Give my bird up or have a lonely bird for a month?

[Ozzy]

Hi All- I am at a crossroads as to what I should do with my Amazon and linnie. I am currently working 60+ hours a week and going to school another 15-20 hours. Needless to say I have very little time for my birds right now. It has been like this for the past month and will continue until the second week of December when I graduate and things get back under control. I pretty much have time to feed and water them everyday and about twice a week I am able to have them out for 30 mins or so while I get ready in the morning etc.

So I am pretty much asking what everyone thinks i should do... Should I rehome them so they can get the attention they need right now or should I stick it out and have them be unhappy for another 1 1/2 months in order to keep them until things get back to normal? I of course would be heartbroken giving them up but I need to do what is best for them. I cant decide if rehoming or sticking it out would be more stressful on them. They talk to each other and are in front of a window with a lot of activity out of it so they have not shown any signs of boredom or self destruction except my amazon being a little sassy with my lately.

Please be honest with your responses. Thank you

 

[osnyder]

It seems like the trauma of rehoming them would be infinitely worse than them waiting you out until you're done with everything in six weeks or so. If they were obviously suffering (plucking, being aggressive...) then maybe it would be a different story-- but eventhen, six weeks will be over very soon. They frankly seem fine-- having each other is a big factor I'm sure. If a temporarily sassy amazon is the worst outcome here, I think you're doing OK

Good luck with everything!

 

[Rio Mom]

I think they will be ok for six more weeks. Just give them a lot to keep them busy while you're gone, foraging toys, etc. Six weeks will be over before you know it!

 

[BirdieNumNum]

I agree! 6 weeks is a small fraction of their lives, and they seem entertained with each other and the outside world. I also think rehoming them would put a ton of stress on them, and on you. I say keep them .

 

[PetoftheDay]

I agree with the others, that time will fly by, and be less traumatic to them than rehoming them would be!

Extra toys, and attention when you can, and they will get by.

 

[Cowtown]

I agree.... just give them as much time as you can and lots of toys...
You would be stressed more if you gave them up.

 

[newtobirds]

Isn't there someone you can find to stop by and be with them a few times a week? Even if they can't handle them, they could talk with them and do interesting "human" things to break up the boredom. I think that re-homing is pretty extreme. But maybe there's a compromise somewhere.

Sorry life is so crazy right now. I've had a few phases where things got pretty hard too. We just have to hang on for better days.

 

[mtdoramike]

There shouldn't be any question here. KEEP THEM! I'm sure they would rather spend a little time with you than no time or a lot of time with someone else. Re-homing a bird is very traumatic on the bird. So to me, I would rather the bird be a little unhappy for a short persiod of time than be uprooted and re-homed because the time that you will be able to spend with them will be very limited for a month or so. MAKE IT WORK! For your sake as well as your feathered family members.

 

[Bright Star]

I agree with others...YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP THEM! This is a short-term problem, and re-homing is a longterm solution. Find a way to make it work and mark your calendar for the day it goes back to 'normal.' Life is full of challenges. We can't give our birds up every time things get rough. That's not good for them or for us.

 

[QuackQuack]

Even if they would handle a rehoming perfectly, I think you would really, really miss them and regret it once your schedule normalizes!

 

[caliopi]

I agree with everyone else, Keep Them! the trauma of rehoming them would be much greater than having them lonely for a short time. When we go away I always have one or two of my kids friends stay over and while they are not all confident at handling Puffin they are company for him and he loves the attention. One of the girls was terrified of him when we first got him and now she is one of the few who can get him out of his cage without me being there and he loves playing with her.

 

[Mocknbird2]

I've got to agree with most posts I've read. 6 weeks is a small portion of your birds lives. If you love them and provide them with a good home, then please don't consider giving them to anyone else.
I had a bird offered to me that I couldn't take.....it went through 8 homes before it came back to a friend of mine 2 years later. Luckily, that friend has had her (she's a little lovebird hybrid) for over 9 years now.
Just an example of what can happen.

 

[Remy]

I'd say keep them! I like what other people said about seeing if a friend can come over and visit them too, but even if not, don't worry too much. They are only with other parrots in the wild, and they are capable of keeping each other company!

 

[Ozzy]

Thanks everyone. I am going to keep them. I think I just needed to hear that I'm not some evil person now that im not giving them their normal amount of attention. I would miss them a lot once everything slows down and I know my amazon would not do well with a big change. Ive also convinced a friend to stop by the one day a week I'm gone from 6am-midnight to change their water and talk to them. Thanks all

 

[goalerjones]

Ozzy, this sounds rather primative but try leaving the TV on when u leave the house for him. I let Hahnzel watch HGTV and stuff like that, and keep it clean, don't want a cussing bird!

 

[Nakiska]

Oh I am so happy to hear you decided to keep your bird! Phew!

I keep trying to tell people, birds are more resilient then people give them credit for. My schedule recently changed to with a job promotion. I don't get near the time with our birds that I used to have. But they've adjusted nicely. And I still get them out most nights of the week, it's just later then they were used to. They don't seem to mind, they LOVE to be up past "curfew"

Again, so glad you decided to keep him.

Just an FYI also. I have a friend who took in a dear friends macaw when hard times struck him. He didn't want to give up his bird and my friend said, hey no worries, I love birds! Paco and I will get a long great, I'll take him until you are back on your feet. And she did and it was a win/win for both of them. A couple times Paco's owner got the chance to stop in for dinner and to see Paco and check on his well being and when things got better and he got his own place again. Paco and him were reunited and still live happily every after.

I know this doesn't happen for everyone, but it's just a thought I had for you, perhaps you know a friend or relative you could keep in mind who'd be happy to temporarily care for your bird, should things go astray for a long term scenario.

But a month? No way...a year...yea I'd probably be thinking of someone to help me out.

Take care,

Toni

 

[osnyder]

Great news! And I agree with the TV-- or radio-- being left on or them. Classical music or jazz perhaps? good luck with your program!

 

[Pinkbullets]

I agree with the others who have suggested to keep.
Just make sure that you have plenty of toys available.

 

[Pinkbullets]

Yes and leave the television or some music on while you're out.
We leave the classical music station on for ours.
They love it. Haha.