Hand feeding Sun Conure

Question
Hey Chrys,

I am about to purchase a 3 week old Sun Conure from a breeder. This will be my first time hand feeding and I'm kind of scared! I have been doing a lot of research online, and have watched a lot of videos of people hand feeding. But I cant find out what temp. the formula should be, or there brooder, and what amounts to feed at what age. Because its different from every breed right? I think I just need someone to make me a chart for all of these things, to keep me on track when he gets older. Please help me out!

Thanks so much,
Darlene

Answer
Hi, Darlene.  Thanks for posting!

It is my recommendation you not take your new sun conure home with you until the bird is weaned, i.e., leave the bird with the breeder until s/he is completely weaned, ESPECIALLY since you have no experience handfeeding and caring for baby parrots.  Most reputable parrot breeders don't let their babies leave their care until weaned, unless they know for sure the new owner knows how to care for baby parrots.  I know you want your new bird right away, but you need to think of the bird's welfare first.  There are too many things that can go wrong and without experience, you won't know how to handle these things.  You can kill a bird handfeeding it if you don't know what you are doing.  In addition, I normally start the weaning process for suns at 4 weeks of age, so you'll need to go right into the weaning process after the first week...I'm sure you have no knowledge of how to do this!

No, it isn't different with every breed of parrot.  A baby parrot is a baby parrot.  The only difference in how much to feed at a time is the size of the baby (how much the crop can hold at one time).  All parrot babies need their food to be the same correct temp, brooder at correct temp, etc., etc...there is no difference between species of parrots.

My website can answer your questions...you'll need to develop your own chart!  However, I hope you follow my recommendation above and allow the baby to stay with the breeder until weaned.  If not, you need to have the breeder show you how to handfeed correctly before you leave with the bird and be sure the breeder agrees to be available if/when you need quick help/advice.

www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Chrys