement here. I may have been a little educated and made some errors in judgement but that’s why I’m here asking for help and education for myself the the birds and babies I love so much
 

Zara

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Hi Lori, welcome to the Avenue :)

Buy formula for your chicks now, just in case. It is vital to have it on hand should the parents abandon the chicks. Allow the parents to care for them, but keep a close eye on the chicks crops, that they are eating. Their crops will be quite empty in the mornings, this is good, but during the day they should have food inside most of the day. If the chicks are not being fed correctly or are being attacked, they need to be moved to a brooder.

As for the actual feeding, prepare the formula as per the instructions that are on the box. And feed it off a metal teaspoon. Keep it warm in a bain marie, using a thermometre to keep an eye that the temp is 105-106F

The chop for the parents is a good idea. Pellets are a good way to be sure the parents get nutrition. I don´t change my birds diets at all when they have chicks. It is the same. They eat pellets, few seeds and chopped veggies with a couple of herbs, dandelion, poppy+ sesame seeds and quinoa.

If your birds are not comfortable with you yet, then try not to hover around their cage too much. Only to offer food, water, and check on the chicks (checking the chicks should take no more than 30 seconds). Still offer flight time, leave the foor open for an hour or so and give them the option to fly, you may find only the male will come out while the hen broods.

Did you have any more specific questions?
 

Fulmer

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Your amazing thank you for the great information☺ I contacted my avian vet and a few experts and bought almost everything you’ve mentioned. They also said hard boiled eggs mashed with shells is that correct? The female is protecting the nest and feeding the male is brooding and won’t come out. We plan to try holding them at 10 to 14 days for one minute a day and then adding a minute a day is that good?
 

Zara

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They also said hard boiled eggs mashed with shells is that correct?
If you are going to feed shells, use a machine grinder and grind into a fine powder. You can mix this in with veggies.

We plan to try holding them at 10 to 14 days for one minute a day and then adding a minute a day is that good?
I would wait until they are older before interfering. Once they are feathered is a good time, remember that by taking the chicks out for a few minutes it could upset the parents and cause abandonment or an attack so be very vigilent.

Keeping the vet up to date was a good move :)
 

aooratrix

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@mythic55: many conures are more comfortable sleeping in boxes. If I thought I had 2 males, I wouldn't think twice about giving conures a sleeping box. It's safer than those huts, and many enjoy them.

Feeding: Offer the parents LOTS of fresh vegetables several times a day: steamed/cooked sweet potato, sweet, snow, or sugar snap peas; green beans, bell peppers, red or gold beets (steamed), dark green leafy greens (chard, spinach, kale). You could get some foods to cook, like Avian Organics.

I would not check more than once a day. Do it at the same time in the evening when it's dark, and things are calm. Disturb them as little as possible.

From the sounds of it, you are not experienced enough to handfeed. I'd try to find someone in your area that handfeeds babies in case the parents don't feed them. When handfeeding, I use a Dixie cup as I can shape it to the bird's beak, mimicking the parents' beaks. Also, I dispose of the cups after each feeding so there is NO chance of contamination. I'm old school; that's how I was taught.
 

mythic55

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@aooratrix
Yes Im aware of that, many species do. But these were proven as they already had a clutch.
So at least one female- so never could you assume two males. But thats ok... she is right it was a judgment issue since she says she runs a emergency veterinary clinic and is versed in animal reproductive systems.

So Lori sorry if I offended you, its just that many people get on this forum who picked up birds from craigslist, and are inexperienced- breeding for profit. Many of the time it ends is very sad updates. So its good you run a veterinary clinic.

So as I mentioned above, dont remove the chicks that early to 'hold them for a minute' it can injure the nestling and cause nest abandonment, then you wouldn't be able to go to work because they need to be fed so often and kept in a brooder.
 

Fulmer

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@mythic55: many conures are more comfortable sleeping in boxes. If I thought I had 2 males, I wouldn't think twice about giving conures a sleeping box. It's safer than those huts, and many enjoy them.

Feeding: Offer the parents LOTS of fresh vegetables several times a day: steamed/cooked sweet potato, sweet, snow, or sugar snap peas; green beans, bell peppers, red or gold beets (steamed), dark green leafy greens (chard, spinach, kale). You could get some foods to cook, like Avian Organics.

I would not check more than once a day. Do it at the same time in the evening when it's dark, and things are calm. Disturb them as little as possible.

From the sounds of it, you are not experienced enough to handfeed. I'd try to find someone in your area that handfeeds babies in case the parents don't feed them. When handfeeding, I use a Dixie cup as I can shape it to the bird's beak, mimicking the parents' beaks. Also, I dispose of the cups after each feeding so there is NO chance of contamination. I'm old school; that's how I was taught.
Thank you so much I have hand raised many neonates and have lots of experience with canine and feline reproductive health although I’m aware that this is very different. So far the male is brooding and never leaves the nest the the female is protecting the nest and feeding the male. We are giving them privacy and space although we do plan on opening the cage once a day. We have purchased everything you have suggested and more and will follow directions from the avian rescue and my avian veterinarian. The vets that work for me even the board certified specialists laughed when I asked for advise. Once again I so appreciate the education and guidance and will ask again if other things come up
 

Fulmer

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@aooratrix
Yes Im aware of that, many species do. But these were proven as they already had a clutch.
So at least one female- so never could you assume two males. But thats ok... she is right it was a judgment issue since she says she runs a emergency veterinary clinic and is versed in animal reproductive systems.

So Lori sorry if I offended you, its just that many people get on this forum who picked up birds from craigslist, and are inexperienced- breeding for profit. Many of the time it ends is very sad updates. So its good you run a veterinary clinic.

So as I mentioned above, dont remove the chicks that early to 'hold them for a minute' it can injure the nestling and cause nest abandonment, then you wouldn't be able to go to work because they need to be fed so often and kept in a brooder.
I understand your frustration as I have had many similar situations with uneducated clients although and had to intervene when my surgeons and staff react the way you just did. I tell them that when the are uneducated but seeking medical care we should be patient and understanding because we are the ones with the knowledge and if they are asking they clearly care. The prior is the best care for the animal. As I stated in my other reply even my boarded surgeons with over 8 years of schooling and training and over 10 years in the field had no clue about the questions I had. Even though you are educated and well versed in all aspects of avian care it doesn’t mean you know everything about neonates and reproductive health of all animals. I did not get my conures from Craigslist I got them a year ago from a local avian rescue as we have always wanted them and my husband was newly diagnosed with MS and is home to care for them and they are helping with his depression and speech. I was told they were males, I researched raising them and have an avian veterinarian who I trust although she is on vacation so I started contacting everyone I could when the chick hatched. We are very happy we have a healthy chick and will do everything I can to makes sure all my birds have everything they need. Thank you
 

Fulmer

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I understand your frustration as I have had many similar situations with uneducated clients although and had to intervene when my surgeons and staff react the way you just did. I tell them that when the are uneducated but seeking medical care we should be patient and understanding because we are the ones with the knowledge and if they are asking they clearly care. The prior is the best care for the animal. As I stated in my other reply even my boarded surgeons with over 8 years of schooling and training and over 10 years in the field had no clue about the questions I had. Even though you are educated and well versed in all aspects of avian care it doesn’t mean you know everything about neonates and reproductive health of all animals. I did not get my conures from Craigslist I got them a year ago from a local avian rescue as we have always wanted them and my husband was newly diagnosed with MS and is home to care for them and they are helping with his depression and speech. I was told they were males, I researched raising them and have an avian veterinarian who I trust although she is on vacation so I started contacting everyone I could when the chick hatched. We are very happy we have a healthy chick and will do everything I can to makes sure all my birds have everything they need. Thank you
Priority not prior and I’m multitasking so I’ve made a few grammatical errors in my post sorry if it is difficult to understand
 

mythic55

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I understand your frustration as I have had many similar situations with uneducated clients although and had to intervene when my surgeons and staff react the way you just did. I tell them that when the are uneducated but seeking medical care we should be patient and understanding because we are the ones with the knowledge and if they are asking they clearly care. The prior is the best care for the animal. As I stated in my other reply even my boarded surgeons with over 8 years of schooling and training and over 10 years in the field had no clue about the questions I had. Even though you are educated and well versed in all aspects of avian care it doesn’t mean you know everything about neonates and reproductive health of all animals. I did not get my conures from Craigslist I got them a year ago from a local avian rescue as we have always wanted them and my husband was newly diagnosed with MS and is home to care for them and they are helping with his depression and speech. I was told they were males, I researched raising them and have an avian veterinarian who I trust although she is on vacation so I started contacting everyone I could when the chick hatched. We are very happy we have a healthy chick and will do everything I can to makes sure all my birds have everything they need. Thank you
So when you found out that they were male/female I get you were willing to risk the possibilities of chicks as you were attached.
After this clutch however, something should be done so this is not a repeated as the process of producing an egg is hard on females, and I dont think you want babies every few months. We can help you deter breeding.
 

Monica

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@Fulmer You've already received a bunch of great advice so far! And thank you for being patient with some of us, too! When we love something, and we're very passionate about the subject, things we say may come across more harsh than they are meant to!

I only have a few questions myself....


What size cage are they in?

Are they flighted or clipped?

What are your "green conures"? Just looking for clarification as there are green cheek conures, actual *green* conures (completely different coloration's, body shape, vocalizations, size, etc), and many other species of conures that could be labeled as "green conures" when they are something else. Perhaps you could share a photo?
 
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