I have great news, our Green Cheek Cinnamon Conures George and Willow have had chicks and we couldn’t be happier. This has increased the number of dependents in our household by 4, it really is getting crowded. The happy parents George who is 2 years old and Willow is a touch over 1 year, kept this blessed event a surprise from us. Anyway they are now happy parents, well at least I think they are happy the way they are chirping.

At the moment, we are busy trying to come up with names for each, this is becoming a real chore. While this is going on, the chicks need attention and make sure they don’t get hurt. We waited almost a week or so before the chicks were separated from their parents. The chicks are almost 3 weeks old now, so it’s a little late to start hand feeding, but we tried nonetheless. Initially the chicks were very tentative when we tried to give them formula. We were concerned, because after the chicks pulled their eyes open, they refused several feeds, we suspected because they worked out we are not their parents.

This was rectified by offering them more frequent feedings during this adjustment period, since some feeds were refused. To date we have found the following, 7am to 5pm is a bit long between feedings, so 3 or 4 feedings a day seems to be fine once the chicks started taking formula. The feeds are occurring within a 12 or 14 hour period, until they settle for the night.

It seems to be best, or we are getting better results when the chicks get about 10 hours sleep while the family are busy with their normal daily activities, be it school or work. I think we have the nutrition aspect for the chicks covered between my daughters and I, we all ensure that the chicks are well catered for, especially while they are coming to grips with the new world they find themselves in.

Ventilation in their enclosure is fine, as the chicks do need some supplemental heat from time to time, but the area is warm, and the five chicks also have each other to keep warm, so the siblings tend to snuggle if they find themselves really cold. As for lighting, nothing special here, we expect this will change as they grow into adults as was the case with their parents George and Willow. I remember reading that it is beneficial for their development to avoid bright lighting until the chicks are ready to explore outside the nest.

They certainly don’t need total darkness, but we have tried to at least keep half the brooder covered with a blanket or towel so the chicks have a dark area to retreat to. The first few feedings were under a dim light to help reduce the chicks stress at being fed by different people, everybody in the family wanted to get into the act.

It is understood that although we are hand feeding the chicks it doesn’t guarantee they will bond with us. It does, however ensure we have control over their socialization and can raise the chicks with lots of love and attention so they grow up tame and well-adjusted. This is not to say that George and Willow don’t get into the act as well, but we want to ensure the chicks are thoroughly weaned. 

Finally, we placed shaved pine in their enclosure as it is natural and should be ok for a bit, once the chicks start walking around and pick at things, then we understand to switch to something that will not harm the chicks if swallowed. A paper based bedding is being considered, as the chicks have just started to wean, and to some degree are like human toddlers and may try to swallow anything.

If you have any tips for names or your own experience raising Green Cheek Cinnamon Conure then drop us a line in the comments, we would love to hear from you.