Should I get a Green Cheek Conure

Should I get a Green Cheek Conure-15 yrs?

Hello I’m a 15 year old who is interested in getting a GCC. I have done plenty of research and I am aware that they are a long term commitment of about 30 years with proper care. I am also aware that they do need fresh fruits and vegetables every day and a big cage not just the biggest you can afford. I do go to school for 8 hours.No one in my family is against the idea of getting a bird, I do have a little brother of 7 years. My question is, is a GCC a good pet for me right now or should I hold of on getting one until I’m older?

Do you have a stable source of income?

If not then I would wait.

Also leaving for 8 hours a day to go to school plus the time you will be doing homework/study, eating, resting, hanging out with friends etc I don't think you will have enough time to spend with the bird.

@brighterdaysaviary Unfortunately I do not have a stable source of income. I could be able to take out the bird while I’m doing my homework. Thank you very much for your reply

I’m 19, a college student, and I have a green cheek conure. I would recommend at least waiting until you go to college and move out of a dorm situation. Usually freshmen are required to live in dorms, and honestly that is no place for a bird (or any pet, really). Ideally you would wait until you have a stable income and a stable life path, but if you’re willing to sacrifice some parts of your youth, It is possible to have a bird before becoming a complete adult.
I’ve sacrificed a lot of my time and energy that would’ve gone into “college life” activities like socializing or partying, and my friends and roommates have had to accept that Nico is my top priority and is here to stay. My life revolves around my schoolwork and Nico now, and although I wouldn’t change that for anything, it’s not a life that many people can/will handle. Also I’m very lucky that Nico is an unusually laid back bird who is okay with me bringing him to different places and meeting different people, but not every bird is like that.
I, like you, have been interested in getting a bird since I was 14, but I waited for 4 1/2 years before finally getting Nico and I don’t regret the years spent researching and waiting.

I had ALWAYS wanted a bird too. I didn't get a parrot of my very own until after I had a job (post-college) and at your age, I was very responsible etc etc....I would have sworn I could handle it, and as an adult (teacher of students with special needs) I was sure I could. Although I did elect to get the BIGGEST handful of all (Umbrella cockatoo), I would STRONGLY suggest that you wait until you have:
A- Stable money--I have this, and I am still hemorrhaging from the costs...granted, I do have a different variety of bird, but birds hide illness and veterinary care is EXPENSIVE and non-negotiable.
B- An unwavering sense of self (if your bird hates you, it hates you and you will love it)
C- A certified avian vet in the area
D- The ability to totally eliminate unsafe cleaners and standard items from your home (e.g, everything but vinegar+water (or avain approved alternative), perfume, candles, scented detergent, anything scented, Teflon/PTFE/PTFOA etc etc)
E- Relationships committed to the bird (parents, siblings, boyfriends,girlfriends, roommates)---ALL of these people will need to change the way they live to protect the bird.
F-An extra room so that you can stay up (if needed when the bird goes to bed)---don't expect to sleep-in ever again though! Your bird will get up and you need to be there to uncover it within a reasonable time-frame.

G- TIME---to spend with the bird (including covering every evening and uncovering every morning)


I will re-post the advice I gave to another user when I find it. He was a 7th grader, and while I know you are older, you still cannot control what lies ahead in your life.

Here is what I said to the 7th grader (smart, responsible, super-researcher)--I know you are older, but it all still applies. No matter what you think you will be like in 5 years, you are not ready to commit---owning a bird limits your options and it is often HARDER than having a child:


"
You sound very responsible and smart. The problem is, a bird isn't like a dog or a cat, in that it really takes cooperation from the whole family to make sure a bird is healthy and happy (and it is often thankless work, as the bird may or may not like everyone in the house).

Birds are flock animals, so keeping them in a cage out of convenience is not fair to them (even though it often works best with humans' schedules)

Birds are easily killed by household fumes from cooking with Teflon, bleach, Windex, Fabreeze, scented candles, you name it...if it has a smell and isn't natural, it can kill your bird or irritate its respiratory system (which is far more sensitive than those found in other animals).

This means that everyone would need to understand these rules and adjust their lifestyles to help the bird....Your parents would have to completely change the way they cook and clean and after many years, that can be difficult (and expensive when replacing pots, pans, irons, popcorn poppers, rice-cookers and other things that contain teflon/ptfe/ptfoa)

Also, birds need bedtimes and routines. If you are out late because of a practice or if you want to see a movie, what happens to the bird then?

Birds' water and food dishes need to be washed well each morning (with soap) and they cannot just eat seeds and be healthy. Feeding and cleaning up after a bird is expensive and time-consuming, as are vet bills.

You are in 7th grade, which means that, if cared for properly, your bird should still be alive when you decide to go to college. Then what happens?
You can't have pets in dorms, and you can't usually live off-campus as a freshman.
Also, as you get older, you will be driving and dating etc and you will find yourself spending a lot less time at home.

I can see why your parents are resistant to the idea, simply because birds are way more complicated than other types of pets. The issue isn't a matter of responsibility, so much as the logistics. Without their help, you won't be able to adequately care for the bird, so they need to be okay with that in order for it to work. This can work BUT ONLY with their help....so they need to want it too.

Does that make sense?"

Re: Should I get a Green Cheek Conure?

I definitely recommend waiting until you are older. The future is uncertain at your age and you will likely go through a lot of changes (ie moving, college, work, etc) that will make keeping your bird very difficult and very stressful. Wait until you are out of your parents house and are at a place you will be for a long time.

Re: Should I get a Green Cheek Conure?

Take it from someone who got a Jenday Conure around your age....

While it is fun to think about having your own bird, the reality of it is that your life is about to change tremendously. I had a lovely relationship with my Jenday but then began to get busier and busier..... on top of school, I also had swim practice, homework, a boyfriend and a social life to try to keep up. That was before I even thought of college.

I ended up having to rehome him when he was just 4 years old because I was going off to college, my college wouldn't accept animals, and my parents refused to take care of him while I was gone. It broke my heart and if I were to have waited, I would never have had to put him through that.

You life is about to change SO MUCH. It may seem okay now, but you are at the age where you're just beginning to discover who you are. You are just beginning to think about college maybe, and you'll have to of course get a job to support your bird, get him toys and keep him fed, and let's not forget that you may travel, begin dating, and will want to stay out all night partying or staying over at someone's house. That's not including college classes and studying.

That doesn't leave very much room for a bird. I waited until I had a stable income of my own, transportation and a house, and then began my search for a bird. The wait is long, but so worth it.

Birds like stability. They like routine and knowing what to expect. If you are always going to be out and about and not sure where you'll be in 5 years, reconsider getting a bird and instead make a plan for your future first. Your life-long friend will thank you later!!

Thank you everyone for replying, I do agree I should wait until I’m older to get a bird, as I do not know where I will be in a few years. Meanwhile I will be doing plenty of research to be ready for my bird when I do get him/her. Once again thank you everyone for your feedback.

Re: Should I get a Green Cheek Conure?

Thank you guys for replying. I now realize that keeping a bird at my age is hard and I should wait until I’m older and have a stable income. In the mean time I will be doing plenty of research. Once again thank you guys for your feedback. : )

You sound very smart and when the time comes, I am sure you will be a great owner! Just don't cheat yourself out of freedom until you are ready to make those sacrifices. It is worth it if you want it, but not until you KNOW for sure what you will be doing and who you will be with...and that will take A LOT of time. Take it from someone who is very strong-willed, motivated, stubborn and suddenly 30...and I am nowhere near where I thought I would be at this point in life. Not in a bad way, but age isn't the only factor.

Even now, I feel like there are times when I feel I am in over my head (and my whole degree centered around behavior). I wouldn't change it, but bird research is so much different from actual day-to-day experience. Again, bird and I are in it for the long-haul, but she (my bird) is a GIANT pain....
My little sister (18) is a bird lover and after I left (after a 3 week visit) , when referring to my bird, she said, "I can't wait for her to go to bed each night because she REALLY annoys me...REALLY....drives me crazy.... but then I am excited for her to wake up each morning....I don't understand it..kind of reminds me of an abusive relationship, but I am obsessed with her!"---AND my bird is VERY good compared to some...she is just a cockatoo...


I AM NOT TRIVIALIZING ABUSE GUYS!!!! Just quoting a teen who said something fairly poignant! It is often a thankless job and no, it isn't abuse, but it is draining at times----especially when you love the bird!

You may find this thread helpful.

http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...-students-should-ask-before-getting-bird.html


I've had birds since I was 12 years old. Although I don't regret having birds, I do regret not having the support of my mother (my father hasn't really been a part of my life for years), financially speaking. Back then, we lived in a dinky little town (think... population 90, 1 traffic light, which blinked yellow! town only 1/4 mile long) and the closest big shopping center was easily 30 minutes away by car.



If you have your families support then it could work out. Even if you do end up moving away to college and not being able to take your bird with you, then your family needs to be able to step in and continue the care. Must also realize that birds can choose their favorite humans, which might end up not being you... and if it is you, it could potentially be an issue with your family if/when you do move away.


I can say that due to my birds, I've made some choices that, if I didn't have them, may have been different. As an example... I've had friends who were looking for roommates and wanted me to move in with them, but I've said no because of the birds. Not only because people often don't realize how noisy birds can be (and I don't have any large parrots!) but because birds are also very sensitive to things! Nonstick cookware with PTFE, scented candles, air fresheners, nail polish remover, carpet fresheners, smoke, etc. The majority of my friends smoke, drink alcohol and/or possibly do illegal substances. I don't do any of those and I would not subject my birds and I to that kind of situation.


I wont flat-out say no, it can't work, but I also won't say yes, it can. It would really depend on you and your family. Truth is, I have no problem spending $300 or even $800 on my birds if/when I have the money! At minimum, they eat pellets, sprouts and fresh food. The food I feed isn't exactly cheap, nor is their health care, but it's worth it to me. That said, I struggle to spend $100 on myself! My animals mean a lot to me, and I do what I can to make sure they are healthy and happy!

At 15 years? Get either a plastic or stuffed bird.

People forget some other issues.
>Housing: Most dorms won't take birds and both my universities required freshmen to live on-campus. Next, most landlords don't want birds. You may think PETS ALLOWED means all pets but think, again! Third, apartment neighbors might not love your bird. Be considerate!
>Romance: Most people get married before the age of 25. It's true despite what you think. What if the one you truly love doesn't want a bird? Even more fun, conures tend to be one-person birds, so may not agree.
>Children: (First comes love, second comes marriage, third comes baby) What if that sweet bird doesnt agree that the baby is wonderful?
>Finances: "We can live on love!" Well, that works as long as you don't have a bird with it's food and vet bills and miscellaneous charges in your budget. Who gets the fifth job to pay for the bird?

Ask your parents if they're ready to change appliances, cookware, cleaning supplies, air fresheners, candles, etc. and buy HEPA filters, replace woodwork, stay home, clean a cage, etc. since they'll most likely "inherit" the bird.

Not all colleges require freshmen to live on-campus. My niece received a waiver because her residence is 20 minutes from the campus. This is a 4-year California State College, receiving the exemption was easily accomplished.

I work, live with my husband, pay bills and I still dream of the day I will be ready to offer a home and love to a parrot.
I know I am not ready yet and it wouldnt be fair to the the paarrot I bring home. In the end, they always suffer and there are far too many reacue birds that are a result of bad decision making and poor planning.

Consider what it would take to have a child multiply the responsibility by 3 and add up the costs each year for the rest of your life.

.....
im only 13 and have an African grey
yikes!!!