Overthinking

LordTriggs

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Well the first of the Blue Throat eggs have begun hatching over the past few days (near 20 eggs over 3 nests) so far 4 of them have come out of their shells.

The panic regarding time spent out of the house has taken me now. Suddenly my social life has taken a boon and I began going out more. Mostly on a friday or saturday night but now I'm wracked with the thoughts that I really don't have the time for a bird of any sort. Sure I'm guaranteed at least 2 our 3 week nights to be home by 5:30 but then the other nights I won't be home until gone 7. Weekends are hit and miss. Sometimes I have nothing to do and could easily stay in from Friday night until Monday morning, but then I could have a Saturday like I had this week where I left the house at 8AM and didn't come home until nearing 10. I just don't know if I can do it, but then I keep thinking last year I was prepared, so why not now? Especially as I have infinitely more knowledge than I did.

I'm really starting to plague myself with this decision. If only a parrot was okay on 8 hours sleep
 

itzjbean

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Jan 27, 2017
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I totally understand your worry and thoughts on this. As life goes on it will continue to change, there will always be an ebb and flow to your social life and how often you're home, some weeks you'll be a social butterfly and be out and about then the next few you'll be more home-bound. It really comes down to making your parrot part of that, too. When you go out you could bring your parrot with you sometimes, of course you can't bring a parrot into a bar but if you're going out on a walk/ hanging with friends you could possibly bring your bird, too! just like when people bring their dogs on walks and such.

You can have both a social life and a happy parrot! Obviously you'll want to try to balance it out as much as you can, invite people over and invite them to play with your bird, etc. and try to integrate your parrot into your schedule and the changes in it. Parrots can adapt but they like to be with you, so just be mindful that things do happen, we can't be with them all the time, because life, but you can make small changes to get him out and about with you and learn to balance both social life and home life.
 

SilverSage

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Just a couple of quick thoughts;

1) lights on a timer and dark curtains could let you adjust your birds schedule. Also, most birds ARE fine on 8 hours a day of darkness, it’s just that sometimes they need the extra darkness to manage hormones.

2) have you considered acquiring a SAME SEX pair of the same or similar species? If you acquire them both as babies and handle them both together constantly, there should be no problem and you won’t have a lonely bird :)


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T00tsyd

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May 8, 2017
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I have been a dog owner all my adult life. Those 2 walks per day, the getting home in time, the choosing destinations that could accommodate him too all became a natural part of life. Before Christmas my dog died and I miss him like an ache in the side but if I'm honest I am relieved that I no longer have the 2 walks no matter the weather or my health. So much as I want a dog I know I can no longer give the commitment..

Only you know if the companionship outweighs the commitment. Perhaps this moment in time is when your life will be in transition and you need to wait and see if there is space for another feathered friend.
 

Sunnyclover

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I also think it's possible you'll want to go out less if you have your parrot. Not out of obligation but out of wanting to be with your birdie! I do go out quite a bit but I often think to myself about going out with friends but then sometimes I'm like "naaaaa cuddles time is better" and cheaper. So I think you'll be fair to yourself and your bird, get out of your head!
 
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LordTriggs

LordTriggs

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Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
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hold up... 8 hours is fine? That changes SO MUCH Everything I read said 10-12 but I guess that's assuming hormones

To be perfectly honest I'm not a massive fan of drinking constantly anyway as I spend WAY too much so I can do with cutting down a bit. Looks like we've settled in for every couple saturdays anyway and the once a month Friday club night but hey Uber exists for a reason right?

Maybe this is do-able, I'll just need to get my hands on a radio
 

Sunnyclover

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Black Capped Conure -North- Hatched 10/10/18
When I leave the house for 2 hours of more I ALWAYS put on cartoons for my birds and make sure they can see the screen also. They live it and when I get back (even if at times it might be 6 or more hours now and then) they're in such a good mood because they didn't feel as board and alone. I have done the same with cartoons off and there is clearly a difference in attitude. That could be something to help.out! I also have this cool foraging wheel toy with little doors on it that I have in each of their cages and I fill it with some treats everytime I know I'll be gone longer than 2 hours because it gives them something to look forward to and something to do that takes a while to work out and keep them occupied. I also take them in the shower and give them a soak while I'm getting ready to go out because it takes like an hour or so for them to dry and while they're drying they do t even really do a whole lot so that soaks up (haha) part of the time I'm gone too! They love a good soaking once a day anyways.
 
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LordTriggs

LordTriggs

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Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
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on another note I wonder how the breeder is finding time right now. There's going to be around 40+ baby birds all being hand-fed once they've all hatched! Of all different species (mainly conures)
 

SilverSage

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Wow! I know I’ll never be feeding that many babies at a time! I find 10-12 to be my limit!


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LordTriggs

LordTriggs

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I believe he has a few people working with him so that should cut down the feedings but whew, all hands on deck. Pretty much all his breeding pairs decided to lay some eggs within a few days of each other!
 

SilverSage

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That’s a lot! Lol you would NEED a couple of helpers!


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Inger

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I believe he has a few people working with him so that should cut down the feedings but whew, all hands on deck. Pretty much all his breeding pairs decided to lay some eggs within a few days of each other!



Hopefully he’s taming them, not just feeding them, although I can’t imagine how. I guess if not, that will give you one more thing to do with your new baby. [emoji16]


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Carl_Power

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Wow 40 baby Parrots ready to hatch. Seems magical in a way but I cant imagine looking after that many even for a pro. You must be so excited though x
 

Kentuckienne

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Lord, lord, lord. These are normal thoughts. I think even the parents of new humans wonder if they are up for it while on the way to the hospital. It's good that you have them, because it's the last chance to rethink. I say ... what is the quality of the voice that worries? There is a kind of negative voice, the you-can't-do-that-who-do-you-think-you-are negative voice that infects so many of us. Then there is the quiet voice that whispers the truth to you, and never gets any louder. That's the voice that pops up right before you send an angry email, that says "are you sure you want to do this?" and is easier to ignore than the you-idiot voice. For some reason it's easier to hear another person's criticism than our own wise advice.

I don't know you. I only see what you write here. And from what I see here, you will be a good parront. You will love your bird, you will be patient with your bird, you will check in here with the status of your bird (and pictures! don't forget the pictures!) and you will care for it. If a bird has to go somewhere, it could do worse.

Parrots need a lot of sleep. So they can sleep while you are out living the life of Riley. And you can get or make a carrier, and take your bird out and about. You will make it work. It's better if you don't hover over them 24/7, because they might not always have that, and they need to learn to be independent. You aren't going to be gone all that much. It will be OK.
 

Tami2

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I believe you want another bird and I believe you’ll do what it takes to make both of you happy & healthy. You will figure it out, prioritize and make it work. Especially after how excited you were when you found the blue-throat breeder near you.
It’s good that you’re thoroughly thinking this through. But, I’m surprised b/c of all the time and effort you’ve already put into this.
Take a deep breath, you still have a lot of time, they’re only just hatching.

I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.
Good Luck & keep us posted.
 

Taprock

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So let’s imagine the Breeder calls you today and tells you he will not have a bird for you. What is your first emotion? If it’s relief then you aren’t ready, but I’m guessing you would feel horrible. The fact that you're concerned about spending time with your bird tells me you will do what it takes to take care of him. I have indoor birds but I also have many outdoor birds and every now and then I feel panic when I think of the responsibilities. Usually when I feel stress from another source. I then imagine getting rid of them and all the time I’d have and how life would just be boring and I realize they are worth the commitment. When I don’t feel that way will be the time to find them new homes. Try to enjoy your wait!
 
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LordTriggs

LordTriggs

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See unfortunately I lack the... faculties shall we say, to ask myself those questions and have an answer. Both a blessing and a curse. Though I probably would be disappointed. Just gonna have a chat with friends see what they think and then I'll have to ask the Landlord about it, though I'm optimistic they'd be okay with it
 

Inger

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I think you’ll be fine. In my experience, someone who questions their readiness is far more likely than to be ready the person who doesn’t. It just means you’re aware of the commitment. That little baby is waiting for you to be its Daddy! [emoji170][emoji170]


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Scott

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See unfortunately I lack the... faculties shall we say, to ask myself those questions and have an answer. Both a blessing and a curse. Though I probably would be disappointed. Just gonna have a chat with friends see what they think and then I'll have to ask the Landlord about it, though I'm optimistic they'd be okay with it

Give yourself more credit... your concern and post shows maturity and introspection. Your participation here is indeed "asking" the proper questions and you can read/re-read the thread for guidance.

You can also do this the old-fashioned way: Take a piece of paper, divide vertically in half. On the left side, write the benefits and desires of adopting this conure; on the right half list the disadvantages and inconveniences. One side is bound to have more content, something to read and compare. No guarantee the half with more writing is going to win, it is the overall message that is important!
 

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