Hi All! :)
I hope this Thursday finds you doing well and getting ready for another weekend.
I want to share something with all of you that is very meaningful to both Neal and myself. I wrote this article myself and hope to affect a few people with it. Neal has added some photos to it to make it even more potent. However, I am not sure if the photos will be present in this article. If so, it makes it even more effective.
I do not mean anything bad by this article, I just want people to think and do research before they purchase any bird.
Here goes...
So, you think you want a bird…
Ok, what have you done to prepare, if anything?
The first thing you want to do before you purchase any bird is to do as much research as you can! Birds are definitely not an impulse buy! Many birds end up in rescues or homeless within the first three years of their lives! Can you imagine if that happened to children? That is what a bird is, after all!
There are several ways to do research which can include; reading articles (such as this one), go to the library and read books about pet birds, talk to a knowledgeable person who may own one or more birds, find a chat group about pet birds, etc. There are many ways to improve your knowledge about birds to see if this is really a commitment you want to make. Please take the time to do this research so that you and your pet bird will be happy and committed friends!
Below are a few things to consider when contemplating owning a bird. I hope some of these points will be of assistance to you in your decision.
Money Matters! You need to figure out exactly how much money you are willing to spend. Keep in mind that several of these expenses will be ongoing.
The initial expenses: There is the bird, which can cost anywhere from $10.00 up to $10,000.00! A good breeder may charge a bit more, but will be willing to show you their facility and explain many things to you with no hesitation. A bad breeder will make excuses and then the initial expense to you will be way more when you have to treat a sick and/or dying bird. Then there is the cage, which can cost anywhere from $7.00 up to $3,000.00. The care, which includes food (pellets, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables and many other goodies), additional food cups, perches, a playground for time out of the cage, toys (which can include wood, leather, acrylic, rope, etc.) and all of this can cost anywhere from $100.00 up to $600.00, bird-safe cleaners which can cost up to $60.00, an Avian specific veterinarian which can cost up to $2,000.00 (including initial visit fee, tests, etc.) and your time… priceless!
Time Matters! You need to figure out exactly how much quality time you will have to spend with your bird and taking care of its special needs.
Time Concerns: If you purchase a weaned bird (which I recommend unless you have specific training on how to hand-feed a baby bird), he/she can be anywhere from six weeks up to four months. This is when things are wonderful and you and your new friend will grow together and bond. The bond between a bird and its human companion is very strong!
If you have a full-time job, are young and like to go out or have young children, your time with your bird may be very limited. Your job may need you for extra hours, your friends call and want to go to a club or your children need help with their homework, unfortunately your bird will be put on the back perch for a while until you have more time for it. This can be difficult for a new bird, as it needs its flock to learn from and to love (and to be loved).
As your bird gets older and longs to be connected with its companion (who is no longer around due to work, friends, children, etc.), you start to notice your bird is missing feathers in certain spots on its body. It screams all the time, bites and chews up the furniture you just bought. You take it to your Avian veterinarian and have some tests run, which all come back negative. So, your veterinarian may say it is a behavioral problem. You ask, “why”? And then you look at your bald bird as it looks up at you from its carrier and hopefully realize (and remember) your bird is a child and that it needs your constant love and attention. That you have been ignoring him/her and he/she is reacting in the only way it knows how.. and only to get your attention!
These are the kinds of issues that will arise if you do not spend enough quality time with your bird(s). You have to remember your bird is an animal being raised by a human. He/she cannot communicate with you as you can with it. If your bird is happy and you spend many hours with it, the chances of it reacting negatively are very slim. However, if you do not, the chances of it reacting negatively are very high. And, if he/she is not pretty anymore, it’s too much to clean up after, does not bring you as much attention as it used to or you just don’t have time for it anymore, think to yourself; If my children (or I) were treated like this, what would I expect them to do and if they reacted negatively, would I throw them away like they were trash?
Please, if you cannot commit to a child, do not even try to commit to a bird. At least children have a fair chance at finding a good home, Birds Do Not!
Second Thoughts Matter! Right about now you should be thinking, “Wow, this commitment may be a lot more than I thought”. And, it is!
The money, time and love that go into these beautiful creatures can be very special and rewarding. It can also be overwhelming, sad and psychologically challenging. The purchase of a bird is definitely not for everyone. There are many people who purchase a parakeet or cockatiel, throw it in a small, cheap cage and never play with it. These birds usually die very young. Most people know this is cruel, but they don’t understand the level of care a bird needs. If you want a status symbol in your house, buy a vase! If you want something to put in a cage and never touch, finches may be a good choice. But, they need care too!
Again, you should be asking yourself if you know you can meet the needs of a bird? If you think the answer is yes, try again! You have to know this is the right animal for you! There is no think about it!
It is imperative you find out as much information as possible before you purchase a bird (or any animal for that matter). Below please find some websites we have listed to help you in your search for knowledge.
Knowledge is the Key to Success!
www.firecrestaviary.com
Avian Protection Society
http://www.avianprotectors.homestead.com
Judy and Jerry’s Place – Stop Bird Abuse
http://www.geocities.com/jjhornb/babuse.html
Before you buy a Cockatoo – Visit this site!
http://www.mytoos.com
Parrot Behavior Consultancy – Corene Fry
http://www.beaktwobeak.com
Hot Spot for Birds – Bird Information
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot
Bird Talk Magazine – Helpful Information
http://www.birdtalkmagazine.com/bt
I hope this Thursday finds you doing well and getting ready for another weekend.
I want to share something with all of you that is very meaningful to both Neal and myself. I wrote this article myself and hope to affect a few people with it. Neal has added some photos to it to make it even more potent. However, I am not sure if the photos will be present in this article. If so, it makes it even more effective.
I do not mean anything bad by this article, I just want people to think and do research before they purchase any bird.
Here goes...
So, you think you want a bird…
Ok, what have you done to prepare, if anything?
The first thing you want to do before you purchase any bird is to do as much research as you can! Birds are definitely not an impulse buy! Many birds end up in rescues or homeless within the first three years of their lives! Can you imagine if that happened to children? That is what a bird is, after all!
There are several ways to do research which can include; reading articles (such as this one), go to the library and read books about pet birds, talk to a knowledgeable person who may own one or more birds, find a chat group about pet birds, etc. There are many ways to improve your knowledge about birds to see if this is really a commitment you want to make. Please take the time to do this research so that you and your pet bird will be happy and committed friends!
Below are a few things to consider when contemplating owning a bird. I hope some of these points will be of assistance to you in your decision.
Money Matters! You need to figure out exactly how much money you are willing to spend. Keep in mind that several of these expenses will be ongoing.
The initial expenses: There is the bird, which can cost anywhere from $10.00 up to $10,000.00! A good breeder may charge a bit more, but will be willing to show you their facility and explain many things to you with no hesitation. A bad breeder will make excuses and then the initial expense to you will be way more when you have to treat a sick and/or dying bird. Then there is the cage, which can cost anywhere from $7.00 up to $3,000.00. The care, which includes food (pellets, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables and many other goodies), additional food cups, perches, a playground for time out of the cage, toys (which can include wood, leather, acrylic, rope, etc.) and all of this can cost anywhere from $100.00 up to $600.00, bird-safe cleaners which can cost up to $60.00, an Avian specific veterinarian which can cost up to $2,000.00 (including initial visit fee, tests, etc.) and your time… priceless!
Time Matters! You need to figure out exactly how much quality time you will have to spend with your bird and taking care of its special needs.
Time Concerns: If you purchase a weaned bird (which I recommend unless you have specific training on how to hand-feed a baby bird), he/she can be anywhere from six weeks up to four months. This is when things are wonderful and you and your new friend will grow together and bond. The bond between a bird and its human companion is very strong!
If you have a full-time job, are young and like to go out or have young children, your time with your bird may be very limited. Your job may need you for extra hours, your friends call and want to go to a club or your children need help with their homework, unfortunately your bird will be put on the back perch for a while until you have more time for it. This can be difficult for a new bird, as it needs its flock to learn from and to love (and to be loved).
As your bird gets older and longs to be connected with its companion (who is no longer around due to work, friends, children, etc.), you start to notice your bird is missing feathers in certain spots on its body. It screams all the time, bites and chews up the furniture you just bought. You take it to your Avian veterinarian and have some tests run, which all come back negative. So, your veterinarian may say it is a behavioral problem. You ask, “why”? And then you look at your bald bird as it looks up at you from its carrier and hopefully realize (and remember) your bird is a child and that it needs your constant love and attention. That you have been ignoring him/her and he/she is reacting in the only way it knows how.. and only to get your attention!
These are the kinds of issues that will arise if you do not spend enough quality time with your bird(s). You have to remember your bird is an animal being raised by a human. He/she cannot communicate with you as you can with it. If your bird is happy and you spend many hours with it, the chances of it reacting negatively are very slim. However, if you do not, the chances of it reacting negatively are very high. And, if he/she is not pretty anymore, it’s too much to clean up after, does not bring you as much attention as it used to or you just don’t have time for it anymore, think to yourself; If my children (or I) were treated like this, what would I expect them to do and if they reacted negatively, would I throw them away like they were trash?
Please, if you cannot commit to a child, do not even try to commit to a bird. At least children have a fair chance at finding a good home, Birds Do Not!
Second Thoughts Matter! Right about now you should be thinking, “Wow, this commitment may be a lot more than I thought”. And, it is!
The money, time and love that go into these beautiful creatures can be very special and rewarding. It can also be overwhelming, sad and psychologically challenging. The purchase of a bird is definitely not for everyone. There are many people who purchase a parakeet or cockatiel, throw it in a small, cheap cage and never play with it. These birds usually die very young. Most people know this is cruel, but they don’t understand the level of care a bird needs. If you want a status symbol in your house, buy a vase! If you want something to put in a cage and never touch, finches may be a good choice. But, they need care too!
Again, you should be asking yourself if you know you can meet the needs of a bird? If you think the answer is yes, try again! You have to know this is the right animal for you! There is no think about it!
It is imperative you find out as much information as possible before you purchase a bird (or any animal for that matter). Below please find some websites we have listed to help you in your search for knowledge.
Knowledge is the Key to Success!
www.firecrestaviary.com
Avian Protection Society
http://www.avianprotectors.homestead.com
Judy and Jerry’s Place – Stop Bird Abuse
http://www.geocities.com/jjhornb/babuse.html
Before you buy a Cockatoo – Visit this site!
http://www.mytoos.com
Parrot Behavior Consultancy – Corene Fry
http://www.beaktwobeak.com
Hot Spot for Birds – Bird Information
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot
Bird Talk Magazine – Helpful Information
http://www.birdtalkmagazine.com/bt
