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Post by lolwutburds on Aug 2, 2011 20:09:11 GMT 10
It seems to me that many people buy a baby bird then the moment it begins to do something bird-like (like bite, be hormonal or aggressive, squawk etc) they rehome it.
I know the key is to have people research before they buy the animal but with pet stores selling fluffy bundles of awesome to anyone with the cash, it's too easy to buy on impulse and not know what you're getting.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject, a way to help change perception that these are disposable animals?
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Post by avinet on Aug 2, 2011 21:12:02 GMT 10
Speaking from experience, having sold many thousands of birds in our shop over 20 years, it is only a small proportion of owners that end up wanting to re-home for other than an unforeseen change in circumstances - having to move, illness in the family etc. Birds can be very successful in quickly becoming part of the family as everyone here knows, and my experience was that when problems did develop, the owners were more than happy to get advice on how to overcome these problems and continue to enjoy owning the bird. The single most common reason why a bird was given up was when it was bought for the children, usually a budgie or cockatiel, and the children had lost interest - the usual 7-day wonder that children get. In many cases it didn't matter as the parents had gotten too attached to the bird to think of selling it, but sometimes the bird would be returned to us to find a new home. The good news is that 99% of birds have absolutely no problem with moving on, and adapt to a new home and environment without a problem. Typical of this is Cindy, a cockatiel a few years old who we were given by a friend of a friend who had to move and couldn't find rental accommodation that would allow a bird (we turned down the dog!). She settled in with us quite happily and after about 8 weeks when we had got her eating pellets we in turn passed he on to a friend who wanted a second bird for company for her own tiel. Again Cindy has made the transition without a hiccup, and is very happy in her third home in 2 months - possibly in part because she gets lots more head scratches in a two bird house than in a 25 bird house  +. Even a 32 year old Cockatoo, Cookie, that was given to us because the owner had to move to a retirement home had no problems at all, as long as she got her daily cuddle. Again we found her a good home where she got lots of attention and which was luckily quite close to the retirement home so when she had settled down in the new home after a few weeks the original owner could go and visit. his old mate. Cookie is glad to see her old owner but is happily settled in her new home. Win Win for everyone  cheers, Mike |
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Post by lolwutburds on Aug 3, 2011 0:48:20 GMT 10
That's completely different to my experience, Mike. I'm glad you've only had good experiences though!! Maybe tell me your secret?
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Post by Robyn on Aug 3, 2011 8:12:27 GMT 10
IMO people that purchase birds whether it's from a Petshop or Breeder should take responsibility for their own actions. That goes for any pet. There is no excuse for impulse buying, we all have a conscience & should think before we buy anything.
Lets not forget a baby bird is all cute & cuddly....BUT....they mature & a lot of buyers just don't get that. They liken a bird to a dog or cat. How many times have i heard i though my bird would be just like a cat & sit with me while i watch TV. Right.
Buyer's themselves have a lot to answer for the demise of their birds & what happens to them.
They need to be educated on Parrot behavior & learn why parrots do what they do.
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Post by twr on Aug 3, 2011 11:48:46 GMT 10
That's completely different to my experience, Mike. I'm glad you've only had good experiences though!! Maybe tell me your secret? my guess is that Mike and his staff took the time to talk to customers about the reality of bird ownership and give care instructions and offered advice when problems arose. I agree with Robyn though, that most of the blame for unsuccessful bird ownership should rest squarely on the buyer, although I do think that the seller should do what they can, eg ask about prior bird experience and educate potential buyers about the realities, but they can only do so much. |
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Post by Robyn on Aug 3, 2011 14:23:41 GMT 10
Robyn, trust me i try my hardest to educate new owners. Some don't listen for some reason they think they know it all. You just have to read through some threads on various forums & you'll see how much carers know about their birds by the dumb questions they ask. Some of us go into bird keeping armed with as much info as we can find but some go in completely blind.
There are heaps of shops like Mike's out there doing good for the parrot world just like there are heaps of breeders that have the birds interest at heart but also there are the one that have to make a buck & really don't care. It's the same as the so called breeder selling chicks from the nest to inexperienced rearers. I know this because i am usually contacted to get some new owner's bird out of trouble. Sometimes it breaks my heart sometimes i get very angry.
The other day someone wanted to buy a male eclectus, they spent like 2 hours here & neither of my 2 males warmed to them, I have no idea why because they were lovely people. I did see that they were very uneasy with the boys & kept commenting on their large beaks. I just felt that they were not suitable carers for an eclectus, so i told them i didn't feel comfortable selling them 1 of the birds. They went home & talked about it & decided on another bird. You don't mind dealing with people that take everything you tell them into consideration before deciding.
Wouldn't it be nice to get rid of the bad petshops, get rid of the bad back yard breeders & then try & educate the rest.
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Post by twr on Aug 4, 2011 0:34:19 GMT 10
That's good they listened to you. You are right that there is just no telling some people.
I am guilty of not researching enough prior to getting my first parrot but I did know that once I brought him into my home that for better or for worse, it was forever. The worst thing was that I made some mistakes and missed some cues, both of which probably contributed to Butch's hormonal plucking becoming habitual, but it will never lead to his rehoming.
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ElyseB
Addicted Member
Posts: 126
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Post by ElyseB on Aug 4, 2011 16:33:36 GMT 10
Sometimes I will admit, I find my birds changelling, and do not understand, I sometimes say they are going to go on vaction to my friends house, but at the end of the day once I always get over it, And will always love them and keep them. They are my special ones.
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