| Please advise: Should I adopt a sun conure? - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| SnoopyBeck |
Hi everyone,
I need some advice (obviously).
I am a recent college graduate. I have a steady job where I work 9
hrs a day (except every other Friday I have off). I go out for a few
hours maybe once or twice a week, to the gym a couple times, but other
than that I am normally home. I have two roommates, and we have all
been wanting a pet. We all want a dog, but I know that a dog would be
miserable being home alone all day while we are all at work. One is
allergic to a cat, but I still miss having pets. I had cats and dogs
and small pets all my life until about 4 years ago, but have actually
never had a bird. I worked at a pet store for 1.5 yrs a few years ago
and worked with the birds a bit towards the end and was very tempted
to get one, but did not have the money in school (and did not want the
committment at the time). Here's the advice portion:
I saw an ad in the paper today for a four year old Sun Conure for
$250, and includes the cage. The ad says "friendly and bright [of
course]," but I have not called for more details. I do not want to
call unless I am ready to get it. The bird will be primarily mine. I
will not rely on my roommates to care for it, so they are not much of
a consideration...
My questions are:
- Will this bird be okay in the house alone for 9 hrs a day? I've
read to leave a radio or tv on for company... does this work?
- How noisy are they actually? I've read that they are VERY noisey,
and some accounts of them really only being vocal when they are happy
or excited.
- How friendly are they to "guests?" If I have to go away for a week
for work (might happen two or three times a year), will it be okay
with a friend or roommate caring for it?
- Also, how well do they travel (in a car in a "travel cage")? If I
go the three hours to visit my parents and bring it, will it be okay
with that?
- And lastly, how long do they live? I've seen some sources that say
20-25 years, and others that say 50 years, and some that say "it will
live as long as you do."
These are my concerns. I know that so many people get parrots and are
not prepared for the committment. If a sun conure will be happy with
me, I would love to get it (because then I will know that it will be
in a happy, healthy home and won't need to be given up several times
in its life like so many parrots do). However, I do not want to get
it if it is going to be depressed.
Feel free to e-mail me at: rpurse512@yahoo.com
Thanks everyone and sorry for writing so much!
Becky
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| GOOD GOLLY MISS mOLLY |
"SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1352445c.0408261736.73a7cbb1@posting.google.com...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I need some advice (obviously).
>
> I am a recent college graduate. I have a steady job where I work 9
> hrs a day (except every other Friday I have off). I go out for a few
> hours maybe once or twice a week, to the gym a couple times, but other
> than that I am normally home. I have two roommates, and we have all
> been wanting a pet. We all want a dog, but I know that a dog would be
> miserable being home alone all day while we are all at work. One is
> allergic to a cat, but I still miss having pets. I had cats and dogs
> and small pets all my life until about 4 years ago, but have actually
> never had a bird. I worked at a pet store for 1.5 yrs a few years ago
> and worked with the birds a bit towards the end and was very tempted
> to get one, but did not have the money in school (and did not want the
> committment at the time). Here's the advice portion:
>
> I saw an ad in the paper today for a four year old Sun Conure for
> $250, and includes the cage. The ad says "friendly and bright [of
> course]," but I have not called for more details. I do not want to
> call unless I am ready to get it. The bird will be primarily mine. I
> will not rely on my roommates to care for it, so they are not much of
> a consideration...
>
> My questions are:
>
> - Will this bird be okay in the house alone for 9 hrs a day? I've
> read to leave a radio or tv on for company... does this work?
No. Although you work 9 hours a day, you still need to travel to and from
work, do shopping etc so it will likely be left for longer. Birds suffer in
enforced isolation as they have a strong flock instinct. It will end up
screaming (you DO know that sun conures are one of the noisiest don't you?)
or plucking its feathers out in distress.Television pictures cannot be seen
by birds apparently, radio is not another bird, it is simply monotonous
background sound. Birds need company, not just noise.
>
> - How noisy are they actually? I've read that they are VERY noisey,
> and some accounts of them really only being vocal when they are happy
> or excited.
Very very very noisy. People get sun conures thinking they can cope with
some noise. They don't seem to be aware of just how awful that loud
screeching is, when they are on the phone, trying to listen to music, watch
TV, sit with a book etc. It goes on and on and on.
>
> - How friendly are they to "guests?" If I have to go away for a week
> for work (might happen two or three times a year), will it be okay
> with a friend or roommate caring for it?
Who knows what this particular bird is like? Birds are all different in
temperament. Some like people, some don't, some bite, some don't. They ALL
however make a lot of noise and mess, seed hulls chucked pout of the cage,
feather dust, bird poop, bits of fruit flung up the bars and on the wall.
>
> - Also, how well do they travel (in a car in a "travel cage")? If I
> go the three hours to visit my parents and bring it, will it be okay
> with that?
See above. Some travel fine, some get car sick.
>
> - And lastly, how long do they live? I've seen some sources that say
> 20-25 years, and others that say 50 years, and some that say "it will
> live as long as you do."
>
Do a google search on sun conure lifespan.
> These are my concerns. I know that so many people get parrots and are
> not prepared for the committment. If a sun conure will be happy with
> me, I would love to get it (because then I will know that it will be
> in a happy, healthy home and won't need to be given up several times
> in its life like so many parrots do). However, I do not want to get
> it if it is going to be depressed.
I suggest that before you even consider getting this bird, you do some real
research into the implications of kleeping a species with a huge flock
instinct in solitary confinement. Research species, decide where you can fit
a cage the size of a cooker in the house, how you can allow it out of the
cage daily and still keep it safe. How your neighbours will cope with the
desperate screams of a lonely and unhappy bird. How you will cope with
getting home after a hard day at work, dying to flop down with a coffee and
have something to eat, only you can't, you have your bird to play with,
feed, clean and care for. He won't LET you flop down as he is desperate for
attention and is screaming loud enough to make your ears pop, and your
housemates are getting annoyed, tellling you to shut the bird up, so you
cover him up to get some peace, so now we have a bird who is alone all day,
then covered up when you get home. Hmm,not sounding good is it?
Perhaps if youreally want a pet you need to be looking at something less
needful of company. A couple of pet rats. 2 to keep each other company. Or a
couple of lovebirds, to keep each other company, a hamster, they like to
live alone and coudn't care less how long you work as long as there is food
, water and a wheel to run in. A couple of budgies perhaps?
Sunconures are beautiful, but they are also one of the loudest. Most seem
to get rehomed at least once in their lives because people didn't do enough
research.
If you would like a bird, consider 2. If you would like a bird, do several
weeks at least research into what bird keeping involves. Do the sun conure a
favour and leave it be. It will only end up being rehomed again after being
miserable before this happens and before making you and your housemates
miserable. Do some reading before considering a bird.
--
'Guide to companion parrot behaviour'
'My parrot my friend'
'Guide to a well behaved parrot'
'Birds for dummies'
>
> Feel free to e-mail me at: rpurse512@yahoo.com
>
> Thanks everyone and sorry for writing so much!
>
> Becky
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| Anonny Moose |
"GOOD GOLLY MISS mOLLY" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:pdEXc.126$2p1.89@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> If you would like a bird, consider 2. If you would like a bird, do several
> weeks at least research into what bird keeping involves. Do the sun conure
a
> favour and leave it be. It will only end up being rehomed again after
being
> miserable before this happens and before making you and your housemates
> miserable. Do some reading before considering a bird.
Miss Molly was right on every point. You're better off finding another pet.
It's difficult to imagine just how much time must be devoted to bird care
until you've experienced it, so best to listen to the words of the wise.
Karen
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| Alex Clayton |
"SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1352445c.0408261736.73a7cbb1@posting.google.com...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I need some advice (obviously).
>
> These are my concerns. I know that so many people get parrots and are
> not prepared for the committment. If a sun conure will be happy with
> me, I would love to get it (because then I will know that it will be
> in a happy, healthy home and won't need to be given up several times
> in its life like so many parrots do). However, I do not want to get
> it if it is going to be depressed.
>
> Feel free to e-mail me at: rpurse512@yahoo.com
>
> Thanks everyone and sorry for writing so much!
>
> Becky
Many, many people who work, also own birds that are very happy. Sure it's
great if like me there is always people home, but during the times when both
of us were working days, my birds did not suddenly develop problems.
If you decide to get a bird, either this one or any bird, it will need a
LARGE cage, with plenty of toys to keep it's self busy. Then when you come
home you need to be prepared to spend some time with the bird, this can be
as simple as allowing the bird to ride around on your shoulder. Of the 2
birds I have that want attention this is what makes the Conure much easier.
He can sit on my shoulder while I do just about anything, which he does a
lot. I just have a bunch of T-shirts, change them as he makes a mess.
Now as to personality all birds are different. My Conure (a Blue Crown) is
a close relative of the Sun. He was semi wild when we bought him, had been
kept outside with another bird for 4 years because of the noise. After
taming him, the noise was controlled to some extent, but Conures are going
to be loud at times. The one good thing is normally this is a day time
thing. I have never seen one that screams at night, so at least you will not
be disturbing the neighbors late at night.
Now my BCC will readily come to me, but will draw blood badly to anyone
else who makes the mistake of offering him a hand. Now I have seen many
Conures who will readily go to and be friendly with anyone who will give
them attention. Has a lot to do with how the bird has been raised, whether
he has been regularly handled by many people.
You "may" have a problem trying to take one from another home, he "may"
not react well at all to being moved to a strange home with strange people.
Other people in the house would have to be willing to work with you and the
bird. If they can't tolerate his possible screaming this could be a
disaster. If they are interested in a bird, and willing to take the time to
try to work with you it "may" work out fine.
Bottom line, be careful, try to make sure you are willing to try to keep
the bird for the next 20 or 30 years if you take it. The worst thing for
these guys is to get bounced from one home to another.
Good luck, birds are a GREAT pet, BUT, they are not for everyone.
--
25% graduate functional illiterates. We should remove the warning labels
from everything and let nature take care of the problem.
Peter Weisbach
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| Paulo |
Can I suggested a lineolated parakeet?
Whatever you decide, please search before, take your time, talk to breeders
and keepers and take an adult desicion.
If you want to know more about Linnies, let me know.
--
Paulo
"Alex Clayton" <alexx1400@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:0HNXc.314$8d1.204@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1352445c.0408261736.73a7cbb1@posting.google.com...
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I need some advice (obviously).
> >
> > These are my concerns. I know that so many people get parrots and are
> > not prepared for the committment. If a sun conure will be happy with
> > me, I would love to get it (because then I will know that it will be
> > in a happy, healthy home and won't need to be given up several times
> > in its life like so many parrots do). However, I do not want to get
> > it if it is going to be depressed.
> >
> > Feel free to e-mail me at: rpurse512@yahoo.com
> >
> > Thanks everyone and sorry for writing so much!
> >
> > Becky
>
> Many, many people who work, also own birds that are very happy. Sure it's
> great if like me there is always people home, but during the times when
both
> of us were working days, my birds did not suddenly develop problems.
> If you decide to get a bird, either this one or any bird, it will need a
> LARGE cage, with plenty of toys to keep it's self busy. Then when you come
> home you need to be prepared to spend some time with the bird, this can be
> as simple as allowing the bird to ride around on your shoulder. Of the 2
> birds I have that want attention this is what makes the Conure much
easier.
> He can sit on my shoulder while I do just about anything, which he does a
> lot. I just have a bunch of T-shirts, change them as he makes a mess.
> Now as to personality all birds are different. My Conure (a Blue Crown)
is
> a close relative of the Sun. He was semi wild when we bought him, had been
> kept outside with another bird for 4 years because of the noise. After
> taming him, the noise was controlled to some extent, but Conures are going
> to be loud at times. The one good thing is normally this is a day time
> thing. I have never seen one that screams at night, so at least you will
not
> be disturbing the neighbors late at night.
> Now my BCC will readily come to me, but will draw blood badly to anyone
> else who makes the mistake of offering him a hand. Now I have seen many
> Conures who will readily go to and be friendly with anyone who will give
> them attention. Has a lot to do with how the bird has been raised, whether
> he has been regularly handled by many people.
> You "may" have a problem trying to take one from another home, he "may"
> not react well at all to being moved to a strange home with strange
people.
> Other people in the house would have to be willing to work with you and
the
> bird. If they can't tolerate his possible screaming this could be a
> disaster. If they are interested in a bird, and willing to take the time
to
> try to work with you it "may" work out fine.
> Bottom line, be careful, try to make sure you are willing to try to keep
> the bird for the next 20 or 30 years if you take it. The worst thing for
> these guys is to get bounced from one home to another.
> Good luck, birds are a GREAT pet, BUT, they are not for everyone.
> --
> 25% graduate functional illiterates. We should remove the warning labels
> from everything and let nature take care of the problem.
> Peter Weisbach
>
>
>
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| Jim |
"SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1352445c.0408261736.73a7cbb1@posting.google.com...
>
> My questions are:
>
> - Will this bird be okay in the house alone for 9 hrs a day? I've
> read to leave a radio or tv on for company... does this work?
Yes, but generally a dog can handle being home alone all day much better.
>
> - How noisy are they actually? I've read that they are VERY noisey,
> and some accounts of them really only being vocal when they are happy
> or excited.
That's probably dictated more by envirnment than anything else. My sun
conure is a quiet bird. But his first family gave him up because he was way
too noisy.
>
> - How friendly are they to "guests?"
Not answerable. There are as many different personalities and temperments
as there are sun conures.
> If I have to go away for a week
> for work (might happen two or three times a year), will it be okay
> with a friend or roommate caring for it?
Yes, but that is not relevant to your first question in this part.
>
> - Also, how well do they travel (in a car in a "travel cage")? If I
> go the three hours to visit my parents and bring it, will it be okay
> with that?
Yes.
>
> - And lastly, how long do they live? I've seen some sources that say
> 20-25 years, and others that say 50 years, and some that say "it will
> live as long as you do."
Naive question. Potential life span has nothing to do with how long the
average pet conure lives. Because of poor diets and a general lack of
proper veterinary care, most pet conures probably die before they reach the
age of ten.
>
> These are my concerns. I know that so many people get parrots and are
> not prepared for the committment. If a sun conure will be happy with
> me, I would love to get it (because then I will know that it will be
> in a happy, healthy home and won't need to be given up several times
> in its life like so many parrots do).
You're young. You have roommates. Are they somehow commited to being your
roommates for life? You don't even know yet if you are capable of
tolerating the potential noise and mess (you've completely missed that
factor) of this bird and you expect your roommates to accept it. Your life
will change in many ways yet so don't get too far ahead of yourself.
> However, I do not want to get
> it if it is going to be depressed.
That is mostly up to you and has little to do with any of the questions
you've asked.
> Thanks everyone and sorry for writing so much!
>
> Becky
Get a dog. Inflicting your wants on your roommates isn't fair to them or
any bird you might get.
J
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| GOOD GOLLY MISS mOLLY |
"Jim" <rteds83@biv.com> wrote in message
news:FeaYc.12826$JG7.11810@hydra.nntpserver.com...
> Get a dog. Inflicting your wants on your roommates isn't fair to them or
> any bird you might get.
Please *don't* get a dog. You will end up with something which barks and
howls it's unhappiness at best and destroys the house at worst. I get enough
calls from people wanting to get rid of lonely dogs which they got and
assumed it would be fine to be left in solitary conefinement until they came
home. Get a couple of cats.
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| Jim |
"GOOD GOLLY MISS mOLLY" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:LjiYc.35$l17.2@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
>
> "Jim" <rteds83@biv.com> wrote in message
> news:FeaYc.12826$JG7.11810@hydra.nntpserver.com...
> > Get a dog. Inflicting your wants on your roommates isn't fair to them
or
> > any bird you might get.
> Please *don't* get a dog. You will end up with something which barks and
> howls it's unhappiness at best and destroys the house at worst. I get
enough
> calls from people wanting to get rid of lonely dogs which they got and
> assumed it would be fine to be left in solitary conefinement until they
came
> home. Get a couple of cats.
>
>
That's just asinine. You always seem to think that nobody is capable of
proper pet care, but you think that the 150 animals you have are living the
good life.
--
James
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| Rayzorzz |
Jim wrote:
>>>
>
> That's just asinine. You always seem to think that nobody is
> capable of proper pet care, but you think that the 150 animals you
> have are living the good life.
>
It's not personal, any post starting shall I or I have for sale will get
slammed here. The A-team dont take to newbies or people seeking help or
advice. Google and Vet are the most common answers to posts here.
Ray (B-team)
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| XXXXgizzieXXXX |
"Jim" <> wrote
"SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > My questions are:
> > - Will this bird be okay in the house alone for 9 hrs a day? I've
> > read to leave a radio or tv on for company... does this work?
> Yes, but generally a dog can handle being home alone all day much
better.
How do you figure? I'm not being a smart ass, I'm just
wondering how you formulated that opinion? I'm having trouble finding
a breeder who will sell me a Sheltie since it will be alone ten hours
a day, three days a week. The fact that I have raised six
well-adjusted puppies over the course of twenty+ years seems to not
matter to these breeders.
--
XXXXXXgizzieXXXXXX
(once again realizing why people go to pet shops)
**************************************************
******
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy
licking your face." Ben Williams
**************************************************
******
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| Jim |
"Rayzorzz" <r.sherlbrain@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:yZHYc.110$Ni3.65@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
> Jim wrote:
> >>>
> >
> > That's just asinine. You always seem to think that nobody is
> > capable of proper pet care, but you think that the 150 animals you
> > have are living the good life.
> >
> It's not personal, any post starting shall I or I have for sale will get
> slammed here. The A-team dont take to newbies or people seeking help or
> advice. Google and Vet are the most common answers to posts here.
> Ray (B-team)
>
You really are a dumb**** aren't you?
--
James
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| Rayzorzz |
Jim wrote:
> "Rayzorzz" <r.sherlbrain@virgin.net> wrote in message
> news:yZHYc.110$Ni3.65@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>> Jim wrote:
>>>>>
>>>
>>> That's just asinine. You always seem to think that nobody is
>>> capable of proper pet care, but you think that the 150 animals you
>>> have are living the good life.
>>>
>> It's not personal, any post starting shall I or I have for sale will
>> get slammed here. The A-team dont take to newbies or people seeking
>> help or advice. Google and Vet are the most common answers to posts
>> here.
>> Ray (B-team)
>>
>
> You really are a dumb**** aren't you Jim.
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| Jim |
Xref: 127.0.0.1 rec.pets.birds:207696
"XXXXgizzieXXXX" <xxgizziexx@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:V6LYc.260531$eM2.214319@attbi_s51...
>
> "Jim" <> wrote
>
> "SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > > My questions are:
> > > - Will this bird be okay in the house alone for 9 hrs a day? I've
> > > read to leave a radio or tv on for company... does this work?
>
>
> > Yes, but generally a dog can handle being home alone all day much
> better.
>
>
> How do you figure? I'm not being a smart ass, I'm just
> wondering how you formulated that opinion? I'm having trouble finding
> a breeder who will sell me a Sheltie since it will be alone ten hours
> a day, three days a week. The fact that I have raised six
> well-adjusted puppies over the course of twenty+ years seems to not
> matter to these breeders.
> --
Regarding your problem - Please note that I did say "generally" Then take
into consideration that your choice of dog is a herding dog. Dogs bred to
work are bit more energetic and are more easily bored (but, yes they can be
couch potatos too). That said, breeders of any type of animal can be overly
cautious when placing animals in new homes. Sometimes their concern turns
into an ego trip where nobody is good enough.
Regarding how I figure my statement "...generally a dog can handle being
home alone all day much better." - Dogs and birds have very different things
to think about when they're alone. Birds are prey animals and need to be on
the alert. Dogs are predators, and when you fill their belly in the morning
they don't really have to think about anything for a long time. These very
general statements are just a starting point in understanding my take on my
statement.
--
James
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| LadyTech |
"Jim" <jarts32@rosemite.com> wrote in message
news:ukMYc.33334$JG7.30247@hydra.nntpserver.com...
>
> "Rayzorzz" <r.sherlbrain@virgin.net> wrote in message
> news:yZHYc.110$Ni3.65@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
> > Jim wrote:
> > >>>
> > >
> > > That's just asinine. You always seem to think that nobody is
> > > capable of proper pet care, but you think that the 150 animals
you
> > > have are living the good life.
> > >
> > It's not personal, any post starting shall I or I have for sale
will get
> > slammed here. The A-team dont take to newbies or people seeking
help or
> > advice. Google and Vet are the most common answers to posts here.
> > Ray (B-team)
> >
>
> You really are a dumb**** aren't you?
>
>
You really are an idiot James..... doesn't it suck when you don't have
any friends?
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| Jim |
"LadyTech" <%nomailplease%@dot.com> wrote in message
news:10jcfnmb663kbf5@corp.supernews.com...
>
>>
>>
> You really are an idiot James..... doesn't it suck when you don't have
> any friends?
>
>
I wouldn't know. You seem to be speaking from experience.
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"Anonny Moose" <nospam@leavemealone.com> wrote in message
news:10iuiahd1549u1e@corp.supernews.com...
> "GOOD GOLLY MISS mOLLY" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in
message
> news:pdEXc.126$2p1.89@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
>
> > If you would like a bird, consider 2. If you would like a bird, do
several
> > weeks at least research into what bird keeping involves. Do the sun
conure
> a
> > favour and leave it be. It will only end up being rehomed again after
> being
> > miserable before this happens and before making you and your housemates
> > miserable. Do some reading before considering a bird.
>
> Miss Molly was right on every point. You're better off finding another
pet.
> It's difficult to imagine just how much time must be devoted to bird care
> until you've experienced it, so best to listen to the words of the wise.
> Karen
good luck to this particular bird. it might be 'bouncing'. :-/
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| LadyTech |
"Jim" <cammac@theone.com> wrote in message
news:3xOZc.101264$JG7.64010@hydra.nntpserver.com...
>
> "LadyTech" <%nomailplease%@dot.com> wrote in message
> news:10jcfnmb663kbf5@corp.supernews.com...
> >
> >>
> >>
> > You really are an idiot James..... doesn't it suck when you don't
have
> > any friends?
> >
> >
>
> I wouldn't know. You seem to be speaking from experience.
>
>
Whatever you say Jim.... Aren't you always right *rolls eyes* ?
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| Grainne Gillespie |
>Perhaps if youreally want a pet you need to be looking at >something less
>needful of company. A couple of pet rats. 2 to keep each other >company. Or
a
>couple of lovebirds, to keep each other company, a hamster, they >like to
>live alone and coudn't care less how long you work as long as >there is
food, water and a wheel to run in. A couple of budgies >perhaps?
How about a snake? Cornsnakes are easy to take care of and don't usually
exceed 5ft in lenght. They don't bark, chirp or scream, aren't messy
feeders, only poo once or twice a week and as adults will only require
feeding once a week. They're also a very docile breed of snake
And they're available in a variety of pretty colours.
And, btw, snakes are not slimy, they feel like smooth leather, albeit smooth
leather with muscles rippling as they glide through your hands. Their
flicking tongues are real cute too!
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| Grainne Gillespie |
>Can I suggested a lineolated parakeet?
>Whatever you decide, please search before, take your time, talk >to
breeders
>and keepers and take an adult desicion.
>
>If you want to know more about Linnies, let me know.
>
>--
>Paulo
Yes, yes, get a lineolated! They're gorgeous birds. They're also very
docile, our one wasn't tame, but because of the gentle nature of the breed
we could pick him up and hold him in our hands and he wouldn't bite, he'd
gently nibble, but that was all. Now, picking up an untame budgie, that's
another story!
When we opened our hands the linnie would fly straight back to his cage,
land in the doorway and then climb up to his perch. One day he misjudged the
distance and flew through the cage doorway and crashed on the bottom of the
cage, straight back up on his feet afterwards, wasn't hurt
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| Dave the Wave |
"SnoopyBeck" <rpurse512@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1352445c.0408261736.73a7cbb1@posting.google.com...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I need some advice (obviously).
>
> I am a recent college graduate. I have a steady job where I work 9
> hrs a day (except every other Friday I have off). I go out for a few
> hours maybe once or twice a week, to the gym a couple times, but other
> than that I am normally home. I have two roommates, and we have all
> been wanting a pet. We all want a dog, but I know that a dog would be
> miserable being home alone all day while we are all at work. One is
> allergic to a cat, but I still miss having pets. I had cats and dogs
> and small pets all my life until about 4 years ago, but have actually
> never had a bird. I worked at a pet store for 1.5 yrs a few years ago
> and worked with the birds a bit towards the end and was very tempted
> to get one, but did not have the money in school (and did not want the
> committment at the time). Here's the advice portion:
>
> I saw an ad in the paper today for a four year old Sun Conure for
> $250, and includes the cage. The ad says "friendly and bright [of
> course]," but I have not called for more details. I do not want to
> call unless I am ready to get it. The bird will be primarily mine. I
> will not rely on my roommates to care for it, so they are not much of
> a consideration...
>
> My questions are:
>
> - Will this bird be okay in the house alone for 9 hrs a day? I've
> read to leave a radio or tv on for company... does this work?
>
> - How noisy are they actually? I've read that they are VERY noisey,
> and some accounts of them really only being vocal when they are happy
> or excited.
>
> - How friendly are they to "guests?" If I have to go away for a week
> for work (might happen two or three times a year), will it be okay
> with a friend or roommate caring for it?
>
> - Also, how well do they travel (in a car in a "travel cage")? If I
> go the three hours to visit my parents and bring it, will it be okay
> with that?
>
> - And lastly, how long do they live? I've seen some sources that say
> 20-25 years, and others that say 50 years, and some that say "it will
> live as long as you do."
>
> These are my concerns. I know that so many people get parrots and are
> not prepared for the committment. If a sun conure will be happy with
> me, I would love to get it (because then I will know that it will be
> in a happy, healthy home and won't need to be given up several times
> in its life like so many parrots do). However, I do not want to get
> it if it is going to be depressed.
>
> Feel free to e-mail me at: rpurse512@yahoo.com
>
> Thanks everyone and sorry for writing so much!
>
> Becky
Get a canary or a pair of finches. For a hundred bucks you can get a nice
cage, rectangular, and leave a variety of music on for them. Some folks
hand-tame them, I don't personally. But they can be as much fun as the
bigger birds. My canary always greets me when I come home and often sings.
They don't play with toys like parrots, but the constant flying, constant
eating and, in the case of finches, the frequent chattering, is pleasant.
Where I live now, I can't realistically get a pair of society finches, but
my one canary is very nice.
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