'Ello all! And a question about teflon

[Joshaeus]

'Ello all! Ism a teenager in New England who happens to be an animal lover. I currently have a 29 gallon fish tank, a 5 gallon fish tank, and a 20 high with gerbils. The gerbils are nice, but they don't live long and are not permitted in the apartment I am planning to move into in a few years, so I am considering a parrot for the apartment.

Anyhow, here is my question; currently I still share a house with my parents. I am in a room downstairs, and the kitchen is upstairs. I will most likely not be able to convince my parents to replace the Teflon cooking supplies, so should I refrain from getting a bird while still in the house?

 

[Kiwibird]

Teflon is one of the top killers of parrots in domestic homes. If your parents won't get rid of their cookware, you should NOT bring a bird into that home. In fact, with all the changes coming to your life in the next few years, it would probably not be wise to get a bird *quite* yet anyways. They are a lot like feathered toddlers, and really need stability, structure and a big time dedication, which you may not be able to give them once your off to college or out on your own for the very first time. They also aren't like other animals, in that you can just give them some food, water, a couple pats on the head and leave them alone all day. They need a minimum of 6 hours outside their cage every day, they have to see specialist (read:expensive) avian vets when they are ill or injured, they are LOUD by nature and teaching them to bring the volume down is extremely difficult if you will be living in an apartment/roommate situation. They destroy toys at an astonishing rate and some parrot toys can cost $20-$30+ EACH. They also have a specialized, messy diet that included fresh fruit/veg every day and many people in fact cook for their birds because its healthier. Some of the smaller species are a little easier to care for than the big boys, but they still need their share of work.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep researching them and looking for ways to get hands on experience. In fact, if you are really interested in having a parrot in the future, there are avian shelters in many cities who would love another volunteer, and you could learn all about parrot care and behavior without the commitment of bringing one home until you are really ready. Parrots are (IMO) the best pets you can have and definitely worth the wait until you are truly prepared to take one home I kind of look at it like if you aren't ready for a baby, you really aren't ready for a parrot. They do have a lot in common care-wise to an infant and the big birds can reach the mental abilities of a 3-4 year old CHILD. One last thing, even if you don't have a bird yet, theres no harm hanging around here to learn more about them.

 

[Joshaeus]

Perhaps saying 'parrot' was too vague...I was hoping for a relatively easy parrot, such as one of the ring necks or non budgie parakeets. Thanks for confirming my fears about the Teflon...I guess it will be a while before I have a bird of my own. I guess I'll just learn on here (by the way, the 6 hour every day out requirement was new to me...I was thinking a somewhat smaller, but still large, number)

 

[Kiwibird]

Lol, a lot of people say "I'm looking to get my first parrot" and they're thinking a macaw or cockatoo, not a parakeet. From what I understand, the keets' do tend to make a good "first" parrot and I don't think they need quite as specialized care as larger parrots. However, even smaller birds still have care needs above and beyond your average pet. I'm not really that familiar with them though. There are a lot of people on here who have ring necks and quaker parrots, so hopefully one of them will be able to clarify any questions about these birds you have. There is a parakeet section on here and you can post species-specific questions there, so people who have them can answer any questions. Best of luck.

 

[MonicaMc]

Welcome to the forum!


Do you know for a fact that the pans contain PTFE (brand names include Teflon, T-Fal, Silverstone, Flura, Excaliur, Supra, Xylon, Greblon, Resistal, Duracote, Autograph and Scanpan) or do you assume they contain PTFE because they are non-stick?


I ask because there are non-stick products out there that do not contain PTFE.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

The ceramic interiors are very nice. We bought the martha Stewart brand in Macys, with an off-white slick cooking surface. Excellent as nom-stick, bird safe. We bought a very large skillet and will definitely buy more pieces.