➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[CSAchook]

No ma'am. Dont do it. It is too hard to go lookit those Hundreds of critters who so obviously Need good homes without bringing them to your home and the prices are Unbelievable. Also theres the whole feeling babad for asking questions like a potential customer without buying anything. Jus wait until your ready and have a cage ready for when you get home. Bare cage lined with new paper towels. They usually have leopard geckos at ours for like 10$ so i am dead serious Dont even go. Jus wait. One day youll be able to get them and go then and do them the justice they deserve. Trust me. Ive spent hundreds of dollars on those things. The only other hobby i ever had that rivals the money i spend in poultry.

Very well said. Don't do it Kelsey. Just like you should not go grocery shopping hungry, you should not go to an expo if you have not done absolutely everything necessary to prepare for a new pet. There is just too much temptation and nothing good will come of it.

 

[ShrekDawg]

No ma'am. Dont do it. It is too hard to go lookit those Hundreds of critters who so obviously Need good homes without bringing them to your home and the prices are Unbelievable. Also theres the whole feeling babad for asking questions like a potential customer without buying anything. Jus wait until your ready and have a cage ready for when you get home. Bare cage lined with new paper towels. They usually have leopard geckos at ours for like 10$ so i am dead serious Dont even go. Jus wait. One day youll be able to get them and go then and do them the justice they deserve. Trust me. Ive spent hundreds of dollars on those things. The only other hobby i ever had that rivals the money i spend in poultry.

Very well said. Don't do it Kelsey. Just like you should not go grocery shopping hungry, you should not go to an expo if you have not done absolutely everything necessary to prepare for a new pet. There is just too much temptation and nothing good will come of it.

Thank you both!! This is really helpful and good advice and honestly probably the best strategy... but I figured I’d be able to resist temptation; I resist the feed store chicks constantly after all but I probably won’t actually be able to LOL

I also figured I could just buy a cage and supplies and stuff while there?? But maybe it needs to be set up and/or warmed up beforehand or something?

And I didn’t realize they were supposed to have a bare cage at first. Figured they could just go right into the habitat.

Clearly I still have a lot to learn lol

I think I will refrain and possibly try to wait until next year although I highly doubt I will be able to wait that long haha

But I definitely need to refrain because they’ll probably have a lot of cool colors and/or better temperaments and healthier than the pet store reptiles and probably cheaper too despite being better quality so I will probably be super super tempted and want to buy them all right then.

Maybe the October one would be better? That one might be even worse though cause it’s the largest one in the area but at least then I could maybe be prepared and buy the stuff beforehand haha

But I really should probably wait till the next spring expo but this is so difficult!!

My main thing and why I should probably listen to you guys and avoid the expo is that they seem super cheap/easy to set up and care for and everything so I like wanna run out and get one as opposed to a dog (which I also want) which I’m probably going to have to wait at least 6 months to a year for or possibly longer (want to be in a good place and have the money and time to train and care for one, etc., and also gotta find a breeder/litter I want a dog from/wanna be on the wait list for, etc.), so I guess getting into reptiles or even something like hermit crabs or quail, is just like faster/easier than waiting for a dog and I could also probably have like a million pet reptiles still for way less than the cost of caring for a dog.

So I guess that’s like part of why it’s so hard to resist haha

BUT.

I’m not only doing it because I can’t have a dog or because I want more pets NOW. That would just be stupid and irresponsible and unfair to the animal. I genuinely want reptiles eventually and I’ve been doing research on them so I really do want them and want to do it right.

But it’s hard because they’re so readily available and relatively cheap.

But they’re still an animal and a responsibility and a living being so I am going to try super hard to refrain from getting any now. I really do want to do it right.

But also for the record just in case it comes up, I haven’t just done like two seconds of research or only started researching a few days ago or anything, I researched some several years ago when I thought I wanted some then too. But then I thought it might be too much work but now, with even further research, I’m realizing it might not be that bad.

But I’m also going to wait because it could possibly be an impulse thing.

I don’t think it is. Like I genuinely want them. But I might acquire them sooner than I want. So I’m going to wait.

Cause for example, I really really wanted quail next, and now I seem to be focused solely on the reptile thing.

I realize and am fully aware that sometimes I get so caught up with an idea or plan or animal that I want that I just research a ton/plan/almost buy said animal. Happened with gerbils. I bought all the supplies. Twice. Then decided not to for now.

So I don’t want to make that same mistake with reptiles or anything.

I am going to wait until the impulse passes and see if I still want them in a week or a few weeks or next month or whatever. I am sure that I will. They are very cool animals. But by waiting I think it can help me do it more responsibly.

And besides, this way I can possibly focus on quail first since I really do want them.

And also it gives me time to do stuff around here first, find a job first, etc.

 

[Kiki]

No new animals of any kind until you have a job.


Not even a new Betta fish.

 

[mixedUPturk]

Thank you both!! This is really helpful and good advice and honestly probably the best strategy... but I figured I’d be able to resist temptation; I resist the feed store chicks constantly after all but I probably won’t actually be able to LOL

I also figured I could just buy a cage and supplies and stuff while there?? But maybe it needs to be set up and/or warmed up beforehand or something?

And I didn’t realize they were supposed to have a bare cage at first. Figured they could just go right into the habitat.

Clearly I still have a lot to learn lol

I think I will refrain and possibly try to wait until next year although I highly doubt I will be able to wait that long haha

But I definitely need to refrain because they’ll probably have a lot of cool colors and/or better temperaments and healthier than the pet store reptiles and probably cheaper too despite being better quality so I will probably be super super tempted and want to buy them all right then.

Maybe the October one would be better? That one might be even worse though cause it’s the largest one in the area but at least then I could maybe be prepared and buy the stuff beforehand haha

But I really should probably wait till the next spring expo but this is so difficult!!

My main thing and why I should probably listen to you guys and avoid the expo is that they seem super cheap/easy to set up and care for and everything so I like wanna run out and get one as opposed to a dog (which I also want) which I’m probably going to have to wait at least 6 months to a year for or possibly longer (want to be in a good place and have the money and time to train and care for one, etc., and also gotta find a breeder/litter I want a dog from/wanna be on the wait list for, etc.), so I guess getting into reptiles or even something like hermit crabs or quail, is just like faster/easier than waiting for a dog and I could also probably have like a million pet reptiles still for way less than the cost of caring for a dog.

So I guess that’s like part of why it’s so hard to resist haha

BUT.

I’m not only doing it because I can’t have a dog or because I want more pets NOW. That would just be stupid and irresponsible and unfair to the animal. I genuinely want reptiles eventually and I’ve been doing research on them so I really do want them and want to do it right.

But it’s hard because they’re so readily available and relatively cheap.

But they’re still an animal and a responsibility and a living being so I am going to try super hard to refrain from getting any now. I really do want to do it right.

But also for the record just in case it comes up, I haven’t just done like two seconds of research or only started researching a few days ago or anything, I researched some several years ago when I thought I wanted some then too. But then I thought it might be too much work but now, with even further research, I’m realizing it might not be that bad.

But I’m also going to wait because it could possibly be an impulse thing.

I don’t think it is. Like I genuinely want them. But I might acquire them sooner than I want. So I’m going to wait.

Cause for example, I really really wanted quail next, and now I seem to be focused solely on the reptile thing.

I realize and am fully aware that sometimes I get so caught up with an idea or plan or animal that I want that I just research a ton/plan/almost but said animal. Happened with gerbils. I bought all the supplies. Twice. Then decided not to for now.

So I don’t want to make that same mistake with reptiles or anything.

I am going to wait until the impulse passes and see if I still want them in a week or a few weeks or next month or whatever. I am sure that I will. They are very cool animals. But by waiting I think it can help me do it more responsibly.

And besides, this way I can possibly focus on quail first since I really do want them.

And also it gives me time to do stuff around here first, find a job first, etc.

better temperaments and healthier than the pet store reptiles

No ma'am. There will be some who are very good keepers, but the half of them will be in bad shape and they need a quarentien period just like birds. They often have mites as it is so hard to keep mites Out of a large collection thats why i always bring them home to a bare cage.

Also cheap and easy does Not mean disposable and if your not ready and then bring home something that needs Help then you will be in no position to help it.

Im telling you girl dont do it.

When your ready i will be absolutely beside myself to help you do every little thing correctly but not until then. Im a tad out of touch but with the others here and the internet if you wait we will help you do Everything correctly.

 

[debid]

No ma'am. Dont do it. It is too hard to go lookit those Hundreds of critters who so obviously Need good homes without bringing them to your home and the prices are Unbelievable. Also theres the whole feeling babad for asking questions like a potential customer without buying anything. Jus wait until your ready and have a cage ready for when you get home. Bare cage lined with new paper towels. They usually have leopard geckos at ours for like 10$ so i am dead serious Dont even go. Jus wait. One day youll be able to get them and go then and do them the justice they deserve. Trust me. Ive spent hundreds of dollars on those things. The only other hobby i ever had that rivals the money i spend in poultry.

I agree!

I know someone who went to an exotic pets expo and left with much more than pictures. The 13YO daughter fell in love with sugar gliders. I mean, they're adorable, who wouldn't?! But to get something like that when you have done zero research and preparation seems completely irresponsible to me.

BTW, these aren't normally irresponsible people. It was SO out of character that I'm telling you, it's like you are hypnotized by the expo environment. EVERYONE there has something super cool and you want something too...

 

[sdm111]

No new animals of any kind until you have a job.


Not even a new Betta fish.

its quite apparent shes dead set against getting a job. There's no point in wasting your time or energy

 

[CSAchook]

Kelsey, I know you have been doing your research. And I know you take the responsibilities of pet ownership very seriously and will take good care of any animal in your care

And I do think an expo sounds really fun! I would love to go to one someday. BUT before you go

1) Decide exactly what type of animal you want and stick to that decision. They all have different care and housing requirements so it will not do to go changing your mind if you see something really cool. So know what you are looking for in advance! That will make it easier to resist the temptation of the novel attraction. Also, care requirements change with age so be familiar with what you will need if you get a baby versus an adult.

2) Have a tank already set up. Even just a minimal setup (Turk had a great suggestion) with other items on hand that can go in later. Getting a proper range of temperatures can be more challenging than you might think. It isn't like with chicks in my experience. You will need to buy an infrared temp gun for checking surface temps all throughout you enclosure. It might take awhile to get the temps dialed in and it is much better to figure that all out before the animal goes in.


And I understand where you are coming from. Odd as it may sound, one of the reasons we bought Tad was because DH and I really desperately missed having a dog. The sweet old gal we had for the first 8 years of our marriage passed last Christmas. I adore dogs and Sweets was amazing. But with our crazy schedule we knew it would not be right to get a new dog right now. DH has always loved reptiles and that led us to getting Tad

However, we also made the classic mistake of buying before we had everything properly set-up. We were lucky in that nothing bad happened as a result of that decision. But I promised myself I will never take that risk again.

So please learn from the mistakes of others and wait to go to an expo!!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

No new animals of any kind until you have a job.


Not even a new Betta fish.

That’s so far away though.

But you’re right. That’s probably a much better idea and more responsible haha

Actually, even my parents have been saying that for a looooooongggggg time. My mom’s always like “I told you, you can get any animal you want once you get a job” and I’m kinda like but I want it now/have the money (I have a lot in the bank)/why can’t I get it if I pay for it entirely myself (which I can right now), etc. and she’s never really been super against that, I probably could do it, but I guess it makes more sense to have even more money coming in.

better temperaments and healthier than the pet store reptiles

No ma'am. There will be some who are very good keepers, but the half of them will be in bad shape and they need a quarentien period just like birds. They often have mites as it is so hard to keep mites Out of a large collection thats why i always bring them home to a bare cage.

Also cheap and easy does Not mean disposable and if your not ready and then bring home something that needs Help then you will be in no position to help it.

Im telling you girl dont do it.

When your ready i will be absolutely beside myself to help you do every little thing correctly but not until then. Im a tad out of touch but with the others here and the internet if you wait we will help you do Everything correctly.

Thank you. That makes sense. I didn’t realize there were so many bad keepers.

Is the mites thing treatable?

Oh and also I totally get what you are saying but I would never ever in a million years get rid of an animal or dispose of it or anything like that so once I acquire an animal, it would have a home here for life. Even if it was more than I bargained for/anticipated.So no need to worry about that.

But that said I do think I will avoid them for now and try to forget I ever even read about them haha

And thank you very much. That is very nice and I really appreciate that. I would love that if/when I ever get one.

But I don’t think it’s going to be a good time anytime soon.

Also, idk why I’m so obsessed with getting new animals. It’s like I nix one idea and jump straight back to another one. I keep like jumping between a few ideas haha

I want a dog, quail, a reptile (or a few), etc.

For a while I also wanted goats and/or sheep, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, or parakeets or cockatiels, horses, another cat, etc. but goats, sheep, and horses are wayyy too much start up cost and expensive to care for, caged birds are so messy and loud and an outdoor aviary like I wanna do is a lot of start up too, and gerbils I’ve heard are extremely dusty which I think would trigger allergies, and similar for guinea pigs, I think the hay would, rats my family HATES and would never sleep, and cats, well, I HATE changing the litter box as is and I don’t know how Luna would do with another cat so that’s out.

So all those are out for now.

Eventually I will get them all.

But for now my main three are dog, quail, and reptiles.

Which I think are all good goals.

But my problem is I keep bouncing back and forth between the three or even sometimes between the supposedly nixed ones haha

Well, actually, I guess it’s not really bouncing back and forth, the dog and quail have been consistent goals for a while, and I’m still working towards both but still.

It’s hard to explain but I guess my point is I don’t really care about the order and seem to just want to go for whichever one I can get first which is ridiculous.

 

[ShrekDawg]

its quite apparent shes dead set against getting a job. There's no point in wasting your time or energy

Uhhh no I’m not??? That’s 110% happening??

I realize I haven’t applied yet/have been saying I’m going to forever but I really do want one.

Believe me, I have absolutely zero desire to stay here any longer than I have to. And the only way to get out is to get a job. I know that.

So I am doing it.

And I’ve already been saving every single thing I earn too in the meantime.

But I also have way too much to do before the wedding to worry about it. I’m applying right after. In the meantime, I have been working on stuff around here. And yes I really have been. I talk about the pet stuff and all that shit but I’ve been working at the same time.

But I also need to make a resume first. I can’t just apply with no resume. They’ll laugh and move on.

 

[Tesumph]

Do you know any reputable reptile vets?
Do you know what MBD is? How about impaction? Adenovirus? Reovirus? Ranavirus?
What will you do if the sickly reptile you brought home refuses to eat for weeks or months? Do you have the money to drop on emergency vet bills, or would you let it die and “try again next time?”
(this is rhetorical, FYI)

Reptiles maintenance is low, but they are not easy and not cheap.

Get a job first. Seriously.
Think about what you really want in the meantime, and then spend your first paycheck on a new pet.

Don’t make me regret talking about reptiles and fuzzies with you!