Considering expanding the family, need advice

[plumsmum2005]

Dear Skittys Daddy, I was going to keep my trap shut on this one but I cannot. I have a bird that is very one on one and through having my friends to stay for short periods of time throughout the year I have come to realise that a second is totally off the table, Plum would not tolerate it.

You have written truthfully and openly and we thank you for that but I cannot be an enabler just for the sake of it. Skitty is special he copes with your problems which is fantastic. It is easy to get swept away in the moment with the excitement of a new bird. I have one question, what will you do if Skitty is changed/unhappy with the new arrival and I feel there is a possibility he may?

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

THAT is my main concern as well and reason for my hesitation and a totally reasonable opinion. I have said before, if I knew Skittles would take to a new bird, it'd be a no brainer.

If/when I do get a new bird (which I am still considering, but I emphasize 'considering' not just getting), I will be properly prepared. But rehoming Skittles is off the table. I'm not even going to justify the reasoning for not doing that. It just will NEVER happen. Never in a million years. I'd sooner lose everything else that I own. Not only is he one of a kind, but I'm not even sure he'd survive a re-home (which I've only thought about if I happen to die before him, what would happen to him). Our bond is too strong, to me re-homing him would be a death warrant.

That being said, re-homing a new bird is also not something I would want to do. One thing I am seriously considering is something that my therapist and I talked about today. I am on the transfer list with my landlord and when the apartment upstairs is available I will get it. The upstairs apartment has lighting on ALL sides, whereas the lighting in my current apartment is obstructed in the living room by the church wall next door. So, when I get a new apartment, it may be a better time to do it for several reasons. 1) The new apartment is bigger and has more space and 2) Skittles sees this apartment as HIS cage, his territory. A new environment and he might be less possessive of it.

Irregardless of the matter, this addition is just a consideration at this point. I don't really have the room for new cages and playstands right now so changes would need to be made, like getting rid of furniture. I would do all that in a flash if I had strong belief he'd take to a new bird.

I have numerous things that I need to put in place and theories I need to explore before ever making a final decision. I do go back and forth on this and that's another reason why I am not committing one way or the other.

I do continue to seek out advice from people as it's a good way to know more about these things. Despite having had birds for nearly 30yrs, there are still people on this forum who know a lot more about birds than I do- and I rely on that wisdom for those very reasons.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

So I have made my FINAL decision and this is what it is:

I am going to wait until the apartment upstairs becomes available (I am on the transfer list) to add another bird. This way, with Skittles being in a new environment, he'll be much less likely to be territorial and there will also be a lot more room in the upstairs apartment allowing me to keep both birds even in the event that it doesn't work out having them both out at the same time. I feel very good about this decision and I think its the right one for Skittles and the new bird.

I do worry about whether or not I'll be able to find one that I want when the move occurs, but I've resigned myself to the belief that if its meant to be, it'll be- if not, then it wasn't meant to be.

Too many things fell into place in getting Skittles for me to believe in coincidence. It was destiny. If destiny strikes again, great- if not, well, I'm not one for trying to trick fate.

I don't anticipate my mind changing unless circumstances change enough to warrant it.

Just thought I'd let you all know my final decision. As much as I REALLY want another bird now, it's more important that I am able to meet Skittles needs as well as a new bird rather than just my own needs. I'm used to sacrificing things I want for the sake of Skittles, so why stop now. After all, love means sacrifice.

 

[Kyoto]

just commenting now so that I can follow this thread and reread it later ->

with the addition of the unexpected budgie, I'm wondering about going forward after quarantine? Do I try to introduce him to Kyo (GCC)? To Charlie (canary)? I really need them all to be able to exist in the same room long-term if I am going to keep the little budgie vs fostering him.

 

[trimblegirls]

Birds are amazing at picking up and reacting accordingly to energy. It's the joke at the shelter why Greys always bite me - I'm high energy, type A personality.

I thought it was a coincidence that Jasper wanted to be my friend and stopped lunging at me at the same time that I stopped worrying about getting bit. Learning everyday...

 

[GaleriaGila]

I am enjoying this thread so much. It is such an important and complicated thing... adopting a second (or additional) bird...
I always am glad when a good bird-keeper takes on another needy bird (there are so many), and then I'm also worried when a new bird upsets the apple-cart of a household. I am just happy to live vicariously through multi-bird members here. The Rb is so territorial and aggressive that I have never really considered another bird.

Congrats on your decision!

 

[Kyoto]

I hadn't really considered others- they just both fell into my life more or less. But I'm going to try to make it work if I can!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I do still want a pineapple green cheek conure. But I likely won't be able to get one til I move again (if I move). I didn't take the upstairs apt (too small) so I am waiting for the one across the hall (which IS bigger, but it may be years before it becomes available).

It's not just Skittles that I considered, but also the room. I have a small apt and I'd need room for another cage and another playstand (as well as another sleep cage in the bedroom). All of which I don't have right now.

The less room I have, the more likely Skittles will be possessive of it.

 

[Flboy]

I hear ya! I go back and forth constantly! But in my case, JoJo tends to love all birds!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Skittles is pretty well trained, I'm pretty sure it would be a LOT of work, but doable. But not in my current apartment. Which does make the decision easier on my part. Even if I wanted to, it really would not be fair to either Skittles or the new bird. I wouldn't dare house him with another bird- especially a smaller one (of which gcc are).

 

[PickleMeDickles]

Hi,
I am just going to provide my cheap 2 cents. GCC (or variations) are really feisty, but can learn to play nice if started young. My GCC is ruler of the roost, but she has accomplished this by displaying her ferocity and making friends. I really don't think birds give a hoot (no pun intended) on the size of the other bird unless said bird may be a snack (like in the case of a raptor). I would prefer starting with a (sweet) Sun and a feisty baby GCC. That way the Sun won't be bullied all at once, he'll learn to cope in stages and the GCC is less applicable to turn really fiesty if it's a baby. Does that make sense?

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I can't picture Skittles being bullied. If anything he'd be the bully!

 

[snowflake311]

I want another bird down the road I want a Pionus I think it would be the perfect parrot for us. Seeing that sprinkles is very very clingy and needy and has to be doing something at all times. The Pionus from what people have told me and from what I have read they seem mellow and sweet and not as crazy as a conure. I love my Sprinkles and he is enough bird for me right now. When my daughter gets older and my dog gets older I will get another.

I would look into a rescue you could ask to "foster" You can always adopted the bird or not. If you are ready I say start looking. no rush.

it is a big commitment to get another parrot They live so long and need so much.