Moral Dilemma... Advice?

[chickenzoo]

I feel you should talk to the owners. You are getting second hand advice from neighbors, neighbors who may not like the bird living next door. Many people let their birds out on their cages etc... although I do not agree and would rather have a cover to protect them. They should at least know what happened to their bird, not knowing can be heartbreaking. You can call the animal control and let them know your concerns about the animals possible treatment. I would also offer help to the owner about the birds placement if indeed that is what they are wanting.

 

[jettgirl24]

So I have an update on the little cockatoo. We had family obligations last night and had to leave the house. The bird's owners weren't home and it was getting dark so I went ahead and put the cockatoo in our laundry shed for the night since my birdcage is currently in storage. We don't have a whole lot of space right now so the shed was the best place for him since it's insulated, warm, and the only enclosed place that isn't carpeted. I went out this morning to check on him and despite every effort to be careful he shot out the door the second I opened it. He hung out on our roof for a bit but then he took off to hang out with the crows as he seems to do. I'm pretty bummed because I worry about him out there. I may still go talk to the owners and see if they really do want to find a new home for him. He's so adorable and cuddly, I'd love to take him if they do and I'm sure he'll be back as he's been coming over here for two weeks. Somehow I managed to talk my boyfriend into keeping him if the owners don't want him... He just made me promise that he gets to pick out the next two pets. He wants goats and a puppy which I would LOVE so I happily agreed

If the owners would like to keep him I might look into getting one anyway though. We're going to be moving to a much larger house soon with plenty of room for a cage and an outdoor aviary for warmer weather. This little guy definitely won me over with his adorable cuddling

 

[NYboy]

Why is it ok to freerange one bird (chicken) but not another (cockatoo)?

 

[WIChookchick]

Well IF you can catch him. Put him and Keep him INDOORS. Contact the local animal control, they have an obligation to pick up and house at large animals. Or the humane society.
Tell them if no one comes forward, you would like to adopt the animal. OR tell them you have caught an at large bird, that has been around the neighborhood for several days, and you
think the owner is around as you heard some one calling, but it could have been a dog or cat.
The other option is to tell them you have found an at large bird, and ask if you can "foster" it at your home. IT is true that cold, serious cold can kill a bird. You don't feel comfortable
taking into the cold.
We found and caught a mini mule or hinny mare, and were allowed to keep her at our property, the owner did come forward but lived in a residential neighborhood, and was trying to keep it
at their home, they of course were not allowed in where he lived, and we were allowed to keep her, for the cost of boarding her for the few weeks he tried to make up his mind...

Just a thought.
Carol

 

[elizabethbinary]

Quote:
Well, for one, if you're in America a chicken is a local species and a cockatoo is not - introduced species can breed in the wild and cause massive issues (read: cane toads and Australia).

Also hand tame parrots can fly... really really far. and then get confused because they want food but there's no bowls in the wild. Whereas chickens can scratch and do their business no matter where they are.. and they tend not to go far anyway because they can't fly nearly nearly nearly as well and they're just happy to nom worms.

Parrots and chickens are such vastly different birds.

Plus parrots are brighter and shinier and attract predators easier.

 

[jettgirl24]

Well it looks like he's back... We were finishing up opening presents and heard squawking outside. I opened the front door and there he was waiting to come inside, LOL. He's now taking a nap on top of the snake tank. Guess we'll be heading out to talk to the neighbors today after all

NYBoy: The problem in my eyes is not so much that he is allowed to fly free... You're right, that's sort of a double standard, especially since my chickens are out free ranging right now! What concerns me is that he's out in conditions that I know to be very dangerous to parrots. While most chickens are quite cold hardy, Cockatoos (and most other parrots) are not. From what I know they generally shouldn't be out in temperatures below about 50 degrees, especially for sustained periods of time. They also need to be kept dry and they need to have access to an area that is protected from drafts (much like chickens). I am particularly concerned about this little guy because they have let him out in downpours at least three times in the last two weeks and he was also out for at least part of a very severe wind storm.

 

[la dee da]

let us know how it goes!

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
Cockatoos are not livestock

 

[welsummerchicks]

Goffin Cockatoos come from Indonesia, it is very warm there. Seattle is not. Chickens originated in warm climates, but they have been bred to be hardy in cold climates for hundreds of generations. Goffin Cockatoos have not. Aside from that, some animals can gradually adapt to a different climate and some cannot.

 

[Rozzie]

I'd keep the bird & jettison the boyfriend if he didn't like the idea, or if he grumbled about it too much.

But, that's just me.