Finally have some sort of plan

[LordTriggs]

So as for those of you know I've been having a hard time deciding on whether a new feathered friend is right for me or not. I finally feel like it may be okay for me, I was prepared before and it was working very well. Just wanted to get opinions from others based on my schedule.

I normally leave for work at about 7:30AM and return between 5:30-6PM. I some days do go out in the evening for the gym which I normally get home at about 7PM I'd say at most 2-3 times a week. Weekends I often spend at home, sometimes I will go out during the day shopping or seeing friends. When seeing friends I do often return home late, not every week mind you just when we all want to go out. I'm hoping this would be okay for a parrot?

I've decided if that kind of schedule is okay then I am going to try waiting for a couple months, possibly looking at waiting until january (although I may go for it slightly ahead of time depending on financial and personal situation), then attempting to adopt this little guy Birdline UK Parrot Rescue - Birdline Parrot Re-homing he's very quickly stealing my heart and through reading his bio looks like he may be a good match for me. I have already found 2 avian vets near me so can easily get to them in an emergency. Naturally if I do get to a point of deciding to go for him I will ask a lot of questions, hopefully they decide him and me are a good match if I do go for it.

Thought I would get some opinions from people here on things before finalizing anything in my head. Of course I know I always have the option of another conure but I don't particularly want to get a young bird again and the support from the rescue sounds really good

 

[SailBoat]

How different is this schedule from your prior schedule that you found that had worked for you and yours?

When looking for an older Parrot, I recommend that the Parrot chooses! The bond development just seems to be much quicker and therefore everyone seems to be happier.

It is a very good idea to determine the requirements of the Rescue Center early-on prior to you forever loosing your heart, only to have it broken.

 

[itzjbean]

I have around the same work schedule as you -- leave the house around 7:30am and then return around 5-5:30pm. It works well I think because they are mature (5-6years old), and have each other throughout the day. Obviously it would be great if we could spend 24/7 with our birds but unfortunately we have bills to pay! I get that. If you're truly committed to this guy (he's super handsome by the way!) then I don't think there should be any reason it wouldn't work out.

Weekends will be your time to really get to know each other. Birds work well with schedules so try to be as consistent as possible, especially for the first couple months. If you go out with friends during week days its time to put an end to that, as it's not fair for the bird to be alone 7:30am to 11-midnight (assuming you go out with friends after work). On weekends of course you'll have more freedome here. But I'm so excited for you! Adopting an older bird sounds like a great idea.

 

[LordTriggs]

How different is this schedule from your prior schedule that you found that had worked for you and yours?

When looking for an older Parrot, I recommend that the Parrot chooses! The bond development just seems to be much quicker and therefore everyone seems to be happier.

It is a very good idea to determine the requirements of the Rescue Center early-on prior to you forever loosing your heart, only to have it broken.

not that different. Only change is going to the gym but even then I'm pretty bad with going as it is. If anything I feel I'm in a better position as I drive now so can get to important things quicker. My old routine was to have dinner at the same time as them in the evening before letting them out to remove the danger of having the oven on with them around, they would then come out until it was time for them to go to bed.

From what I have seen of the place they require you to be a paid member of £25 a year (easy enough) and they require a home visit to check it's suitable for a parrot which I feel my home is great as the upstairs is almost like a balcony over-looking the living room which is the entire length of my home so there's tonnes of space to fly around and after removing the air fryer no more inherent dangers.

I also like to feel I have learnt a lot about care of parrots through here and other avenues of research so am hoping I'm more prepared than I was last time. The only thing I don't like about the rescue is they don't let people visit the parrots before choosing as they run out of volunteers homes although I am going to ask them any way to see if I can meet them if I am selected as a viable home before a final decision is made to see if he gets on with me avoiding bouncing him back to the safe home

 

[LordTriggs]

I have around the same work schedule as you -- leave the house around 7:30am and then return around 5-5:30pm. It works well I think because they are mature (5-6years old), and have each other throughout the day. Obviously it would be great if we could spend 24/7 with our birds but unfortunately we have bills to pay! I get that. If you're truly committed to this guy (he's super handsome by the way!) then I don't think there should be any reason it wouldn't work out.

Weekends will be your time to really get to know each other. Birds work well with schedules so try to be as consistent as possible, especially for the first couple months. If you go out with friends during week days its time to put an end to that, as it's not fair for the bird to be alone 7:30am to 11-midnight (assuming you go out with friends after work). On weekends of course you'll have more freedome here. But I'm so excited for you! Adopting an older bird sounds like a great idea.

yes schedules and routine are important. I'm autistic so like to stick to a routine myself. I don't go out on weekdays just due to the preference of staying in and chilling out after work and as my main friend starts university in october he's got less free time. Only weekday thing I do with friends is one friday each month we go out clubbing, but I go home first and get ready there normally leaving at 8 or 9PM to go meet up with people which would be bedtime so I'm not overly worried about that, more the coming home drunk part would be my worry haha! (I'm normally pretty quiet)

 

[RisingSun]

I think that should be fine. Before I started working from home, I had a similar schedule. As long as you spend an hour with them before, and give them your attention the second you return, it should be fine. I would also recommend to put a radio or TV on a timer, and if possible put them in a window facing the street, or scenery that changes a lot like has animals or people passing through throughout the day. And toys of course.

Depending on your house set up, if you live with anyone, or have any other pets, you might want to also look into cage free options. This usually works if you're able to bird proof an area of the house and close it off with a door or gate. Then you can set up several play stand areas, I've even seen people hanging things from the ceiling. And of course they would still have their cage for food and water and roosting, but it would stay open all day and allow them to roam from area to area.

If that is not an option, then I would suggest getting a sleeping cage. You would use this cage for when you get home in the evening, and of course for sleeping and when you're with them in the morning. It doesn't have to be a large cage. Then, transition them to the big cage, the fun cage, the daytime activity cage whatever you want to call it, right before you leave. Having just this simple switch of area can help them look forward to their day alone. I read this idea somewhere along time ago, I don't remember where. The idea was that in the wild birds don't hang around the roosting area, they leave and go out and forage and then come at night. Fill the fun cage with all of the toys and the treats, and keep the sleeping cage which can really just be traveling cage, as simple as possible since you will be there paying attention to them or else they will be sleeping. Once they associate you being gone, with the fun cage, it will be easier.

It sounds like you work possibly in an office setting. I would check to see if there are any work from home options. Often times there is an incentive for employers to send their employees home, as it frees up space. That's how I managed to get home. If not in your current department, it doesn't hurt to inquire what the rules are for other departments in your company.

 

[plumsmum2005]

@LordTriggs have you reserved the Meyers? If not you have advertised him to many more pairs of eyes LOL. You made it work last time, so why not? Go meet him if not already!

Just one more point, it says currently with a female, does it like male humans? What a barmy system!

 

[Scott]

I think your schedule will be workable with a new bird. It is not just the quantity of time but also the quality! The Meyers Parrot looks to be a great choice!

So they don't normally let you meet the bird prior to adoption??? I understand the concern with people's homes, but allowing both bird and prospective parront to mix is beneficial to both!

 

[LordTriggs]

I would go for the night cage set-up but as I live in an apartment I'm stuck as to where the second cage would go. Bathroom is a no-go as I often go during the night and with thin-ish walls from the bedroom to the neighbors I wouldn't want the morning shout to annoy my neighbors, also I normally watch tv in bed before sleeping wouldn't want to keep him up with that. The cage space I had before let them look out the window where my conure would watch the cars driving by and the wild parakeets in the trees.

Is only me at home so being free-roaming all day isn't really a option as much as I would like to.

Yes I do work in an office, if it wasn't for filling papers away I could work at home full-time but unfortunately all paperwork has to be filed away so I can't. It's a very small business, me being one of 2 people doing finance but my work is a 15 minute walk from home so not far at all. I'd bring him into work (my bosses actually said they wouldn't mind on occasion) but there's mold in the neighboring office and I think in the AC unit so wouldn't be safe for him.

 

[LordTriggs]

@LordTriggs have you reserved the Meyers? If not you have advertised him to many more pairs of eyes LOL. You made it work last time, so why not? Go meet him if not already!

aha I would but money is a bit tight right now after paying for my car so I am struggling to build up some funds hence the wait, Also you above everyone should be well aware of my sudden anxiety. I think I'm going to give them a call at the weekend to get some extra info on him. I don't see why he would be given up outside of his habit of biting if interrupted when playing

 

[LordTriggs]

I think your schedule will be workable with a new bird. It is not just the quantity of time but also the quality! The Meyers Parrot looks to be a great choice!

So they don't normally let you meet the bird prior to adoption??? I understand the concern with people's homes, but allowing both bird and prospective parront to mix is beneficial to both!

hence why I plan on asking about meeting all the way through. Hopefully they can put me in contact with the safe house and I can ask directly. May be time to play the card of my autism haha

 

[plumsmum2005]

@LordTriggs have you reserved the Meyers? If not you have advertised him to many more pairs of eyes LOL. You made it work last time, so why not? Go meet him if not already!

aha I would but money is a bit tight right now after paying for my car so I am struggling to build up some funds hence the wait, Also you above everyone should be well aware of my sudden anxiety. I think I'm going to give them a call at the weekend to get some extra info on him. I don't see why he would be given up outside of his habit of biting if interrupted when playing

Yes you have stated that to me but you are so ready for this and will be great IMO.
So excited for you.

 

[LordTriggs]

@LordTriggs have you reserved the Meyers? If not you have advertised him to many more pairs of eyes LOL. You made it work last time, so why not? Go meet him if not already!

aha I would but money is a bit tight right now after paying for my car so I am struggling to build up some funds hence the wait, Also you above everyone should be well aware of my sudden anxiety. I think I'm going to give them a call at the weekend to get some extra info on him. I don't see why he would be given up outside of his habit of biting if interrupted when playing

Yes you have stated that to me but you are so ready for this and will be great IMO.
So excited for you.

that's really good to hear. As everyone seems to think African Greys are right for me a Meyer's seems like a nice small step between a conure and that. Rio was a nightmare when he wanted with his excitability , he was more vocal with excitement and not a peep fro my neighbours so meyer's on a noise scale should be okay and I know I'm not going to get the sudden temperment change of baby to adult.

Like I say a call this weekend when I have some time out of work to talk to them in-depth about me and him so I can get some direct words from them over him and if they think I'm right. I may step up my plans, work some over-time over the next few weeks and put in the application at the end of september

 

[SailBoat]

I maybe reading more into your Thread and Posts than is really there. Hence, the question: If I understand correctly, this Rescue does not have many Parrots at there facility, the Parrots are (or at least this Parrot) at a member's home, or something like that. That would of course make it difficult since most people do not wish to open their homes.

No response required, just responding to an odd operating format.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Yes 'boats the birds are fostered out awaiting adoption. The bird is never yours in as much to sell etc, any change and the bird has to go back to Birdline. For some its good and some its not.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

I just think it's odd that they don't allow visits with prospective parronts before adoptions. I understand that the fosters may not want strangers in their homes but to me it just seems to set the adoptions up for failure. I know when I foster, if I wasn't willing to allow prospective adopters to come to my house to meet the bird, I agreed to bring the bird to the rescue for them to meet. That isn't ideal either, but it's beget than adopting a bird you've never met, IMO.

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[LordTriggs]

Yes 'boats the birds are fostered out awaiting adoption. The bird is never yours in as much to sell etc, any change and the bird has to go back to Birdline. For some its good and some its not.

I like it in the sense there's always a security blanket for you if there's suddenly a problem formed. For me it's the advice they have that I like although I have here for that

I'm going to try asking the rescue about going for a visit and seeing what they say and if I am able to get a hold of the safe house themselves then I will ask them direct. It's up to them really if they want me to visit but seeing as I would have to go anyway to pick him up I don't see why they would have a problem with it

 

[Inger]

That is sort of an odd system. My BFF does some fostering for a local rescue, and they not only require a meet and greet, but if the bird doesn't choose you, they won't let you adopt it. They will let you meet birds until one does choose you.


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[itzjbean]

That is sort of an odd system. My BFF does some fostering for a local rescue, and they not only require a meet and greet, but if the bird doesn't choose you, they won't let you adopt it. They will let you meet birds until one does choose you.


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I've even heard of the adoption agency having to come to do an inspection of your own home...crazy!

 

[LordTriggs]

That is sort of an odd system. My BFF does some fostering for a local rescue, and they not only require a meet and greet, but if the bird doesn't choose you, they won't let you adopt it. They will let you meet birds until one does choose you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've even heard of the adoption agency having to come to do an inspection of your own home...crazy!

inspection of the home doesn't surprise me really. Very common with all rescue animals here especially dogs. I distinctly remember my dad having his home checked when he was adopting a dog. Mostly because the dog came to check things out and found a hole in the fence nobody knew of! That was a fun 20 minutes getting him back. It's mainly to check that you're home isn't dangerous for them and filled with trash. I'm normally pretty tidy and my place is pretty good so no worries there. I do find the lack of meeting to be strange myself. I'm going to try pestering them quite a bit about meeting the bird before I make a decision. It's the only part of the whole process I find odd