Dilemma

[Doyle'sMommy]

We have a little problem. We have decided that we want a second bird for our family. We had decided on a TAG and contacted a breeder who we really like. We are supposed to go meet the babies on the 16th and put a deposit down on one. The problem is the lately we have been thinking that we may want to adopt a bird instead. After searching the internet for days I have seen that there are alot of Nandays and other conures without homes. I would love to get a second Conure and have even found a place in GA that has some up for adoption. Okay now for my question. Which would you do, look for a rescued bird or buy from the breeder? Is there anything I need to look out for in a rescue? Or in a breeder? I find myself leaning towards the rescue because I know someone will get the babies. I guess we just need so help in this decision. Thanks! Tiffany

[FeathersNFur8]

Tiffany, I really think it's a personal decision. There are pros and cons to both.

But to answer your question: Which would you do, look for a rescued bird or buy from the breeder? If I were looking to add another bird to my home, I would rescue.

[Lynjupiter]

You know my feelings on the subject. But You do have to rememeber that rescue birds come with baggage. You may possibly face things like excessive screaming, biting, ect. The bird may be sweet as can be when you bring it home. After a month the problems start.

So you have to think if you are ready to take the time to work the bird through what ever problems you face. You have to be ready to read everything you can about behavioral problems. I really reccomend with rescues that you get a vet check and have tests done to check liver and kidney function. Many rescues can look healthy but have a lot of underlying damage from bad enviroments and diet.

But then come the rewards. I will tell you about Diego. She was a nanday who was kept in a tiny cage on a front porch. I had a friend who worked in a pet shop and the owners of Diego brought her in and threatened to let her go if someone did not take her. Again the first month she was fine. Then the screaming started. She had other conures around which helped and by watching them she eventually warmed up but only to my husband. Four years had passed by in which she would bite me if she had the chance, when one day she flew on to my shoulder. I instantly went in to a defensive mode and put up my hand to block the bite I thought was going to come at my face. Diego then laid her head in my hand. After that we were best friends. I don't know what brought her around and I never regretted bringing her home. But that minute she laid her head in my hands it made the four years of biting totally worth it.

I know if you do bring home another conure Doyle will love you for it once he gets over the shock. We have a whole flock of conures. Six in all and a flock of quakers also ( 3). Zorro who was an only bird for almost a year pretty much rules both flocks and enjoys the company.

Lynda

[Freedomoflight]

I would adopt a faby that needed a home...
so many people have the money- they can go out and give a baby a brand new home. Not half as many people have the time, patience or commitment it takes to bring a secondhand fid into the home and rehabilitate it.

[FeathersNFur8]

time, patience or commitment it takes to bring a secondhand fid into the home and rehabilitate it.

It certainly is hard work, but the rewards are many!!

[RingneckedPrincess]

Me...I am a die hard rescuer. I waited until the fids found me. All of my fids, with the exception of Prinny (was a best friends 'mistake' clutch...) has been a rescue. Yes they come with baggage...some more so than others...but to me in the end it is worth it!

Sadly, you don't even need to go through rescues these days...just look up Craigslist...there are so many out there that get posted by ignorant people looking for 'good homes only' but are really only interested in the money they would get back...

Dani

[Irish]

I may be bucking a pc trend, here, but I prefer to have a baby. Of the rescue birds we've had in, I had to rehome one (allergies and the tendancy to attack faces, including mine), and the other is a viscious git that I'd eat for dinner if Z didn't love that bird so much (j/k about eating him, but I must admit that I'm not fond of him). I have enough "baggage" of my own to deal with. Personally (and this is obviously just me--not trying to influence others, but you DID ask :-), I prefer starting with a clean slate. Maybe it's just because the 2 birds that we've rescued have violent tendancies, making me unable to properly bond with them, or maybe it's just 'cause I like babies. I don't know. But there ya have it--what I'd do if it was me looking for another bird.

[Thowraa]

Me, I'd have the baby TAG and rescue the conures, but that's just me ;)

[leighrivera161]

You definitely have something to think about. There are no guarantees when you purchase a baby either. I have the best of both worlds myself. 1 purchase of a G2 a year ago, being Afa aka Dishwasher. Then my rescues came. I thought the biggest risk I had was with Buddy my CAG since he was found outside. Turns out, he's a gem. Small problem with the Rosie, he bites the crap outta me sometimes and I thought he would be the easiest. So you never know until any bird is home for while. If I was in your shoes though, I would look at a true rescue and try to spend some time with it first to see how you bond. Good luck either way!

[Valo's Moirana]

tiffany, thought about getting a car with the bird?

i can only agree with previous posters - rescue birds might come with a baggage and require work while you can raise your baby yourself. i guess it's really up to you... personally, i'd probably look at rescues from a responsbile place.