Would you be concerned about this question....

[MiniMama]

I am super paranoid about anyting happening to my birds. So.. I live on the first floor of an apt. I just put my birds out on the patio, which overlooks the pool. Some guy was grilling hamburgers and stating chatting when he sawy my birds. He asked 'how much to those cost? Three Thousand?' I said no. he then asked 'They cost more?' I said they cost a couple hundred bucks. He then said 'usually the little birds cost that'. I said not any more. Anyhow, i"m now worried that I"ll have a break in soon and will find my birds missing. These are mini macaws, that yes, cost around $500. I think I"ll get locks for the cages. This complex is known to have breakins, but only when people leave their windows unlocked. Hmm...

[greencinacheeks]

hmmm...i wouldn't be to worried. but keep an eye on him.

BUY locks though...better safe then sorry. make sure all your windows-doors etc...are locked.

i once had someone try and steal one of my conures. my cages were locked and heard him out of one my windows leaving when i woke up...freaky!!!

but hopefully nothing happens

~Nate

[hyacinthLove]

that would make me super paranoid. i have ADT monitoring my house and it keeps me at ease. they call my cellphone if the alarm was ever to go off so it makes me feel better when i am away. it's a good option if you own, but you might be renting.

always keep doors and windows locked, even when you are at home. i personally would never put locks on cages in case of emergencies like a fire. as long as you keep your home locked up and you are careful, you should be fine.

[greencinacheeks]

i didn't think of the fire thing....now that i think of it...i wouldn't put locks on my cages...in case of an emergency....but they did save me once...

~N

[KimM]

Absolutely I'd be concerned. If your "radar" is going up, take some extra precautions as suggested here. I'm very finicky about who comes in my home and who my bird and dog are socialized with...it's for their safety.

[Tishrei]

That's a really hard question to answer because you were there and heard his tone of voice, not us. The reason I say that is from my own experience. A few years ago, there was this guy that lived next door with his girlfriend. They both creeped me out for some reason but I tried to be nice to them because they were so creepy. They rented the house, they did not own it and man, did two fight. Anyway, this guy had a crush on me and that really creeped me out like you wouldn't believe. I have this 6 foot high wooden fence in my back yard that seperates my place from their place.

Anyway one day, I was outside taking care of my pig. I didn't see him peeking through the fence looking at me. Then he said hi and I turned and saw him peeking through the fence at me. The he said something that made my blood turn to ice. With nothing said that would bring this up, he simply said "you're such a nice person, it would be terrible if something ever happened to you." I did not let him see how that it bothered me but said "whatever would make you think something would happen to me, I am young and healthy." He did not say anything. Soon after, they moved (they were evicted).

I've had people ask me about Ducky and how expensive he is. You just get the feeling if someone is curious about something or if it is a creepy statement. Sometimes people have asked me inappropriate things but it's out of ignorance so that doesn't creep me out. Sometimes someone will say something that is not so inappropriate but they way they say it creeps me out. I guess it just depends.

[MiniMama]

HI, good points. I just dind't like it becuase most folks will ask 'what kind of bird is that' or, 'does it talk?' I've never had anyone ask 'aren't they worth $3,000???' The good thing is, there are only 2 locked windows and a bolted door that provide entry. But I'll be hanging arount the house more for a while, for sure.

Tishrei.. weird incident!! I'm impressed at how well you handled yourself. Soundslike he was mentally unstable or something. Ugg.

[Lisa B]

bird thefts are up. I would be conserned.
I also have an alarm system on my house for that reason.

[Abyssinian1]

I'd do a few things, more for your own personal safety than for the birds at the moment.

One, I'd inform the complex manager of his sudden interest in your pets and your personal property. I'd voice your concerns to him or her and ask if they would install some added security for you, such as a kickplate on any doors leading to your unit, another deadbolt or extra locks on your windows. If your complex manager won't do it (or seems disinterested in helping your or downplays your concerns), install them youself. A kickplate with at least two bolts into the floor will help prevent your door from being kicked in. Reinforce the hinges on the inside of the door as well, since they can also be a weak spot. If you have a sliding glass door or a balcony, get a steel pipe the exact width of one of the sliders and shove that as an extra security measure into the channel of the door before you leave - they cannot open what won't move. If your windows slide side to side, do the same for each window. The longer a thief has to work to get into your apartment, the less attractive breaking in will be. Locks on the cages (good, thick stout locks, not the cheap bicycle locks) can work. I'd avoid combination locks - if you need to open the lock and get your birds out while under stress (fire, flood, earthquake) you might panic and not remember the combo. Keep the keys on your car keyring - it's the one keyring that most people can remember where they put. If you hang them in the kitchen or the bird room for convenience, it sort of defeats the purpose.

I'd also get a doormat that indicates that you might have a big dog inside. Something Newfoundland size or larger. With big sharp fangs and a nasty disposition. A 'Beware of Dog ' sign can work. A doormat with big dog prints works pretty well too. It doesn't matter if they never see you walking a dog - just the idea that you might have a dog that could inflict some damage can give a potential thief some second thoughts.

Get timers for your lights, stereo or TV - if someone gets the bright idea to break in while you aren't at home, a light suddenly coming on (as well as a radio or a TV set) can act as a deterrant. Just make sure to program in a different time each day, if the system you use allows it. If you are really concerned, you can sign up with a security company such as ADT, though I'm not sure how helpful they would be, considering how quickly a break-in can happen. Be realistic - how quickly do the cops show up in your area of town? In Denver, on a weekend night, it can take them over an hour to show up on a breaking and entering call (as opposed to a homicide call). I know, I've had it happen. I timed them.

Inquiry about the cost of a parrot isn't anything to really panic about. Most of the time it's just curiosity - I've had coworkers ask how much it was to acquire Bob and Ira, since most of them believe all birds (other than parakeets) are very very expensive. I smile and begin to tell them all about the Gabriel Foundation, their adoption requirements, the online required classes, the books to buy, the home visits and before I can get to the adoption fees, the questioner's eyes start to glaze over . I find that I rarely ever get to the point where I have to quote a dollar amount.

I pity any thief who tries break into our place. He'd be better off breaking in while we were out - he'd leave in handcuffs thanks to a couple of layers of security, including a neighborhood watch, but he'd be alive. If we were home... well, all bets are off.

[whitewing]

To answer your question, I'm not sure I'd be concerned about that question. It's a stupid/tacky/sketchy thing to ask, but some people are just like that. They will ask you how much you paid for whatever thing, including animals. It's hard to say without being there.

When I had birds I always put little padlocks on the doors and the dish doors. Just a habit I guess, from working in a pet store where everything was padlocked.

And they still got stolen from me, cages and all. I was so devastated I STILL haven't "replaced" them with more birds...

Living on the first floor sucks. Living in an apartment sucks. I hope nothing happens to you. Good luck.

Next time some stranger asks you how much are you birds are worth tell them your glock 9mm is worth more. That sends a message.

"hey don't those birds cost XXX?"
"I paid more for my glock"