Should I get birds? What kind?
My husband and I are considering getting pet birds. We're not sure yet. We don't know much about them at all, and we were hoping somebody could inform us.
We would like two or more sweet, pretty birds who sing. Maybe canaries? Finches?
We'd like birds who are fairly independent (ie as independent as a cat, not needy like a dog!). We have 2 cats and 2 dogs, so we don't really have the time to dedicate hours daily to socializing with the birds.
Don't worry - we could place the cage well out of the reach of cats.
So here are my questions:
- Do birds usually require a lot of veterinary care?
- Are they extremely sensitive to drafts? Our house is warm, but it does have some drafts.
- Exactly how sensitive to aromas are they? I've heard they're very sensitive. Does that mean they will get sick when my daughter comes downstairs wearing loads of Bath & Body Works perfume? What about burning lavender, etc.
- How long can birds be left alone? If we were to go on vacation would we have to get a bird sitter, or could somebody come and take care of them every other day or so?
I was considering hanging a large cage in front of the windows where we have our outdoor bird feederse.
Do you have any suggestions? What kind of bird would be good?
Re: Should I get birds? What kind?
Some answers to your questions.............
My husband and I are considering getting pet birds. We're not sure yet. We don't know much about them at all, and we were hoping somebody could inform us.
We would like two or more sweet, pretty birds who sing. Maybe canaries? Finches?
We'd like birds who are fairly independent (ie as independent as a cat, not needy like a dog!). We have 2 cats and 2 dogs, so we don't really have the time to dedicate hours daily to socializing with the birds.
If you want birds that are independent and don't require human interaction, I guess finches or canaries would be a good choice. Parrots.........any kind, whether they are as small as parakeets or parrotlets, or big as macaws or cockatoos WILL need human interaction, or they won't be happy pets. Parrots are very much like dogs in so many ways. They're intelligent, playful, excellent at learning tricks, love humans, and want to be around humans and out of their cage much of the day. Although a parrot would probably bring more enjoyment to your household than a canary or finch........birds that like to be left alone mostly, if you don't have the time to spend/interact with them, I wouldn't recommend getting a parrot.
Don't worry - we could place the cage well out of the reach of cats.
So here are my questions:
- Do birds usually require a lot of veterinary care?
Depends on the bird, really. You can easily go several years without a vet visit, though they do recommend yearly check ups. If a bird is sick though, its important, as with any pet, to get them to the vet right away.........however, birds normally aren't pets that will need to go to the vet all the time.
- Are they extremely sensitive to drafts? Our house is warm, but it does have some drafts.
You'll need to keep your birds away from drafts. I'm sure your house has draft-free areas. :p
- Exactly how sensitive to aromas are they? I've heard they're very sensitive. Does that mean they will get sick when my daughter comes downstairs wearing loads of Bath & Body Works perfume? What about burning lavender, etc.
Birds have sensitive respiratory systems..........much more sensitive than us, so things such as perfumes, chemicals, etc. that may not cause us harm, *can* be harmful to a bird. Its not like we don't use perfumes in the house. My brother often uses colon when he goes out, but *never* around the birds. Non-stick/teflon coated pans,etc. release a chemical called polytetrafluoroethelyne (PTFE) when heated to over 500 degrees. (they say it can be bad at even lower temperatures) This chemical is odorless, but can kill a bird in a matter of minutes. Its something all bird owners should be very careful about. Non-stick cookware should *NEVER* be used in the oven around birds.........because ovens heat to high temperatures. On the stove-top, the temperature is much less, so if you can get your birds as far from the kitchen as possible, it *might* be ok to use. Again, this depends on how big your house is. We do use non-stick pans......on the stovetop only, not in the oven.......but we have a double-story house and birdies go upstairs, locked in my room when we use them. Scented candles etc. are also a no no. Also, never self clean an oven around birds. If you must use the self cleaning feature on an oven, the birds should be taken as far from the kitchen as possible, to a room with the door closed and windows open.
- How long can birds be left alone? If we were to go on vacation would we have to get a bird sitter, or could somebody come and take care of them every other day or so?
We occasionally go for short weekend trips (go Saturday and come back Sunday) and leave the birds alone during that time. Its only one night........and that's the longest we've left them alone. If you give them enough food and water, they should be ok for up to 2 days alone, however, we never leave them alone for more than 1 night because they are parrots and need attention. They get very sad and upset without us. It might be a little different with finches or canaries.
When we go on long trips, we usually leave them with our friends (at their house). We could leave them home and have our friends come everyday to feed/play with them, but they need attention and we feel they'll get upset alone for that long, so we leave them at the house of our friends.
I was considering hanging a large cage in front of the windows where we have our outdoor bird feederse.
Do you have any suggestions? What kind of bird would be good?
I'm sure they would enjoy that! Remember, if you get any sort of parrot, they NEED their out-of-the-cage-time EVERY day, for long periods of time. My birds are out pretty much 99% of the time, and they do need to be out for exercise/human interaction. If you cannot do this, a finch/canary would be the best. I would advise against getting less than 2, because these birds are no where near as friendly or intelligent as parrots and need to have a companion of their own species. I hope this helps!
One more suggestions. Next time you go to Petco/Petsmart, be sure to get the magazine *Birds USA*, or Bird Talk........which is pretty much the same thing, except Birds USA is annual and Bird Talk monthly. They have great information/advice on bird choices as well as bird care. Good luck!
Re: Should I get birds? What kind?
Quote:
Originally posted by stacwase So here are my questions:
- Do birds usually require a lot of veterinary care?
- Are they extremely sensitive to drafts? Our house is warm, but it does have some drafts.
- Exactly how sensitive to aromas are they? I've heard they're very sensitive. Does that mean they will get sick when my daughter comes downstairs wearing loads of Bath & Body Works perfume? What about burning lavender, etc.
- How long can birds be left alone? If we were to go on vacation would we have to get a bird sitter, or could somebody come and take care of them every other day or so?[/B]
No, they usually don't have to go to the vet much.
Depends on the species. Canaries are more sensitive to drafts than other small birds. A normal room, away from windows, is fine for most birds.
They are fairly sensitive. I wouldn't burn a scented candle or insense or clean with bleach right by their cage, that's for sure. However, some people become more than a little paranoid and manic about ANY scented things ANY where in their house. This is overkill, IMO. I burn candles, cook with teflon, etc., and I have ten birds. I just don't do these things in the same room the birds are in. I've never had a problem.
You can easily leave enough food out for them for several days. The problem is water. Birds tend to get food and feces in their water, as well as taking a bath in it and splashing it all out of the dish. If you can get a large, partially covered dish, and place it away from the food, they might be ok for several days. Be sure you test this before you actually leave them. My birds drink out of gerbil water bottles, MUCH better than open dishes.
Finches are nice little birds. They make nice noises, no shrieking and screaming. They are inexpensive, hardy and cute. They don't need human interaction, but they MUST be kept at least in a pair, they can't live alone. They mate for life and are very devoted. And, if you give them a nest box or any possible way to make a make-shift nest, they WILL lay eggs and attempt to hatch them. ALL the time. I just make sure my finches can't make a nest out of anything, and they will stop laying.
There are zebra finches, which come in several color varities. There are also society finches, which live very well with zebras. There are other types of finches for sale, but they are more expensive and harder to keep. Zebras and socities are best for beginnners.
