Would my schedule be ok for a macaw?

[devin]

Hello everyone! I am very strongly considering a macaw. I think I have almost everything covered but my work schedule is the only thing I am questioning.

On average, I work 8:00am to 5:00pm. But there are those days where anything goes, last night I didnt get home until 6, tomorrow I will leave at 4:00am and wont get home until 6:00pm. Now these long or odd hour days are rare, maybe twice a month but do you think that is pushing it?

With plenty of toys for when Im not there and plenty of interaction/play time when I do get home do you think this will be ok?

Anyone else live alone with a macaw and work full time?

 

[suebee]

it will depend on your bird!

there are the odd few days when we are all out an nut is on her own for the day

the thing i find tiring is, although we are a family i am nuts main keeper so to speak, so i will not only have my work scedule planned out, i will also have her cage cleaning and items sorted the night before (nut has a separate sleep cage)
so how her cage is set out is with maxium things to keep her busy, hidden food, new/rota of toys, especially toys she can destroy

also when i get in i spend at least 5 mins on head scratch duty, (before i do anything else) and if she is sulking, some more time just coaxing her outta her gloom, even if i have had a day when nothing has gone right, residents attacking etc then its the everyday house keeping duties, making dinner etc

and you will also have to consider how the bird will react when your life style changes,

other then not needing a baby sitter when we go out at night, having one of these birds is like keeping a small child

what age bird are you thinking of gettin

please note this is not in anyway to put you off getting a bird, but i have seen alot of birds needing a new home, because of what ever reason an the reason i am most familiar with is *not enough time for the bird, as that is how i came upon nut! she was my brothers, after the honeymoon period came her season, an tantrum stage, (where she bit every1, especially me!) that lasted months, and even when she was an un-gratefull brat i had to continue, with the attention giving, cleaning and making sure everything was kept on top of, and even now she has the odd acting out

 

[devin]

Thanks for the info Sue. I was thinking about getting a new baby. It aslo may be worth mentioning that at the moment I am leaning towards a Hahns.

 

[suebee]

whats attracted you to gettin a big bird lol

 

[MikeyTN]

I work full time, money comes from somewhere feeding the babies and paying all the bills...lol....

We leave music on or tv on for them to listen or watch. Or they have other birds around in the same room to keep themselves entertained until one of us gets home. They get to play on their play stand when we get home. Everyone is happy and I don't really have any issues except the female Eclectus plucks, but she's been plucking before I brought her home. Still working on that issue....