Work and bird?

[MoMoBird]

I am looking into getting a bird, I've done an unimaginable amount of research, I have always wanted a bigger bird since I was young, my top ones are Conures, African Grey, and Cockatoo but deciding factor, I work a 9-5 job at a vet 5 days a week with weekends being completely free.
Is that too long to be away from home when I have one of these birds? I know the 3 types I would like need lots of attention and enrichment, after 5 I would be home with the bird and have it out of the cage of course and there is always someone around my house to keep an eye that it wouldn't get hurt or anything in the cage, and visual and vocal stimulation when I'm at work, he just wouldn't be out. Any opinions would be great thanks!

 

[GaleriaGila]

You'll get great advice and support here.

While we wait to hear from experts, I'll just share my story.

I was in college when I got him, and then grad school, so I spent LOTS of time with him for the first 5-6 years of his life. Then it was time to go to work!
There were were years (about 25 of them) when 5-6 days a week, I was gone at 7:30-ish and back at 6-ish.
Some did and will consider me wrong and think I should have re-homed him.
Anyway, here is what I think made it work.
I moved and got new jobs maybe 5 times or so. BUT...
Every morning, he had at least ten minutes, and every evening, he had 20 or so. I have always kept him on a natural light schedule, in a separate room, so sometimes those times together were in the dark. During the day, he had a big window looking out on something interesting, a television on one of his favorite channels (Music channels, CNN - he loves talking heads), a biggg cage, lots of fun foods, and a few toys that I changed out regularly).
He KNEW he could count on those two crumby sessions a day. Somehow we both made it.
I'm now retired and times are pretty good again. He's not as cuddly as he used to be, but neither am I! And we're still in love. He is famous (infamous?) for his quirks, weirdness, and overall trouble-maker-ness. I take responsibility. Today he is flighted, fearless, spoiled, and adored. We worked it out. I spend most of the day with his bad self now.
I wish you the best of luck in your decision! Good for you for reaching out.

 

[Scott]

Your situation is fairly common and reminds me of the anecdote that quality of time spent is as or more important than quantity. If you can devote significant one-to-one time with your bird after work and weekends, and perhaps a bit before, it is workable. Of the birds mentioned, a cockatoo raises a possible red-flag as they are far more dependent and demanding of your time.

Here's a thought.... Would your employer be willing to permit a "day cage" for your bird to improve the ambiance of the clinic? Extra expense and logistics, but I have seen veterinary offices with parrot "mascots."

 

[Jottlebot]

Yes, I would agree with the above, a cockatoo would struggle with so much time alone. You could find yourself with a bird that is then very difficult to be around when you do have the time because they're struggling with too much time alone.

Greys I think can be quite independent and happy to entertain themselves. I don't know about conures, but I think there are a few owners on here who work and have them, I'm sure they will be able to add more.

As a side note, it was on of the things I felt was most important when choosing what bird breed I was looking for. I have an Alexandrine, which are known to be more independent and able to entertain themselves. I work 9-5 too, but my husband is at home so there is someone about to during the day. I also have a Mynah and they're in the same room, although they pay little attention to each other and I'm not sure you could consider them company for each other!

 

[LordTriggs]

can tell you a Conure as long as they know how to play alone is fine and will be waiting for you like an excitable puppy when you get home. I personally work 8-5 and my conure was okay with that. The big thing to watch out for is stuff you do outside of work.

Much like the others said a cockatoo wouldn't fair well as they are less velcro bird and more welded to you bird. Grey it would be a 50/50, I would suggest adopting an already mature Grey in that case who is already used to a working home and knows how to keep themselves happy. Heck I would suggest adopting any bird that enjoys being with you that you can feasibly look after. Extremely rewarding to do

 

[itzjbean]

All the species you mentioned are vastly different. I work the same hours and have two cockatiels, they are a mated pair though and don't necessarily need my interaction to be happy, they're content to hang out with each other. I do let them fly around the living room though daily to get their exercise. They love it.

Just be sure to do all the research you can and be sure to check out a recent thread I started, the cost of owning parrots. The bigger the bird, the more the expenses add up. A huge cage, food prepared daily, toys to be destroyed monthly, travel carriers, trip to the vet, it can really add up! Good luck to you on this journey, like I said before it is possible to work and own happy birds!

 

[clark_conure]

your schedule would be fine with a conure. They are pretty smart and can entertain themselves and will call you when you come in the door from work.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

I agree with the above, conures are good birds for people with busy schedules. A cockatoo, though, you may want to reconsider unless you want a plucking, screaming wreck.

 

[Jen5200]

I have two conures and work full time. I made sure that they have a really big cage since they are in it all day, a wide variety of toys helps to keep them entertained, and mine like to listen to music during the day. I always make sure to give them undivided attention after work and they get much more out of cage time on my days off. I suspect a cockatoo would not fare as well with long stretches on their own (there are lots of them at the rescue I volunteer at with plucking issues). I don’t know as much about greys....

 

[MoMoBird]

Thanks for the feedback, I was pushing away from the cockatoo's because of the schedule I currently have for work, definitely going to look into more about the greys and conures!
Thanks everyone!

 

[wrench13]

Dont rule out the samaller amazons, as lomg as they have plenty of stuff to destroy in theur cage . Sa;ty goes thru a tiyevert 2 days or so. and leave the music channel on.