help with hard decision!

[jriley]

I'm almost afraid to post this question because I feel like a real stinker for considering this, but I am sorely tempted and need help to decide.

A person a few hours from me has a 3-month-old handfed umbrella 'too and is willing to trade the baby for my pair of Tucumans.

I got Tucci with the hopes that he'd be a sweet, tame pet and that was how he was represented to me at the time I bought him. He definitely has not lived up to those hopes and I got a lot of bloody bites before giving up on trying to tame him enough to handle him. I had tried to rehome him with a breeder, but males outnumber females in his species. I got Tammy because I figured it would either make him more appealing as being part of a pair or at least would make him livable as he would stop trying to pair up with our Quaker.

Now that someone actually wants them, though, I can't make up my mind what I want to do. I so want a cuddly pet bird. We've had an umbrella 'too in the family before and I adored him, even at full voice. That cuddle factor was what I had in mind (I guess I didn't know as much about amazons as I now do LOL) along with the hopes of a talker, when I got Tucci. My hubby really really doesn't want yet another bird in the house (it's already quite a zoo here), but he would be fine with giving up two to get one :)

I feel like I'm betraying Tucci and Tammy by even considering this. Part of me thinks maybe they'd be happier being in an aviary situation and away from this crazy household (especially Tammy, since that's what she's used to). The other part of me wonders if they would continue to get good food and proper care and would have a permanent home or if they might end up mistreated and/or shuffled around. What if they aren't productive? I don't particularly care if I ever get a baby from them, but a breeder probably would get rid of them if they didn't produce.

I appreciate any input anyone can offer. Don't be afraid to be honest. Maybe someone can suggest good questions to ask this person to make me feel more comfortable about what they would be going to?

Thanks in advance,
Julie Riley

[GlendaNS]

Do what makes you happy. You know how different a U2 is, so you are not in for any suprises.

[BobbieSD]

Your considerations are what make you a great "parent". If you trade, make it on the condition you are given first option of ownership if the birds don't meet the new owners expecations.

[Joel]

IMO, you take/make that few hr. drive to the potential new owner's home and personally check them out (especially if no one you know & trust has any personal info. about their reputation or how they keep their bird(s)). Make sure the address on their driver's licenses matches the address of the house ya go to (if ya really care).

Talk to them and go with your gut on whether or not they will give your present bird's a great home. They may or may not keep them if they are not productive. They may even split them up - ya never know.

I agree also with BobbieSD but there is never any guarantee they would keep their word on that condition.

[BigBird]

If the two birds in question arent tame and especially if one is used to living in an aviary I wouldnt have any problem doing an exchange like that. As long as the aviary owner knows what she/he is doing and the birds are sheltered well, clean and full of good food do the trade. I bought a "handreared" bird from a breeder as well and she is not tame either, well she kinda is in respect that I can sometimes get her to step onto my finger and occasionally she will come over to me. Always is in my dinner plate when Im eating, but other than that it purely up to her when she wants to be friendly. Im still love her heaps, but was really looking forward to a cuddly bird and still wish I had one, but I couldnt give her up. However no one is offering me a tempting deal either.

If the aviary owner is a good bird keeper then do it, but like the other responses its worth the drive to check them out first.

[Monica]

To be honest, if I was you, I'd keep the pair, decide if you'd like to try your hand at breeding if they get along and that's something your interested in..... but if you aren't much into doing so, but the other person is reputable/responsible and you ARE interested in the too, then make the trade.

[dislater]

I think you need to do what will make you happy. If you really want a Too, then trade. I have been on all these bird boards for over 10 years and I used to think bitrds should stay where they are, but not anymore. Birds seem to be very adaptable, especially if they haven't bonded to you. Make the swap now, while the Amazons are new to you and get the bird you really want. Don't feel badly about changing your mind. Life is too short. di

[jriley]

Thank you everyone for the input. I asked her a million questions about housing, feeding, past experiences, etc. and she was very nice and had all the right answers. I decided to go through with it, provided all is well when I get there. We're doing it tomorrow and I can hardly look at Tucci and Tammy right now :( I'm happy that they have each other, though, and I'm confident that they don't really care who their people are as long as they have each other for companionship. It's going to be tough giving them up, but I sure am looking forward to having an awkward little baby around.

Thanks again,
Julie Riley

[GlendaNS]

Be sure and post lots of pictures of your new baby!!!!!! We LOVE pictures!

[dislater]

I think you have made a very positive decision. di