Adopt 22yo BFA on all seed diet?

[Whistand]

Need some help here. I already have a Green Ch Conure who we all adore. I am on the look out for another larger parrot and found a 22 yo BFA who from the owners description is possibly a girl, does not get moody in the Spring, talks, gives kisses very friendly and squawks only when needing attention. "She" is very quiet during the night. My husband will not tolerate a screaming parrot. My concern is the 22 years she has been on the seed diet. The owner also gives the bird peanuts, cream cheese and bagels.
He is asking $1200 I am going to see how low he can come down, I just dont have that kind of cash. (RN on disability d/t years of lifting.)

My concern is the all seed diet. Has this parrot been on it too long where it could have caused major health risks?
What is a fair price?

Thank You
Wendy in PA

[CALVINS MOM]

$1200 for a 22 year old amazon? Yikes.

[Courtzrocks]

Amazon's are kinda known to be not so quiet parrots...so long as it gets full time attention you might be ok but if not there could be a bit of noise on your hands. It does depend on the bird though...there is a blue fronted at a petshop near my (one of the people who work there's bird) and i dont hear anything out of him, not even talking but then again he is out constantly.

[Whistand]

I have a boa, iguana and green cheeked conure. They are out all of the time. My conure gets plenty of attention. I know I cannot afford the $1200, My husband cannot tolerate noise. This guy said she is a great bird, and only makes noise when she wants attention. I read that they are not as needy as Cockatoos. Because of what you have suggested, I had better rethink the BFA????

[kali]

definately. you need to be sure that 'she' will fit into ur household. there's nothign sadder than someone who has to re-home a bird bcoz they are too noisy or don't have enough time for them. it's not good for the bird. IMHO birds who live like 80 years or require constant attention are not the type of birds that should be bred widely as pets. it takes a cerain type of person to have them. even though you may have the time now, who says that might be the case in 5 years? you may need to get a full time job to pay the mortgage if interest rates get too high or something. where does the attention for the bird go then??

think it through really well before you make such a huge decision. make sure you are prepared for any eventuality. i'dhate to give away one of my babies....

also, if you can't afford the $1200, how are u going to afford vet's if there are any major problems? if i were you i'd stick with the pets you have and give them twice the amount of love you currently do :)

[Amie]

First, I know very few species of Amazons that are $1200 as newly weaned, Hand fed babies. . .much less a 22-year-old. Sounds like the guy trying to sell me an 8-year-old CAG with cage for $1300. Not going to happen when I can get a baby for $750.

Second, if your husband can tolerate a conure. . . .then exactly what is his definition of "loud bird?" Sounds like my kind of man! Conure shrills are much harder on the ears than an Amazon. But don't expect him/her to not let out a scream or two a few times a day. That's how they say "hello, I'm here!!"

Third, the seed diet. . .we took in a 12-year-old U2 when we fostered who had been on an all-seed diet and had him checked out. No problems with his liver, and that sucker is still going strong. He must be 22 by now! His mommy sends us pictures all the time since we had to do so much work with him to get him to tolerate hands.

Try to get the guy you buy him from to agree to a 2 week guarantee, go to the vet, get all of his tests run, and if everything is good, you get the bird. If not, he has to give you the money back and take the bird, or (what we always do because we get attached WAY too quickly) give you most of your money back, and you keep the bird.

[Whistand]

Thank for all of you help in this decision.
Wendy in PA

[Whistand]

The BFA and cage has just been lowered to $800
IS THAT AN APPROPRIATE PRICE FOR A 22YO BFA?
Wendy

[LyndaM]

In my opinion, still too high! I might start thinking around $500.00. Personally, unless the cage is a zillion dollar stainless one -- they should be throwing it in because it belongs to the bird. It's always strange to me when a family gets years and years of enjoyment out of a bird, and then they turn around and try to sell it for its original price. I'm not saying birds depreciate, but come on -- isn't it more important to find a good home for what is literally a family member???!

[Amie]

Originally Posted by LyndaM

I'm not saying birds depreciate, but come on -- isn't it more important to find a good home for what is literally a family member???!

I'm not sure that birds don't depreciate. . . I mean, not in the literal, corporate sense, but still. A baby is a clean slate. You've got a 40 year life span (or more) ahead of you, no behaviorial problems caused by abuse or neglect, no problems caused by years of bad diet, etc. (not saying you have no problems ahead of you. . . .but you don't have to pay for the ones caused by someone else!)

An older bird, at the very least, doesn't offer as many potential years for you. Add in the work you're going to have to put in for the inevitable trust issues (even if he doesn't have one now, being sold after 22 years is bound to create at least a small one) and I'd say they're not as much of a "deal" for the buyer as a baby.

Before I get bashed. . . .I'm a BIG proponent of rehoming. (Trying to take in a rehome currently!) But I really cannot stand when people try to make back all of the money on their bird. As said above, for the bird's best interest, and also from the point of view of the buyer.