Umbrella cockatoo cage

[Owlet]

So my friend's aunt may be looking into rehoming her cockatoo. She may come with the cage she currently has but I'm not sure how suitable of a cage it is at the moment. I asked for pictures but my friend won't be going over until later tonight so hopefully I'll have more information by then.

Anyways, we've discussed the possibility of me taking her in, it's still uncertain right now since there are some details that need to be smoothed out but in the case I do if like to have a suitable cage lined up for her. So what are suitable dimensions for a cockatoo cage? What kind of cages do you other cockatoo owners have? How do you have it set up?

 

[SailBoat]

So my friend's aunt may be looking into rehoming her cockatoo. She may come with the cage she currently has but I'm not sure how suitable of a cage it is at the moment. I asked for pictures but my friend won't be going over until later tonight so hopefully I'll have more information by then.

Anyways, we've discussed the possibility of me taking her in, it's still uncertain right now since there are some details that need to be smoothed out but in the case I do if like to have a suitable cage lined up for her. So what are suitable dimensions for a cockatoo cage? What kind of cages do you other cockatoo owners have? How do you have it set up?

You understand that Cockatoos come in several size ranges and you really need to know, which Cockatoo you are talking about housing. The cage size range is like Amazon size to large MAC size. So as you can see, without knowing you can get this very wrong.

Unless any of you have existing knowledge of the care of Cockatoos you are not ready to understand just bring one home.

Please take the time to read the Cockatoo Forum, at the bare minimum, the first several Threads that are highlighted in light blue.

If you are a Renter, you could easily loss your apartment because of the potential noise level a Too is capable of! Lots to know before you do this!!! Lots!!!

 

[Owlet]

I'm not a renter no but I did specify umbrella cockatoo in the title, as far as I'm aware only have one side variety? Could be wrong. And I do know about cockatoos and such I've done research on a variety of parrots.

 

[SailBoat]

I'm not a renter no but I did specify umbrella cockatoo in the title, as far as I'm aware only have one side variety? Could be wrong. And I do know about cockatoos and such I've done research on a variety of parrots.

Sorry, miss that! Best of Lot!

 

[plumsmum2005]

I go for the largest cage you can accommodate as that will give you plenty of space within to make it an interesting 'home' for the U2. Bear in mind that these 'toos have very powerful beaks if they so choose. A friend used to have a pair in a brick built aviary which they were eating their way out of. Plenty of stimulation, toys and wood will help with this. Are you planning to go meet this U2 before?

 

[Scott]

I go for the largest cage you can accommodate as that will give you plenty of space within to make it an interesting 'home' for the U2. Bear in mind that these 'toos have very powerful beaks if they so choose. A friend used to have a pair in a brick built aviary which they were eating their way out of. Plenty of stimulation, toys and wood will help with this. Are you planning to go meet this U2 before?

Cockatoos are very active and need a large cage with plenty of chew-toys and other stimulating activities. They are also Houdinis, so the cage will need durable locking mechanisms. Even then.... Most of my Toos are smaller, though I do have a Citron and have had a Moluccan. TBH, most of mine are out of the cages either entirely or for most of the day.

Toos are my favorite species, though never had a U2. They are incredibly sweet but can be challenging. I'd advise spending some time with this bird over several sessions and definitely check out the Cockatoo Forum!

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/17694-owning-cockatoo.html

There are several members with U2s, hope they will see this and respond!

 

[Allee]

Umbies are a challenge for all who love them but they come with sweet rewards.

This is Poppy's cage, she uses every inch of it both inside and out. I can measure the dimensions if you'd like.



Umbies are feathered monkeys, they are constantly moving, they need a constant supply of things to destroy.



Pardon the quaker, she insists she's really a U2. I'm sorry for the poor quality but hopefully you can see the natural perches and part of the set up. U2's are ground dwellers and usually prefer climbing over flying. A variety of perches in different sizes and textures will keep those big dinosaur feet healthy.



Poppy spends a lot of time outside her cage, she loves her play stand.



I hope that answers some of your questions. Thanks for offering a home to a cockatoo. Please keep us updated.

 

[Owlet]

I really wish I could go meet her but unfortunately she's all the way in Ohio and I'm in Colorado. Maybe we can arrange something so i can meet her first. But she currently belongs to my friend (whom I'm really close to) 's aunt and said friend has known the bird all his life. He's giving me lots of details since he's taking care of the bird at the moment since the aunt is out of town though I plan to talk to her once she gets back.

I'm fully prepared for the complications of a cockatoo, I've read lots and watched lots of videos.

My biggest concern is if she'd get along with Lincoln, I will need some tips and instructions on introducing birds to each other. As far as I'm aware neither have been with another bird.

I got a picture of the cage she's been living in for what I can assume is her entire life. It's still unsure if the cage would go with her, but if it does would it be okay to keep her in it? Of course I'd need to clean it up and add lots more toys to the inside but is the size okay? Also a picture of her.
I'm not a huge fan of the cage and will most likely look into getting a different cage regardless, but I hope it'd work at least temporarily.
I also have a pvc playstand in the works that she would be allowed to use. I'll include a picture with Lincoln for size comparison. The final product will have vet tape on it for grip. It's going slowly because my dad keeps going on trips to see family and I'm useless when it comes to cutting PVC xD
My friend says she's very cuddly and loves attention and would be happy just sitting with you.
As for the plucking, my friend says it's a recent development because something stressed her recently. Gonna ask for more details once I get to directly talk to the aunt.


And I'm not sure why the playstand pic got flipped upside down.

 

[EllenD]

Awesome post by Allee, she is definitely the person you need to talk to about owning a U2. I'd ask many questions often! If you've never owned a cockatoo of any species, let alone a U2, I'd absolutely take the advise already given above and BEFORE you bring this U2 home I'd definitely go and spend several sessions over several weeks with this bird. You need to pick a day during the week, like Sunday, and go and spend 3-4 hours with this bird every Sunday for several weeks. This will do a couple of things, it will let you get to know what this bird is really like when you spend hours at a time with it, which is very different than just seeing the bird or talking to it briefly when stopping in to this friend's aunt's house, if you've even spent much time with it at all. After spending this amount of time you may decide you really love the bird, the bird loves you, and you're a great fit. Or you may decide that this bird is just not the bird for you, it may be too loud, too energetic, too aggressive, or the opposite, either way it just may not fit your personality or lifestyle. Or more importantly it may become very apparent that the bird just doesn't like you. This happens quite a bit, where a rehomed bird is just purchased or adopted by someone that means well, they may have tons of bird experience and may have owned many cockatoos before, may even have rescued rehomed Toos before, but they just bring the bird home without spending any long periods of time with the bird, and the bird absolutely hates the person. It doesn't matter if you love everything about the bird if the bird hates you. And really the only way to find that out is to spend long periods of time with him over many weeks.

Spending a few hours a day with the bird over several weeks will also serve a purpose that may be even more important than discovering whether or not you like the bird and whether the bird likes you: it will allow this poor bird that is going to lose his family time to get to know you. I don't know how many owners this U2 has had, maybe your friend's aunt has been his only owner, having him since he was a baby. Either way, in my experience and honestly if you have much bird experience at all you should already know that unfortunately once a cockatoo is rehomed once, his chances of being rehomed over and over again are pretty high. I try to put myself in the shoes of the bird, and I certainly cannot imagine living with my family all my life, as most people do, having my mom, the only mom I've ever known, take care of me every day all my life, being in the same home and around the same people, the same sounds, the same smells, the same animals, all of my comfortable surroundings the same all of my life, and then one day, out of nowhere, my mom is gone and I'm in a new home. There are new people everywhere, my cage is different, a few of my toys are here but they're in different places in this different cage and some are missing, where did my toys go? My dishes are different. Who is this person that keeps talking to me? What is that smell? That sound? Where's my mom? I want my mom! I want my mom!

This just breaks my heart and brings a tear to my eye whenever I think about it and think about ever having to rehome my own pets. No matter what this will be very hard on this U2, but if you spend several hours a day over several weeks getting to know the bird and letting him get to know you, as long as he doesn't dislike you (that won't work), then at least when the day does come when everything changes for him and his world is flipped upside down, when he's sitting in that new cage with new possessions in a new home with new people, you'll be a very welcomed familiar face to him. You taking the time and putting forth the effort to do this instead of just picking him up one day and taking him away from his home may be the difference between him having a good, healthy transition to your home and the two of you building a strong, loving bond, and him developing psychological issues, behavioral issues, health issues, becoming aggressive and threatening, and basically becoming the (unfortunately) very, very common, typical plucked U2 that has been passed from home to home and owner to owner that we see all the time, in every bird rescue across the country.

You also need to spend a lot of time with your friend's aunt, asking her every question you can possibly think of, learning about his entire past life, what he has been through, what he likes and what he loves, what he dislikes and what he hates, his daily routine and his nightly routine, what she personally does with him on a daily basis, how much time he spends out of his cage, in his cage, what toys he uses, where does he like to be when he's out of his cage (you're absolutely going to need large play stands, mobile perches, etc. in addition to a very large, high quality steel cage with very thick bars he can't bend; look at Allee's in her photos), where does he like to be scratched, and on and on and on. Ask her every question you can, make a huge list of questions before you go and speak to her, and then every week when you go to spend your time with him (hopefully) you can ask her more questions and have her educate you. Do not be afraid to say "I'm very sorry but I can't take him home. He's just not the bird for me", because this will save him from going to your house, staying there as long as the two of you can stand it, you spending lots of money, and then ending up in a rescue or shelter, and then into the endless cycle that is the large parrot rehoming carousel.

Also, please make sure you calculate the financial cost of not only owning and providing for a cockatoo, but the financial cost of being a completely responsible cockatoo owner that is providing an above average life for his bird. The up-front costs that you'll need to spend before you bring a cockatoo home, such as the large, high-quality steel cage, at least one but preferably multiple play stands and mobile perches, toys for chewing, toys for foraging, toys that will keep this highly intelligent bird occupied and keep him from becoming bored, high-quality pellet food, seed mix to add to the pellet diet, treats, bird-safe cage cleaners, BIRD-SAFE POTS AND PANS THAT ARE NOT NON-STICK TEFLON COATED (everyone forgets to buy these before getting the bird), etc. These up-front costs are just the start. Cockatoo vet bills, especially if he has any medical issues or if he develops any issues as a result of being rehomed (god forbid), can cost a small fortune.

I realize you have other birds, so I'm sure you know a lot of this, you already own a lot of the supplies you'll need, and hopefully you already have a certified avian vet that you use and are aware of the financial cost to owning a cockatoo. I'm really not lecturing, I'm just stressing how important it is to make sure this is going to work for both you and the U2 BEFORE you bring him home. Hopefully you'll have the option to both spend a great amount of time with him prior to actually adopting him, as well as the ability to bring him back to her if any major issues arise as a result of him leaving her home. Hopefully she will also be sure to make you aware of any current issues he has and the costs that they incur.

I've been volunteering at an animal rescue for many years, we take in and adopt out all types of animals, any animal that is brought to us. No particular type of animal, bird, reptile, amphibian, rodent, etc. is ever rejected. But we must have either space for the animal or a certified foster home available and willing to immediately take the animal in, otherwise we have to try to find another rescue or shelter for placement. I'm a certified foster for all birds, all dogs, and all reptiles. (This is based on my own personal pet/animal experience and education, but also the endless training and education I have to attend on a regular basis). I'm one of only two foster homes certified for birds in my area, and the other woman that is a bird foster is only certified for small birds. So I get all of the medium to large parrots that we take in. It's basically my decision to make as far as will we take them, will it stay at the main rescue center or will it come to my home, what type and how much medical care, training, etc. will it need, etc. And unfortunately cockatoos are the bird species that are rehomed the most and also the bird species with highest number (and risk) of being rehomed multiple times, and to develop behavioral issues as a result of being rehomed. You have to remember that this bird you are considering bringing into your home is the equivalent of adopting a 4 year old toddler. Truly. There is a much larger bird rescue an hour away from me that is always full, and I bet 60%+ of the rescues they have at any given time are some type of Cockatoo, followed by Macaws and Amazons.

So I'm passionate about this topic, and I believe that the best way to remedy the homeless Cockatoo epidemic we have in the United States is through educating people about these birds BEFORE they are not only adopted by or rehomed to an individual, but also BEFORE an individual purchases a Cockatoo from a breeder or bird shop. I feel like many people who have either purchased or adopted a Cockatoo would never have gotten one had they been properly educated about what it takes to properly keep one, the amount of time they must spend with the bird every day, the amount of money they cost over their lifetimes, the behavioral, psychological, and medical issues they commonly develop, and the fact that most Cockatoos live to be between 50-100.

So I apologize for this long rant, but again I'm passionate about this topic and I just want to make sure that you are fully informed and educated before you take on this bird. They can be quite rewarding and hopefully become a loving part of your family, but the commitment is tremendous.

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[Owlet]

As I said above, I don't really have the opportunity to spend weeks with her because of the distance between us. I really wish I did but as a student it's just not an option. I really hope I can work something out though because she seems like a really sweet bird and I hate for her to go through a string of re-homing.

 

[Kentuckienne]

One thing that is missing here is the discussions that need to happen with the rest of the family. U2s are LOUD and have other traits that affect the family dynamic. Let's say you met this new bird and the two of you hit it off...what about the other folks in the house? If the bird hates only one of them, it will likely create a lot of tension and discord. Everybody should be on board, should be well educated on this bird's traits and habits, and be committed for the long term. It's not fair to the humans, who after all were there first. If there isn't full agreement before the bird arrives, then it might be better to wait until you've had your own place for a while. Now you're a student, and your first home of your own is more likely to be an apartment than a house, where a loud 'too might be problematic. It seems an uncertain environment for a long-lived bird.

 

[Owlet]

I have put a lot of thought into my living arrangements in the future, and as of now it's pretty much decided I'd be moving out of my family home to live with a couple friends since we're all avid animal lovers we'd likely end up getting a town house where the land lord allows animals (including cockatoos). We've looked at the expenses and have come to the conclusion we could afford it along with the costs of animal companions. As of now I do live with my parents and I'm fully aware I need to go over it with them. My dad has been out of town for a few days though so I've been waiting for him to come back to bring it up.

Not to be rude, I'm very thankful for the advice I have been given, but it really seems like I'm just being lectured about things that I'm already fully aware of and I was just asking for cage size requirements and recommendations. I'm not gonna forcefully take this bird if it's truly not a good fit. As of now taking this cockatoo is not a for sure thing, it's just a consideration. I came asking about cages because it is one of the things that needs to be planned prior to me saying yes or no to actually going through with this adoption.

Now I've already stated that I'm not entirely happy with the cage she currently has, so regardless of if she comes with the cage or not I'd be looking into getting her a new one and I'd really appreciate some recommendations from other cockatoo owners here.

 

[Dopey]

I don't recommend corner cages - at least at first. If the cockatoo doesn't want to step up (and usually they don't) you will not be able to get them out of the back corner (unless you are very tall and have long arms). Knowing what I know now I wouldn't get a real tall cage either. Cockatoos have a way of going to the furthest corner to get away from anyone who wants them to step-up and then laugh at you. Having said all of that, it is hard to find a cage that is wide and not tall. No matter what cage my 2s were in they were always difficult to get out. If that doesn't bother you then get the tallest and widest and deepest cage you can find.

 

[EllenD]

One thing that is missing here is the discussions that need to happen with the rest of the family. U2s are LOUD and have other traits that affect the family dynamic. Let's say you met this new bird and the two of you hit it off...what about the other folks in the house? If the bird hates only one of them, it will likely create a lot of tension and discord. Everybody should be on board, should be well educated on this bird's traits and habits, and be committed for the long term. It's not fair to the humans, who after all were there first. If there isn't full agreement before the bird arrives, then it might be better to wait until you've had your own place for a while. Now you're a student, and your first home of your own is more likely to be an apartment than a house, where a loud 'too might be problematic. It seems an uncertain environment for a long-lived bird.

Well said, and very important. Yet another reason they end up in a rescue. Thanks for mentioning this!

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[Allee]

Umbies are a challenge for all who love them but they come with sweet rewards.

This is Poppy's cage, she uses every inch of it both inside and out. I can measure the dimensions if you'd like.



Umbies are feathered monkeys, they are constantly moving, they need a constant supply of things to destroy.



Pardon the quaker, she insists she's really a U2. I'm sorry for the poor quality but hopefully you can see the natural perches and part of the set up. U2's are ground dwellers and usually prefer climbing over flying. A variety of perches in different sizes and textures will keep those big dinosaur feet healthy.



Poppy spends a lot of time outside her cage, she loves her play stand.



I hope that answers some of your questions. Thanks for offering a home to a cockatoo. Please keep us updated.

Pardon me for being redundant. These are photos you asked for from someone who lives with an umbie. IMHO, these are minimum requirements for a U2.

 

[ToMang07]

Downstairs/living room:

Bedroom: (Long term/sleeping cage)

 

[Allee]

Awesome post by Allee, she is definitely the person you need to talk to about owning a U2. I'd ask many questions often! If you've never owned a cockatoo of any species, let alone a U2, I'd absolutely take the advise already given above and BEFORE you bring this U2 home I'd definitely go and spend several sessions over several weeks with this bird. You need to pick a day during the week, like Sunday, and go and spend 3-4 hours with this bird every Sunday for several weeks. This will do a couple of things, it will let you get to know what this bird is really like when you spend hours at a time with it, which is very different than just seeing the bird or talking to it briefly when stopping in to this friend's aunt's house, if you've even spent much time with it at all. After spending this amount of time you may decide you really love the bird, the bird loves you, and you're a great fit. Or you may decide that this bird is just not the bird for you, it may be too loud, too energetic, too aggressive, or the opposite, either way it just may not fit your personality or lifestyle. Or more importantly it may become very apparent that the bird just doesn't like you. This happens quite a bit, where a rehomed bird is just purchased or adopted by someone that means well, they may have tons of bird experience and may have owned many cockatoos before, may even have rescued rehomed Toos before, but they just bring the bird home without spending any long periods of time with the bird, and the bird absolutely hates the person. It doesn't matter if you love everything about the bird if the bird hates you. And really the only way to find that out is to spend long periods of time with him over many weeks.

Spending a few hours a day with the bird over several weeks will also serve a purpose that may be even more important than discovering whether or not you like the bird and whether the bird likes you: it will allow this poor bird that is going to lose his family time to get to know you. I don't know how many owners this U2 has had, maybe your friend's aunt has been his only owner, having him since he was a baby. Either way, in my experience and honestly if you have much bird experience at all you should already know that unfortunately once a cockatoo is rehomed once, his chances of being rehomed over and over again are pretty high. I try to put myself in the shoes of the bird, and I certainly cannot imagine living with my family all my life, as most people do, having my mom, the only mom I've ever known, take care of me every day all my life, being in the same home and around the same people, the same sounds, the same smells, the same animals, all of my comfortable surroundings the same all of my life, and then one day, out of nowhere, my mom is gone and I'm in a new home. There are new people everywhere, my cage is different, a few of my toys are here but they're in different places in this different cage and some are missing, where did my toys go? My dishes are different. Who is this person that keeps talking to me? What is that smell? That sound? Where's my mom? I want my mom! I want my mom!

This just breaks my heart and brings a tear to my eye whenever I think about it and think about ever having to rehome my own pets. No matter what this will be very hard on this U2, but if you spend several hours a day over several weeks getting to know the bird and letting him get to know you, as long as he doesn't dislike you (that won't work), then at least when the day does come when everything changes for him and his world is flipped upside down, when he's sitting in that new cage with new possessions in a new home with new people, you'll be a very welcomed familiar face to him. You taking the time and putting forth the effort to do this instead of just picking him up one day and taking him away from his home may be the difference between him having a good, healthy transition to your home and the two of you building a strong, loving bond, and him developing psychological issues, behavioral issues, health issues, becoming aggressive and threatening, and basically becoming the (unfortunately) very, very common, typical plucked U2 that has been passed from home to home and owner to owner that we see all the time, in every bird rescue across the country.

You also need to spend a lot of time with your friend's aunt, asking her every question you can possibly think of, learning about his entire past life, what he has been through, what he likes and what he loves, what he dislikes and what he hates, his daily routine and his nightly routine, what she personally does with him on a daily basis, how much time he spends out of his cage, in his cage, what toys he uses, where does he like to be when he's out of his cage (you're absolutely going to need large play stands, mobile perches, etc. in addition to a very large, high quality steel cage with very thick bars he can't bend; look at Allee's in her photos), where does he like to be scratched, and on and on and on. Ask her every question you can, make a huge list of questions before you go and speak to her, and then every week when you go to spend your time with him (hopefully) you can ask her more questions and have her educate you. Do not be afraid to say "I'm very sorry but I can't take him home. He's just not the bird for me", because this will save him from going to your house, staying there as long as the two of you can stand it, you spending lots of money, and then ending up in a rescue or shelter, and then into the endless cycle that is the large parrot rehoming carousel.

Also, please make sure you calculate the financial cost of not only owning and providing for a cockatoo, but the financial cost of being a completely responsible cockatoo owner that is providing an above average life for his bird. The up-front costs that you'll need to spend before you bring a cockatoo home, such as the large, high-quality steel cage, at least one but preferably multiple play stands and mobile perches, toys for chewing, toys for foraging, toys that will keep this highly intelligent bird occupied and keep him from becoming bored, high-quality pellet food, seed mix to add to the pellet diet, treats, bird-safe cage cleaners, BIRD-SAFE POTS AND PANS THAT ARE NOT NON-STICK TEFLON COATED (everyone forgets to buy these before getting the bird), etc. These up-front costs are just the start. Cockatoo vet bills, especially if he has any medical issues or if he develops any issues as a result of being rehomed (god forbid), can cost a small fortune.

I realize you have other birds, so I'm sure you know a lot of this, you already own a lot of the supplies you'll need, and hopefully you already have a certified avian vet that you use and are aware of the financial cost to owning a cockatoo. I'm really not lecturing, I'm just stressing how important it is to make sure this is going to work for both you and the U2 BEFORE you bring him home. Hopefully you'll have the option to both spend a great amount of time with him prior to actually adopting him, as well as the ability to bring him back to her if any major issues arise as a result of him leaving her home. Hopefully she will also be sure to make you aware of any current issues he has and the costs that they incur.

I've been volunteering at an animal rescue for many years, we take in and adopt out all types of animals, any animal that is brought to us. No particular type of animal, bird, reptile, amphibian, rodent, etc. is ever rejected. But we must have either space for the animal or a certified foster home available and willing to immediately take the animal in, otherwise we have to try to find another rescue or shelter for placement. I'm a certified foster for all birds, all dogs, and all reptiles. (This is based on my own personal pet/animal experience and education, but also the endless training and education I have to attend on a regular basis). I'm one of only two foster homes certified for birds in my area, and the other woman that is a bird foster is only certified for small birds. So I get all of the medium to large parrots that we take in. It's basically my decision to make as far as will we take them, will it stay at the main rescue center or will it come to my home, what type and how much medical care, training, etc. will it need, etc. And unfortunately cockatoos are the bird species that are rehomed the most and also the bird species with highest number (and risk) of being rehomed multiple times, and to develop behavioral issues as a result of being rehomed. You have to remember that this bird you are considering bringing into your home is the equivalent of adopting a 4 year old toddler. Truly. There is a much larger bird rescue an hour away from me that is always full, and I bet 60%+ of the rescues they have at any given time are some type of Cockatoo, followed by Macaws and Amazons.

So I'm passionate about this topic, and I believe that the best way to remedy the homeless Cockatoo epidemic we have in the United States is through educating people about these birds BEFORE they are not only adopted by or rehomed to an individual, but also BEFORE an individual purchases a Cockatoo from a breeder or bird shop. I feel like many people who have either purchased or adopted a Cockatoo would never have gotten one had they been properly educated about what it takes to properly keep one, the amount of time they must spend with the bird every day, the amount of money they cost over their lifetimes, the behavioral, psychological, and medical issues they commonly develop, and the fact that most Cockatoos live to be between 50-100.

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This information from a professional is solid gold, you'd be wise to read every word.

 

[Allee]

Let me be blunt, U2's are an extreme challenge for the best of us. When U2's sing the song of their people they can make your ears bleed, compare the decibels to a jet engine, you have to know how to react or you can do permanent damage to the innocent bird. Most people can't tolerate the noise, they blame the bird, there are positive solutions with training, most people won't do that. U2's have three pronged beaks, if they decide to use them on human flesh, they can do nerve damage. Do this, purchase a hundred dollars worth of organic vegetables, grains, fruits and cereals to make chop, throw three quarters of the food in the trash, it will save time, your Too will throw that much chop at you twice a day. Before you go inside, slam your hand in the door of your car as hard as you can, that's what a well placed bite will feel like. U2's need a housekeeper twice a day every day, they can trash a room while you are preparing their chop, that's why they need portable play stands. Poppy watches me clean up in the evening, when I get near the last cage, she runs to hers and throws out every piece of clean newspaper, it's a favorite game and part of her routine, routine makes birds feel safe. Their toys are expensive and you have to replace them constantly for exercise and mental health. A U2 can turn a fifty dollar toy into a fifty dollar mess in a matter of minutes. It's good for them, that's why we give them toys. You have a life, things you want to do, but you'll need a sitter, Toos are perpetual toddlers, you can't leave them alone for long, you'll need a sitter that understands them and isn't afraid of them, many people are. If Toos decide they need to pluck, they can strip themselves bald overnight and never stop plucking after that. Commitment, dedication, tremendous effort, patience and not least of all, knowledge. Love is a major ingredient, without that you can't do the rest on a daily basis.

We aren't lecturing you, we're stating facts. You can search until someone tells you what you're hoping to hear but you won't find more accurate information anywhere. We don't want to scare you away, we'd prefer you stay and learn.

 

[ToMang07]

Let me be blunt, U2's are an extreme challenge for the best of us. When U2's sing the song of their people they can make your ears bleed, compare the decibels to a jet engine, you have to know how to react or you can do permanent damage to the innocent bird. Most people can't tolerate the noise, they blame the bird, there are positive solutions with training, most people won't do that. U2's have three pronged beaks, if they decide to use them on human flesh, they can do nerve damage. Do this, purchase a hundred dollars worth of organic vegetables, grains, fruits and cereals to make chop, throw three quarters of the food in the trash, it will save time, your Too will throw that much chop at you twice a day. Before you go inside, slam your hand in the door of your car as hard as you can, that's what a well placed bite will feel like. U2's need a housekeeper twice a day every day, they can trash a room while you are preparing their chop, that's why they need portable play stands. Poppy watches me clean up in the evening, when I get near the last cage, she runs to hers and throws out every piece of clean newspaper, it's a favorite game and part of her routine, routine makes birds feel safe. Their toys are expensive and you have to replace them constantly for exercise and mental health. A U2 can turn a fifty dollar toy into a fifty dollar mess in a matter of minutes. It's good for them, that's why we give them toys. You have a life, things you want to do, but you'll need a sitter, Toos are perpetual toddlers, you can't leave them alone for long, you'll need a sitter that understands them and isn't afraid of them, many people are. If Toos decide they need to pluck, they can strip themselves bald overnight and never stop plucking after that. Commitment, dedication, tremendous effort, patience and not least of all, knowledge. Love is a major ingredient, without that you can't do the rest on a daily basis.

We aren't lecturing you, we're stating facts. You can search until someone tells you what you're hoping to hear but you won't find more accurate information anywhere. We don't want to scare you away, we'd prefer you stay and learn.

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[Doublete]

I definitely don't think they are lecturing. They are just giving you the facts.

I'll stick With my amazon (who is happy on her stand or on my bed or with her toys and always eats her food), my conure (who has the sweetest sound and is about the lowest key ever), and my mini bird (parrotlet- just adorable).