Cost per month and how much out of cage time?

[Dude589]

I am looking at birds that will fit me for my near future. I am looking at amazons and they look amazing. But idk the cost per month for the LEAST expensive one that is avaliable to rescue/buy i also need cage cost and i need to know the amount of out of cage time they need I hope i can get one of those pretty birds!!! (I think thats the right pic )

 

[Megapixel]

The costs of owning an Amazon will be the same as owning an african gray, which is more or less answered in your similar thread in the african gray forum
http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/40486-how-much-does-congo-cost-per-month.html

As for how much out of cage time is necessary, that depends on many things and varies greatly, so there is no definitive answer.
Some of the variable are:
1. The individual bird's needs
2. Cage size
3. Activities available outside of the cage (sitting on top of the cage with nothing to do isn't of much benefit)

 

[Featheredsamurai]

What do you plan on feeding your amazon? On your African grey thread you think it will cost $10 a month? Pellets alone cost me more than that, then I also feed fresh veggies, and I always have a pile of organic frozen veggies when the fresh food doesn't look awesome.

In general many parronts agree that birds should have approximately 3 hours of out of cage time where they are getting direct attention from you. But depending on the personaity the bird may need more. I always give my birds as much time as I possibly can.

• Monthly food cost for my African grey, which will be the same as a amazon, is a minimum of $32(price of pellets alone), but I've easily spent $80+ when the grocery store has excellent organic or local veggies and fruit.

• I spend about $60-120 on toys a month
• A yearly check up at the vet cost around $400
• a spontaneous "I think my bird may be ill" check up cost around $300.
• a injured bird vet visit, or very ill visit can be several thousand dollars.

It's fine to look for inexpensive birds, saving money is awesome! But when it comes to food, toys, and things your bird will need don't go cheap. You must get a good quality pellet, and fresh/prepared food should be large part of your birds diet. Cheap toys can be dangerous, if you want to save money there it's better to buy a small hand, or table saw and cut/drill your own wooden pieces. it will cost a bit more at first, but making your own toys in the long run will save a massive amount of money.

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum. I have many zons and buy my food in bulk, about half the price. I'm sure you could also use fresh stuff from out your's families frig. IMO you would spend more than $10 per month. Especially if you did your part and supported your pet without your parents help. My parents would not let me have a zon until i first had some type of income ( paper route). You need to have the talk with your parents about, what if he needs a vet visit , would they cover the bills for you ? How would you pay them back? Do you do chores around the house? Cut the grass? I think you need a bank account , source of income, and commitment from your parents. I'd plan on a $1 per day(just for food) and be responsible for supplying all of your Fids needs.( maybe you could make your own toys) At your age you will need help from parents,show them you can be responsible and be proactive in taking care of your bird. Just my .02 worth.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Hey,

I'm a young bird parrent and being at uni and part time work I can tell you most of my money goes to my fids. Food, perches, toys, cages.. Baring in mind parrots like greys and zones can destroy a £7.99 toy in a day.. And you can't wait a month to get another, they will get bored, scream, cry..

Food is another thing, the best "quality seed mix" isn't enough to solely feed parrots on, you have to get fresh fruits and greens, pellets, calcium blocks and supplements.

Huge cages cost a ton, and it's made worse if their for a while because not only do they get a little ratty but things get eaten up and destroyed so much quicker because they get lonely and have nobody to talk or play with.

The most expensive thing would be your time, you have to invest a lot of time into these birds. It's nothing but easy. Rewarding. But not easy.

I don't want to sound mean or anything, if you do it I wish you the best and I'm sure everyone here would help and guide you with anything you needed.

Just maybe enjoy your budgie for now?

 

[Dude589]

woah thats a lot

 

[Motogordo]

Jan. 27, 2014

When it comes to how much you spend each month on food and toys is up to you. Bird toys from the stores cost a fortune. The worst part about it is the birds destroy them in a short time. (Sometimes in one day). The healthy foods (pellets) don't come cheap. They run around $5-6/pound. Most birds love to eat sunflower seed (which is NOT good for them). The vets have told me that it will shorten their lives due to the fat content. A treat of a couple of sunflower won't hurt them, but should not be given very often. Also, when birds get used to eating seeds it is then difficult to wean them off to pellets.
As far as the wooden bird toys go, they are way too expensive. What I do many times is go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a 10ft piece of yellow pine and cut it up in small sections are hang them on a bird chain. They make a million toothpicks out of that one piece of wood which runs about $2.00. You can't beat that.
The bigger the cage the better it is for the birds. It lets them climb around all day which is good exercise. A variety of toys (plastic,wood,carboard) is good for them. They need to keep busy or they will get bored and could start plucking their feathers. Keep them around the family will make them better socially. They like people for the most part. Watch out for the biter. Sometimes they like a little FLESH. LOL
Most birds love fruit. Two of my three like apples, bananas & grapes. Their favorite for all three are Eggo Waffles, Cheerios, noodles & pizza crust. MMMMMMMMMMM good.
Gordon:red:

 

[MikeyTN]

They're all approximately the same thing in cost wise between your posts. So revert back to my other post in your other thread. Maybe right now isn't the right time for you if your worried about the cost. Your only duplicating posts cause there's not too much difference between the two specie in food and care wise.

 

[Birdman666]

Out of the cage time - All of my birds are out 24/7...

The general rule of thumb is FOUR HOURS MINIMUM... and minimum is exactly that. Back when I actually used to cage them, unless the bird was in time-out, or there was something dangerous around, the cage doors were open.

As for costs? Depends on whether or not you buy in bulk, which reduces the cost dramatically. Also, depends on whether you eat enough of the same things the birds like, and they can get their fresh foods, by giving them a little of what ever you made for people for dinner...

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

Like what bird man said, if you eat healthy yourself, your just sharing your food.
Pellets are pricey.
I don't have a bird yet, but I feed my family like hippy kings.
I buy Bean soup mix, rice, and pasta at Costco. Also quinoa blends.
I will make the bean mix, as well as pasta and quinoa. That will be mixed and frozen in two day portions. Then that mix will be mixed daily with veggies, fruits, a seed mix, Cheerios, and topped with a few nuts.
It sounds like a lot, but it will go far. And I'm hoping in one day of boiling it should cover me for 2 weeks.
They will also appreciate eating as a flock, by eating dinner with you. I plan on having a "dinner perch" where I will share everything off my plate. I have a feeling that won't work. The bird ps will probably end up standing in the middle of our plates. Lol
I understand your desire to get one of these awesome birds, but maybe you aren't ready to give it the life it deserves.
But that could be passing a judgement you don't deserve. You are asking after all.
Read, read read. Watch videos.
The bigger parrots can be nasty if you don't give enough time and invest in enough training. They can't become nasty also if they are fed a top choice diet.
What do you feed your budgie?
What kind of tricks does he know?
Is he hand tame?

 

[Dude589]

thx everyone and I know what I said on my other post that as dumb of me I will have more posts about parakeets, cockatiels, and care info (maybe)
thx everyone!