Baby or 6year old who needs rehome?

[Neeko]

Hello everyone! So recently I been thinking about adding a caique to my life. So I've called a few bird aviary's/shops around. One place will have some hatchlings sometime next month but I also found a bird shop/breeder who has a 6 year old male who is a "rehome".

He said the bird is very sweet and also speaks. Was always handled by previous owner but owner had to move and cant take bird with them.

So what would be the pros and cons I guess of a 6 year old caique?
The pros I can think of he is already matured and I shouldn't really have to deal with a puberty stage of his life...hopefully. he's already trained I guess. also cost. the "rehome fee" is $750 and a baby from breeder is $1,100. so I could use the saved money for supplies.

Cons I would say is no growing bond from baby to adult. also I wouldn't know him very well to know true personality. also he may not be too fond of new owners and still attached to his previous owners. not sure what else lol

If I do go with the rehome I told the store owner I want to come down and spend a good amount of time with him for weeks or maybe a month. to make sure the bird accepts me

Also what's the life span on the little guys? I've seen and heard anything from 20 year to 45 years.

So what do you think baby or rehome? Thank you!

 

[RavensGryf]

There's not one right or wrong answer here... You can look at it from both angles.

Most people will tell you to get the rehome, as there are literally tons of homeless birds (as with all pets) out there. You can also bond just as nicely with an adult bird, and doesn't need to be a baby to form that bond.

Looking at it from the other angle though, babies need homes just as badly IMHO. As long as there are people wanting birds, there will keep being more and more babies out there. If those babies grow up and never find homes, what happens? I imagine many are sold as breeders, to breed yet more babies!

Good luck picking your next feathered friend wherever he/she comes from

 

[Ann333]

That is what I was thinking, but couldn't think of how to say it. Good luck with whichever new friend you choose.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

If I had to make the choice I would probably get the older re-home just because I think there are more people out there wanting "baby" birds and not enough people who will give an older bird a chance. Some people think if it's over a certain age and needing a new home it must have something wrong with it. Older birds can and will bond just as strong as a baby will, they just need the chance. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

I agree with Julie and Amanda, I'd go for the older bird too.

 

[thekarens]

I agree that's a either is fine, but I wouldn't believe that caique talks until I saw it for myself.

 

[RavensGryf]

If I had to make the choice I would probably get the older re-home just because I think there are more people out there wanting "baby" birds and not enough people who will give an older bird a chance. Some people think if it's over a certain age and needing a new home it must have something wrong with it. Older birds can and will bond just as strong as a baby will, they just need the chance. But that's just my opinion.

I have to respectfully disagree, as I think there are MANY more people who are into rescuing than there are people into baby buying. At least it seems that way from the forum, which I why I say that. Seems like 80% (at least) introduce themselves and say they have a rescue bird. I think rescuing animals is VERY popular in this day and age.

I agree with Julie and Amanda, I'd go for the older bird too.

I wouldn't NECESSARILY go for the older bird.... I can see from BOTH angles

 

[Ann333]

Either way, you're going to have a wonderful friend. Either way it's also going to take time to bond. No one is better than the other.

 

[Neeko]

Thanks for advice everyone. I'm going to visit the older bird a few times and see if we click.
Whats the average life span for these birds?

 

[Flboy]

If I had to make the choice I would probably get the older re-home just because I think there are more people out there wanting "baby" birds and not enough people who will give an older bird a chance. Some people think if it's over a certain age and needing a new home it must have something wrong with it. Older birds can and will bond just as strong as a baby will, they just need the chance. But that's just my opinion.

Sorry, RavensGryf, I have to agree with Amanda. Yes, in this forum, re homes have a better chance, but we are not a true sample of the average 'street joe'.

 

[weco]

If I had to make the choice I would probably get the older re-home just because I think there are more people out there wanting "baby" birds and not enough people who will give an older bird a chance. Some people think if it's over a certain age and needing a new home it must have something wrong with it. Older birds can and will bond just as strong as a baby will, they just need the chance. But that's just my opinion.

I have to respectfully disagree, as I think there are MANY more people who are into rescuing than there are people into baby buying. At least it seems that way from the forum, which I why I say that. Seems like 80% (at least) introduce themselves and say they have a rescue bird. I think rescuing animals is VERY popular in this day and age.

RG, I agree that while a majority may be into "rescuing," I also believe the word "rescue" is over used and if a survey were conducted on the merits, except for outright purchases, most bird acquisitions would actually be re-homes.....

I also think that though "rescuing" might be defined as saving a bird from a dangerous or distressing situation, claiming to have "rescued" a bird allows for a bit of individualistic interpretation.....

I think a 6 year old bird has the potential of 20+ years left and a newly weaned chick has the same longevity opportunity, so if the bird being offered as a re-home has the traits & qualities claimed, my choice would be that bird.....

 

[RavensGryf]

Thanks Walt, for another point of view on the term "rescue". You're right rehome is what a lot of people do, which can be different from true rescue.

 

[RavensGryf]

If I had to make the choice I would probably get the older re-home just because I think there are more people out there wanting "baby" birds and not enough people who will give an older bird a chance. Some people think if it's over a certain age and needing a new home it must have something wrong with it. Older birds can and will bond just as strong as a baby will, they just need the chance. But that's just my opinion.

Sorry, RavensGryf, I have to agree with Amanda. Yes, in this forum, re homes have a better chance, but we are not a true sample of the average 'street joe'.

I guess you're right we aren't the "average street Joe" are we?! LOL. I do see what you're saying. It just seems that buying babies is not very popular, but I guess just taking a sample of the forum folks is not an accurate representation of the parrot keeping population as a whole.

Good discussion...

 

[labell]

I agree that's a either is fine, but I wouldn't believe that caique talks until I saw it for myself.

I have heard them talk but it is typically very simple words hi, bye, hop-hop (not only do they like to do it most love to say it... while doing it). They are one of those birds though that you really have to listen or you won't catch it. You know the parents who say their kid is talking (because they hear them daily) but all you hear is garbled chatter.

I would at least meet the 6 yr old and see if he picks you, Caiques are re-homed usually between 6 and 7 that is when the hormones get a little crazy but they do mellow and if this boy takes to you right away that is more than half the battle. If it doesn't "feel" right wait for the baby.

 

[Minimaker]

As a soon to be new owner, I felt intimidated by the process of trying to adopt and by the potential problems an older bird with a life history that might not be so good may present. I don't know if I have the skills to repair a damaged psyche and mind. What if I can't? What if I do more harm than good because I don't know how to heal it or make things better? I think these are the worries of many potential adopters. And then the stringent adoption policies are a little intimidating sometimes. Home visits and financial records? Seems a little invasive. I know we would pass, we used to be licensed foster parents so I know our home checks out fine. But who would agree to drive hours and hours to get here from the distant rescues that insist on a home check? The one rescue I contacted never called me back either.

The whole process is a little off-putting, it very well may be to so many other potential adopters out there. They make it so difficult to adopt that many people probably just buy one instead. It's easier to take home a newborn baby than it is to adopt from some of these rescues, yikes!

 

[strudel]

I'm going to visit the older bird a few times and see if we click.

I hope you like each other. I'd also meet the older bird.

 

[Ann333]

As a soon to be new owner, I felt intimidated by the process of trying to adopt and by the potential problems an older bird with a life history that might not be so good may present. I don't know if I have the skills to repair a damaged psyche and mind. What if I can't? What if I do more harm than good because I don't know how to heal it or make things better? I think these are the worries of many potential adopters. And then the stringent adoption policies are a little intimidating sometimes. Home visits and financial records? Seems a little invasive. I know we would pass, we used to be licensed foster parents so I know our home checks out fine. But who would agree to drive hours and hours to get here from the distant rescues that insist on a home check? The one rescue I contacted never called me back either.

The whole process is a little off-putting, it very well may be to so many other potential adopters out there. They make it so difficult to adopt that many people probably just buy one instead. It's easier to take home a newborn baby than it is to adopt from some of these rescues, yikes!

I could not agree more, as i new bird mom i had these exact same concerns.I worried that if a rescue has problems, im not going to have ANY experience to draw from to help my new baby work through these problems, i might even make them alot worse. I was worried if i couldnt fix the problems and became scared of the bird that i might start leaving it in the cage all day and thats not okay either. I decided that a rescue bird or a neglected rehome was too much for me to handle as a new owner and it wouldnt be fare to the bird if i couldnt live up to the challenge.

Also the only "nearby" bird rescue was 4 hours away and they never called me back. There was a waiting list because all the requirements needed to be verified before adoption was possible but i couldnt even get in touch with them.

I found a breeder on facebook who was very nice and informative and answered all 1,000 of my stupid questions and gave great tips and shared her experience. She told me exactly what to buy to feed him, where online to find it, and even called me and walked me though making the first batch of cooked food. The price was literally half the price of the GCC i found at petco. I felt like starting off on the right foot was very important to me and i found that in my breeder.

The baby i came home with was already stepping up very very well and used to being touched all over and was not biting. He was already used to a variety of veggies and pellets and cooked food. He was a confident happy healthy and curious little guy. I made the right choice for me and my situation. I would do the same again and again if i had to do it over. :43:

 

[RavensGryf]

That's what I've always heard about rescues, how frustratingly difficult the process can be IF they call you back. Too bad.

Ann, I agree about the having to be up for the challenge of true rescue. IMHO it doesn't necessarily even have to do with experience. Some first time owners tackle it, while other long time owners like myself just don't want to do it. Glad there are people who do though. Someday if my situation opens up for another bird, sure I might be open to a confirmed disease free rehome, only if the bird and I click. I'm glad that you ended up getting a good baby. But even a baby CAN come with challenges. 2 birds I got as babies are NOT easy. One even chose hubby as his person, and has much less tolerance toward me, his sole owner! Another thing I noticed, is that babies, just like baby "anything" including humans, know next to nothing. They are completely inexperienced with life. They might freak out at things a more seasoned bird would be okay with (been there done that), and particulars I can't think of right now, but looking at wise old 20 year old Robin and some other adult birds I've had, you can just see a difference. Admittedly, it's nice when they have some life experience already. Pros and cons with both, but one who needs rehabbing would not be for me either. My young guys are a challenge enough lol!

 

[Ann333]

Thank you RG. I know babies can develop problems as well i just saw it a bit more of a learning curve. Maybe by the time a baby starts showing behavior issues i would have a little experience under my belt and feel more up to tackling it. Also having known the bird i think will be helpful. Like in a year or two if Pumpkin starts having issues, i will already know him and be able to read his body language i will be comfortable with him and know what he is capable of. i will know what he likes and dislikes. I dont know, i see what youre saying, and i do not disagree. Getting a baby just feels like i am going to get that little buffer of time to learn. Hope that makes sense.

 

[LeaKP]

My Peep is a rehome. He has been the best little bird. He was still young when he came home, just 9 months old or so. He previous owner decided after having him for a few months that he wanted a bigger bird. Peep is a gcc and definitely a big bird in a little bird body! For my next bird (I am hopelessly infected w MBS) I will look for a rehome/rescue before babies although am open to both.