To buy or adopt? baby or adult???

[Devann]

Hey guys,

so for those of you who don't know, I have a 6 year old Alexandrine who I adopted in august and love to pieces! I've been seriously considering getting another bird but i'm wondering whether I should get a baby from a breeder or adopt another adult...

How much does caring for a baby differ from an adult bird? This may seem really obvious to a lot of you but I've never had a baby bird...

I'm so grateful for Vino being in my life and the fact that I was able to give her a forever home where she's happy and spoiled and loved, I'd love to do that for another bird if I can but I also think a baby would be nice???

Love to hear your opinions! Thanks

 

[Birdlover11]

Do you mean a weaned or unweaned baby? I do know one thing is that baby's might want more attention . They also will wantto be with you more. I'll let somebody else cover this

 

[Devann]

Oh definitely weaned! I'm for sure not experienced or knowledgeable enough to care for an unweaned baby! Like a few months old, where they're eating pellets, fruits and veggies etc...

 

[Mozzie]

I am all for adopting and giving an older bird a second chance. So I vote adopt. I do understand wanting a baby though. I just see so many older birds needing homes and it makes me want to adopt them all!

 

[Helitorian]

I agree with Mozzie; ADOPT!!! There are plenty of amazing parrots that need a second chance at a good home. Please adopt if you want to add to your flock.

 

[Devann]

Thanks guys! I'm definately leaning towards adopting again, thats how I got Vino and we're so happy together! And i just feel so much better giving an older bird a loving home

 

[lpolliard]

Consider foster parronting if you have a rescue in your area. That way you have plenty of interaction time with a bird before commiting to providing a forever home for a second bird.

 

[henpecked]

Fostering sounds like a great idea. taking care of different birds has taught me to be a better parront. Who knows ,you might meet the bird of a lifetime.

 

[Devann]

Thats definately something to look into... the only problem with fostering would be that i'd never want to let any of them go! I would want to adopt them all and love them forever!

 

[Birdlover11]

me too, the thing is with breeders is that when all of there babys are not sold they would keep them, homeless sheltar parrots if withen a month if not adopted they will be euthinized i thin it would be your choice want to adopt a baby or adult ?i always choose the one i " clicked " with. choose the one which you want.

 

[OtterKin]

I would love to adopt, but the biggest thing with me is that with babies I can prevent problem behaviors. With rescues, they might come with baggage and I don't feel equipped to deal with it. I'll probably feel more comfortable the more I encounter behaviors with my birds, but right now prevention is key.

 

[MacawGuy]

yea i would adopt. i got a baby.. but i should of adopt...i know for my second i will adopt.. like henpecked said i want to gave an adult a 2nd chance...

 

[Trina]

I like to adopt, I bought a conure he was weaned, I had to get him through issues to nipping and learning to trust me. My eclectus I consider her a rescue since she came out of a bad situation. I had issues with her biting, plucking and trust. She is an awesome bird. Right now I am looking to adopt I was looking and CAGs but in the end I found a male eclectus that has plucking issues that needs a home. I was not able to get up there this weekend its like a 6 hour drive each way so I am going to go this weekend

 

[MonicaMc]

What are your concerns about adopting another parrot?

What are your concerns about buying a baby?


It's possible to adopt/buy a second hand bird that is young and has no 'baggage'. It's also possible to adopt/buy an older second hand bird without 'baggage'. It just depends on what kind of situation the birds came from!

Younger birds will not have gone through the maturity stage, so you may have to deal with more nipping, biting, inquisitiveness and watching them 'grow up'. Many people buy young birds then expect the birds to behave that way throughout their entire lifespan. Some do, but most don't! Most parrots "grow up" and may not enjoy the same kind of interaction that they loved when they were young.

Older parrots have already gone through the 'maturity' stage, so what you see might be what you get! Then again, birds have been known to change behaviors when they get into new homes. A bird sold as sweet, affectionate and doesn't bite may be the complete opposite to you! Or maybe a bird that screams and bites may be the perfect angel for you!

There's really never any guarantee!



The majority of my birds have been second hand, plus, birds. All the young birds I've had were budgies and 1 cockatiel. I'd *LOVE* to have a young conure and watch him/her grow up! Likewise, I'm not against getting another adult parrot. As it stands, out of my current 6 birds, only one was not a second hand plus bird. Last time I bought a bird was in 2004. After that, I found it pointless to buy birds because people end up giving me birds! This year, I was even offered a green cheek conure! As much as I love the little buggers, and as tempting as it may be to me, I don't want a green cheek! lol



I'd say it's really up to you and what you feel most comfortable with, or what you desire most.

 

[Blue]

When I started looking I wanted to find a bird that needed a new home but a baby was an option if I didn't find the right older bird but I found Odin, my CAG, he's 7 yrs old, we're his 3rd home and he is the sweetest bird, his second home was a good home (he was rescued from his first home) I'm so glad I didn't go for a baby