WANTED - Second bird horror stories

SassiBird · Apr 17, 2018

I'm still contemplating a second conure. There have to be stories where it didn't work out.
The birds hated each other.
The birds loved each other and now hate you.
The upkeep became crazy took over your house.

Talk me out of rescuing a big box pet store bird (aka head vs heart thread) from a year of confinement and perpetuating the cycle.
If my husband has to leave town for work, I may not be able to stop myself.

clark_conure · Apr 17, 2018

I always think about this...I will be monitoring this thread.....I consider it for clark's companionship when I'm at work but....clark is so "thinks he's people now" I dunno....

grizzycat · Apr 18, 2018

SassiBird said:
I'm still contemplating a second conure. There have to be stories where it didn't work out.
The birds hated each other.
The birds loved each other and now hate you.
The upkeep became crazy took over your house.

Talk me out of rescuing a big box pet store bird (aka head vs heart thread) from a year of confinement and perpetuating the cycle.
If my husband has to leave town for work, I may not be able to stop myself.

Well I had a cockatiel that I loved. He talked, he was funny and talented. He would fly by your head and say hello as he whizzed by. He would tap along on the keyboard as I played a song.
He actually escaped or flew away 3 times and miraculously we got him back.
Around the age of 3 he started getting pissy and hormonal sometimes.
So, I thought I'd get him a partner.
She was a nice whiteface lutino. When I brought her home, she became more bonded with me and he wasn't interested in her. They didn't like each other much.
A couple months later, she got sick by some airborne fungi or something and the vets couldn't save her. And somehow my first cockatiel got infected as well. I had separated them but maybe it was too late. They tried different antibiotics but they couldn't find the right one in time to save him. It still upsets me to this day.

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chris-md · Apr 18, 2018

I’m not sure getting specifics will help you. You KNOW bad things can happen when you’re not careful, it’s nothing new, and is something you’ve read a lot about even on here: anything from minor lascerations to lost toes to outright death.

I feel like soliciting specifics on worst case scenarios would do nothing but throw salt in an open wound. It really is a question of are you willing to assume the risks.

clark_conure · Apr 18, 2018

chris-md is correct however I think OP was just asking about behavior changes where the owner was left out after a new bird was introduced.

Sunnyclover · Apr 18, 2018

So I had one bird for a year and then got a second bird 4 months ago. I wouldn't call it a horor story but it's not a fairytale either.

http://www.parrotforums.com/incredi...s/74412-there-back-again-conure-s-tail-5.html
.

itzjbean · Apr 18, 2018

Just like with any backyard breeder, pet stores work the same way. If he's bought, soon there will just be another to take his place...

Have you looked at local shelters? Weaned babies from breeders? It's okay to want another bird, (I myself am looking) but you have more resources than just this one bird. What is most important to you in a new companion? If it's the new bird's ability to get along with your current bird, you are better off getting a handfed baby from a reputable breeder who gets their birds vet checked and are socialized properly.

Just remember, there are no guarantees with any bird. So really decide what is your top priority - saving this bird from a pet store to give him a better life (though putting more money into pet store pockets) or looking around for a younger, possibly friendlier companion.

I am looking for a new companion for my male cockatiel who I plan to breed, so health and compatibility are very important to me. That is why I am going through a breeder to get a weaned baby.

bug_n_flock · Apr 18, 2018

Pistol and Fatty can't be out together and even then I must constantly be pulling one from the outside of the other's cage. Started out fine, I thought Fatty was just in "protect the baby" mode..... nope. He is in "make a baby" mode, and bites the CRAP outta people when Pistol is anywhere around. Pistol is still sweet no matter what, but he is still a baby. Alex hates both of the younger birds(EDIT: But they love him, and constantly pester him).

clark_conure · Apr 18, 2018

I take clark to stores all the time, if I buy from a pet store again my plan is to just bring him with me......come you know spring or summer months...and see how he reacts...

SassiBird · Apr 19, 2018

itzjbean said:
Just like with any backyard breeder, pet stores work the same way. If he's bought, soon there will just be another to take his place...

Have you looked at local shelters? Weaned babies from breeders? It's okay to want another bird, (I myself am looking) but you have more resources than just this one bird. What is most important to you in a new companion? If it's the new bird's ability to get along with your current bird, you are better off getting a handfed baby from a reputable breeder who gets their birds vet checked and are socialized properly.

Just remember, there are no guarantees with any bird. So really decide what is your top priority - saving this bird from a pet store to give him a better life (though putting more money into pet store pockets) or looking around for a younger, possibly friendlier companion.

I am looking for a new companion for my male cockatiel who I plan to breed, so health and compatibility are very important to me. That is why I am going through a breeder to get a weaned baby.

I am most interested in a bird that can integrate into our family, have manners, and be a companion to our existing bird.
Again, you are the voice of reason. Thank you! You've made my decision

SassiBird · Apr 19, 2018

clark_conure said:
chris-md is correct however I think OP was just asking about behavior changes where the owner was left out after a new bird was introduced.

Yes, thank you. The post is probably improperly titled. I don't really want sadness and horror, death and dying. It just seems like every time the topic of adding additional birds to the flock comes up people talk about the social dynamics not working, but nobody chimes in to offer real examples as proof.

my bad.

SassiBird · Apr 19, 2018

grizzycat said:
...
A couple months later, she got sick by some airborne fungi or something and the vets couldn't save her. And somehow my first cockatiel got infected as well. I had separated them but maybe it was too late. They tried different antibiotics but they couldn't find the right one in time to save him. It still upsets me to this day.

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I'm so sad for you. I would be heart broken too. It's definitely another thing to think about.

SassiBird · Apr 19, 2018

clark_conure said:
I take clark to stores all the time, if I buy from a pet store again my plan is to just bring him with me......come you know spring or summer months...and see how he reacts...

SassiB is such a chicken I doubt she would be herself! LOL. I did find a YouTube playlist with wild pyrrhuras and she acts interested in the noises.

SassiBird · Apr 19, 2018

Thank you all. A second bird is not out of the question, but itzjbean has convinced me that rescuing the petstore bird is not what's best for us.
Thanks, itzjbean!

WANTED - Second bird horror stories

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