how much care do birds requires and etcLOL?

[Dillhole]

OK im considering getting my friend a bird - she?s a parrot, and the breeder said ?if somebody don?t take ?er by Tuesday she?s dead!? I feel this would be wrong(if he killed the bird)but I can?t do anything about it..I am a fan of parrots, as they?re so interesting and unique - however, I own a cat, three dogs and two ferrets - I?m afraid the bird wouldn?t last long in my house, and leaving her trapped in a dark room with no attention wouldn?t feel right either. So, I?m considering giving her to my bird-lover friend, Miley..but I don?t know if she is in the position to care for a bird. K this is all about her: Good things are,
- Owns only 1 other pet - Fish
- has weekends off
- Is willing to work with her pets, and train them etc?
- Loves birds! Knows all about parrots and parrot-care

The bad things are

- Works from 3 - 7 everyday
- Has very loud neighbors who often pound on her door when she?s at work
- Doesn?t have very big space - an apartment
- Funds are tight - would only be able to provide water; food; vitamins & a few toy

But I would provide the cage - a very large one (already picked out from our per store) and she loves her pets - which is the most importand quality in a pet-owner. She previously had a Parrot and it lived about 20 years!!!! But it died from a heart attack which she spent nearly 1,000 dollars trying to stop. Her old parrot?s name was Daisy, I?m considering naming this one Daisy JR and getting it tags and all, then giving it to her - or should I let her name it? Also, should I give it to her, is she in a position to care for it?

PS - The bird is a baby, almost 2 weeks, and she was the only one out of her batch that didn?t sell - now the breeder?s getting sick of her and is threatening to shoot her?..

[bush.w]

Well, does your bird-loving friend have her parents to maybe take care of the bird from 3-7 or any room mates or something? A bird doesn't need as much as a space as a dog would. A bird can live perfectly fine in an apartment as long as it's a safe environment (for the bird not to fall in a pan or something). What type of bird is it also? And for the person who's threatning: I would seriously be so angry at him that I'd buy him. Like, it's a living thing and he wants to shoot it. He should shoot himself for all I care. >.<

Maybe let Miley name it. Maybe she's planning on buying a bird and has a name so.. yeah.

[DavitO]

Your friend will have to consider the noise factor more than anything. Birds are social beings and require a LOT of attention. Sure, it's cute to hear a bird say "hello" or have a pretty coloring, but ultimately, it will need attention often or else he/she's screech.You can write to our officers at www.birdclub.com and they'll answer more specific questions. Good luck.

[Boomhowwer]

I would ask your friend if she would like to rescue the bird. A live animal is too big a surprise for anyone who hasn't asked for it in advance.

[Certix]

As much as I understand and sympathize with you wanting to save the life of this little bird, there are several big warning signs in your story that make me think giving this bird to your friend is not a good idea. First off, pets should really never be given as presents, unless the giver is a parent and willing to take most of the care of the animal. If the bird in question is one of the large breeds, you could be signing your friend up for a lifetime commitment, and that's not fair to her or the parrot.

Secondly, parrots require much more than seed, water, and the occasional toy, and you must have funds to care for them. Love is important, but the more you love your parrot, the more it hurts to know that you can't take proper care of him because you haven't got the money. A new bird, especially one this young, will need at least one visit with an avian vet, with tests, which can run anywhere between 75-200 dollars, depending on where you live. If the bird is sick, that means medicines, more tests, and more money. Parrots need lots of stimulating toys, especially if their owner isn't around for part of the day, and they will destroy their toys. Toy replacement is a big budget item for parrot species.

Once you have the bird vetted, and have the cage, care becomes the issue. A bird this young will likely still require supplemental handfeeding, and if your friend is busy, that will be very difficult. Handfeeding requires equipment and formula, both of which cost money, and it takes skill that is tough to acquire in a hurry and without a teacher.

The other big warning signal to me is the breeder him or herself. A breeder needs to care about the animals she's raising, not just be in it for the money, in order to breed quality birds. If this breeder is so callous as to sell birds who are so young, and to threaten the life of one that doesn't sell, I highly doubt she's doing anything to ensure the health or genetic quality of the birds she's breeding. You could well be thinking of giving your friend a bird who will never be healthy.

What you can do, if you want to help this bird, is try to find a parrot rescue in your area and tell them about the situation. They might be better equipped to help this little bird, if anyone can.

[DavitO]

Wow, ok, first of all, please save the parrot...no animal should be killed, its not their fault they live surrounded by retarded human beings. Ok, I have a cockatiel, and when I got him, my mother gave one to my cousin, and till this day I can't forgive her. My cousin is never home and one of the most important things is if you are going to have a bird you need to spend lots of time with them, or get it a buddie. Always treat animals like you would treat a person, they are not stupid, they just haven't developed a language<<<Only reason MAN considers himself so great, but he isn't.

[daytoday]

Hi, most importantly, what species of parrot is this? This will make a big difference when it comes to attention, diet, etc requirements.

And what kind of breeder would say that about their own birds?! Some people are so sick. :( And also, most birds aren't even weaned at 2 weeks. It needs an experienced person to hand feed it if this is the case (which is a -very- time consuming job where the tiniest slip up can kill the bird).
Also, importantly, why is the breeder sick of the bird? Does it have a behavioural problem or is he just sick in the head?

But good on you for trying to save it. :)

The problem with parrots is that they are high maintanence pets. I don't reccomend giving a parrot (or really any pet) to someone as a surprise. They require lots of time and money every single day for the next 20-80 years.

I think you should tell your friend the situation first and see what she thinks. If she is unable to care for it, you might try contacting a nearby parrot rescue and telling them of the situation, I'm sure they will be willing to save the bird.

As for the name thing, I think you should ask your friend about that first too (naming pets, especially after dead ones, can be a sensitive process for some people). :) You can give it the name, but tell her she can change it if she wants to. :)

If this bird is already weaned and is all good, here is what it requires:
* Time out of its cage every single day to spend one on one time with the owner. This is a few hours minimum for the large species, not as much for the small species
* A good, varied diet. This includes chopping veges and fruit every day and may include cooking for the bird as well
* Lots and lots of toys
* A huge cage (which you said can be provided :) )
* Vet care when it needs it
* Taming and training, and it's other needs

Also an important thing to consider are the neighbours. Loud noises excite some birds or the bird will probably get use to it. Some birds however, have been known to die from stress from loud noises, but usually if it's something they are not use to.
But what about the bird itself? Some species are VERY loud and an apartement is unsuitable.

Whatever happens, I wish you good luck and I hope the parrot doesn't get hurt! Thanks for caring about it.