is it fair....for the bird??

triordan · Jun 5, 2013

I would really like to get a young bird ( grey or eclectus), but is it fair for me to get a young bird, when I'm turning 50 soon, and the bird will certainly out-live me ???? I'm thinking it might be too selfish of me..... I wish I had gotten into birds years ago and not so late in life

SandyBee · Jun 5, 2013

I adopted a 35 year old amazon partly for that reason. He is the best friend I could have. May be something you might look into

JerseyWendy · Jun 5, 2013

No, I don't think it's selfish at all.

I'm not far behind you (age wise), and I got Niko as a baby. I try and keep myself as fit as possible :54:, and do what I can now.

Once I realize I can no longer provide for my flock the way I should, I will (hopefully) already have a new home picked out for them. I know my macs will stay together, as will my Amazons.

josiesmom · Jun 5, 2013

That is a question I have been struggling with myself. I would love to have another but I don't want to let the bird down when the time comes. As of now, my youngest son will be taking Josie when I can no longer care for her. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. I think as long as you have a plan, you are taking care of them.

Molcan2 · Jun 5, 2013

I personally dont think that its fair to the bird. Maybe if you had someone set up to take the bird after you pass and incorporate this person into the birds life on a regular basis, perhaps that would make it easier for the bird (but then your trusting that person to keep the bird forever as well, statistically that would be rare). These guys live so long and go through so many homes, its sad. Maybe look into getting an older one? Rescues have a hard time placing 20-30yr old birds, I'm really not sure why? I still consider that to be young when the animal can live to be 80+. I personally think that the older ones are better well rounded than the younger ones anyway. I think if you really wanted a young bird that there are ways to do it responsibly but that bird will more than likely go through a few different homes no matter what you do.

henpecked · Jun 5, 2013

I think it would be ok for a bird savvy person to get a baby , it's the know how you've accumulated though the years that makes the difference. You know how important socialization is . Good socialization will make for a happy bird that does well with others. It will also make your bird not so likely to be rehomed for behavioral problems. I'm sure others might disagree but even a middle aged rescue might out live you. The best thing you could do for a bird's future is raise it right, and that takes experience. I got my zon when i was 14 and it's looking like she might outlive me, I know she'll still be a happy bird after i'm gone. She's so good with other people and my grown kids, ex-wife,2nd wife are fighting over who gets her.

Merlee · Jun 5, 2013

I think no matter which aged bird you decide to get, it will outlive you. I think it's rare to find a bird older than 20+. The good thing about an older bird is that you won't have to go through the hormonal periods in the spring.

MikeyTN · Jun 5, 2013

I stopped worrying about that part long ago as I can die any day from anything. Like it's been mentioned already, as long as you train them right and take care them properly. They will attach to someone else when they're ready if your not able. It's no different for you to adopt one that's attached to you! Must think of today, stop worrying about tomorrow as that give you a better outlook on life. My body is deteriorating year after year as I have a lot of health problems that I go to my doctors for every 4 months. Especially my stomach where I have problems with every so often that I go in under emergency to see my doc. My father died from stomach cancer so that is a possibility for me. I'm only 34 but I've been dealing with health issues for many many years....So I just stopped worrying about it and be happy! Plus I have life insurance policy my family got for me when I was very young so IF I do go early, my policy will care for the ones I left behind. So think of the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"

aliray · Jun 5, 2013

I agree. None of us knows how long we will live so there is no point dwelling on it. I am 67 but three of my birds are 1 to 2 years old The dog is 3 and the cat 6. I was disabled in 1996 and have had multiple health problems since and so hasn't hubby but we enjoy our pets and will for as long as we can. They keep us going and happy. In my opinion get the bird you want that will make you happy

lotosha · Jun 5, 2013

I think there is no problem since people life expectancy today is very long. You can also find someone who will take the parrot to himself if something happens to u.

Featheredsamurai · Jun 5, 2013

I think if you really want a baby go and get one, but make sure she/he is well socialized and they are able to bond with a younger person who may inherit them one day. I think it would be cruel to buy a baby and allow them to be strict one person birds who may die of sadness when their human passes on.

I love that Kenji is only 3 years younger than me, and I can only guess Rosie's age but I believe she is a older bird as well since she was open banded.

triordan · Jun 5, 2013

My daughter will take Remington when the time comes, will consider rescue, that's where Remington came from

Klaery · Jun 5, 2013

I am 26 and could live to 100 or die tomorrow. Nobody can be certain about the future so best not to worry about it. Parrots lose flock members all the time in the wild and go on. A well socialised captive parrot should have the same capability

Saying that, if you found a well socialised older bird that needed a new home then there would be no harm in taking him/her on either

It could even be a very good thing in that you wouldn't have to deal with the puberty period.

tab_xo · Jun 5, 2013

I think no matter what age you are, if you get a large bird it will probably outlive you!

I was 17 when i got Fargo, if he lives for 80 years, i will probably die first haha

But yes you may find an older rescue that you fall in love with

coral3 · Jun 5, 2013

If you go with that line of thinking then none of us should ever get birds, because there are no guarantees in life - anything can happen to any of us at any time. I bought a princess parrot when I was 14 (their life expectancy is 20 years in captivity). She VERY nearly out lived me. As it turned out, my husband knew CPR and is remarkably cool under pressure, otherwise she would have.

Ideally, ALL of us should have someone lined up to care for our pets should anything happen to us, regardless of our age.

MissTaz · Jun 5, 2013

I feel that if you can provide a good loving home you should get the bird that you want. Baby birds are so much fun and it will help you stay young!! Good luck I hope you fine your perfect feather baby!!!!!!

Devann · Jun 5, 2013

50 really isn't that old by today's standards, more and more people live well into they're late 90s and even early 100s! That being said, I think we should all have a plan for our fids if something should happen to us - just like we do with our human children. Because any of us could go any moment, at any age....or not!
Consider adopting - because many birds need loving homes. But get the bird you want and have a plan in case something happens to you. And enjoy each moment you have with him/her

Abigal7 · Jun 6, 2013

It is never too late. I think if you socialize the bird and raise it well it should do fine if it had to live somewhere else. My small bird (if she lives her life span) will die when I am a old person. We do not know when we or a bird will die. Yes, I have thought about this myself. I think no matter what we just have to prepare. When I think of a large macaw I know it would outlive me.

Pinkbirdy · Jun 6, 2013

I have a lot of young birds with a baby RB2 on the way . I feel in my life now [Is the perfect] time to have them . I can give them my ALL !!! Now that Im older the time money and home are there . Plus My family can take care of themselves. I love this time in my life with birds [its mine] Its the perfect time

goalerjones · Jun 6, 2013

I am 48. We got Hahnzel 2 years ago this October. He will live to be 35-40 unless something unexpected happens.

is it fair....for the bird??

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