Deciding between Senegal and Meyers

[arcxylem]

Hi, I'm deciding between either a Senegal or a Meyers. Here is my situation. I live in an apartment with a few apt mates. I have my own room, and will be keeping the guy/gal in there, thus she/he has to be a quiet one. Which is generally quietter? I know it varies from bird to bird & I know birds in this 'family' are quiet in general, but is there one that is more quiet, on avg, than the other? Also, I want a bird that is VERY affectionate. I want to cuddle, hold, play with, and adore the lil one. I've heard Senegals are playful, but can be a bit nippy and grumpy at times, while the Meyers are generally more 'laid back.' Being 'intense' at times is fine, as long as they show me some love..hehe Also, because I work, I won't be home for the majority of the day. Is either more proned to being more independent (with a lot of toys) and won't mind being alone? Thanks in advance!

[Gary&Chloe]

We have two Meyers who we got as babies. They are DNA tested brothers. The difference in them is like night and day. One is laid back, very affectionate, chirps but never screams. We thought the other one had to be a female because you never knew how it was going to be. Very moody, fiesty, loud.

We also have a female Jardine. Beautiful bird. Very loving. Very loyal to my wife only. OK with me away from her cage.

We bought a Senegal for our Granddaughters. It is a good bird.

In my opinion, the more time you spend with the bird, the more loving they are. If I had it to do over again, I would get a two year old or older Senegal for the kids because it would be less nippy. The same with the Meyers.

Older birds are cheaper too. PLUS you pretty much know what they are going to "grow up" to be.

I think you are making an excellent choice as to the family of birds. Any bird from this family will be be about as loud as a mockingbird. They don't require a lot of attention, in case you work. They play well by themselves. BUT have plenty of toys for them to chew and play with.

Also, a good food with extra Vitamin A. This family requires extra Vitamin A but only in their food, not as a supplement.

No little cockateil cages either. Get the largest cage you can afford. More space for them to play.

I hope this helps and good luck.

[arcxylem]

Thanks for the response! I decided on getting a baby Senegal. It will be a couple more weeks before 'she' is fully weaned and I can't wait! Is there a reason why you believe females tend to be moodier and fiesty? The only things I've heard about are potential egg laying issues a few years down the road. I'm hoping because it's a she that she will not be as loud as males (although senegals are quiet in general), I'm hoping females aren't trying to get the males attention by singing and thus I'm betting on the odds of females being more quiet, but who knows, right?

I've been told that I should leave her alone for 4 days after taking her home to help her get comfortable in her new environment. I'm trying to visit her whenever I can to familiarize herself with me, but I'm told that by doing so it slows down the weaning process, is that true? THanks!

[LissaKokoKiwiKaseySam]

Sammy is our first 'born'..she's ( or he..but we lean towards female based upon some observations made over the years and opinions of other breeders)
not a huge talker, but does have a loud piercing call when she chooses to use it..which fortunately, is not often.

Sam likes to be 'on' you, quite content to do just that, but can also be by herself quite well..she is not a wanderer for sure, but if she is upset about something, her bite is much worse than any I've experienced! ( Tho, I've never been bitten badly by either my macaw or too). If I walk by her cage and am within jumping distance, I usually have company..!

Sam will wolf whistle, say 'hi Sam, Hey Sam, Sam's a pretty bird, a pretty pritty bird, etc...she is a great bird over all, but not one I would recommend for kids..which is something you dont need to worry about just yet.

I would suggest your housemates handle your new baby as much as possible- just to make her more all around friendly..even if they have next to nothing to do with her, it will still make life easier all around.

Sammy's first cage was a 20 x 20 x 28 high cage.. a pretty descent size for a senegal, tho I think that something a bit longer would be better to give her more exploring room...

Good Luck- they really are great birds, and should bring you about 25-30 yrs of joy!!

As for slowing down the weaning process, I don't see how your visits could possibly influence that. A good breeder won't release a baby until it is eating fully on it's own, but you should expect your girl to back slide when she gets home..it's almost a given that she will beg for formula, and there is nothing wrong with that..you can spoon feed goodies like warm oatmeal, applesauce, etc to encourage her to try new foods while she settles in. I don't believe you should ignore your baby for 4 days..how traumatic is that? I wouldn't spend every waking moment with her, but don't be afraid to have her with you several times a day, most often during times when you know you will be home...it will further encourage your bonding.

Sennies are not mush buckets- they are independant creatures who can also be a bit bull headed...

[arcxylem]

Thanks for the responses. I'm continuing to visit her a few times a week and things seem to be moving along nicely. My only concern would be the socializing aspect because my roommates aren't big fans of birds, but I am (obviously), so I don't know if they will be willing to even touch her. It is a real possibility that I will be the only human being she sees for extended periods of time, and I'm sure that as a result, when people do come over, she'll be super protective (unfortunately).

Nehooz, I just got her cage yesterday. It's a bit small 18x18x24 but I'm planning on letting her out a few hours a day (after I get home from work, that is). Hopefully it'll only be a couple more weeks before I'll be able to take her home. I was told she is down to 12-15mm per day, once a day. It's funny how her brother gets super excited when I go visit them and take her out to play but he gets stuck in the cage. He does this bull immitation where he sticks his head in the corner closes to us and pretends he is charging. He scrapes his feet against the floor and almost rolls around. I wonder what she does when she wants attention. Maybe I'll try playing with him to tease her..hehe

[sweetie&meli]

The smallest cage a senegal a can stay in is a cockatiel cage called the hagen delux other than that ure bird will have cage fright meaning when u take her out she wont want backi in also u have to thinkabout toys ..and how much space she has left ..with toys perches and fopod bowls in the cage she should have enough space to spread her wings comfortably , A bird that dosent have the space it needs it will have behaver problems such as biting , screaming and much more ..surely you dont want that :) But IMO the cage you bought is way to small for a senegal .I myself have a jardines parrot and he has the biggest cage i could find in my price range and he is happy :) BTW how much time do u have to spend with the bird itself as that is always good to know for the size of the cage?

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by arcxylem

Nehooz, I just got her cage yesterday. It's a bit small 18x18x24 but I'm planning on letting her out a few hours a day (after I get home from work, that is).

That is too small a cage. It would be like you living in your bathroom only leaving it for a few hours a day.