Should children own birds?

[Freedomoflight]

So, I was reading a book, on parrot behavior, and this book stated that children, teenagers, young adults, and newlyweds should not own birds. What do you think? I think "young adults" should have the chance to own birds... if and only if, they are responsible, and if their parents make sure the birds are getting the proper care, etc. If "young adults" are not exposed to birds, then where is the future of aviculture going? We need a new generation to keep aviculture alive...
Ok- so now for your two cents on this one!

[Vikingchamp]

Well I am 15 and have 2 birds. At first my mom was a little skeptical, but after bringing these beautiful creatures into our home she loved the idea. I am at school alot of the time and/or football or swim practice, but I find plenty of time to take care and bond with my birds. I have a Panama Amazon and a cockatiel and love them both to death. I really think teenagers and kids of all ages should get a chance to own birds, but with guidance from thier parents. My family and I have had a great expierence with birds and I wouldn't keep it away from anyone unless they couldn't handle the responsibility, and noise!

[Kevin]

Its subjective... There is no one right or wrong answer, other than are they responsible or not to take care of them.

[Xavier]

I agree with Keev. I own three birds and i'm twelve, but i've always been an animal lover and I research, research, RESEARCH before buying ANY animal. Its unfair to the creature if you don't. Unfortunatly, I know some people who are spoiled rotten and get whatever pet they want and don't bother to research to meet the animal's needs.

However, if the child/teenager is responsible enough and really does want to have a pet, not just for show, then I think that birds are great! Sharing my life with a bird has made me the happiest i've ever been, and i'm sure many others will agree.

Just my 2 cents.

[Cowgirl Chris]

I agree, it all depends on the child and parent. My daughters are 3, 6, and 8. Although I allow them to help me with my parrots, they do not have one of their own yet. I want to make sure that they know the full responsiblity that it includes. If a parent thinks that the child is ready and are willing to take on the responsiblity if the child fails at it, then I do not see any problem. I do think that there should be lots and lots of supervision for a while

[My Kiwi]

I also agree it depends on the person. The only thing that bothers me is that some people buy them for children thinking they are easy to take care of which they definitely are not. I also know some adults that should't have pets because THEY are not responsible enough. Grrrrrrrr Faith

[felisdomesticus]

I don't think children/teenagers should own birds unless the parents are equally involved and responsible for them. What happens to them when the kids go off to college and the parents know nothing about them, do not want to care for them, etc?

They become homeless through no fault of their own. I feel the same way about cats and dogs. It's great for children and teens to be involved in animal care--but the parents have to ultimately be willing to be responsible for the bird's care, vetting, etc. or the birds will get dumped when Little Johnny goes away to school.

[Tiki]

I agree with felisdomesticus-the parent should ultimately be responsible. I just had a $330 vet bill (still need another check up n a couple weeks too), what child could afford that?

[LtlWngdAngl]

Well, I'm 22 and have 5 birds....my b/f is 35, we're in a relatively-new (just under a year) and we 're living together (so, basically, acting as newlyweds); and, frankly, I think we are very responsible, loving parronts.

My brother is 15 and I'm trying to help convince my parents that a bird would be a good idea for him; he's responsible, loving, kind, and pretty mature for his age....I have no doubt in my mind that he'd make a wonderful parront.

But at the same time, I know quite a few older-adults that I would not trust with a bird at all.

It's all subject to who a person is, not how old they are. There are cruel people of every age. Not to mention that I don't believe that any pet should be restrictively recommeded to someone based on age; as most of us know, it's not really us who chooses our fildren, but our fildren who choose us. Some birds are better with our children, some are better with the males, and some are better with females....Each bird/animal has thier own personality.

[Monica]

I was only twelve when I got my first "parakeet" (and to say how much I hate that term now!). I've always had a love for creatures that could fly, and although my mother did have previous experience with many farm animals, she never actually had a pet bird (i.e. finches, canaries, or even a parrot). She bought me a bird cage for my twelth b-day, probably thinking like many other people that caring for a bird would be easy. We knew nothing prior to taking one in, and we never did any research (I had no clue what was out there so didn't do any research). Needless to say, when we walked out of that petstore with White Waters that day, I literally spent two weeks on the computer reading all that I could on budgies, and couldn't get enough info!

Well, a year later, when I was 13, I had a couple more budgies... and in November (2001), a "gift" was given to me... And that was Casey, my tiel... Then in December, Noel, my cherry head conure, was given to me by a stranger. Needless to say, that now in 2005, at the age of 17, I have 12 birds. I can't even hardly believe it that I own 5 cockatiels (I had never planned on owning more than two, and when I DID own two, I rehomed the second one, cause I knew he'd be better off in a different home).

I've met several teens, and pre-teens, out there who make great parronts! But like Kevin said, there is no right or wrong answer... because I did end up taking in two budgies (cockatiel was going to be included but she flew off...) from a girl... The older budgie belonged to her older brother, but the budgie become "stupid", "lame", "gai", among other things... And the girl simply really couldn't handle keeping them... Smurf came from a neglectful home, as did the four newest tiels (they used to be well loved and cared for, until the boy grew up and "discovered" girls, or they discovered him... then their care went down-hill). I cherish my birds but I don't really know where I'd be now without them! The mere thought actually does scare me a bit, cause I love them too much!