Newbie - Please help us find a bird!!

[bb100]

Originally Posted by bustersbuddy

Thanks, Mike. I might be inclined to think that her 5 year old daughter could learn to be safe around the bird. After all, many large dogs are wonderful with kids IF both kid and dog are trained to respect one another. But I missed the part about the newborn somehow and that is a real problem from many different perspectives. I did withdraw my earlier comments after I saw that.

Not if her daughter was as stubborn as I was.. My Dad told us a million times not to handle our crazed yellow nape male alone when he hit puberty. But, I was the sibling who never listened so the minute Dad wasn't around my little butt marched right into the bird room.

You can't alway's think a young child won't do the exact opposite of what you tell them the minute you turn your back.

I learned my lesson really, really well after that day... I still can't feel the tip of my finger from the scar tissue build up. So, I offer that finger to my new male LCA since I can't feel a darn thing..(lol).

[kensbuns]

I am the owner of a 41/2 year old U2 so I have a bit to offer here. While I agree that a household with childern is not the best situation in the world, it could work. However you have to be willing to watch that bird like a hawk around your children. Jessie our female U2 gets very very nervous around my 4 year old Grandson. She fluffs up and gets that upset Cockatoo look. She usually settles down but Damien has been around birds since birth and simply has nothing to do with anyone but Cleo our Grey. We have taught him from the very beginning about no fingers in the cage as well as dont touch the birds without Nana. It works well, but he is not at our house all of the time. Our Jessie is the friendliest bird in our flock and will hitch-hike on anyone available. She dances and snuggles and is an all around good bird. She does let out a scream occassionally but not often, and is very very loving. In sticking up for the cockatoos they are wonderful pets if you understand what you are getting your self into. Not all cockatoos scream and pluck. Mine doesnt. So with that in mind I again say that with an infant in the house this may not be a good choice, but it is your choice to make and I am here to help if you need it. Good Luck!

[TooLover]

I have missed this entire thread until now!
I am owned by 4 cockatoos, and as much as I love them and understand them, they truly aren't for everyone! Cockatoos are very tempermental and can turn ugly in the blink of an eye! I was audibly gasping when you wrote that your small child was holding the bird I could see the possibilities of that situation going bad, and quickly!
Everyone has given you wonderful advice, and as much as I hate to admit this ( ), cockatoos around small children just isn't a safe combination. My 20 year old daughter has learned to watch the cockatoos carefully, and to this day won't willingly hold any of them.
I do admire you for listening to everyone's advice, and whatever decision you make we are all here to listen and help!

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by TooLover

I have missed this entire thread until now!
I am owned by 4 cockatoos, and as much as I love them and understand them, they truly aren't for everyone! Cockatoos are very tempermental and can turn ugly in the blink of an eye! I was audibly gasping when you wrote that your small child was holding the bird I could see the possibilities of that situation going bad, and quickly!
Everyone has given you wonderful advice, and as much as I hate to admit this ( ), cockatoos around small children just isn't a safe combination. My 20 year old daughter has learned to watch the cockatoos carefully, and to this day won't willingly hold any of them.
I do admire you for listening to everyone's advice, and whatever decision you make we are all here to listen and help!

Thanks for chiming in Laurie.

Mike

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by bustersbuddy

Mike, I'm not questioning the validity of their point of view. I am simply stating my opinion of their presentation. It is negative and I find it to be overly so, that's all. No one else had pointed that out and I felt I had the right and a good reason to do so. Constant negativity does not help the birds or their people.

To me the issue is the 5 year old (not to mention now there's a newborn so she has TWO newborns, the Too and the human).

This bird on day one has shown an affinity to the kid. Perhaps she was a caste off from a family who had a young girl, it's not unusual.

There's really no solution in that matter, the bird isnt just going to ignore her, imo. I also believe I've read on many sites that breeders are downsizing the Too business for these many reasons stated.

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by kensbuns

I am the owner of a 41/2 year old U2 so I have a bit to offer here. While I agree that a household with childern is not the best situation in the world, it could work. However you have to be willing to watch that bird like a hawk around your children. Jessie our female U2 gets very very nervous around my 4 year old Grandson. She fluffs up and gets that upset Cockatoo look. She usually settles down but Damien has been around birds since birth and simply has nothing to do with anyone but Cleo our Grey. We have taught him from the very beginning about no fingers in the cage as well as dont touch the birds without Nana. It works well, but he is not at our house all of the time. Our Jessie is the friendliest bird in our flock and will hitch-hike on anyone available. She dances and snuggles and is an all around good bird. She does let out a scream occassionally but not often, and is very very loving. In sticking up for the cockatoos they are wonderful pets if you understand what you are getting your self into. Not all cockatoos scream and pluck. Mine doesnt. So with that in mind I again say that with an infant in the house this may not be a good choice, but it is your choice to make and I am here to help if you need it. Good Luck!

What makes this worse is that the OP is not experienced so now the whole house has to learn about Toos. AND she and her husband work full time. I just reread the original post.

So this bird is going to be alone all day, then three kids are going to have things to do after school etc, newborn baby and learning curve? No way is this going to work. No offense to the OP, I'm just trying to state how I see it playing out. The minute you all walk in the door it's going to be 100% Too time. And this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere she really should be going to sleep at that time - 4:45 or so when dusk descends.

I think that lady who placed her was totally not interested in her best welfare. She said she didnt have time for her but neither will this family, obviously. Not a criticism just reality. imo.

[Sophiestkated2]

Originally Posted by TooLover

I have missed this entire thread until now!
I am owned by 4 cockatoos, and as much as I love them and understand them, they truly aren't for everyone! Cockatoos are very tempermental and can turn ugly in the blink of an eye! I was audibly gasping when you wrote that your small child was holding the bird I could see the possibilities of that situation going bad, and quickly!
Everyone has given you wonderful advice, and as much as I hate to admit this ( ), cockatoos around small children just isn't a safe combination. My 20 year old daughter has learned to watch the cockatoos carefully, and to this day won't willingly hold any of them.
I do admire you for listening to everyone's advice, and whatever decision you make we are all here to listen and help!

As best said from the Cockatoo Queen, I applaud you!!! Cockatoos aren't mean, they simply ain't for everyone, and as like any bird, simply aren't for any situation... Laurie..., Nice-ally done!!

Jeth

[kensbuns]

Originally Posted by Cindy215

What makes this worse is that the OP is not experienced so now the whole house has to learn about Toos. AND she and her husband work full time. I just reread the original post.

So this bird is going to be alone all day, then three kids are going to have things to do after school etc, newborn baby and learning curve? No way is this going to work. No offense to the OP, I'm just trying to state how I see it playing out. The minute you all walk in the door it's going to be 100% Too time. And this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere she really should be going to sleep at that time - 4:45 or so when dusk descends.

I think that lady who placed her was totally not interested in her best welfare. She said she didnt have time for her but neither will this family, obviously. Not a criticism just reality. imo.

I would say the lady that placed the bird just wanted it gone from her house for (some reason or another). I am not saying it is a good idea! Everyone's situation is different. You are right but Jessie is down 8 hrs a day and when we get home it is birdie time. We have 3. I know that cockatoos can be jealous luckily Jessie patiently awaits her turn for the lovin! I just think it is up to the person who got the bird. It is their choice and only they know their situation. That is all I have to say about it. I am not telling them to keep the bird but simply giving information as I know it. An informed choice is a good choice. Had I listened to everyone about Cockatoos I would not have one in my house but I took it upon myself to take the chance. Now Jessie is not my favorite bird, she is my fiancee's but she is a part of our family, I am more the scarey, hormonal Amazon type lololololol!!!

[TooLover]

Not all cockatoos are needy - and they don't all pluck because you work full-time. I work 40 hours a week to take care of my flock. They all know when I get home it is their time, HOWEVER, they don't need me holding them the entire time they are out. Just like children, cockatoos (and any parrot for that matter) need limits set. Mine do good while on me; they also do well by themselves. My concern here is the small children in the household. Hubby and I discussed this when he got home tonight; his opinion is the same as the majority - cockatoos and small children don't mix.
Sorry - just had to clarify that........

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by TooLover

Not all cockatoos are needy - and they don't all pluck because you work full-time. I work 40 hours a week to take care of my flock. They all know when I get home it is their time, HOWEVER, they don't need me holding them the entire time they are out. Just like children, cockatoos (and any parrot for that matter) need limits set. Mine do good while on me; they also do well by themselves. My concern here is the small children in the household. Hubby and I discussed this when he got home tonight; his opinion is the same as the majority - cockatoos and small children don't mix.
Sorry - just had to clarify that........

Yes and I think it's different with a flock. They have each other. My birds give me courtesy attention I think LOL. Like, ok here comes the one with the keys and the food we better play along...luckily they get along without anyone being the odd bird out.