Advice on Suns and GCC, and adoption

[bug_inarug]

Hi all!! Recently I've developed a bad case of bird baby fever and naturally I checked the site of an avian rescue in my area. I found two bonded pairs, and I'd absolutely love to take in one of them (one pair, not one bird). One pair is a sun and a GC, both female, and the other is one turquoise and one GC, one male and one sex unknown. The rescue is very reputable, and they run a boarding service which I've put my own birds in multiple times and I trust with them completely (which is saying something!). I'm tired so I will just copy and paste the descriptions of the birds:

The sun + GCC (Hedwig and Charlie):
"These two are very much best friends and would love to stay together. Hedwig is an active egg layer and needs to be supplemented with calcium as she has very weak bones. She is an amazingly gentle and affectionate parrot as is Charlie. Charlie is a little more shy but warms up to a trusting hand. Charlie loves to dance. It is very important that these two be rehomed to a musical family that loves dancing and understands the how special these two are."

I thought I could be a good fit for these birds because I'm always playing music, and I love having fun with birds but also am good at respecting boundaries and letting them interact however suits them the best (I have two linnies, so I'm used to shy birds ). The egg layer bit is just a bit worrying to me and I'd want to make sure I can actually take on something like that. What is taking care of an egg layer like? My girl has never laid eggs so I'm not completely confident on what care is like.

The turquoise and the GCC (Paco and Nacho):
"Sweet birds, Paco is a bit more shy but they both step up and are quite nice. Please keep us together!"

These guys have been at the rescue a while and they seem very sweet. And all the birds are so handsome!! I'd love some advice on conures in general, and pairs, and especially on egg layers. I do have two linnies but they keep to their cage of their own volition and I have a nice big space so I can keep them quarantined at first and then separated afterwards as I know linnies are liable to get bullied. Anything helps!!

 

[Emma&pico]

they are both gorgeous both pairs
Which are you more drawn too ?

I’ve never owned a sun but do have two gcc and there are amazing birds so smart funny energetic loving birds they do need a lot of out of cage time but will happily entertain themselves in cage with lots of toys and lots of foraging options
mine love their veggies
They love basla toys sola foraging and work things out super fast

I have no idea on egg laying maybe @Zara can help you with tips to help reduce egg laying
I wouldn’t let that put you off if they are both ones you want unless you really feel it’s something you can’t manage

 

[Zara]

All four are gorgeous.

I will say, don't let egg laying play a part in your decision, because one of the second pair is not sexed, and could be female too meaning you could end up with eggs with both of these pairs.

Another important note, three of those birds are GCCs but one is a Sun conure, so you will want to get really familiar with what those birds sound like. They are known to be a lot louder than GCCs. Is the noise something that could fit into your home? Would neighbours complain? Do you work from home? Do you have ear sensitivity? Linnies are quiet so a Sun conure would be a big difference.
Could you go and meet her? Spend a good amount of time with her to hear as much of her as you can.

am good at respecting boundaries and letting them interact however suits them the best (I have two linnies, so I'm used to shy birds

I don't think it will be quite the same. Linnies are quite hands off usually, whereas the listing made it sound like Charlie will eventually warm up to a person and interact once he is comfortable. So your patience will be handy, but there is a chance that you can have a close, hands on relationship if you work at it

I have a lovebird hen who also struggles with calcium depletion. She has been raced to the vet twice, the first time she bounced back with a multi vitamin injection, the second time she was hospitalised. So now I feed her mainly pellets with some seed, and I supplement her routinely (Calcium and vitamin D3). When she starts laying, I supplement her more often. This is something I have worked with our vet on. Each bird will be different I imagine, so whatever they have as a feeding/supplement schedule, I recommend you stick to it, and only ever change that in the future under vets orders.
The signs of depletion are quite obvious, you will know something is wrong, but it is best to stay ahead of it with the supplements. Maybe keep note on a calendar, just incase you can't do the supplement one day, whoever else is in your home can look and see if that is a supplement day or not.


As for other egg laying complications, here is a good article to read through, save it or print it for reference;

https://nilesanimalhospital.com/files/2012/05/Complications-of-Egg-Laying-Activity.pdf

I think that it is good to know the signs, but not to fear it and let it take over or deter you from having females.
Having emergency contact info for your vet can also help keep your mind at ease and be prepared.

While egg laying is usually inevitable in females, you can try and reduce laying by removing nooks, small spaces, and other dark corners from the cage and rooms they have access to. Rearranging their cages often (including perches and food/water bowls) can also help curb egg laying. If you live in a grey / cloudy area, use an LED lamp to ensure the daylight is bright, and then cover for dark darkness.

Spotting the signs of cavity seeking, and then adjusting accordingly usually can help.

cavity seeking – Pamela Clark, CPBC

Posts about cavity seeking written by Pamela Clark, CPBC

blogpamelaclarkonline.com

Ultimately, I can't say which pair to choose. You will know which is a better fit for your home. Maybe visit both if it is possible? See how they all are in person?

 

[bug_inarug]

Maybe visit both if it is possible? See how they all are in person?

I think the rescue does allow the option to visit birds before initiating anything, and regardless a meet and greet is one of the first steps in the adoption process so I'll get to meet them no matter what before making my final decision thank you for the tips!!

 

[April]

Let me tag @webchirp she has many greenies and a Sun and Gold Capped.