Help for would be parrot owners

[jessandjade]

Dear all,

My sister and I are really interested in getting an African Grey. We absolutely love parrots and would really love one of our own. However, because of the long life span of parrots and the fact that we would really like to provide our parrot with the best possible home, we would like to get some experience of what ownership is like.

I know this is a bit of a strange request, but are there any London based parrot owners out there who would be happy for us to come and visit their parrot and ask a whole bunch of questions?

As I said, this is probably a very strange request, but we want to know what we are getting into! FYI - we are both in our twenties and own a house and are very responsible!

Jess and Jade

 

[Von1983]

Welcome to the forum!

Not such a strange request lol. Have you tried finding a Pet Shop with an AG for sale? A lot of the smaller outfits have spe******t knowlege and are happy to answer any questions. You also can stand watching the bird for as long as you like and some pet shops will even allow supervised interaction. Alternatively, breeders will allow you to visit their homes although probably not the nursery to talk about the birds and again, show you the adults.

The more helpful people are and the better surroundings, the more likely you will purchase a bird from there after all!

I only say this as I know of noone who I've seen regularly on here to live in London.

But hey, if you're ever in Cheshire and want to study a sun conure - feel free! lol

 

[wildheart]

Welcome to the forum Jess and Jade. Cant help you out cause I am way over here in South Africa but with an excellent forum like this one you can gain lots of info.

Go through these threads Congo & Timneh Greys - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community , you will learn about diet, behavior, problems and happiness.

 

[antoinette]

Dear all,

My sister and I are really interested in getting an African Grey. We absolutely love parrots and would really love one of our own. However, because of the long life span of parrots and the fact that we would really like to provide our parrot with the best possible home, we would like to get some experience of what ownership is like.

I know this is a bit of a strange request, but are there any London based parrot owners out there who would be happy for us to come and visit their parrot and ask a whole bunch of questions?

As I said, this is probably a very strange request, but we want to know what we are getting into! FYI - we are both in our twenties and own a house and are very responsible!

Jess and Jade

Welcome to our forum, Jess and Jade, a great forum with loads of info and bird crazy members.
So glad you doing your homework, wise decision. Many members on this forum are guardian to AG, you are going to be overflowed with info.

Owning a bird, any bird changes your life forever. Basically like having a 3 year old child, only one difference, the child grows up, the bird remains a child forever. That's why I love them so much !!!!!!!!
African Grey's are beautiful, adorable birds, who demand a lot of human interaction. They thrive on routine, and one on one time.

My AG Mishka, almost 3 years old, makes a great companion, she is our 24/7 live entertainment channel. Never a dull moment ever !!!!!!
Each morning I spend about 30 minutes with her, breakfast, then play and chat. I am fortunate to work from home, we interact throughout the day. Mishka in the lounge, me in the office (not far apart)
After dinner, (5.30pm) is taken out her cage, plays on her playpen, has a few treats, plays again, then an hour of training takes place.
She goes to sleep at 8pm every night. Anytime after that, LoL she just closes her eyes and ignores me. She gets between 9 to 10 hours sleep a night. Normally a bird requires about 12 hours a night.
Mishka is not a normal bird......
Mishka loves people and will go to anyone, who wants to hold her.
Keep in mind each and every bird, has different character's and personalities.
My late AG Gigi, loved to snuggle into our t-shirts, be cuddled and fell asleep near our armpits. Mishka does not like being cuddled, only head scratches.

Their ability to talk is amazing, I spend hours repeating word and sentences to Mishka. I am extremely fortunate, she loves talking nonstop, 24/7, I am not joking. There are days she absolutely tires me out, but I would not have it any other way.
A friend of mine, her AG only recently started talking, Jessie is 16 years old. Some will and some won't. Some early, some late starters.
They have their special diet of course, pellets, fresh fruit and veggies, etc.
We can go into that at a later stage of course.

A spacious cage, is a great advantage, for the bird. Lots of space to climb around in, with loads of toys, for the bird to play with, and to keep the bird stimulated.
A playpen, where the bird could fed on, and used for when training the bird.

Please pm madparrotwoman, she resides in the UK, is very knowledgeable about AG and is a guardian to one.

Hope this answers a few of your questions.
Good luck, please keep us updated

 

[Bobby34231]

Hi jessandjade, welcome to the forum, its great that your doing your research and trying to gain some experience before actually being owned by a fid (fid=feathered kid) of your own, since you've already found out for yourself that they can be quite long lived, I was just wondering if you and your sister ever gave thought to when you both go and start lives of your own away from each other, to whom will the bird go with?, I have to tell you, once you establish a bond with the bird, seperation can be very traumatic, for both you and your feathered comapanion, just something to think about, good luck in your quest, enjoy your stay

 

[Pheonix Rising]

Great question Bobby and was about to ask it myself

Best of luck girls and I wish you luck in your endevours