How the heck do you guys do large flocks?

[Billdore]

So i have already had my eye on the local rescue birds. I don't plan on getting another buddy anytime soon but I can see my self adding to my flock someday. Maybe in a couple of years. How do you find the time for more than one bird? Not really the cleaning or routine stuff but that takes time for sure, but more like time with your birds. How do you know if your bird would handle another bird? I know Timneh dealt with the other birds pretty well at the pet store, but this is getting to be her house. It was kind of fun to see three TAGs all hanging out cage to cage. Wasn't sure who was who till Timneh came running to me. How do you quarantine a new bird?

 

[BeatriceC]

I'm a housewife and my kids are teenagers (one is mere months from legal adulthood). MrC is retired. I don't have a huge flock, but my macaw is disabled and is still a long way from being as rehabilitated as her physical disabilities will allow, so she's more work than the other three combined. Neither MrC nor I are much for going out/socializing, so it's a rare moment when both of us are gone at the same time. When we do go out, the 17 and 14 year olds can take over basic care for 1--2 days. How people with jobs can do it, I have no idea.

 

[Shed]

I have 11 at home I use to do them feed and water twice a day feeding was quick cages cleaning was the slowest element daily and once a week the the cage are take into the garden and have the good clean with a pressure cleaner.
Now we have a new house keeper and she's taken over the feeding and cleaning so its now a snap.

Now I batch make fruit and veggie mixes once a fortnight and freeze the for use, and also give large pieces once a day. Also when things like passion fruit are on season we sit down and process there pulp and seeds into freezer bags and they last most of the year.

 

[chris-md]

Also when things like passion fruit are on season we sit down and process there pulp and seeds into freezer bags and they last most of the year.

I assume you freeze this? Kind of brilliant, I've only bought one fruit at a time! How many would you estimate you go through?

 

[Billdore]

I wrap em in individual portions also so its easy peasy.

 

[davefv92c]

I have 6 and it is a job, I'm retired so I have all the time in the world.

 

[Scott]

Giving shared time can be a challenge. I have 9, though each have differing levels of demand. Three of the Goffins live together, cage hop, and are never locked inside. I can hang out with and satisfy them together. With the others it is more individualized. My Blue Front and Citron want little to do with people. I place one or more on my shoulder when preparing chop and cleaning cages. Sometimes eating breakfast and reading the paper offers the opportunity to have a mellow one on my lap, such as the Eclectus. You just work them into your routine.

 

[Billdore]

Timneh wants all my attention from the moment she hears me get up. Shes happiest on my shoulder sayin hello, what are you doing?.

 

[Aidualc]

It's tricky and I can say for myself that it does come with a lot of guilt (I house 4). But generally.. as was mentioned above is be fair with the time. I must admit that I allow Nemo (CAG) out more than the others because of his size and he really likes to fly a lot whereas the other 3 are more climbers and aren't really bothered with the whole flying situation. The biggest problem is not being able to have them all out at the same time.. and that is something that needs to be factored in, which I have found out the hard way.. like people you can't force them to like each other.
So it's tricky, but definitely doable.. and as far as I know you won't know if they'll get on with other birds until you try.. plus you add territorial to the mix and it gets complicated fast.
But having multiple parrots is awesome.. slightly loud.. it messes with our Xbox kinect- Sebastian ALWAYS starts singing when we try using the voice command ! So there is also that to factor in. But I would say it does come with some guilt.