|
|
Post by n3ophy7e on Jun 5, 2011 16:10:25 GMT 10
Hey everyone, I had a search of previous threads and couldn't find an answer to my query so I thought I'd start a new thread. My partner and I are planning to start a family within the next 18 months or so (yay!). We are coming to the realisation that we won't be able to have our 5.5 year old rainbow lorikeet in the house when we have a baby, for noise and hygiene reasons and also because he is very possessive of my boyfriend and can be quite aggressive towards me. I am very fearful that he would likely be this way towards a new baby as well. It breaks my heart to think that we will probably end up having to put Buzz outside in an aviary full-time, as he has never really been outside before. I've started putting his cage outside during the days on weekends when we're home, for a few hours at a time. He seems totally fine and talks to all the birds (we have a LOT of wild rainbow loris in our suburb, as well as many other species). But after a while I can tell that he's lonely and wants to come back inside the house. If we were to get him another bird as a friend, is it likely that he'll be more comfortable outside? If so, which species would be a good choice?? I'm thinking perhaps a scaly-breasted, or even just another rainbow? What happens if he really doesn't like the new bird? Should I return that bird and try again with a different one? Thank you in advance for any suggestions  |
|
|
|
Post by flossy on Jun 5, 2011 17:05:24 GMT 10
Firstly congrats on starting a family soon....awesome news and goodluck! Secondly, with the rainbows....they are pretty social birds...and my boy Percy just loves his friend Nelson....(now a Nelly...lol!) They play etc all day long and are just so funny to watch. Percy had another friend Jade - but she went to a new forever home...and he just wasn't the same bird....so along came Nelson....and thankfully he was back to his old self in no time... I would go with another rainbow....but of course, others might disagree....I fostered a musk lorrie with a normal lorrie too and they were very compatible and very protective of each other.......they had been together for a year or more before their owner couldn't cope with them anymore..  ...so I guess it's up to you. I love lorries and I would simply get him another rainbow as a friend....but that's me..... Goodluck and keep us posted.... Flossy  |
|
|
|
Post by n3ophy7e on Jun 5, 2011 17:41:47 GMT 10
Thank you very much flossy! That is very good info. I will definitely keep you posted |
|
|
|
Post by avinet on Jun 5, 2011 21:17:02 GMT 10
If you move your Rainbow out into an aviary then it is really essential for him to have a companion for company. And Rainbows are happiest with Rainbows. It is very rare for them not to accept another Rainbow - they are one of the most sociable of all parrots and it doesn't even matter about the sex especially - 2 males or 2 females will usually get along just fine.
cheers,
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by n3ophy7e on Jun 6, 2011 12:13:58 GMT 10
Excellent info, thanks Mike Oh and I wouldn't dream of putting him outside without a friend! It's upsetting me enough to even imagine putting him outside at all, let alone by himself  Thanks again |
|
|
|
Post by twr on Jun 6, 2011 16:48:34 GMT 10
I tried a different species friend for my lorikeet. It didn't work at all. I then adopted my son's lorikeet and it has worked out great.
Congratulations on the baby front. You wouldn't be the first to have a baby and a bird inside the house though, if you decide to try it.
|
|
gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
|
Post by gypsy on Jun 6, 2011 21:47:58 GMT 10
I had my teil in the house when I had my first baby. However a teils beak is by all accounts no where near as mean as a lorries! Bubby used to sit on my shoulder while I breastfeed, would climb down and 'investigate' during nappy changes/baths and was generally very interested in the 'little creature that made lots of noise' lol and not at all jealous!
People told me keep the 'dirty' bird away from the baby, but I knew she would be fine, so really you know your buzz, and if you feel he would not be accepting then its best to be safe. Perhaps you have room for a bigggg cage in the house?
I may be a bit odd, but all 4 of my kids have had pets around them since they were born (birds, cats, dogs) and I am pleased to say all 4 are VERY healthy!
|
|
|
|
Post by twr on Jun 6, 2011 23:44:31 GMT 10
I agree a lorikeet's beak is different, so it could be a while before you can have Buzz out of the cage while baby is in the same room, at the same time. Noise may be a factor too, but you will be surprised what babies learn to sleep through if they are accustomed to it.
Also, a clipped Buzz may work better too, so you have more control over where he is.
But like Gypsy says, you know Buzz best and make a judgement call on what is best. I agree with Mike though, that if you move Buzz to an aviary, he will need a lorikeet friend. The best thing I did for mine, was get him a same species friend.
|
|
|
|
Post by n3ophy7e on Jun 7, 2011 17:41:33 GMT 10
^^ Thank you (again!) twr I will discuss all of this with my partner and see what he thinks. I may be a bit odd, but all 4 of my kids have had pets around them since they were born (birds, cats, dogs) and I am pleased to say all 4 are VERY healthy! Well if you're odd, then I'm odd as well because I can not even imagine bringing up children without pets! I can't survive without at least 4 or 5 pets, so animals are never of shortage in this house haha. Oh and also, re: having "dirty" animals around kids.....isn't that what kids have immune systems for? |
|
...so I guess it's up to you.
