Advice for getting a lovebird
- Thread starter Paudel731
- Start date
lomeraniel
New member
- Aug 22, 2015
- 36
- 0
I would get two youngsters at once to handfeed. I did that once and if was really beautiful seeing them always together. If you wait you can have adaptation issues.
BruceTheQuail
New member
- Jun 12, 2016
- 73
- 0
Gooday. Even though lovebirds are little, they can be as challenging (and as fun) as much bigger parrots.
I'd look for a young gentleman. The little hens do bond to you well, but sooner or later the mating drive takes over and they can get very posessive, and if you introduce a new lovebird they can really hurt them. One of mine would fly through the house to look for my wife to attack, because she was competition.
You can get a pair but like it or not sooner or later they will breed or try to. Currently I have my first pair which has my original hen, she is about 11 and still wanting to lay eggs. Our other pair we thought were both boys but I think they are both girls, they try to mate but take turns being on top. At least they dont fight, though - I had a pair of hens one of which would get very nasty in breeding season and attack the other (and us).
So I'd start with a little boy or a pair of them. Try to get hand raised.
Lovebirds are susceptible to vitamin deficiencies so our vet recommends adding a vitamin supplement to their water. Unfortunately you dont know that they are vitamin deficient until they die (though there are signs if you know what to look for) which usually happens around 7 years old.
A good breeder will give you information on what to feed them. Not too many sunflower seeds because they will make them fat.
Lovebird ownership is a lot of fun, they are great little birds with huge personalities. But it isnt all fun, they can draw blood when they bite and they tend to be difficult when they go through puberty. It can take patience.
Have fun!
I'd look for a young gentleman. The little hens do bond to you well, but sooner or later the mating drive takes over and they can get very posessive, and if you introduce a new lovebird they can really hurt them. One of mine would fly through the house to look for my wife to attack, because she was competition.
You can get a pair but like it or not sooner or later they will breed or try to. Currently I have my first pair which has my original hen, she is about 11 and still wanting to lay eggs. Our other pair we thought were both boys but I think they are both girls, they try to mate but take turns being on top. At least they dont fight, though - I had a pair of hens one of which would get very nasty in breeding season and attack the other (and us).
So I'd start with a little boy or a pair of them. Try to get hand raised.
Lovebirds are susceptible to vitamin deficiencies so our vet recommends adding a vitamin supplement to their water. Unfortunately you dont know that they are vitamin deficient until they die (though there are signs if you know what to look for) which usually happens around 7 years old.
A good breeder will give you information on what to feed them. Not too many sunflower seeds because they will make them fat.
Lovebird ownership is a lot of fun, they are great little birds with huge personalities. But it isnt all fun, they can draw blood when they bite and they tend to be difficult when they go through puberty. It can take patience.
Have fun!
itchyfeet
New member
- Nov 1, 2014
- 1,013
- 7
- Parrots
- Ethyl the cockatiel, Henry & Clarke the IRN's, and Skittles the lovebird (my daughters)
Ooo exciting! I'd go for two at once and hand reared.
I WOULD NOT hand feed though. It's an exact and risky science, and not worth the risk at all - especially if you're new to the bird world.
A very cool choice, good luck!
I WOULD NOT hand feed though. It's an exact and risky science, and not worth the risk at all - especially if you're new to the bird world.
A very cool choice, good luck!
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