Can't Wait! (and rats?)

Tomorrow at 4:00 pm my time my lovebird arrives.

She's supposedly a pallid (australian cinnamon) and a beautiful girl, 4 months old, from a reputable breeder in Utah. She'll be my first bird, but I've been wanting one for a long time. I fell in love with lovebirds when I was about eight; now that my 19th birthday is in five days my wish is finally coming true.

I'm thinking the name Cricket for her, but I haven't decided on anything because I almost always have a name picked up for an animal and then I meet them and pick something completely different.

Anyway, I did have a question to ask you guys; I also have four rats in my bedroom, where the lovebird will be housed. Her wings are currently clipped, and I am fully prepared to keep them as so so even when I let her out I don't plan on her going anywhere near the cage.

However, I heard that rats and birds don't mix well... do you guys think I should find a new home for my rats?

If this sounds callous, let me explain. I used to have eight rats, but in April I lost my first boy Carnelian, in July my rescue girl Calamity, and then on September 22nd my total baby girl Circe, and the following morning my other boy Cadillac. I was thoroughly attached to all of these, but by far I had adopted one as practically my kid... Her name was Circe, I took her everywhere, fed her fresh and organic fruits and veggies, treated her like a queen and spoiled her rotten. In September I rescued four sister rats from a bad home situation where a mother had bought her four young girls rats and of course they bored easily; I couldn't say no.

So Basil, Bane, Bandit and Bayonet came home with me (yes, I have my naming themes haha!). However, they don't like me. At all.

I really would prefer to find them a better home, and the arrival of my lovebird might convince me to do it now. What do you guys think? Am I just being paranoid, or is this a good idea?

Thanks for any responses, and its awesome to be here!
P.S. When my bird gets here tomorrow, I'll try to take a picture and upload it here for you all to see. I'm so excited for the baby girl!

well as far as the rats go, maybe you coul house them somewhere else in the house. think you could make it both pets. however if you feel that the rats are better off in another home, and its for there well being, because you had them first, than maybe another home would be good for them. i just got my first birds, 6 finches, today from my friend whos half brothers dad was giving them away because he was working a full time job and thought they would be better elsewhere. he made the right choice because i will shower these birds with the love and attention they might not get as much of if he had not given them away. hope i helped and i wish you many wonderful years with your bird, whichever choice you make