Is getting a second bird worth it?

[savannah78754]

I have a male lovebird now, and I go to school and work 2 'jobs'. I am home enough hours of the day to take care of him now, and am considering quitting one of my jobs to spend more time at home.. I do get sundays and wednesdays completely off but I still get my buddy out 3-4 hours on the weekdays and sometimes 7-8 hours on weekends.. my question is, is getting a friend for him worth it?

I would like to split his cage into two ( it's HUGGGEEE so It'd not like he would be missing out ) and getting a friend that he could at least sing to back and fourth.. They won't be housed together because of lovebirds aggressive nature and because I want them to be tamed, but is it worth it? I don't want to get a bird to "Take care of Nash for me", but I feel like he is lonely in the 8 hours I am gone most days.. I work retail so it's not one of those 9-5 jobs where you work every day. Lately I have only worked 2-3 times a week... but I know this new guy will need a lot of alone attention also..

Would him having company be a benefit for them both even if they can't see each-other? Would he be less lonely or would it be bad because then I would have 2 birds who may or may not get along and have to take them out separately every day?

It would most likely be another lovebird, and like I said, I am considering quitting one of my jobs so I can better take care of Nash, but that would mean less money for goodies for him.. Would he rather a friend that I could adjust him to being out of the cage with or would he rather have me home more.. but still gone most of the daylight?

 

[wrench13]

I could never picture of myself with more than one parent At a time. And not because of all the extra work and effort and money. It's the time. My lifestyle right now, between my day job, playing in a band, needing time for my wife and two sons I dont see time for the second bird. Salty spends all my time as soon as I get home from work after a two hour drive home. First i say hello to my wife then to my sons then to the dog and then finally salty comes out of his cage and is on my shoulder Or on his bOingy. that's usually around 6 o'clock and he goes to bed at 9-930. and aside from any time where there is a live fire on the stove, salty is out playing with me what with his toys, his blingy , doing training with me, fighting with me, wrestling with me. where's the time for second parrot? I want to devote all my love and attention to this wonderful little bird. he gives me that Amazon look and it's all over

 

[savannah78754]

That's what I'm worried about! I love Nash with all my heart but I want what's best for him and I just feel like I'm gone too much for him to feel safe you know.. His flock is me and that's it.

 

[Flboy]

Do a search on MonicaMC threads. She feels birds do well having a bird buddy. Even if they don't get along together, for their emotional stability, it is a good thing. That being said, this is a one bird house, but I am torn over increasing the family!
http://www.parrotforums.com/general...-impacts-dna-repair-long-short-telomeres.html

 

[RavensGryf]

That is such a personal decision... One of my birds (Robin) has been with me for 21+ years. During that time, he was an only bird for a period of time at different times. I'm under 50 so needless to say, over the span of two decades, my homes, jobs, lifestyle, etc. has not been a constant same old grind, and it's still not! Regardless of whether I was 'busy' or not, Robin adjusted fine being the only bird. Then again, he's just more go-with-the-flow than most parrots are.

I tend to have a "multiple thing" personality. Not calling living creatures 'things' don't get me wrong anyone, but I just prefer having more than one. How much harder it is really depends on how independent each individual bird is. That is a big factor here. You will need to figure how much you as an individual can stand in terms of quality time given, amount of cleaning, money spent, etc.

 

[savannah78754]

Yeah that's another problem, I don't know how this new bird will feel about a new friend, but since Nash is young I hope he will accept him if I do decide to get him a friend.. Another question, would a girl friend be better for my male Lovebird or a male? I know lovebirds are very territorial and aggressive by nature but I don't see why a bird he doesn't share a cage with would matter since he's so young

 

[Mimsy01]

I say it's entirely up to you. As far as what is good for your current bird, it's really hard to say. He may be just as happy with a tv set up near him to keep him company, or even just a radio. He might love another bird, on the other hand he might be jealous and hate it to pieces.

I would honestly say, if YOU want another lovebird, then go for it. I would not get one strictly for your other bird though.

When I was young I had a pet budgie cookie who was just a sweetheart. My great grandma died and I got her female budgie, who was not a tame bird. anyways, they loved each other from the moment they met. both were older birds, probably 6 years plus when the met too. they moved into the same cage with days.

I have 3 birds now and none could ever share a cage. Our starling gets along with both conures ok. but they don't want to share their things and their diets are completely different. Foo is a jealous monster and hates the new conure, Ellie. close supervision is now required while everyone is out. Before I was pretty free to do whatever and knew Zeki and foo would be fine. Adding Ellie means I need to keep an eye a lot closer on how everyones behaving.

I guess my point is, you just don't know how the two birds may feel. So it's best to do add to your family if you are going to enjoy having a second bird and don't base too much on your current bird since you don't know how it will work out there.