Am I parrot worthy? I might not even be fish worthy

[GeminiJoe]

Ya know folks recently I posted mentioning what parrots I had narrowed my choices to.Now realizing my work schedule I am second guessing if I should even own one at all.

I live alone in a 3 room 400 sq ft apt.When I'm gone there would be no one to keep the bird company but his/her toys & my television.

I work 3 different shifts in a week.

Mon & Tues I work from 4pm to 1am
Wed I work from 11:30pm to 7:30 am Thursday morning

I'm home Thurs & Fri

Sat & Sun I work from 7am to 3pm

Is there a small parrot that would put up with this type of schedule???

[chip]

i think your schedule is okay for a parrot because it seems that most of the time you work is during the evenings, which is usually when parrots sleep. but if you are going to be sleeping all day, well then im not really sure.

[PyscoFalcon]

I think it's fine. The parrot will get used to the schedule and sleep most of time your out and eat the rest :p

Mine have got used to us been out all day at weekends and the odd day during the week when I have to go to hospital. Only time they really panic is when I go into hospital for a week or more but that's mainly as they love me and hate my husband even tho he trys and does look after them for me when I can't.

So as long as you don't get a velcro bird like a cockatoo or too demanding bird like a Macaw then I'm sure you'll be okay.

[Halo]

I think conures, tiels, lovebirds... most of the smaller, not so clingy birds, would do well with that schedule. If we aren't home, my fids just have each other and the TV for company and they all do well. From my experience though, african greys, cockatoos, and macaws might have issues with that schedule as they need more direct attention.

[pippy]

I think you're being very sensible questioning this

I personally think it would be irresponsible to leave any bird alone for that length of time.

Regardless of what people say about it being fine so long as it has plenty of toys, tv, radio etc etc the fact is they are flock creatures.

Birds may 'get used' to being alone but that doesn't necessarily make it right.

If you were getting two birds then that would be completely different, but one on it's own for that length of time? Not fair on the bird no matter how much attention you're able to give it when you're home.

Just my opinion though, not having a go

[PyscoFalcon]

Hmm forgot about the flock thing since I have 5 birds. Even tho parrot is in differant room (she'll kill the smaller ones otherwise) they can still talk to each other. Also got the dog they can throw food at :p

[Astrid660]

^haha

I agree completely with the flock rule. Birds are happiest and thrive more around a flock!

[Tom Lawless]

Have you considered parrotlets? They are small, smart and I've read they do pretty well without constant attention. And two would be easy to manage if you thought you could swing that and that way one wouldn't be alone all day.

Most people work so that's not the problem as long as you think you could spend some quality time with them most days.

I think you are smart to question this. Your situation wouldn't be right for some birds. I work and live in the same place and I still felt I needed to be careful what type of bird I took responsibility for. Good luck.

[Addicted to Tequila]

I disagree with a good portion here... but need more info.

Instead of telling us your work schedule... can you tell us your "home and awake" schedule?

Birds are NOT always happiest with other birds. Your work schedule is indeed during "off-bird" hours. Now if you work from 4pm-1am then sleep until 8am, but then spend the next 8 hours watching TV... you are a better candidate for a parrot than most of us that do the 9 to 5 routine!

Exactly how many hours, worse case scenario, will you be spending each day interacting one-on-one with the bird?

[GeminiJoe]

On Mondays & Tuesdays I wake up at 10am and I'm home until 2:30 pm

then I return late at night at 2:30 am. I sleep from 3am to about 10am

Wednesdays I am home from morning until 9:30pm

Thursday morning I sleep from 9:30 am to about 3 or 4pm

Friday I'm up at 10 or 11 am & I'm up until about 12:am

Sat & Sun I leave for work at 5:30am. I don't get home until 5pm at night

If I get 2 of the "quieter conures" like the maroon belly or Green Cheek will this work? Or 2 Lovebirds or 2 parrotlettes ?

I might have to get the fish. Although they are nice to watch let's admit it they are no comparison to the entertainment Birds offer.

I rent so no cats or dogs.Maybe I'll get a couple of box turtles & name them Cuff & Link like ROCKY Balboa did. Hey Remember the show Baretta?
He owned a Cockatoo and was always out fighting crime.And I bet alot of people bought Cockatoos cause of that show and realized they screwed up.
People don't research before they buy a Bird.