[Major] Change of Plans...

[Jez]

As some of you have seen I've been deciding on what bird to get...
WELL. I've cancelled out a major detail that now hits me.
College.
My question is... Should I get an older bird that's already in it's older years (maybe only around 5 years left) or get a baby bird and give it to someone to care for while I'm away at college, which would be at least 4 years, probably a few more considering all the degrees you need nowadays for a job ?
I just got news of someone giving away 2 cockatiels free - the person is going to college and needs someone to take care of them (theyre 10).
I cannot believe how I missed this...
Please help!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

You'll be in a dorm?

I got Auggie while I was in college (technically I still am), but I had an apartment.

 

[Jez]

You'll be in a dorm?

I got Auggie while I was in college (technically I still am), but I had an apartment.

Well I'm not sure about that yet. If I'm near home, then no, but chances are I wont be...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Well, my honest advice - you're not gonna like it - don't get a bird at all.

Young, old - either way you'd get a bird, you'd get attached and then you'd have to give it away. If you get a young bird, get attached, give it away, let it get attached to someone else for four years.... then you'd ask for it back? You'd deal with giving up the bird, you'd make that other person give up the bird, and you'd make the bird go back and forth between owners.

I often wonder what a bird thinks when it is given up to someone else - perhaps they think their old owner (mate) died, and eventually they bond with the new people - but then what happens when the old owner comes back; what does the bird think then?

Sucks to here, but it's the only advice I can give: if you aren't gonna be able to care for it for it's life then don't get a bird.

 

[meghanxx4]

When are you going to college? If you get a quieter bird you can bring the bird with you. Not all allow this, but hey if its quiet who needs to know?

Meghan

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Unless college dorms have changed in the decade since I was in one I'd say they're no place for a bird.

 

[Jez]

Also depends on what I major in/what degrees I go for.

A Masters degree plus whatever I want to major in adds to the years...

I know... maybe it's best not to get one... but if someone needs to find a home quick and the bird is old I'll be happy to take it. I'll be going to college in 5 years.

If not, then I'll just get one once I come out of college, or in my last years if I can get an apartment.

 

[meghanxx4]

Well i wouldnt get a cockatoo. They are known screamers and chances are the first couple years of your life atleast will be in some sort of apartment type living so noise will be a factor. I know its not an easy thing to choose the next bird on your list, i had to do the same for similar reason. I got a senegal, and my first choice was a sun or a blue crowned conure, but now i wouldn't trade my sennie for any other bird. I would go for a quieter bird. It doesnt matter how old they are. If your new to birds i would go for a young one but that's just me.

 

[Jez]

Well i wouldnt get a cockatoo. They are known screamers and chances are the first couple years of your life atleast will be in some sort of apartment type living so noise will be a factor. I know its not an easy thing to choose the next bird on your list, i had to do the same for similar reason. I got a senegal, and my first choice was a sun or a blue crowned conure, but now i wouldn't trade my sennie for any other bird. I would go for a quieter bird. It doesnt matter how old they are. If your new to birds i would go for a young one but that's just me.

Thanks,
I wasn't even considering Cockatoos. I've heard they can be very stubborn and demanding.
I owned a Lovebird, great little bird, but he died - unknown why, possibly a rug. Too bad he's not here today.
Sneaking a bird into a dorm would be pretty obvious wouldn't it?



Either way, I have 2 people that want me too take care of their birds. Both going to college. One is a family member and the bird does like me (Lovebird), the others I have never seen (2 cockatiels). The cockatiels are fairly old (10), and I'm not sure about the Lovebird.

 

[meghanxx4]

oh lol i have no idea why i read cockatoo, instead cockatiel. Duh. lol Ya cockatiels are great. Not very hands on, but still really good.

Well i wouldnt get a cockatoo. They are known screamers and chances are the first couple years of your life atleast will be in some sort of apartment type living so noise will be a factor. I know its not an easy thing to choose the next bird on your list, i had to do the same for similar reason. I got a senegal, and my first choice was a sun or a blue crowned conure, but now i wouldn't trade my sennie for any other bird. I would go for a quieter bird. It doesnt matter how old they are. If your new to birds i would go for a young one but that's just me.

Thanks,
I wasn't even considering Cockatoos. I've heard they can be very stubborn and demanding.
I owned a Lovebird, great little bird, but he died - unknown why, possibly a rug. Too bad he's not here today.
Sneaking a bird into a dorm would be pretty obvious wouldn't it?

I've heard about pet-friendly dorms in college... ?

Either way, I have 2 people that want me too take care of their birds. Both going to college. One is a family member and the bird does like me (Lovebird), the others I have never seen (2 cockatiels). The cockatiels are fairly old (10), and I'm not sure about the Lovebird.

 

[Jez]

oh lol i have no idea why i read cockatoo, instead cockatiel. Duh. lol Ya cockatiels are great. Not very hands on, but still really good.

Well i wouldnt get a cockatoo. They are known screamers and chances are the first couple years of your life atleast will be in some sort of apartment type living so noise will be a factor. I know its not an easy thing to choose the next bird on your list, i had to do the same for similar reason. I got a senegal, and my first choice was a sun or a blue crowned conure, but now i wouldn't trade my sennie for any other bird. I would go for a quieter bird. It doesnt matter how old they are. If your new to birds i would go for a young one but that's just me.

Thanks,
I wasn't even considering Cockatoos. I've heard they can be very stubborn and demanding.
I owned a Lovebird, great little bird, but he died - unknown why, possibly a rug. Too bad he's not here today.
Sneaking a bird into a dorm would be pretty obvious wouldn't it?

I've heard about pet-friendly dorms in college... ?

Either way, I have 2 people that want me too take care of their birds. Both going to college. One is a family member and the bird does like me (Lovebird), the others I have never seen (2 cockatiels). The cockatiels are fairly old (10), and I'm not sure about the Lovebird.

haha, I was wondering where you got cockatoo!