I'll try to keep Sunny's history short and dont mean to come off as drama, I need to get the full context across:
After 5 years Sunny was returned for commission to the store he was weened at. I took interest in him as a teenager but was not able to get him until about 2 months after he was brought there- by which time his trust of hands, people, and affection all evaporated.
The first few months had some good success- but as I stayed busy with school my Mom would occassionally hang out with him, and when she did- despite my protests and outright screaming at her- she would constantly touch his back, leading to a hormonally overwhelmed parrot which could not easily be trained or removed from the cage (first months having him he would curiously wander around my desk and come down from his cage.) Because I was at this point a junior/senior with an intense classload, I could not train him outside of coming home, coaxing him out, and letting him explore for a bit while I had to do homework and then inevitably put him to bed.
Fast forward a unintentional college re-direct, I was no-longer in the same state. Around 1 year after leaving my Mom and her husband divorced, with the husband keeping the bird and parrot. What ensued was complete unsocialization and loss of all his good habits, as my step-dad told me in December he had not left the cage for "at least 6 months" when I was finally able to have a coworker retrieve him. We have made good progress since he's been back in my hands- he steps up on command when not feeling territorial, hardly bites, and is genuinely happy with everyone he meets.
The problem is I have even less time now in college than I had in Highschool. I work a 4:30am job and often have classes directly after until 5, meaning by the time I come home I have around 2 hours to give him attention, also at his most lethargic and moody part of the day (which makes him difficult to train). When I am not home, or place him in the other room, he will contact call if I haven't given him proper attention- on weekends I dont work this isnt a problem since he hits quota on attention. However, this means that since I had been out of the house until hes already winding down, he's taking that stress into the next day and spent the entire time disturbing my housemate in the room directly next to him. Honestly- the roommate has been patient and puts headphones on but he will be loud and stress out Sunny even more (not to mentioned sound carries into the house exceptionally easily on this main road into town).
Of course- all of this should clearly speak to one reality: Rehome............. however-
I'm anxious this will reset his progress again or make things even worse than they were. I love this bird as all avians, and have the patience to provide- I know I as the individual am a good home and I risk putting him in a worse situation
So this begs the question... why not a second bird? Other than the gamble it could be- it seems like my only "hopeful" option. I've heard stories of people getting a second bird which didn't bond, and then resulting in two birds with the same problem. How real is this risk- and does it outweigh the risk of rehoming? That's what I could use some serious advice on and this seems like the best place to ask it.
After 5 years Sunny was returned for commission to the store he was weened at. I took interest in him as a teenager but was not able to get him until about 2 months after he was brought there- by which time his trust of hands, people, and affection all evaporated.
The first few months had some good success- but as I stayed busy with school my Mom would occassionally hang out with him, and when she did- despite my protests and outright screaming at her- she would constantly touch his back, leading to a hormonally overwhelmed parrot which could not easily be trained or removed from the cage (first months having him he would curiously wander around my desk and come down from his cage.) Because I was at this point a junior/senior with an intense classload, I could not train him outside of coming home, coaxing him out, and letting him explore for a bit while I had to do homework and then inevitably put him to bed.
Fast forward a unintentional college re-direct, I was no-longer in the same state. Around 1 year after leaving my Mom and her husband divorced, with the husband keeping the bird and parrot. What ensued was complete unsocialization and loss of all his good habits, as my step-dad told me in December he had not left the cage for "at least 6 months" when I was finally able to have a coworker retrieve him. We have made good progress since he's been back in my hands- he steps up on command when not feeling territorial, hardly bites, and is genuinely happy with everyone he meets.
The problem is I have even less time now in college than I had in Highschool. I work a 4:30am job and often have classes directly after until 5, meaning by the time I come home I have around 2 hours to give him attention, also at his most lethargic and moody part of the day (which makes him difficult to train). When I am not home, or place him in the other room, he will contact call if I haven't given him proper attention- on weekends I dont work this isnt a problem since he hits quota on attention. However, this means that since I had been out of the house until hes already winding down, he's taking that stress into the next day and spent the entire time disturbing my housemate in the room directly next to him. Honestly- the roommate has been patient and puts headphones on but he will be loud and stress out Sunny even more (not to mentioned sound carries into the house exceptionally easily on this main road into town).
Of course- all of this should clearly speak to one reality: Rehome............. however-
I'm anxious this will reset his progress again or make things even worse than they were. I love this bird as all avians, and have the patience to provide- I know I as the individual am a good home and I risk putting him in a worse situation
So this begs the question... why not a second bird? Other than the gamble it could be- it seems like my only "hopeful" option. I've heard stories of people getting a second bird which didn't bond, and then resulting in two birds with the same problem. How real is this risk- and does it outweigh the risk of rehoming? That's what I could use some serious advice on and this seems like the best place to ask it.
. Here's hoping others can give you additional insight.
