Much Time Do They Need?

[redgate]

Thinking about getting a TAG but wondering if I have enough time to offer it to make it a happy and well adjusted bird? After reading on here for days it seems most people are home all day. I have a full time job so it would get a bit of time in the morning before work, evenings and weekends...is that enough? I want to do this right but would rather not wait until I retire
thanks

Irene

 

[triordan]

I truly believe it's quality of time not quantity, I too work, but being a teacher gives me summers and holidays off. Yes people let their birds out of their cages for hours at a time but how much one on one time is really spent? Just my opinion~

 

[lotosha]

I also work, and absent from home from 7:30 till 15:30. Whenever I am at home my CAG is outside and is taking part in everything I'm doing. I think it worked fine for her. Three days ago I bought male AG so they'll keep company to each other when I am at work.

 

[antoinette]

All you require is time and a routine
Make sure your time together is quality time
Make sure a routine is followed daily

I also work outside of home, get up at 4am (Mishka my CAG) gets up at 4.30am.
We have brekkie together, we shower, then blow dry....
We chat and play until 6.15am then off to work.
Evening I am home at 5pm, he has dinner, then plays, has dinner again with us (greedy kid)
From 6pm to 7pm we play
From 7pm to 8pm we train

He is a very well adjusted bird (he has never complained) LoL
Just make sure there are enough toys to keep the bird occupied during the day, leave a training tape on / TV / radio while you are at work.

Weekends we spend together 24/7 that is my most precious time and moments with him, chilling, playing and training.

 

[Pajarita]

Working full time prevents you from keeping the bird at a solar schedule which is absolutely necessary for a healthy endocrine system because, if you do it, you won't be able to interact with the bird at all during the winter. Some people seem to be able to get away with it but it depends on the individual bird, the species and the age. Macaws, for example, are naturally low hormonal birds so they are easier to keep at the wrong schedule and, when they are unhappy, they don't usually bite (like zons would) or scream (like toos) but they do start to pluck. Greys are also low hormones and when they are left alone all day long don't really complain much (screams) and they do fine for years until they are 8 to 10 years old when they might start plucking.

It depends.... problem is, you don't know if you are going to get away with it or have a problem until it starts and then people say: I don't know why this happened! Nothing has changed and he now started plucking/screaming/biting/etc but what they don't realize is that it's the fact that nothing has changed that did it. In my personal experience, parrots are incredibly forgiving as well as loving and VERY patient but they do run out of patience...

 

[baileysdad]

I work from 7am until 5pm. Bailey comes out as soon as I get home. He is used to my routine.

 

[Davinchi]

I am in the military and it worked with my CAG. Sometimes I tend to work long hours and of course deploy for months at a time and my Picasso still loves me. My wife says that he is quiet all day and around the time I am supposed to be home he starts to get loud and excited, even before I actually walk in the door. It may take a little longer to develop the bond with your bird but having a job is no reason to not get one. Definitely don't wait till you retire. These birds have a long lifespan and you don't want to be getting one late in life. Get it early so you can enjoy its friendship for many years to come.

 

[redgate]

Thank you for the replies. I am leaning to take the plunge and to quote Nike, "just do it". The TAG's that I am interested in won't be weaned for another 3-4 months so I have more research and deciding time.
Next question that logically follows is: what size cage and where to get a good quality one for a reasonable price?
thanks

Irene

 

[MonicaMc]

I work part time, but I'm away from home for full time hours....

I do what I can to keep my flock healthy and happy!