2 baby sun conures

[Lori orchard]

Hello I am looking at getting 2 -3 month old sun conures - They are siblings I am going to be working with the birds to train them but I do work full time so thought they would be good companions for each other during the day - are there any concerns with the two not bonding with me bc they are together and will training of 2 be more difficult - would I be better off just getting one
I have heard so many mixed info not sure what to do
I just want to provide a loving stimulating home for the sun conures and have wonderful family pets to enjoy
Any advice would be appreciated

[spiritbird]

Welcome to our forum. Sunnies are really pretty Conures. At 2 months of age they may not be completely weaned so I would wait until 3 months of age to take them. Since they are siblings you would need to separate them when they reach sexual maturity. To my knowledge Conures are independent birds that do not necessarily need a cage mate. As a single bird the bonding with you will be stronger. So there are two reasons to take one of the pair. Conures love to play and fly so a large cage would be good, especially since you will be working during the day. Personally I like flight cages and this is the one that I have. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] You could go a little larger than this but not smaller.

Conures love their toys and especially ones they can shred. My favorite bird toy store is TNT. The owner has birds herself and makes very safe toys. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] I suggest out of cage time with you for one on one and also for training. A bird stand is a good thing to have so they have a place to go outside of the cage. Eating you meals with your bird is a good thing too. If you have any small children I would keep the bird away from them in the beginning. Fast movements or loud voices would scare a new bird. It is also important to make your home safe for flying. The first place a bird wants to fly is usually the window so windows and mirrors should have a covering and ceiling fans turned off of course.

If you have any questions about diet we can help you there. I hope the bird will be weaned to fruits and veggies and pellets. Good breeders usually do this at a young age. Please feel free to ask any questions as there is no such thing as a stupid question on a bird forum.

[Lori orchard]

Hello Thank you so much for your response - sorry I might have confused with 1st post - they are 3 months old already weaned eating a great diet of fruit veggies pellets etc
I wanted to know from experts like yourself if it is a bad idea to get 2 at same time - I really do want to be able to train them and spend time with them out of their cage - but a pet shop owner basically told me I was crazy and they would only bond to each other and never to me
He also said they would be incredibly loud and annoying and mean because there was two of them ( not sure if he was just not a sun conure lover )
I do have a big flight cage from Prevue (pointed white cage ) this guy also told me it was totally inapporpriate for conures and they will just bend and break thru ( my flight cage is very similar to the one in the previous post)
I really want to make the right choice for the birds and my family feeling very confused

[spiritbird]

Aw don't want you to feel confused. A good rule of thumb is not to listen too intently what pet store people tell you. They have very little training when it comes to birds. I am by no means an expert, just experienced. Sun Conures do have a rep for loudness and two may be twice as loud. That makes sense. Are these two the same sex? That would help if they are because then you would not have to separate them when mature. Two birds together will usually bond to each other and not as much to the human caring for them. Take mine for example. These two (male and female) have such a strong bond, do everything together. The male is more friendly with me than the female. She is his bird so to speak. So the answer to that is yes a pair of birds would bond less to you than a single bird would. Do you have any experience in training birds? This always helps because you know what to expect.

If I were in your place I would not get a bird from a pet store. Why? You have a better chance for a well adjusted, friendly bird when you go to a breeder. Have you checked into that option? The breeders will be there for you after you take the bird or birds home for any guidance you may need. The pet store may try to sell you the food in the store because that is what its there for. Pet stores notoriously do not sell quality bird food. There are some pet stores that may be good like the ones in Pennsylvania. On occasion I have seen conures in pet stores that were winners but not many. One was a Sun.

Whether you get one or two birds is based upon an informed decision only you can make. Its something to think about for sure. Have you checked to see if you have an avian vet in your area? For some they are a long drive. You will need a large carrier for two birds. Are you financially able to give the birds enough toys and nutritious foods? One bird is easier on the wallet than two of course. When you find out how much a vet visit or emergency care can be you may wish you had only one bird. They will need grooming and a vets office is best for that unless you can do the nail trim yourself. Usually the techs do the grooming but not always.

I hope you feel less confused. When I am trying to make a difficult decision I usually get a legal size paper pad and write down the positives:th_smile: in one column and the negatives:th_biggrin: in another. Then look at them for a while. Eventually you will have your decision.

[Lori orchard]

Thank you so much!!!! What great info !! These birds have been hand fed raised by a breeder - I was able to se the parents and older offspring - all beautiful birds
This breeder is very kind and has been there to answer all my questions and offers support after for as long as you have the birds- so great support
Not that I would ever want this but if for some reason it does not work the breeder takes the birds back
Then we have gone over my schedule and my concerns of the bird being alone so that is why the option of taking both came up
I really enjoy watching the antics of them together but also my son and I want birds we can enjoy outside the cage and teach tricks to

[Lady]

Hi Lori,
:pp_welcome: How wonderful that you are interested in giving a parrot or two a forever home. From what I read above it sounds like you have already made up your mind in which species of bird you would like to have. That in itself is no easy task. Raising such a young bird sounds wonderful but I have not yet had that pleasure and could only speak on what I have read.
Spiritbird has given you great information to consider. I was wondering if you get two birds would you keep them in the same cage when your not home or house them separately? The cages you speak of are they new or have they come from previous owners of a bird?

[Lori orchard]

Hello so great to have this discussion with experienced parrot people- so appreciate it
The cage dimensions are
68" H x 37" W x 27" D
So it is a large cage - it is a brand new avairy that I purchased
I was planning to house them together at all times

[spiritbird]

Sounds like you have decided to get both birds. Birds are fun to watch when you have two. I recommend you get a DNA test done so you will know their genders. Please keep us posted.

[Cedardave]

Welcome to the forum Lori.This is a great group of people who will give you the best advise on these guys.Its nice to see you exploring all aspects of your future companion or companions.As the breeder of the specific birds your asking the questions about,its great to know your exploring and asking questions.Too many people think of birds as an impulse buy...they are not.Keep exploring and learning.Nice to have you here.We have an avian vet that we use that we can get you in touch with so you have those resourses as well.

[Lori orchard]

Hi spiritbird I am going to talk to the breeder again when he returns before I make my final decision - I only want the best for the birds and I will continue to read more posts from here

If I choose to go with only one - would one be bored and unhappy bc they would be alone during the day - while the family is at work or school

[Lori orchard]

Ok everyone I am really having second thoughts about getting the sun conures - I truly love birds I started with gouldians but unfortunately were sold a pair that were ill - I tried so hard and nursed around the clock for 7 weeks till he passed
I now have a beautiful canary who I adore - so much so I bought the flight avairy with dreams of filling it with beautiful birds - that is when I feel in love with the sun conures - I love what I have read about their personalities the fact you could interact with them and work to train them - I also love how beautiful they are! But now I am second guessing if this type of bird would fit our lifestyle with not being home during the day
I still have this beautiful cage and a huge desire to have more birds but want to make the right decision for all ( especially the birds)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Robyn]

If you are having second thought don't get the birds. Take some time do more research personally I would start out with one. Then you can spend time taming and training them and teaching them to self entertain.

[spiritbird]

I agree if second thoughts are in your mind then listen to them. Please let us know what thoughts are steering you away if you want to share and we may be able to help. Are you afraid the birds would get sick?

[Lori orchard]

My main concern is the amount of time needed to keep the bird happy
I know I can provide a great Enviroment and care
That is why the discussion started about getting 2
How many hours a day would you need to be spending with a sun conure to keep it happy and entertaine

[Robyn]

I would say about three hours of interactive activities as well as the time you will spend talking to them while they are in the cage and your doing other things.

[plax]

As the breeder of the specific birds your asking the questions about,its great to know your exploring and asking questionsHi Dave. Am I to understand that you are the breeder to whom Lori has been referring? If so, I'm guessing that you may be the one who referred her to our site... either that, or it's an unbelievably extreme coincidence! ;). Just curious.

[Lori orchard]

Hello it was dave that reffered me to the site - he is such an amazing guy - taking lots of time to answer all my questions and would be there to offer support. I know that both of us only really want what is best for the birds
I wish there was a place I could spend more time with these type of birds to experience them 1st hand or speak with families that work outside of the home and have sun conures

[plax]

Hello it was dave that reffered me to the site - he is such an amazing guy - taking lots of time to answer all my questions and would be there to offer support. I know that both of us only really want what is best for the birds
I wish there was a place I could spend more time with these type of birds to experience them 1st hand or speak with families that work outside of the home and have sun conuresOh okay, I see. Please remember that despite how much one tries to prepare, unknowns may still be present. All each of us can do is put forth our very best efforts to accommodate the new feathered family members we choose to adopt. In any case, when things don't seem quite right prior to acquisition, it is usually best to rethink the plan a bit. That said, hopefully with Dave's guidance and the advice from others you will make the right decision for your situation. The best of luck to you in doing so.

[Cedardave]

Plax..as Lori said ,we are the breeders of these birds.And I did refer her here.I think this is a great community of people that will share their knowledge and experience.Particularly when someone is uncertain or having second thoughts...knowledge is power.I think all the feedback members here have shared will help her make the choice that's right for her.If more people spent the time to explore the needs of having companion birds,there would be a lot less that end up in rescues.

[spiritbird]

Many people work in the day and have one bird. I have talked to people that use camera on their bird while they are not home for safety. Just be sure all toys and books inside the cage are not made in China. Birds can amuse themselves with a supply of toys. Some birds have preferences as to which toys they prefer and some play with anything. Music or nature sounds playing near them helps too. You could put them on a timer. Full spectrum lighting on a timer also. Foot toys are great. Platform perches provide for comfort. Birds seem to get used to human schedules so if you are not home for several hours they will understand you will be back. Make sure you say "I will be back" each time you walk out the door.

The cage interior can be arranged to be a fun place for them to be. Safe toys, ladders, natural perches and more. Toys sold in a pet store are most often not safe. You will learn to recognise them. We have a sub forum here with examples of what I mean.
So that was a long answer to your question. A single bird will be ok while you are working. You can set a routine of out of cage in AM and PM. You might have to get up earlier though.

[Robyn]

Also keep in mind favorite toys will change. Riley used to prefer toys with bells then he switched to vine rings/balls he now gets extremely upset if his bird kabob isn't in his cage. I had that toy in there for over a year and he barely touched it. Took it out for two months and he went crazy I put it back in and he is shredding it like crazy he has destroyed half of it. It also happens to be the only toy I have seen Carolina play with.

[spiritbird]

That should read all toys and hooks. Darn auto spell on Kindle does that to me.