Does having chickens count as bird experience?

Bobbytheborb · Aug 14, 2018

Hello. I am new to this site, and I am looking to get a lovebird or cockatiel. But I was wondering if having 12 chickens (six chicks and six adults) gives me some sort of experience with birds/parrots. :yellow1:

Owlet · Aug 14, 2018

to a degree because they are birds but they're still VERY different from parrots.

ChristaNL · Aug 14, 2018

Chickens are birds ; so yes...you have birdexperience

it probably gives you a headstart to figuring out your parrot-to-be.

You are already used to looking at bodylanguage from something two-legged yet feathery.

Just be prepared to be schocked: climbing all over everything and demolishing stuff is very unchickenlike behaviour, the fast learningcurve will be a shock/ delight.

One of my friends was/is completely in awe with my little grey (little only because she is smaller than the other grey btw) "she is like a cat with wings".
(He never was around any parrot other than his sisters 'tiel when they were children.)
He just loves pointing out to me how much she is like his (rip) cat in looking but no touching, willing to play... but only on her terms etc.etc..
(She totally loves him as well, so it's really great to see them together.)

He found the cat in the parrot, maybe you will find the chicken!

Bobbytheborb · Aug 14, 2018

ChristaNL said:
Chickens are birds ; so yes...you have birdexperience
it probably gives you a headstart to figuring out your parrot-to-be.

You are already used to looking at bodylanguage from something two-legged yet feathery.

Just be prepared to be schocked: climbing all over everything and demolishing stuff is very unchickenlike behaviour, the fast learningcurve will be a shock/ delight.

One of my friends was/is completely in awe with my little grey (little only because she is smaller than the other grey btw) "she is like a cat with wings".
(He never was around any parrot other than his sisters 'tiel when they were children.)
He just loves pointing out to me how much she is like his (rip) cat in looking but no touching, willing to play... but only on her terms etc.etc..
(She totally loves him as well, so it's really great to see them together.)

He found the cat in the parrot, maybe you will find the chicken!

I found a bit of the parrot-like behavior in chickens. They both poop a lot and they both can be very messy. The chicks also need a lot of daily care and even a little bit of attention. Although they are very different, they both have a few things in common. Parrots are very intelligent compared to chickens (although, by no means are chickens dumb) and they require a lot more care than my chickens. I had a few cats in the past, but our current cat is a black Maine Coon named Reggie. We’ve had him for 5+ years and he is lazy but playful at the same time. I hope your friend also becomes a soon-to-be member of the parrot owning community.

Ephy · Aug 14, 2018

There is a huge difference between outdoor birds and indoor birds.

Having X amount of birds outside in a cage, doing their own thing where you come and go to feed, freshen water, and change bedding is not nearly the same (in my opinion) as having the same amount of experience an indoor bird would have.

while I have no experience with chickens, I know that there is a huge amount of time and effort that goes into an indoor bird. They can not be treated the same way as outdoor chickens.

They require your time, your love, your patience and more importantly need to trust you in order to live healthy lives. Birds are highly intelligent and when alone, you are their only source to provide their needs.

I dont have parrots. I have a dove and a rescued House Sparrow, but with the demands these birds need, I know in my heart no matter how much I would love the idea of bringing home a parrot (small or large) I am not able to provide even these 2 birds the amount of care they need, nevermind the idea of adding another bird!

They need constant clean cages, clean water, fresh food varieties, my House Sparrow especially demands stimulation and trying to come up with new ideas (while dealing with his fear of new things) is a contant stress and worry. He is not even a parrot!!

Bird experience teaches you that even after you have read everything you possibly can, you know there is still so much more he needs that you could ever master providing. I cant understand how anyone can have more than one bird, especially parrots!!

I have come to terms that I could never bring home another bird because that would sacrifice the amount of love, attention and care necessary for my current 2 birds.

Cockatiels and love birds already demand much more than my birds do.

Ive seen with my own eyes, cockatiels ripping their own feathers out while crying out in pain because they are depressed and lonely. Ive watched lovebirds become so aggressive you wouldnt dare approach them because they did not get the proper care needed. What happened to them?? They were forgotten about and died alone and miserable.

Please, make sure BEFORE you get a bird, that this is something you are truly invested in.

In the end, if you feel like sleeping in, or spending the night out, are you okay with making your birds breakfast before you make your own? Your responsibility to that bird comes first. If your own time and freedom is important to you, then all you will end up doing is making another bird depressed, self destructive, screaming and will ultimately end up locking him/her in a cage for the rest of its horrible life or trying to pass the poor thing off to someone else.

Please, think long and hard. Do chickens really give you the experience you need?

TiredOldMan · Aug 14, 2018

Parrots smell much better than chickens. Parrots bite much harder, although I've never been spurred by a parrot. Both can be great pets. Parrots require 10X or more the attention that chickens do.

Bobbytheborb · Aug 14, 2018

Ephy said:
There is a huge difference between outdoor birds and indoor birds.

Having X amount of birds outside in a cage, doing their own thing where you come and go to feed, freshen water, and change bedding is not nearly the same (in my opinion) as having the same amount of experience an indoor bird would have.

while I have no experience with chickens, I know that there is a huge amount of time and effort that goes into an indoor bird. They can not be treated the same way as outdoor chickens.

They require your time, your love, your patience and more importantly need to trust you in order to live healthy lives. Birds are highly intelligent and when alone, you are their only source to provide their needs.

I dont have parrots. I have a dove and a rescued House Sparrow, but with the demands these birds need, I know in my heart no matter how much I would love the idea of bringing home a parrot (small or large) I am not able to provide even these 2 birds the amount of care they need, nevermind the idea of adding another bird!

They need constant clean cages, clean water, fresh food varieties, my House Sparrow especially demands stimulation and trying to come up with new ideas (while dealing with his fear of new things) is a contant stress and worry. He is not even a parrot!!

Bird experience teaches you that even after you have read everything you possibly can, you know there is still so much more he needs that you could ever master providing. I cant understand how anyone can have more than one bird, especially parrots!!

I have come to terms that I could never bring home another bird because that would sacrifice the amount of love, attention and care necessary for my current 2 birds.

Cockatiels and love birds already demand much more than my birds do.

Ive seen with my own eyes, cockatiels ripping their own feathers out while crying out in pain because they are depressed and lonely. Ive watched lovebirds become so aggressive you wouldnt dare approach them because they did not get the proper care needed. What happened to them?? They were forgotten about and died alone and miserable.

Please, make sure BEFORE you get a bird, that this is something you are truly invested in.

In the end, if you feel like sleeping in, or spending the night out, are you okay with making your birds breakfast before you make your own? Your responsibility to that bird comes first. If your own time and freedom is important to you, then all you will end up doing is making another bird depressed, self destructive, screaming and will ultimately end up locking him/her in a cage for the rest of its horrible life or trying to pass the poor thing off to someone else.

Please, think long and hard. Do chickens really give you the experience you need?

I know the detrimental effects loneliness has on a bird’s life. I have done extensive research for months on end for both species, and I have dedicated some of my time to observing the behaviors of my friend’s cockatiel and lovebird. I have seen the horrors of mistreatment of a cockatiel when I went to a Petland store. I believe I am truly invested in spending the next 15-25 years dedicating my time and money to a pet bird.
I already have all the supplies for either bird (a large enough cage, a lot of toys, a bag of rowdybush, a 3 natural wood perches, 2 rope perches, and a therapeutic perch for their nails, along with nutritious things like 2 cuttlebones and a mineral block. I am also developing my daily routine for things like changing food, changing water, cleaning the cage, and putting them to bed. I plan to spend at least 2-3 hours every day interacting with the bird, and I have considered pretty much everything about how the bird will fit into my own life. I didn’t just immediately dive in without considering anything or doing any research, because that can lead to disaster. Therefore, I believe that I am capable of spending my time and money on the well being of such a beautiful and intelligent animal. Thank you for replying, and I hope you respond. Have a good day. :rainbow1:

Bobbytheborb · Aug 14, 2018

TiredOldMan said:
Parrots smell much better than chickens. Parrots bite much harder, although I've never been spurred by a parrot. Both can be great pets. Parrots require 10X or more the attention that chickens do.

I love your response. I am aware that parrots require hours on end of attention, and I am willing to spend part of my day playing and socializing with my bird. I can agree with you that chickens smell a lot worse than parrots do, although they both have high metabolisms, so they both poop a lot. My chickens bite me occasionally, and I got bit in the toe by my friend’s green cheek and it hurt for a few seconds. I could definitely tell the difference in beak sharpness and bite pressure. I love my chickens, and I love parrots. I hope you read my response. Have a good evening. :rainbow1:

itchyfeet · Aug 14, 2018

TiredOldMan said:
Parrots smell much better than chickens. Parrots bite much harder, although I've never been spurred by a parrot. Both can be great pets. Parrots require 10X or more the attention that chickens do.

This made me lol...I didn't believe chickens could bite. Transporting one 100 metres down the road in the car, she seemed so cuddly...she made me bleed :O

Taught the same chicken to jump though a hoop when I had concussion.
Haven't managed that with the IRN's yet, although DD has gotten close with the lovebird....

Does having chickens count as bird experience?

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