Rescue vs handfed baby ?

[NiR]

I recently found a rescue senegal thats 7 years old but he is not a bird with any past problems. Currently he is very social and is not a 1 person bird. He is very independent but LOVES to cuddle. You can just pick him up and handle him anyway you want to without any fear of bites. He Almost never bites and loves to interact with people. So basically he is the perfect bird for me that i wanted. Only thing is that he is 7 years old so he basically is an adult or near adult and i feel like i will have missed out on a lot from not having a baby bird. The baby hand feds i have access to from bird stores are lovely as well but they are babies so they are all lovely and knows to step up. But are there any things i would miss out on by getting the rescue? What are the pros and cons from getting a awesome rescue bird with no issues vs getting a hand fed baby sennie. And is 6.5 years too old? And the price i would have to pay is around 900 (thats including new toys/new cage/new play tree/shipping/vet check/food/carrier/toys/perches (the bird is 400)).

So whats everyones thoughts?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

This Senegal is a re-home not a rescue, a rescue is a bird that is receiving improper care, neglected, abused and in desperate need of a new home to survive. A re-homed bird is a bird in a good/adequate environment that is simply being brought to a new home.

Nothing wrong with a rescue though This senegal sounds like a great bird and having 6.5 years old isn't old at all. Plus you don't have to deal with the bird going through sexual maturity. If this bird is really as great as you described 400 isn't a bad price for a friend you'll have for many years to come.

 

[kc_y0]

My vote is with the bird from the rescue!!

 

[MonicaMc]

Rescue bird - you mostly already know what you are getting, although there is a chance that the birds behavior could change once in your home. Bird comes with all, if not most, necessary items required to care for him. For his species, he'd by considered an adult by the age of 4 years in age, if not a couple years earlier.

Young bird - behaviors will change as he/she goes through puberty and hormonal changes. You will have to buy all necessary supplies which usually ends up costing more than a second hand bird that comes with at least a few things. That said, you'll be able to be there to watch your new chick grow up into an adult.


Both of my medium sized parrots have been older birds, so I have yet to experience a young medium sized parrot growing up. I'd love it if my next medium parrot was a young hand raised bird, but I'm not against another adult.

 

[mtdoramike]

I read and re-read your initial post and see no where in it that YOU interacted with this bird. But I did notice in your breakdown on the $900.00 fee that you would be charged for SHIPPING. Is this bird located near you? Or are you basing your assessment of this birds personality on what someone else is telling you? If that is the case, go with a hand fed baby from a breeder because people will tell you just about anything you want to hear in order to rehome their bird. I see it all the time on Craigslist. I love those ads that say, "he's so friendly anyone can handle him and you can do about anything you want with him because he's so friendly". Then when you start conversing with the seller and ask them if they will be able to demonstrate how friendly their bird is to you, they start back peddling saying "weeeellllllll, he has to get to know you first, I'm not sure how he will react since he hasn't been handled in a while. I've learned that most people don't get rid of friendly, well behaved animals. So unless you have personally interacted with this bird, tread lightly.

 

[sonja]

In general, I say re-home all the way! Although, mtdoramike has some excellent points about whether you have personally interacted with the bird. There is nothing wrong with taking in a bird that you don't personally know--heck, every one of my birds came to me that way---you must be prepared to work with what you get.
However, with a baby you also won't know what you will ultimately get, either.

I happen to prefer adult animals as pets.

 

[mtdoramike]

Sonja is right, birds personalities change as they get older. Some may mellow where others can become more needy or independant. Older birds will have gone through most of those changes.

 

[NiR]

I read and re-read your initial post and see no where in it that YOU interacted with this bird. But I did notice in your breakdown on the $900.00 fee that you would be charged for SHIPPING. Is this bird located near you? Or are you basing your assessment of this birds personality on what someone else is telling you? If that is the case, go with a hand fed baby from a breeder because people will tell you just about anything you want to hear in order to rehome their bird. I see it all the time on Craigslist. I love those ads that say, "he's so friendly anyone can handle him and you can do about anything you want with him because he's so friendly". Then when you start conversing with the seller and ask them if they will be able to demonstrate how friendly their bird is to you, they start back peddling saying "weeeellllllll, he has to get to know you first, I'm not sure how he will react since he hasn't been handled in a while. I've learned that most people don't get rid of friendly, well behaved animals. So unless you have personally interacted with this bird, tread lightly.

I never met the bird. There are no rescues near me so I met someone in a forum who is well trusted. She sent me videos and pictures of him as well and she does seem genuine. I talked to her on the phone many times for hours.

 

[mtdoramike]

I can't stress enough here to be very careful. There were a lot of folks on these forums that trusted Sulphuria with their donations to help some breeder birds not very long ago and got taken. The ONLY way I would deal with anyone selling a bird would be either locally or if shipping was involved it would be a well known breeder with excellent references.

But this would be your call to make. Just remember, I'm not above saying I told you so hahahahahahahaha

Also let me add here, that Senegal's run about $350.00 to $400 from breeders in my area which is central Florida. I don't know where you are located, but if you are within the U.S. you could buy from a breeder and even with the shipping, it shouldn't be more that $600.00 or so. Most breeders usually charge about $125.00-$150.00 for shipping via airlines.

 

[NiR]

All i found near ny /nj/ct area are bird stores and the babies go for 5-600. so an adult for 400 seems reasonable and especially one thats very socialized and doesnt bite and is cuddly. Also the 400 for the cage/supplies/carriers/ vet check and everything also seems reasonable. Mainly though i kinda trust the lady since someone else who is well known in the community also went by to check out her birds in the past and he met the bird that she would be selling to me and recommended it as well.

 

[Boysmom]

Please note that just because the bird is hand tame to that Lady, doesnt mean it will be the same for you. Senegals are known to be quite nippy and their moods will change quickly. The one I fostered was sweet and loving sometimes and others he would fake it till he was on my hand or shoulder and would then bite hard. He tore me up often and actually would attack my Hubby. It will take time, patience and alot of hard work to earn trust. I do encourage the rescue/ adoption but you must understand that it takes time to build a trusting relationship with a bird.