Unhappy Spouse

[ZephyrTK]

Hi all,

Getting a sun conure tomorrow. My husband is less than thrilled and I'm curious if any of you ran into this issue and how you handled it.

Any advice for keeping a happy marriage?

Thanks!

 

[Kern2012]

Is there a certain reason why he is less then happy about you getting a sun? My husband wasnt sure either about getting a bird and once we got her home and he got use to her, he fell in love with her!! He treats her like his kid! Just make sure you both get equal time with your sun so he/she doesn't get attached to only one of you cause that might cause some problems! Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[ZephyrTK]

He hates the idea of a bird being in captivity, unable to fly.

 

[kc_y0]

My partner was not a bird person, didn't like them and had no interest in them, and therefor didn't want one as a pet. When Audrey came home, that VERY quickly changed, he loves her now and has a list of other birds he wants to get!
As your hubby hates them being in captivity, it would suggest he does like birds. Maybe leave her fully flighted and that might make him happy. He should come around though.

 

[Remy]

My boyfriend thought it was a bad idea for me to get a bird, but then he fell in love with Puck right after I got him.

I say that especially if you are rescuing/adopting a parrot (or plan to do so if you get future birds), the bird would have already been captive, whether you bring it into your home, or somebody else brings it into their home. I definitely think it's wrong to get wild caught birds though. Really, I believe humans have no right in taking birds from the wild and bringing them in to our homes, but it's not like we can release all of our pets (most of them wouldn't survive), so we should just take good care of them and enjoy their company.

 

[Mare Miller]

Bringing my U2 home wasn't high on my husbands list of, "wife's best ideas", that's another story. When thinking about bringing in another bird, he fought the idea whole heartedly! Sassy goffins girl and he are BESTEST friends! Totally took him off guard, he was for sure that this bird would not like him, guess what?! Not to say that your sun will love your husband. Hopefully, your hubby can deal with the competition!

 

[MaraWentz]

Keep it flighted and train it to fly. My hubby was dead set against of my first bird ELvis, esp. since Elvis was strictly a mommy's boy and attacked anything or anyone who got to close, but they pick up on the bind and eventually your happiness will override his dislike for owning a bird and perhaps they will bond.

 

[cdnbirdlover]

My husband doesn't particularly like birds and I have loved and fed and cared for the outside birds the whole time we've been married (20+ yrs). The kids take after me with their love for birds. When I told my husband that we were getting a lovebird for our daughter's 10th bday he balked. And relented when I said okay, then we'll get a dog instead. Basil has been with us over 4 months now and while my larger half is still not a bird person, he has learned to appreciate how clever this sweet little birdie is. However, he doesn't appreciate how much money we've spent buying great birdie toys.

Andrea and Basil (the sweet birdie who has hopped off my shoulder and onto the keyboard to nip my fingers so I stop typing)

 

[Pitu]

My husband came from a VERY large family and the parents had way too much to do as it was, so no pets. He did have a few cats as an adult, but that was it. When he married me he got the show dogs as part of the package and now adores them and brags about them like they are his children. When I announced we were getting a small parrot, he was kinda, "Oh. OK.", and wasn't much more enthusiastic when we visited him as he grew. THAT all changed as soon as we brought Pitu' home. The two of them spend lots of time whistling and chattering to each other, and although he's more "my" bird because I'm home with him all day, they spend a half-hour or so every evening just hanging out on the couch discussing life (and getting head scritches). I bet your hubby will come around once your baby is home, too!

 

[NiR]

Am I the only guy whose gf doesn't like birds and is scared of them? She is slowly coming around though.

 

[Adinafloyd]

My boyfriend of three years never came to accept my Nappy, so I left him (hey I had her first). However while my now hubby and Nappy did not get along he accepted her, even after she pierced his ear because he knew how much I loved her. When she passed and I announced I would be getting another feathered baby he was less than excited, until he met Jax. While we were visiting Jax he met Scarlet and now we have two babies. Your hubby will probably see how wonderful these guys are and love them too, if not he will accept it to make you happy. Hopefully they will form a bond. Good luck to you

 

[Rana]

same here as many others, my partner wasn't keen on getting the birds either, but a couple of months later and we took a 2 hour drive to pick up little, and that was his idea!! he adores them (there's a picture up on my profile of scottie sleeping on his shoulder - laying down!) and all that while he was afraid of him the first two weeks!! I'm glad to hear your husband supports that you want a bird even though he's not in favor, ask for his patience, and if he really can't come to terms with it after a month or so then well - cross that bridge when you get there, but at least you both tried to meet half way. but i'm sure he'll come to love the bird quickly although sunconures can be L.O.U.D.... Good luck! i hope it all sorts itself out

 

[Clueless]

You can ask your husband to give treats that are large (to avoid the possibility of bites). Like a piece of wheat toast with a tiny amount of peanut butter on it . . . . or maybe a dehydrated vegetable (that is bird safe without salt & additives). If they don't bond - they can learn to tolerate each other.