Caring for Multiple Birds

[Joe&Young]

UGHHHH... I guess the moral of this short story turned into a novel, is that we all do the best we can and adjust...for the love of our birds.

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Joe&Young~ I really enjoyed reading your take on multiple bird ownership as did my husband. We came to bird ownership later in life, too. My husband is 50 and I am 40 and we just acquired Roo and Percy this year. We also have a five year-old so, in some ways, it's like having three kids!

We are so very sorry for the loss of Auggie, but, I think the best tribute to one's beloved pets who have passed is continuing to love animals and care for them.

It was heartwarming to read about your love and dedication for your brood.

Best to all of you!
Laura

[Kooky's Mom]

I started out with one Sun Conure last June and now I have nine birds, six conures, one amazon, one TAG and a Citron Cockatoo. We both work full-time so out of cage time is limited during the week but on the weekends they are out unless we have to run errands. As far as one on one interaction with the conures it's easy. Kooky and Aspen are buddies so they are with me together and will holler if they aren't. Mickey and Bandit have lived together since they were babies. I'm their 2nd home so I left them caged together and they are very happy that way. They like a limited about of "human contact" but they still talked to and loved on daily. Now my 2 cinnamon green cheeks are pretty much velcro birds and actually want more attention then my TAG or Too. Luckily they are clutch mates and the 2 of them will entertain each other if I'm with one of the others. My TAG is pretty darned independent and only wants attention on his terms which is usually right before bedtime he'll come over and "demand" his scratches and cuddles. Cotton, my too, is the highest maintenance bird I have. He'll be 2 the end of this month and I've had him 2 months. He loves any and all attention I can give him but he doesn't have to be on me to be happy. I can be cleaning the cages in the room he's in and as long as we're talking to him and playing silly little games he's happy. I have gotten into the habit of putting him to bed last so we have some special cuddle time after everyone else is covered. Cotton does love this time to cuddle and play. What's really nice is that none of them seem to mind sharing time with the others. It's like they all know that mom will get to them so they amuse themselves with each other and all of their toys until it's their turn. BTW I have reached my limit for now. Next spring we plan on building an avairy onto the house so the birds can have their own space and be able to be let out more. Who knows what urge I'll get then. I can't for the life of me think of what other type of bird I'd want though :D

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Kooky's Mom~ I look forward to hearing more about your brood and I would love to see some photos of Cotton!

Also, the addition of an aviary sounds fantastic!

[Joe&Young]

Laura, Thank you so much. Isn't it amazing how our little winged babies make us smile.

Kooky's mom, oh please post some pictures of your babies for us to oooohh and ahhh over.... :)

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Joe&Young~ Yes, it is amazing. Yesterday, while browsing a store and waiting for my son to finish school, a shop owner engaged me in conversation during which I told her about Percy and Roo. She told me about a parrot she knows named Arturo. We laughed at the antics of the birds, Arturo's and Percy's and Roo's, and I left feeling refreshed.

On my way out, a woman and her daughter were entering the store and the shop owner, who knew the woman, piped up and said, about me, "She has two cockatiels!" The woman has one named Maisy and she pulled out a photo album to show me her beautiful grey girl. She and I had instant camaraderie all because of our fids!