How old is too old when buying a CAG

[GorgeouslyJealous]

About how old should they be when you buy them and what are good signs of health?

[The Outlaw]

No bird is ever too old. Ideally, newly weaned and handfed baby birds are probably what most folks actually prefer because they haven't learned to be nasty or naughty. Birds have very long memories and it they've been neglected or abused (God forbid) then those issues often have to be dealt with by the new owners. Baby birds are "innocent" and have no reason to fear anyone. However, they have to be lovingly handled and gently coaxed to learn the proper behaviours that we all want our pssitizens to have.

Frankly, I like birds to come here around one year old. They are pretty much grown up to their full size, perching well, fully weaned and very curious about their surroundings. However, I've taken in a 20 year old amazon who is just plain wonderful. Birds are the ONLY pets that can TELL you how they've been treated. If your bird screams obscentities, belittles itself or seems frightened, its because it has learned to do so from the monster that owned it last.

THE OUTLAW

[SavvyMoon]

Originally Posted by GorgeouslyJealous

About how old should they be when you buy them and what are good signs of health?

I very recently adopted a TAG who will turn 13 yrs old in January. :)

I've bragged about Timi a few times on this board already, so
I won't get carried away here... but she's a Sweetheart!!

<------ There she is in my Avatar

[nursenurse44]

i agree a bird is never too old to adopt or buy . It is rather a personnal preferences. I always buy weaned baby birds because like one posted they have not had a chance to learn bad habbits.
as far as the age weaned that depends on the bird. my jojo was stuburn and gave breeder hard time weaning and i did not get him till he was about 7 or 8 months old

[prism_wolf]

I have taken in two older birds here. A 10 yr old YC macaw and most recently a 30+ yr. old CAG. They settled into the goings on very well with very little to-do. They, of course, came with baggage, but they also came with some very wonderful qualities already given them. If I was to purchase one, I would preferably start with a very young bird. I would never tell Caroline that though...she is my baby doll... :icon_mrgr .

[dgale]

About 6 months ago I purchased a (breeder) pr of grey. They are probably over 10 years old, but who can tell when they are not banded. The male has about 500 phrase vocab. The female is pretty much afraid of everything. I have not handled either of them, but the male takes food from my hand and lets me scratch his neck. I really think he would step up if given the chance. The female has flown out a few time when I was giving them new toys, but after a few minutes if I move away from her cage she flies back in. They are a great joy in my life. I wake up to 3 person conversations that make me start my day laughing out loud. They could be 50 and it wouldn't matter to me.