Our daughter playing with a baby scarlet chested parakeet (splendid). Always closely supervised.
© COPYRIGHT 2016 Eddie’s Aviary

Thinking about Adding a Feathered Friend to your Household?

Things to consider first:

• Are you home all day most days? If not, but still feel convinced you can make up for lost time when you get home, consider getting a same sex “buddy” and incorporate frequent toy changes and foraging activities to keep your bird happy while you are away. It is not fair to keep a single bird languishing alone when his “flock” mates are at work or school. Be realistic in your assessment of your lifestyle, and plan for the future. Small birds usually live 10+ years, plan for them to remain an integral part of your life, long term.

• Realistically look at your finances. High quality housing and lighting, frequent toy        changes, high quality foods and the necessity to have a cushy slush fund (avian      vets are expensive!) for veterinarian expenses is paramount. If you aren’t in the        position to do it properly now, don’t despair. You will feel much better about your        acquisition in the future when you are more able.

•  How do you feel about cleaning? Birds are messy. The cage needs to be placed        somewhere where the family spends the most time. Birds create dust from their         feathers, seed hulls fly everywhere and they toss veggies and fruits against walls. I   find cleaning mentally therapeutic. Evaluate your own feelings about messes. Does   vacuuming an area daily sound like something you are happy to do after the initial     newness wears off? We have a take back policy with every adoption, but obviously   want to place birds where it appears to be a perfect fit. We understand lives               change, and are here to help if you can’t keep your bird, but encourage making life     decisions with the birds in mind.

•  Who else (humans and/or animals) live in your household? If you share your home     with predators like dogs and cats, adding a prey animal can cause problems. It can   sometimes be done safely as well. Message me for details. Small children can           enjoy birds very much, but need constant supervision. Be realistic in the                     assessment of  your child’s personality. If the bird is to be a gift for a child, are you     prepared to care and enjoy it if your little one tires of it?

• Birds are a very special pet and can bring immense joy to the household. It is very    important to choose a species with the natural temperament to fit your desires and    lifestyle. I am happy to help guide you to the right species, even if it isn’t one I raise.

Once you have selected a species that you think will be a good fit, do as much research as you can. I am always available for help, never hesitate to contact me.

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