Re: Jenday conure/cage donated to us. Same as Nanday?
Message:
Many conures like to sleep inside a "hut" or "pouch" or snuggle up to something warm and fuzzy when sleeping. The only thing to watch out for is that these items can wear and fray giving something that the talons (or Heaven forbid, their heads) can get tangled in. Some of those items have been taken off the market, or are at least becoming harder to find, because some birds have died. I have 6 conures here (25 parrots total though) and the conures all have one or two items like these in their cages. When they become frayed and worn here, they are replaced. If your bird enjoys it, and you keep a good eye on the condition of the item, then your bird might do just fine with it. Just know that there is a possible danger and determine if you're willing to accept the risk and the responsibility. It is up to you.
I also cover my birds here. I think they get a better night's sleep when covered.
I'm glad that your bird is getting comfortable spending time on you and will allow you to bring it from one place to another. Keep in mind though, that if you allow your bird to be flighted, your bird may not always cooperate with you.
With regards to Jenday's vs. Nandays, are you talking about personality or something? Each bird will have their own personality and likes and dislikes. Keeping Jendays and Nandays are the same though. You would care for each the same way. Feed them high quality foods and give them lots of love. Let them out of their cages for a couple hours (at least) every day. Spend time with them.
Zupreem is a good food brand, not "garbage" by any means. Read your ingredient labels if you're worried about the sugar. Manufacturers need to make a product that the humans will buy. That fruit blend flavor does contain dyes and there is controversy over that. I do buy Kaytee Rainbow Exact once in a while and will offer that to my parrots for variety, but the kind of pellets that I keep in their cages most of the time are natural colored pellets (without dyes). The natural pellets that I offer mine include Harrisons organic adult lifetime, Zupreem Natural and Roudybush maintenance. I also offer Pretty Bird (dyed) pellets on occassion too.
I'm not familiar with Walmart parrot food, but I'm guessing you're talking about some seed/pellet mix. I buy human grade dried fruit and unsalted raw nuts to mix in with L'Avian cockatiel seeds, the one in the purple label (with sunflower). I give my birds access to this seed mix for a couple of hours each day. This is how I ensure they're not living on seed mix alone. I know they eat their pellets. I can tell by the color of their droppings. If they're eating the seeds, the droppings are green. If they're eating the natural pellets, their droppings are tan. If they're eating the colorful pellets, their droppings and urine tend to take on the hue of the color pellets they were eating.
I'm glad your new bird is eating. It sounds like he's making himself at home.
