Since Electus parrots!

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ButtonquailGirl14

ButtonquailGirl14

Crossing the Road
Jul 13, 2017
7,175
15,371
967
Northport WA
Hello! I found a male and female pair of Si Electus chicks on my local Craigslist... After reading about them I am seriously considering them.. but I have never owned a parrot before.. do you think they would be good for me? Although I lack experience, I am an avid research-er, and care deeply for my pets.
 
Depends on what your household is like. Parrots need a lot of really specific care and live a HECK of a long time. They need a lot of space and attention. They need a good avian vet and a warm house. You'll have to have excellent biosecurity between your chickens and parrots as their parasites and diseases could spread but parrots don't have the immune system chickens have.

I would examine the following closely;

Is your household appropriate? Is it warm enough, do you have the space, other pets that could upset the parrots? Is everyone in your household ok with a parrot? Parrots can be loud - is that going to be a problem in your house?

Do you have the time for a parrot long term? Most parrots live at least twenty years, most longer. What will you do if you have to move? Or go to school in another state? Or have to find a new job? Can you devote time to the parrot? Even the stupidest parrot is more intelligent and needy than a dog. They need time and training and company. You are their everything for 20+ years.

Do you have the ability and discipline to keep the bird healthy? Parrots are sensitive and may need regular vet care. They can be sensitive to all sorts of things chickens take in stride and keeping chickens in tandem with parrots can be difficult. Can you keep your biosecurity much more strictly?

Do you have the financial ability to care for the parrots? Parrots are expensive, giving them a big safe cage is pricey. They waste a lot of food. Do you have money put aside for the birds in case of an emergency? Do you have money for vet appointments?

If you can examine those things objectively and decide that it's still a good idea, then sure. But only you know your situation and parrots are seriously challenging animals.
 
ChocolateMouse said:
Depends on what your household is like. Parrots need a lot of really specific care and live a HECK of a long time. They need a lot of space and attention. They need a good avian vet and a warm house. You'll have to have excellent biosecurity between your chickens and parrots as their parasites and diseases could spread but parrots don't have the immune system chickens have.

I would examine the following closely;

Is your household appropriate? Is it warm enough, do you have the space, other pets that could upset the parrots? Is everyone in your household ok with a parrot? Parrots can be loud - is that going to be a problem in your house?

Do you have the time for a parrot long term? Most parrots live at least twenty years, most longer. What will you do if you have to move? Or go to school in another state? Or have to find a new job? Can you devote time to the parrot? Even the stupidest parrot is more intelligent and needy than a dog. They need time and training and company. You are their everything for 20+ years.

Do you have the ability and discipline to keep the bird healthy? Parrots are sensitive and may need regular vet care. They can be sensitive to all sorts of things chickens take in stride and keeping chickens in tandem with parrots can be difficult. Can you keep your biosecurity much more strictly?

Do you have the financial ability to care for the parrots? Parrots are expensive, giving them a big safe cage is pricey. They waste a lot of food. Do you have money put aside for the birds in case of an emergency? Do you have money for vet appointments?

If you can examine those things objectively and decide that it's still a good idea, then sure. But only you know your situation and parrots are seriously challenging animals.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I am thinking that I should wait on the parrots till I get married..not that I know when that will be, but currently I don't have a steady income, and I am in 2 bands.. it may be best for the parrot to be in a home that I can totally control... But I want some someday!
 
ButtonquailGirl14 said:
Thanks! I am thinking that I should wait on the parrots till I get married..not that I know when that will be, but currently I don't have a steady income, and I am in 2 bands.. it may be best for the parrot to be in a home that I can totally control... But I want some someday!
Click to expand...

Yeah, it might be best to wait until you feel like you're a settled adult. That's why I don't have a parrot myself - they're too specialized. The dogs could bite it, I have chickens, other people in the house wouldn't like them, we keep our house cold, etc. Parrots are one of the most difficult pets you can own, almost more like children in some ways and far longer lived than most animals, so I've just never been in a position to fulfill those wants myself. Usually only rich people buy them.

I hope you get them some day! In the meantime you may want to look into an easier house-bird to own like finches, budgies, cockatiels or even a parrotlet if your heart is super set on a parrot but sooner than later (they're still high maintenance but being smaller it's much easier to keep a pair and give them a big stimulating cage environment).
 
ChocolateMouse said:
Yeah, it might be best to wait until you feel like you're a settled adult. That's why I don't have a parrot myself - they're too specialized. The dogs could bite it, I have chickens, other people in the house wouldn't like them, we keep our house cold, etc. Parrots are one of the most difficult pets you can own, almost more like children in some ways and far longer lived than most animals, so I've just never been in a position to fulfill those wants myself. Usually only rich people buy them.

I hope you get them some day! In the meantime you may want to look into an easier house-bird to own like finches, budgies, cockatiels or even a parrotlet if your heart is super set on a parrot but sooner than later (they're still high maintenance but being smaller it's much easier to keep a pair and give them a big stimulating cage environment).
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's what I was thinking.. I actually LOVE cockateils, so that could be a much better option!
 
ButtonquailGirl14 said:
Thanks! That's what I was thinking.. I actually LOVE cockateils, so that could be a much better option!
Click to expand...

Cockatiels are very nice, they are smaller so a big cage feels like more to them, they're a little less needy and they don't live nearly as long (about as long as most cats, so 10-20 years depending on a lot of factors). Still a big responsibility and need good bio security but a lot less delicate and needy.
 
ChocolateMouse said:
Cockatiels are very nice, they are smaller so a big cage feels like more to them, they're a little less needy and they don't live nearly as long (about as long as most cats, so 10-20 years depending on a lot of factors). Still a big responsibility and need good bio security but a lot less delicate and needy.
Click to expand...
that's what I here... My second cousin has one named Menchie, and I absolutely ADORE him!
 

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