lordlucan

Guys n girls

Any advice, we are considering buying a 5yr old African Grey, hand tame and talking. Only being sold as a family member has developed an allergy. Any downsides buying a 2nd hand bird, I am lead to believe they can develop a close bond to the owner.
Having a bird with the intelligence of a five yr old will be interesting ! We have plenty of space etc, the parrot comes with its own open top cage.

Thanks in advance
J

+Doc+

My parents have a bird, not to some people taste but the only downfalls I can see are:
**** - they need to be trained where to go
Feathers / Flek - gets everywhere and people can be allergic
Boredom - if your not at home the bird can get bored and pull its feathers out etc
and finally the old chestnut wether it is moral to keep a wild bird indoors :/
O and live live for years lol so make sure you can pass it down to someone
Doc

OllyK

Sure it's not a Norwegiean Blue?? Make sure it's not "Just sleeping"

Having a second hand animal with any kind of intellect will have issues. But people are very sucessful with dogs and cats so I don't see why a bird should be different. At the end of the day you are its food source, it's cage cleaner etc.

You may have to be prepared to spend a lot of time with it for the first week or two to build the bond up with it. If you are already known to it this should help.

lordlucan

Thanks chaps.

Not wild at all, cage bred !

J

Geddon

I grew up with 2 african greys which came from Africa through the proper channels when you could. Great birds
Can be entirely noisy in the morning if you're trying to sleep
I don't think they get attached to their owners. I think they are more like cats than dogs.
They are v intelligent also. There was one in the news recently with a 900 word vocabulary iirc.
One of the best pets imo. Just make sure you keep them warm enough. I think our second one died of pneumonia
I'm sure you'll be really happy with him/her.

TopBanana

Why on earth would you want to keep a bird in a cage? Get a dog instead.

adpd

It is apparently quite good fun... just ask Hugh Hefner!

lordlucan

Thanks Geddon

Jlanng - would love a dog, as we both work it would be unfair on the dog, only out 8am - 4pm but a parrot with plenty of toys will amuse itself. Doesnt help I want a big dog !

J.

Spoon

And keeping a dog in a cage would be better would it?

OllyK

lordlucan - depends on the dog. We got a puppy about 10 months ago. I was working from home quite a lot at the time but then was made redundant. The dog is on his own from 7.30am to 6.00 pm most week days. He is a Rough Collie and rather than being destructive (other than some minor puppy stuff which is to be expected) he plays with his toys during the day. He is extremly affectionate but doesn't suffer from separation anxiety. Always get a big welcome home and lots of fuss. Rough Collies tend to have a reputation for being stand offish with strangers, but he just loves everybody, such a softie. I know some people would say it isn't fair to leave a dog that long, and we would prefer not to, but circumstances left us little choice. We make up for it in the evenings though and he gets a walk in the morning before we go.

OllyK

Actually crating dogs (for short periods) is actually quite common practice! lol

lordlucan

Olly - beautiful dog.....

To many minus points for us like no garden ! One day I will have the Doberman I have always wanted.

Thanks
J

Ian_S

hmm im not really an expert, but my sister had one when she lived at home and my girlfriends dad has one now, and both were REALLY fussy over who they would be friendly to, my sisters one only really liked her and went for anyone else.

Markus

Jase, no advice I'm afriad, just pmsl at the "thinking of buying a second hand bird" comment. Sorry, it's the snow, it's making me silly

So, itellegence of a five year old, that means it'll be as smart as me, ooh, you're in for problems there lol

Have fun if you do get the birdy.

OllyK

lordlucan - cheers m8, yeah he is a good looking pup, absolute nutter still though. At least we do have a good sized garden, mind U he comes in covered in muck from rooting about.

yoza

Ive currently got a second hand bird, Im quite happy with it, but I cant help thinking about her ex boyfriend ******* her.

If I was you, Id get a brand new one.

I had a brand new one once, but she binned me off...

RichWalk

Yoza, beat me too it you swine..... u forgot the bit about about 2nd hand ones not being as tight though!!

OllyK

If the front door is falling off its hinges then try the back for a while

RichWalk

Oh Matron.......!!!!!

lordlucan

Muppets !!!!

LOL

J.