Conure for a small child

[Fagan]

Hi
Long time no chat, I spoke previously about getting a conure which had a serious problem with plucking itself. Now a friend of mine who has a child of about 14 is wanting to take on this bird, would you suggest taking this on? how can you find out whether the plucking is bordom, illness, bad diet or just coz he can.

An avarian vet here in SA is scarce and expensive, so if we can determine whether this is just bordom or something else before we go to the expense of taking it to an avarin vet, i would appreciate any form of things to look out for.

Also how would you just a birds temprament in a short span of time

[charmedagain]

Well too rule out mites you would need to see an avian vet.

If a bird is alone most of the time has no toys to keep itself occupied or is not allowed out of the cage for regular excersise he/she will become bored very quickly which results in a bird that will chew its feet, pluck its feathers out to the point it starts self mutilating its own skin.

Bad diet usually shows itself as very dull feathers, depressed looking bird, and also they will have very watery poop.

First sign of illness in a bird is one that will sit by itself usually on the cage floor in the corner all puffed up looking like it is cold..

A 14 year old child is quite capable of looking after the bird but as with most teenagers the novelty soon wears off and the bird ends up being looked after by someone else in the household.

No matter how sweet natured any animal is it can soon change when it goes to a new home, Your bird maybe the sweetest little bird around but when his surroundings are different with different sounds smells and people he may become a biter, quiet, or even scared.

Mike

[Zeppy`s mom]

I agree with charmedagain!