Rehoming VS Rescue VS Breeder

[Mango13]

I've been trolling this forum for a couple days reading about everyone's birds and great experiences. It's reminded me of how much I miss having a bird and re-fired that desire to have another. I live in the Dallas, TX area. I have no idea where to even start looking for a bird. The place I used to frequent for all my bird supplies years ago has since gone out of business. I don't want to buy from an greedy bird milling chain, and am considering finding a local breeder so I can have the whole newborn bird experience. I am also considering adopting through some kind of parrot rescue or taking a bird that needs rehoming. I found a rescue organization in my area that will rehome birds however, the prices are high when compared to buying from a breeder and the paperwork involved is insane IMHO. I also worried about behavior problems or bad habits these birds could have from their previous owners I also have found an opportunity to rehome a bird from a family about 90 miles from my home in Dallas, the cost is only $150 for the bird and his cage. I'm concerned about the pictures they've sent. The bird doesn't have most of his feathers and the owner says he's molting. I think he might be plucking his own feathers out of nervousness or maybe possibly not getting enough attention?

OH I forgot to mention it's a Green Cheek Conure

 

[Nocturnal]

I'd say go with whichever place you are most comfortable. Personally I have nothing against any of these three options. I am a great advocate for people getting older birds that need homes. There are a LOT of older birds that desperately need a forever home, and there is nothing wrong with them behavior-wise. Many, many, many birds are dropped off at rescues and pet stores because the owners are becoming too old to care for them, are moving and cannot take them, or children went off to college and the parents don't want the birds.

The great thing about an older bird (especially when you are dealing with anything other than a cockatiel it seems!) is that when you meet the adult bird and interact with it, you are seeing the personality that the bird is going to have for the rest of it's life. There are some minor behavior things you can do to change it, but in general, if the bird is really nice and generally quiet, it's going to stay that way because it's part of it's personality.

When you get a baby, you must beware that your sweet, cuddly chick is going to grow up and go through a hormonal stage, that depending on species can be a nightmare. Many people end up getting rid of or dumping once sweet baby birds because they do not know how to handle these adolescent years. Sometimes the bird's personality can change a lot from what they were when they were young. Owners must adapt to these changes and maintain a good relationship with the bird.

Out of my birds, I have bought two as babies. A cockatiel and a sun conure. Cockatiel's hormones aren't too much a problem as they are generally gentle birds anyway, but the sun conure went through stages where he HATED everyone and I was the only person in the house that could still handle him. Out of my other birds, one was given to me (the senegal), I bought the lovebird when he was about 2 years old, he was a rehome given to the bird store I now work for. And I adopted my caique from someone who could no longer give her the care she needed.


Different things work for everyone. So, if you find an adult bird that you click with, get that bird! If you feel a baby is more up your alley, go with that.

Good luck, and with any purchase, make sure you do your research and know what you are getting yourself into.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Hi Mango,
that's quite a decition you have ot make. 90 minutes is kind of far away to be able to spend much time with the bird before agreeing to take him in, but perhaps you could work out something where you get to spend some hours there a couple of days in a row, or maybe they could bring him to you one day and you go there one day.

I can speak only for myself -- I would take in a bird that needs to be rehomed from a home or a rescue. U could even look in to fostering a bird and get to know it and see how you feel about a match that way before commiting to a lifetime together. Some birds that are not special need birdies are in rescues are there because of some emergency that causes them to lose their own family (illness, death, financial problems).

But, if you want the baby birdie experience, then that's what you should do.

 

[kellie]

I'd say go with whichever place you are most comfortable. Personally I have nothing against any of these three options. I am a great advocate for people getting older birds that need homes. There are a LOT of older birds that desperately need a forever home, and there is nothing wrong with them behavior-wise. Many, many, many birds are dropped off at rescues and pet stores because the owners are becoming too old to care for them, are moving and cannot take them, or children went off to college and the parents don't want the birds.

The great thing about an older bird (especially when you are dealing with anything other than a cockatiel it seems!) is that when you meet the adult bird and interact with it, you are seeing the personality that the bird is going to have for the rest of it's life. There are some minor behavior things you can do to change it, but in general, if the bird is really nice and generally quiet, it's going to stay that way because it's part of it's personality.

When you get a baby, you must beware that your sweet, cuddly chick is going to grow up and go through a hormonal stage, that depending on species can be a nightmare. Many people end up getting rid of or dumping once sweet baby birds because they do not know how to handle these adolescent years. Sometimes the bird's personality can change a lot from what they were when they were young. Owners must adapt to these changes and maintain a good relationship with the bird.

Out of my birds, I have bought two as babies. A cockatiel and a sun conure. Cockatiel's hormones aren't too much a problem as they are generally gentle birds anyway, but the sun conure went through stages where he HATED everyone and I was the only person in the house that could still handle him. Out of my other birds, one was given to me (the senegal), I bought the lovebird when he was about 2 years old, he was a rehome given to the bird store I now work for. And I adopted my caique from someone who could no longer give her the care she needed.


Different things work for everyone. So, if you find an adult bird that you click with, get that bird! If you feel a baby is more up your alley, go with that.

Good luck, and with any purchase, make sure you do your research and know what you are getting yourself into.

About what age do the sun conures go through their hormonal years?

 

[Mango13]

All great advice. I hadn't really considered spending time with the rehoming bird prior to taking it home. I'll give that rescue a call and see how thick that red tape really is. Those agreements they have you sign are really crazy.:22:

 

[Grenage]

I got Aizen when he was about 12 weeks old, because to be honest I wanted an young bird that could grow up with me; puppy syndrome, I suppose.

God forbid anything should happen to him, but it did, I'd probably get a rescue bird. Regarding the Green Cheek - yes, it will be plucking. They don't visibly lose feathers like that during a moult, as you suspected. That obviously doesn't mean that it can't be a lovely bird, but there's a chance the plucking will never stop, and that does bother a lot of people.

 

[Nocturnal]

About what age do the sun conures go through their hormonal years?

Mine started at about 2 and lasted to around 3.5-4, if that helps lol!

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

That obviously doesn't mean that it can't be a lovely bird, but there's a chance the plucking will never stop, and that does bother a lot of people.

My Pretty Pritti is plucked clean on his torso from 16 yrs ago, and he is a great companion bird in many ways. Because he still is feathered on wings, head, neck and tail, people that don't know about birds don't even realize this is not normal, because he has a fascinating personality.

 

[MonicaMc]

I've done all three. (well, only if you count taking a bird out of a bad situation as "rescue" - haven't adopted a bird from a rescue - otherwise, only two) If you are concerned about how the bird will be, definitely interact with the bird before taking him/her home! Just be aware that taking a bird home can result in dramatic behavioral changes because you are taking a bird from a place that is comfortable to them to a place that is new and different! This can happen in a bird at any age from any place! They may need time to settle in!

On the other hand, if the bird isn't phased by the move, start interacting with the bird immediately, if he/she wants it!

 

[Abigal7]

A good rescue will be upfront with you. Not all parrots up for adoption are bad birds. Some are there because their owners died, got too old to care for them, the person got tired of careing for them, owner went to college ect. If I lived in a close distance to the nearest parrot rescue I bet I could find a bird that would fit my home life with my current pets. On craiglist etc you have to be on the look out for scammers who say they can ship the bird to you or people getting rid of a bird that has issues. The Green cheek conure I have is one I got through craigslist. I got a sweet bird from the deal. If you get a brid from a breeder you will have to accept the bird will become an adult. If you go this route use the time to mold and train that bird. I think what you put into a bird is what you will get back. I want to say that a bird that is a plucker can have sweet personality (if you can look past that). It would be helpful to determine if boredom, diet, etc is the root cause of this. Anyways, I advise to meet the bird and not rush into anything.

 

[MikeyTN]

I have done all three as well but I do have to say that I agree with you that most rescue places are kinda ridiculous in their prices and all the forms they make you fill out. I don't mind the forms but their prices is crazy. As you can get one from a breeder for less or around the same price. The thing about getting one from a breeder is to find a reputable breeder that actually cares about the birds. Not just to breed and sell as that's what most of them do. You can find some pretty nice birds that people give up or unable to care for them. I've taken in poor shape to near death and some are in excellent shape. But basically the ultimate choice is up to you on what you decide to choose, but here's the thing, always let the bird choose you, not the other way around. There's two of us here so the birds gets to choose whichever one they want to be with. We don't force them! But when you let a bird pick you, you'll have a whole lot easier time training that bird then anyone else.

 

[Brisch]

I have done 2 of the three, I have rescued and I have rehomed. I agree that some of the rescues are a little excessive in their procedures, but they are doing it in the best interest of the animal. There is one rescue in my area, that is very very well know, their agreement that you sign states that you do not own the bird and at any point they can take the bird from you. But my honey (cinnamon GCC) is a rehome, he was 5 months when I got him, but he was already rascits and sexist. but if you are a white female with long hair, you are his best friend. he has a ton of personality and dont regret him one bit. My second was also a rehome (no fee) he is a black capped conure. I let honey pick who his buddy was going to be, him and his buddy (conrad) got along right away. Conrad was a little standoffish with people at first as he is 6 years old and hadnt been handled a whole lot. Right now Id say conrad tolerates me because honey loves me, but i will make him love me one day. I also very recently rescued 2 abused conures. A male fiery shoulder and a female GCC, they do not want to be touched, they are afraid of me coming near their cage but they seem to get along with the other 2 birds for the most part. I hope to get the to the point that I can handle them but only time will tell. Id say do which ever you feel best about doing, but remember the bird picks you. If you cant get near the bird or if the bird is boneded with someone of the opposite gender you may have more work on your hands. Any of the 3 ways are going to have there pros and cons, but either way youll be giving a bird a good home.