Tips For A future Mini Macaw Owner

[AbdullahSuwan]

Hello There!

Im Just asking for tips and proper care for mini macaw

i know the ropes but i need to know the stuff thats hard to find on the internet


i am NOT a first time bird owner

my Mother Had An african grey named Cookie He died From Lung Cancer

i Parrot-sit my mothers friends Galah Cockatoo

And i had 1 Cockatiel And 2 Budgies

the budgies unfortunately Got Killed by...Cookie

It wasnt my fault

the cockatiel Escaped From his cage when neighbourhood kids opened the cage

I know they are still macaws and still need attention

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, yipes! The first step in caring for any bird is ensuring its safety, from marauding kids and predators (including bigger birds). I'm so sorry about that tragedy. Heart-breaking.
And Cookie died of lung cancer? I have never heard of that diagnosis in a bird, but I'd like to learn more about the veterinary diagnosis and (I presume) necropsy.
I'm a little confused... what will be the residential situation now?
Macaws are special, but each bird is of course an individual, so all the basics apply. Here's a great we recommend for new and experienced bird people alike.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
I'm glad you're reaching out with an open mind.

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Oh, yipes! The first step in caring for any bird is ensuring its safety, from marauding kids and predators (including bigger birds). I'm so sorry about that tragedy. Heart-breaking.
And Cookie died of lung cancer? I have never heard of that diagnosis in a bird, but I'd like to learn more about the veterinary diagnosis and (I presume) necropsy.
I'm a little confused... what will be the residential situation now?
Macaws are special, but each bird is of course an individual, so all the basics apply. Here's a great we recommend for new and experienced bird people alike.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
I'm glad you're reaching out with an open mind.

My dad smoked a lot and he wouldnt stop

even when we told him its bad for him he would still smoke while we were not around

one day cookie was coughing up black tar

we went to the vet and he told us he had cancer

we dont know if its exactly Lung cancer or if it was near the lungs

But im keeping him in my room where pestering kids cant reach and my dads smoke dosent go there

but there is ALOT of wires And im worried he will chew them up

about the budgies

My mother was giving them a bath without my permission
One of them got spooked and flew into cookies cage
cookie was scared and bit in an instant
Blu(The Budgie) Had his neck Broken
cookie only killed one

the other one died for no reason

(We think he got depressed and stopped eating)

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, how sad.

So now you're on your own? I didn't quite follow how your birds got killed? You have a secure setting now? If not, I'd respectfully urge you not to get more birds until you do.

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Oh, how sad.

So now you're on your own? I didn't quite follow how your birds got killed? You have a secure setting now? If not, I'd respectfully urge you not to get more birds until you do.

Yep im in a more Secure Setting

And Im still Parrot-Sitting My Mothers Friends Galah

Also Cookie ONLY loved my mother

and when i mean he didnt like other people i MEAN IT

He would outright scream at them


But i can make my room more secure By tidying up the cables so he cant munch on them

i may get some budgies too but i will put them on the opposite Side of my Room

Also can all budgies do this?

[ame="https://youtu.be/jXc9ylCXqCw"]Meet Disco the incredible talking budgie - Pets - Wild at Heart: Episode 1 Preview - BBC One - YouTube[/ame]

 

[noodles123]

"Also Cookie ONLY loved my mother

and when i mean he didnt like other people i MEAN IT

He would outright scream at them"


THIS ^ can happen with any bird- including yours.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, my goodness. Munching on any wiring is potentially fatal to the bird and dangerous for the house. Your family comes into your room and does things with your birds? You're thinking of getting a bunch of budgies and... and a macaw??
I'm worried for you, and your future birds. I am guessing you're aware of the needs for suddenly expensive vet care, daily attention, and again, security from predators and careless people...
I know you won't be wanting to hear this, but again, I respectfully urge you to wait for now.
I have faith that you wouldn't be reaching out to us unless you wanted honest replies.
Life is long, my young friend... I hope you will wait.

Edit
And no, that's a rare and talented budgie!

 

[noodles123]

Also, you may think his smoke doesn't go there, but I would bet you money that it does..even if you can't smell it (as you live with a smoker)

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome Abdullah,
It sounds like you love parrots! We here all share that same love. We also find it admiral that you are seeking advice. Have you had the time to read many if the threads that cover nutrition, household toxins, a recent one covering the safe cleaning of cages. What we all day to each other owning a parrot is like having a toddler they are just as smart as a four year old. And they are quick to get into trouble, and they can live 30 years or much much longer. This kind of commitment is hard for anyone. They require fresh veggies every single day, a wide variety of different types, much of Wich they will waste, and fling on walls floors. They need 4 hours or more of your time playing interacting, with you, this doesn't include the time you spend making their veggies, cleaning their cage every day. They need safe toys that they will destroy and that have to be replaced. They need to chew and shred things for their beak, and mental health. The type of parrot you want needs a cage that will take up several feet. So the point we try to get across to potential owners, is are you prepared in your life to adapt a four year old human child and care for them for 30 or more years, while they have special needs, will never grow up? Because they are like that when cared for the way these sensitive intelligent creatures deserve. Constant supervision, constantly playing keeping their minds occupied, expensive like kids are, delicate and orone to get sick like kids do. You don't sound like you are at the point in your life were you will know we're you will be in say ten years. Will you be living in an apartment that won't allow pets, would you be in a serious relationship with someone who hates your parrot, will you have children of your own......lots if things will be changing in your future, are you prepared to miss out on things because you have a child/parrot? Are you prepared for behavior issues like biting and screaming, or self destructive feather picking? Just do plunty of reading, abd read all the sad and bad things that can happen too. Keep up the discussion.

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Oh, my goodness. Munching on any wiring is potentially fatal to the bird and dangerous for the house. Your family comes into your room and does things with your birds? You're thinking of getting a bunch of budgies and... and a macaw??
I'm worried for you, and your future birds. I am guessing you're aware of the needs for suddenly expensive vet care, daily attention, and again, security from predators and careless people...
I know you won't be wanting to hear this, but again, I respectfully urge you to wait for now.
I have faith that you wouldn't be reaching out to us unless you wanted honest replies.
Life is long, my young friend... I hope you will wait.

Edit
And no, that's a rare and talented budgie!

Nah Budgies WIth a mini macaw can be quite Expensive

and when im saying "Some Wires" I mean only two

One in my PC and the other is connected next to out beds for our charger

And no they dont come into my room And they dont play with them
i made that rule crystal clear to them DONT TOUCH THE BIRDS

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Welcome Abdullah,
It sounds like you love parrots! We here all share that same love. We also find it admiral that you are seeking advice. Have you had the time to read many if the threads that cover nutrition, household toxins, a recent one covering the safe cleaning of cages. What we all day to each other owning a parrot is like having a toddler they are just as smart as a four year old. And they are quick to get into trouble, and they can live 30 years or much much longer. This kind of commitment is hard for anyone. They require fresh veggies every single day, a wide variety of different types, much of Wich they will waste, and fling on walls floors. They need 4 hours or more of your time playing interacting, with you, this doesn't include the time you spend making their veggies, cleaning their cage every day. They need safe toys that they will destroy and that have to be replaced. They need to chew and shred things for their beak, and mental health. The type of parrot you want needs a cage that will take up several feet. So the point we try to get across to potential owners, is are you prepared in your life to adapt a four year old human child and care for them for 30 or more years, while they have special needs, will never grow up? Because they are like that when cared for the way these sensitive intelligent creatures deserve. Constant supervision, constantly playing keeping their minds occupied, expensive like kids are, delicate and orone to get sick like kids do. You don't sound like you are at the point in your life were you will know we're you will be in say ten years. Will you be living in an apartment that won't allow pets, would you be in a serious relationship with someone who hates your parrot, will you have children of your own......lots if things will be changing in your future, are you prepared to miss out on things because you have a child/parrot? Are you prepared for behavior issues like biting and screaming, or self destructive feather picking? Just do plunty of reading, abd read all the sad and bad things that can happen too. Keep up the discussion.

I know Im prepared to lose limb for him

and im in my house around 75% of the time

and im in my room 85% of the time so he will always have some stimulation

My country dosent have No Pet apartments
except sometimes dogs just because they are big

also i know whats gonna happen

once my two brothers finish college we will move to a steady house and keep them

i know they may cost around 15-Dollars a week or even 30-Dollars if you count Damages

but im ready to take that

im not in the financial situation that means i cant care for him

So you dont feed him pellets?

i wanted to make his food 75% Pellets and the rest fresh veggies

i also know About nutrition

they need calcium for that beak

too much calcium and the beak starts growing maybe too much

They need a lot of fibre and magnesium Too
All vitamins are essential to them

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Also, you may think his smoke doesn't go there, but I would bet you money that it does..even if you can't smell it (as you live with a smoker)

He agreed to Stop smoking

But addictions dont go like that

i will put a Carbon Dioxide Alarm in my room if it launches i know how apprehend

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Welcome Abdullah,
It sounds like you love parrots! We here all share that same love. We also find it admiral that you are seeking advice. Have you had the time to read many if the threads that cover nutrition, household toxins, a recent one covering the safe cleaning of cages. What we all day to each other owning a parrot is like having a toddler they are just as smart as a four year old. And they are quick to get into trouble, and they can live 30 years or much much longer. This kind of commitment is hard for anyone. They require fresh veggies every single day, a wide variety of different types, much of Wich they will waste, and fling on walls floors. They need 4 hours or more of your time playing interacting, with you, this doesn't include the time you spend making their veggies, cleaning their cage every day. They need safe toys that they will destroy and that have to be replaced. They need to chew and shred things for their beak, and mental health. The type of parrot you want needs a cage that will take up several feet. So the point we try to get across to potential owners, is are you prepared in your life to adapt a four year old human child and care for them for 30 or more years, while they have special needs, will never grow up? Because they are like that when cared for the way these sensitive intelligent creatures deserve. Constant supervision, constantly playing keeping their minds occupied, expensive like kids are, delicate and orone to get sick like kids do. You don't sound like you are at the point in your life were you will know we're you will be in say ten years. Will you be living in an apartment that won't allow pets, would you be in a serious relationship with someone who hates your parrot, will you have children of your own......lots if things will be changing in your future, are you prepared to miss out on things because you have a child/parrot? Are you prepared for behavior issues like biting and screaming, or self destructive feather picking? Just do plunty of reading, abd read all the sad and bad things that can happen too. Keep up the discussion.

I know Im prepared to lose limb for him

and im in my house around 75% of the time

and im in my room 85% of the time so he will always have some stimulation

My country dosent have No Pet apartments
except sometimes dogs just because they are big

also i know whats gonna happen

once my two brothers finish college we will move to a steady house and keep them

i know they may cost around 15-Dollars a week or even 30-Dollars if you count Damages

but im ready to take that

im not in the financial situation that means i cant care for him

So you dont feed him pellets?

i wanted to make his food 75% Pellets and the rest fresh veggies

i also know About nutrition

they need calcium for that beak

too much calcium and the beak starts growing maybe too much

They need a lot of fibre and magnesium Too
All vitamins are essential to them

or maybe i just need to stop and Discard this whole parrot thing

 

[noodles123]

Abdullah, I am sorry if I sound negative all of the time. I know you have good intentions, but just hear me out. I am telling you this because it is important for both you and the bird:
If you attend school and your dad smokes, then does that mean the only attention your bird is going to get is when you are doing homework in your room with the door shut? If so, the bird will not be getting enough attention. Proper socialization is KEY---especially if you ever want to have a family of your own- This means teaching your bird how to act around people besides you (and teaching those people how to act around your bird).

Your bird will live a very long time. During this time, you may become a college student, a husband, a father....I know that your goal right now is to protect the bird from your dad's smoke and to keep your little brother's/sister's/cousin's fingers attached...THAT IS ALL SUPER IMPORTANT, I AGREE....


The thing is, if you don't expose your bird to other people (besides you) and if he only gets a tiny bit of attention (1-2 hours a day), he will likely be a very fearful and potentially territorial/aggressive bird.

I spent a lot of time with a mini-Macaw who wasn't too fond of me (tolerated me) but the worst bites I have ever gotten came from him---drew blood very easily. I still had to go back day-after-day and keep trying (biting eventually decreased), but it is very hard to calmly attempt to pick up a bird when the cuts from the previous incident have not healed. The bird will pick up on any nervousness and retreat from you further...


Imagine that 15 years have passed and you have a child of your own---a 2 year old girl---the love of your life. One day, she sneaks into the bird's room. At this point, the bird is already upset and jealous about the attention that you have been giving to new "flock members" and he perceives your precious little daughter as a threat (having never been socialized). Despite warnings, your curious child tries to pet the "birdy" (yeah, you told her not to, but like a parrot, 2 year olds don't often listen)...So, in go her tiny little fingers and CHOMP. Your daughter screams, your parrots screams, you run in and see blood so you scream...Your wife hears and runs in. In a panicked rage that her daughter has been hurt, she screams at you and the bird, grabs your daughter and slams the bird door shut, yelling, "I told you that stupid bird was dangerous and NOW LOOK!" In the car, she continues to rant about how "that bird has been a problem since day one". At the emergency room, your daughter gets stitches and a cast on her broken and bloody finger---the doctors say she was lucky it didn't snap off completely. Now, your family hates the bird even more than they did before, and they see it as a dangerous animal. You are angry because you made a promise to care for it, but now you have a daughter and a wife who you love more than you knew possible when you adopted your bird as a teen. What would you do? It is easy to say that you would continue to care for the bird, but many husbands make compromises to preserve their marriages...It is really impossible to say WHAT you will do at your current age, but I can tell you that a sickening number of parrots are re-homed due to shifts in family dynamics (wife/kids etc)...

My point in all of this is to say that currently you have 2 choices:
1. Keep the bird hidden away in your room in order to protect it from your father's smoke and small children.
2. Socialize the bird and risk killing it with fumes from smoke...and risk bites to others who may be less understanding.

When you are REALLY ready to own a parrot, you will not have to choose between these options and having to choose will not be fair to your bird.

You will be happier if you wait until you have your own place and until you can socialize the bird on your terms. I know you want this really badly....I commend you for coming on here and asking for help. I am stubborn like you and I get it---YOU REALLY WANT THIS----but you have to ask yourself what is best for the bird.


Lets say you are 15 now. What happens if you go to college or want to travel abroad? What if your bird never really bonds with you?


I really hope that at the end of all of this, you look at it from the bird's perspective.

CHALLENGE TIME:

1. Put a 4 ft by 4ft a box on the floor with tape.
2. Inside of the box of tape, you may bring a few items (NO PHONE-nothing else):
A. a food that you dislike (represents pellets),
B. One healthy snack, like an apple (represents fruit/veg),
C. a Rubiks cube (represents bird puzzle toy)
D. a few sticks of gum (represents bird chewing toys) and
E.A fidget spinner (represents other bird toys).
3. sit in your room, inside of that box (with the door shut). You cannot leave the box even if you hear things going on outside of your door.

Try it....see how long it takes before you start to go insane..I will be impressed if you make it 2 hours.

A bird like yours will spend 8+ hours alone in a box while you are at work or school.
This experiment still isn't perfect because there is no way for you to simulate the pent-up energy in a bird who is meant to fly miles each day---humans just don't have that kind of energy....
Oh, and imagine that you have to see the same person everyday and that you never get to interact with anyone else or see anything but the 4 walls of your room....for years and years and years....


Is this fair? Could you handle it if the shoe were on the other foot?

 

[GaleriaGila]

What Noodles said!

Thank you, Noodles!

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

Abdullah, I am sorry if I sound negative all of the time. I know you have good intentions, but just hear me out. I am telling you this because it is important for both you and the bird:
If you attend school and your dad smokes, then does that mean the only attention your bird is going to get is when you are doing homework in your room with the door shut? If so, the bird will not be getting enough attention. Proper socialization is KEY---especially if you ever want to have a family of your own- This means teaching your bird how to act around people besides you (and teaching those people how to act around your bird).

Your bird will live a very long time. During this time, you may become a college student, a husband, a father....I know that your goal right now is to protect the bird from your dad's smoke and to keep your little brother's/sister's/cousin's fingers attached...THAT IS ALL SUPER IMPORTANT, I AGREE....


The thing is, if you don't expose your bird to other people (besides you) and if he only gets a tiny bit of attention (1-2 hours a day), he will likely be a very fearful and potentially territorial/aggressive bird.

I spent a lot of time with a mini-Macaw who wasn't too fond of me (tolerated me) but the worst bites I have ever gotten came from him---drew blood very easily. I still had to go back day-after-day and keep trying (biting eventually decreased), but it is very hard to calmly attempt to pick up a bird when the cuts from the previous incident have not healed. The bird will pick up on any nervousness and retreat from you further...


Imagine that 15 years have passed and you have a child of your own---a 2 year old girl---the love of your life. One day, she sneaks into the bird's room. At this point, the bird is already upset and jealous about the attention that you have been giving to new "flock members" and he perceives your precious little daughter as a threat (having never been socialized). Despite warnings, your curious child tries to pet the "birdy" (yeah, you told her not to, but like a parrot, 2 year olds don't often listen)...So, in go her tiny little fingers and CHOMP. Your daughter screams, your parrots screams, you run in and see blood so you scream...Your wife hears and runs in. In a panicked rage that her daughter has been hurt, she screams at you and the bird, grabs your daughter and slams the bird door shut, yelling, "I told you that stupid bird was dangerous and NOW LOOK!" In the car, she continues to rant about how "that bird has been a problem since day one". At the emergency room, your daughter gets stitches and a cast on her broken and bloody finger---the doctors say she was lucky it didn't snap off completely. Now, your family hates the bird even more than they did before, and they see it as a dangerous animal. You are angry because you made a promise to care for it, but now you have a daughter and a wife who you love more than you knew possible when you adopted your bird as a teen. What would you do? It is easy to say that you would continue to care for the bird, but many husbands make compromises to preserve their marriages...It is really impossible to say WHAT you will do at your current age, but I can tell you that a sickening number of parrots are re-homed due to shifts in family dynamics (wife/kids etc)...

My point in all of this is to say that currently you have 2 choices:
1. Keep the bird hidden away in your room in order to protect it from your father's smoke and small children.
2. Socialize the bird and risk killing it with fumes from smoke...and risk bites to others who may be less understanding.

When you are REALLY ready to own a parrot, you will not have to choose between these options and having to choose will not be fair to your bird.

You will be happier if you wait until you have your own place and until you can socialize the bird on your terms. I know you want this really badly....I commend you for coming on here and asking for help. I am stubborn like you and I get it---YOU REALLY WANT THIS----but you have to ask yourself what is best for the bird.


Lets say you are 15 now. What happens if you go to college or want to travel abroad? What if your bird never really bonds with you?


I really hope that at the end of all of this, you look at it from the bird's perspective.

CHALLENGE TIME:

1. Put a 4 ft by 4ft a box on the floor with tape.
2. Inside of the box of tape, you may bring a few items (NO PHONE-nothing else):
A. a food that you dislike (represents pellets),
B. One healthy snack, like an apple (represents fruit/veg),
C. a Rubiks cube (represents bird puzzle toy)
D. a few sticks of gum (represents bird chewing toys) and
E.A fidget spinner (represents other bird toys).
3. sit in your room, inside of that box (with the door shut). You cannot leave the box even if you hear things going on outside of your door.

Try it....see how long it takes before you start to go insane..I will be impressed if you make it 2 hours.

A bird like yours will spend 8+ hours alone in a box while you are at work or school.
This experiment still isn't perfect because there is no way for you to simulate the pent-up energy in a bird who is meant to fly miles each day---humans just don't have that kind of energy....
Oh, and imagine that you have to see the same person everyday and that you never get to interact with anyone else or see anything but the 4 walls of your room....for years and years and years....


Is this fair? Could you handle it if the shoe were on the other foot?

First IM ALWAYS IN MY ROOM

85% Of the time in my life im in my room

and you are talking like im always keeping him cagebound

Also i stay 7 hours At school might seem too much but my brother is there for 4 hours so make that 3 hours

also im gonna introduce him to other people as long as they dont stress him out

i know thats why cookie was so Hateful To other people

and im just gonna skip the pellet thing

AND there is a Bird Free Fly Zone near my house i can take him their or buy him a Harness and go around town with him

Also im not getting married and its not in my plans EVER

The pellet thing is unfair Why do other people on this Forum Feed their birds pellets and i cant?

And one of the things i asked about when i told them to get him is not to choose a picky eater


also i wont ever travel abroad since im the last of my family i will always stay

with my mom and dad


Now lets get personal

one of the core laws of my religion is NO ANIMAL abuse

if you feed a cat a food it dosent like for all of its life guess what

YOURE GOING TO HELL

so im not the type to abandon him

and frankly you are telling me mixed messages here
Dont let your family handle
WHO WILL HANDLE IT WHEN YOU ARE IN SCHOOL

sorry im getting angry but i cant stop myself from saying the truth

also the bird can stay on my shoulder all the time even when im not in my room

maybe even when im going to my other family (Aunts Uncles,etc..)

 

[noodles123]

First of all, none of this is intended to be a personal attack on you or your situation. You don't have a bird yet, so everyone here is just trying to ensure that you do no make a decision that you regret.

No one is saying not to let your family handle him. The issue is, you are not the head of your household and therefore, you have limited control. There are safety issues with birds and children- that is not to say that they cannot mix, but based on what you said in other posts, the children you spoke of do not sound mature enough to handle a bird respectfully (while staying safe themselves). You are not their parent-- as a brother or peer figure, what you say and what they do may not be the same. Little children often ignore their own parents, let alone siblings!

The fact that your dad smokes inside means that even after he is done smoking, there will be smoke residue in the home and that can kill your bird. This means that all of the interaction your bird gets will have to happen in your room, as it is the only (debateably) safe room in the house...I still assert that the smoke will get into your room, whether or not you smell it. When you live with a smoker, your nose adjusts. Also, not all of the chemicals will definitely have an odor.

Your family members cannot prepare meals etc in your room, therefore, your bird will be deprived of seeing what normal family interactions look like (as they will only enter your room if their intention is to speak to you or interact with the bird).

You mention your religion and animal abuse. I am going to be presumptuous and assume that your religion is Islam (correct me if I am wrong)---I am basing that on the fact that your name, in Arabic, means follower of God. I agree that Islam is clear on the ethical treatment of animals and because of this, I would contend that keeping a bird around smoke is a form of abuse (especially with the knowledge that past birds have died as a result of this exposure). Additionally, as you live under your father's roof it is his choice to smoke indoors if he wishes, just as no one is forcing you to get a pet parrot.

You know he smokes. You know he is addicted. You know you will not be able to force him to smoke outside if he continues smoking. You know that birds should not be around smoke or airborne chemicals of any kind. He isn't forcing you to buy a bird either. This isn't your dad's fault or yours, but if you adopt a parrot, then you are CHOOSING to bring an animal into an environment that is less-than healthy, knowing full well the impacts of smoke on their sensitive respiratory systems. They are much more sensitive than people....


Therefore, in your current setting, you have 3 choices:
1. Isolate the bird (bad for socialization but better for respiratory health)
2. Take the bird out of your room and expose it to harmful chemicals (bad for respiratory health but better for socialization)
3.Wait to adopt one until you have more control over your (and the bird's) environment. (good for health and socialization)

Furthermore, feeding a bird something that is healthy but disliked is often essential....Not forcing it down the bird's throat, but offering it repeatedly as an option. A child may only like chocolate cake, but a mother is forced to feed her child vegetables from time to time (this is not abuse, but responsible parenting). Why can't you feed pellets? Can you order them off of the internet or are you opposed to them? I am confused...Seeds alone will kill your bird...

I am speaking frankly because I feel like in the last post, emotion has taken hold where logic should be king. This is not an attack on you or your family. This is a matter of what works and what doesn't work. You mention how often you are in your room, but a Macaw can live past 30, and I am guessing you eventually plan to move out...and get a job etc etc.

Birds do bond strongly to one person (As a rule) but they can be trained to tolerate others with proper exposure. You are just assuming that your bird will like you and your brothers. What happens if he doesn't? Are you sure that you/they are committed to caring for a bird that bites you/them habitually? You are banking on the fact that your bird will cooperate with your plans, but it may HATE its harness and it may even hate you! If it does, will that change your loyalty to the bird?

Much of my family is scared of my bird because, even though she is nicer now, she still doesn't like them in the same way that she likes me and she often bites them or resists commands when I am not around...she has been properly socialized, but she is still a wild animal. Also, when I first got her, I couldn't touch her for 3 months....that is a long time....it is easy to think you have all of this patience etc until you are living with extreme behaviors and fear of your own bird.

That is not to say that they cannot be overcome, but it takes a village.

 

[AbdullahSuwan]

No one is saying not to let your family handle him. The issue is, you are not the head of your household and therefore, you have limited control. There are safety issues with birds and children- that is not to say that they cannot mix, but based on what you said in other posts, the children you spoke of do not sound mature enough to handle a bird respectfully (while staying safe themselves).


The fact that your dad smokes inside means that even after he is done smoking, there will be smoke residue in the home and that can kill your bird. This means that all of the interaction your bird gets will have to happen in your room, as it is the only marginally safe room in the house.



Your family members cannot prepare meals etc in your room, therefore, your bird will be deprived of seeing what normal family interactions look like (as they will only enter your room if their intention is to speak to you or interact with the bird).


You mention your religion and animal abuse. I am going to be presumptuous and assume that your religion is Islam (correct me if I am wrong)---I am basing that on the fact that your name, in Arabic, means follower of God. I agree that Islam is clear on the ethical treatment of animals and because of this, I would contend that keeping a bird around smoke is a form of abuse (especially with the knowledge that past birds have died as a result of this exposure). Therefore, you have 2 choices: 1- Isolate the bird, or 2. wait to adopt one until you have more control over its environment.


Furthermore, feeding a bird something that is healthy but disliked is often essential. A child may only like chocolate cake, but a mother is forced to feed her child vegetables from time to time (this is not abuse, but responsible parenting). Why can't you feed pellets? Can you order them off of the internet or are you opposed to them? I am confused...Seeds alone will kill your bird...



I am speaking frankly because I feel like in the last post, emotion has taken hold where logic should be king.



Birds do bond strongly to one person (As a rule) but they can be trained to tolerate others with proper exposure. You are just assuming that your bird will like you and your brothers. What happens if he doesn't? Are you sure that you/they are committed to caring for a bird that bites you/them habitually? You are banking on the fact that your bird will cooperate with your plans, but it may HATE its harness and it may even hate you! If it does, will that change your loyalty to the bird?


Much of my family is scared of my bird because, even though she is nicer now, she still doesn't like them in the same way that she likes me and she often bites them or resists commands when I am not around...she has been properly socialized, but she is still a wild animal. Also, when I first got her, I couldn't touch her for 3 months....that is a long time....it is easy to think you have all of this patience etc until you are living with extreme behaviors and fear of your own bird.



That is not to say that they cannot be overcome, but it takes a village.

Ok this sounds much better

Yes im muslim

the other issue being as you said cooking

We dont use nonstick pans or Cast irons (Which Make Harmful Scents And Gas) but Alot of the food we Cook uses Onions as a secondary ingredient

Does that mean i cant let him go inside the kitchen?

Also this is his basic routine that i planned

6AM to 1 Am he will be in the living room provided

Dad dosent smoke (I will monitor him and If he doesent stop smoking i will tell him to smoke outside if not plan B Takes action ( Plan B is using religion for him telling him its forbidden))

We arent cooking anything with onions

if We are i put him in my room And then when dad leaves I will try to minimize Smoke Residue


in friday he will stay in the balcony until Dawn Where he will stay in my room

in night i will put him in the Center Room Where noise is minimal


also i have experience with him not liking me right away

i remember when i got My cockatiel we expected to be treated like disney princesses Except we wasnt and he was afraid

after 2 months of careful Training and interaction he became friendly


Also i know about biting and such

I had a cat That kept scratching me And that didnt make me love her less

She is an animal She Has rules we dont understand

though A macaw Beak Does pack A bigger punch i will tolerate it

also my family has no "Head of the household" So We all have some Control and i can make my own rules


Edit:

I thought you said Pellets were not allowed since he may hate them

we both just misunderstood

And I will feed some fruits and veggies Dont worry

 

[noodles123]

I am still worried about the left-over smoke. They are just so sensitive. I really wouldn't get a bird if I lived with a smoker....period...because even if he isn't smoking at that second, the leftover impacts will be in the air...

BUT if you are going to do this no matter what, then at the very least, you need to buy multiple hepa air purifiers (I use a brand called VEVA) and place them in the rooms where your dad smokes. DO NO get the kind that ionizes or produces ozone!!! You will need to build the cost of filters and pre-filters (plus the air purifiers themselves) into your budget. These filters need to be replaced fairly regularly. This WILL NOT save your bird from the impacts of smoke, but it may reduce some of the damage...As a non-smoker, I still use air-filters because again, many things irritate a bird's sensitive lungs....

Please do not think that this will eliminate the problem--it won't come close, but again, if you are doing this no matter what, then you NEED air filters. It is still far from ideal.

In terms of cooking, as you said Teflon/ptfe/ptfoa are very bad. You already know that you cannot and should not use these near a bird (not even in the same house). If you use rice cookers, popcorn poppers, cake pans, cookie-sheets, drip trays (on the range), bake-in-a-bag anything, irons, ironing boards,a self-cleaning oven, blowdryers, space-heaters, curlers, etc...then know that you need to check to make sure that they do not contain teflon, ptfe or ptfoa...MANY do and you can't always tell just by looking. You will need to call the company and make sure you mention PTFE (polytetrafloroethyline -sp?) ,PTFOA AND TEFLON (they don't always know that Teflon has multiple names, so give them alternative abbreviations and the full chemical spelling).

Cooking onions in a soup or something won't kill your bird just because they are onions--- the bigger issue is that any food with a strong smell is sending particles into the air and those particles get inhaled...so the bigger issue is that oily/fried foods tend to produce strong smells and smoke. Burning food is a big issue....Make sure you open windows and get your bird out of there ASAP if food is smoking or burning (or if it just has a very strong smell due to having just been fried).

Open flames and pots of boiling water etc are bad because a scared bird could randomly fly into them (either out of curiosity or fear)---Sometimes my bird gets scared and she takes flight without looking at where she is going...

Things like incense, air freshener, candles, bleach, ammonia (and any other non-avian safe cleaners) produce deadly fumes as well... Basically, if you can smell it, keep it away from your bird...Hairspray, perfume, spray-on-deodorant etc all fall under this category as well.

Based on what you said about the routine, I have concerns about the bird's sleep schedule. Birds need 10-12 hours of UNINTERRUPTED and quiet sleep. They need consistent bed-times and wake-up times, just like a child. If you do not allow your bird the sleep it needs, it will result in a weakened immune system, stress, heightened aggression, hormonal disruption and often, self-destructive behavior. You have to have a place where you bird can sleep safely (Away from light, noise and smoke) for a solid 10-12 hours. My bird goes to bed at 6 and wakes up at 6....there is very little wiggle room here. I recently had to change her routine and for awhile, she was going to bed at 4 and waking up at 4 so that she could have enough time out of her cage before I went to work. If you force a bird to go to bed too early or too late, you will have problems. You can't just move your bird in the middle of the night---you need a solid sleep location.

Also, keep in mind that birds are very sensitive to light changes (as these help regulate their internal clocks). When I was waking my bird up at 4am and putting her to bed at 4pm, I noticed that the fact that it was still dark out in the mornings (despite lights being on in the house) genuinely confused her...She still wanted to sit on her window perch (and the door had to be open because without the screen door, all she saw was reflections in the glass due to darkness outside+lights inside). Anyway, when I opened everything but the screen door and she saw that it still looked like night outside, she would be quiet until the sun came up and then all of the sudden, she wanted to party (even though it was still too early for her to be loud etc).

In terms of the balcony-- birds are sensitive to drafts and sudden temperature changes. What is the coldest it gets where you live? This could be a problem if temperatures drop below a certain point--especially if it happens quickly, as it often does following a rain etc. If the balcony has wood or metal that the bird could chew on, then this could be very bad, as birds are known to ingest particles from metal screens etc and contract metal poisoning. Stainless steel is the only metal that is really safe for birds. Aside from poison concerns, consider the possibility of escape---if a hole is chewed, your bird could get out.

I hope I answered at least some of your questions, and I am glad you already have experience with animals who don't cooperate-- you are right, they are animals and they don't know. That is good that you have that understanding. That having been said, I really hope you understand that your dad's smoking will harm your bird over time---even if it isn't in the same room and even if he stops before the bird enters.