Queen
10-22-2016, 03:35 AM
Hello people of PP!
I am new here as you may know and I am birdless as you may also know if you read my little "hi I'm new here" thread on the new people forum. Anyways, I am thinking of getting a Lovebird, but I had some questions and wanted to hear other's opinions.
First, I'll discuss my game plan. I am looking for a job and refuse to get a bird until I have a set income. The first birds I got were a borderline impulse purchase. I previously had two budgies, and I got them for Christmas as a gift from my mother. The main problem with that is we got them from a pet store. Also, I didn't pick out the birds, so maybe I could have noticed some behavioral problems before making the birds my pet since I spent an insane amount of time researching everything to do with budgies, including behavior. But who knows. It's the past, but a great learning experience. Anyways! Now I know to either buy from a breeder or adopt/rescue. I don't think every bird from a pet store is bound to be a problem, but I feel it is more likely. Plus I do not support a number of pet stores for certain reasons like their connections with animal mills.
Gameplan:
Got crazy distracted by myself, but back to game plan:
1. Get a job
2. Continue with research and inquiring about Lovebirds
3. Get cage and supplies(food, toys, etc..)
4. Look for bird (I'm looking for a hand fed/raised[not 100 on the difference] bird, also looking for a baby)
5. Find bird
6. Inquire with owner of the bird, ask about Lovebird's past or parents
7. Get bird
8. Love Lovebird and cheer quietly so I don't scare them
That's the gist of my mental plan. It is open to alterations. I also have some obvious problems that are halting my plans. Such as; I currently live with my Aunt and she does not like animals. I was thinking of getting this bird after I move. I also want a baby so I can train them a bit easier.
Cage:
Now, I have been researching a ton on Lovebirds. I feel I hold a decent amount of information, but I also know there is so so much more there is to learn. The cage I was planning to get is sturdy, rectangular shaped, and 16" long x 25" wide x 34" high. Back when I had my budgies I read that I should avoid buying a cage with a rounded or pointed roof, not 100 on why, though. The cage comes with plastic perches, but I plan to get natural wood perches.
Toys:
Toys, toys, and more toys!! I had a number of toys for my budgies and they all couldn't fit in there, so I would switch them out every now and then. I looooved watching my birds play. Seeing them swing and ring bells was just so intriguing! Sometimes I wasn't sure who loved the toys more, me or the birds. For Lovebirds, I read they love shreddable toys, so, of course, I'd get them some! They also like hiding and are active birds, so I am ready and look forward to going on a toy shopping spree.
Food:
I read that hard boiled eggs are great for Lovebirds and I have read of some having low calcium problems, so of course I will do everything to prevent that and can never forget cuttlebones!
Time!!:
This is my main concern and will determine if I get one bird or two birds, or maybe even no birds!! :th_eek: I’ll be starting college next year and I worry about how much time I can spend with my bird. I’ll be living with my mother and be going to a community college for the first two years. So, I’ll have a part-time job and I’ll be a full-time student. I did some reading on college students with single birds and they seem to be several people managing just nicely with content birds. I read on multiple sites that you should spend at least an hour with your bird, but that didn’t sound right to me. I planned on spending at the very least 2 to 3 hours with my bird. But I can’t even begin to think of what my schedule will be. I would also like everyone to know that I do not think this will be some kind of simple walk in the park. I am ready to face whatever challenges may come my way in trying to get a bird because I feel that the reward is so much greater.
Questions:
I read that the minimal size of a single Lovebirds cage should be 18" x 22" x 18", the one I was planning to get is 16" long rather than 18", but since it is much larger in other areas I felt it wouldn't be a problem.
Would this be a problem at all for a single Lovebird?
I read that you can feed your bird a large variety of fruits and vegetables, also foods to avoid. Then I read about seeds and pellets. Seeds can be fattening and pellets have a lot of love and hate. I just fed my budgies seeds along with their fruits and veggies.
What exactly should I feed my Lovebird?
I don’t plan on getting a Lovebird until I move out of my Aunt’s which would likely be this summer. Then I have college and work.
What are some tips and opinions on caring for a Lovebird on a tighter schedule? Should I not even get a single Lovebird? Do you think I should not get a bird?!?! I really really want to get a single Lovebird so we can bond...but honestly, I don’t even know if this question can be answered until I get a better idea of my future schedule. There is also no rush at the moment since I don’t even have a bird yet and can hold off as much as I feel is necessary, but I am always open to thoughts and opinions!!
How much time should I spend with my bird?! I’m not saying there’s a “set time” because that doesn’t sound fair, but the reason I ask is so I know if I have the time or not.
I am new here as you may know and I am birdless as you may also know if you read my little "hi I'm new here" thread on the new people forum. Anyways, I am thinking of getting a Lovebird, but I had some questions and wanted to hear other's opinions.
First, I'll discuss my game plan. I am looking for a job and refuse to get a bird until I have a set income. The first birds I got were a borderline impulse purchase. I previously had two budgies, and I got them for Christmas as a gift from my mother. The main problem with that is we got them from a pet store. Also, I didn't pick out the birds, so maybe I could have noticed some behavioral problems before making the birds my pet since I spent an insane amount of time researching everything to do with budgies, including behavior. But who knows. It's the past, but a great learning experience. Anyways! Now I know to either buy from a breeder or adopt/rescue. I don't think every bird from a pet store is bound to be a problem, but I feel it is more likely. Plus I do not support a number of pet stores for certain reasons like their connections with animal mills.
Gameplan:
Got crazy distracted by myself, but back to game plan:
1. Get a job
2. Continue with research and inquiring about Lovebirds
3. Get cage and supplies(food, toys, etc..)
4. Look for bird (I'm looking for a hand fed/raised[not 100 on the difference] bird, also looking for a baby)
5. Find bird
6. Inquire with owner of the bird, ask about Lovebird's past or parents
7. Get bird
8. Love Lovebird and cheer quietly so I don't scare them
That's the gist of my mental plan. It is open to alterations. I also have some obvious problems that are halting my plans. Such as; I currently live with my Aunt and she does not like animals. I was thinking of getting this bird after I move. I also want a baby so I can train them a bit easier.
Cage:
Now, I have been researching a ton on Lovebirds. I feel I hold a decent amount of information, but I also know there is so so much more there is to learn. The cage I was planning to get is sturdy, rectangular shaped, and 16" long x 25" wide x 34" high. Back when I had my budgies I read that I should avoid buying a cage with a rounded or pointed roof, not 100 on why, though. The cage comes with plastic perches, but I plan to get natural wood perches.
Toys:
Toys, toys, and more toys!! I had a number of toys for my budgies and they all couldn't fit in there, so I would switch them out every now and then. I looooved watching my birds play. Seeing them swing and ring bells was just so intriguing! Sometimes I wasn't sure who loved the toys more, me or the birds. For Lovebirds, I read they love shreddable toys, so, of course, I'd get them some! They also like hiding and are active birds, so I am ready and look forward to going on a toy shopping spree.
Food:
I read that hard boiled eggs are great for Lovebirds and I have read of some having low calcium problems, so of course I will do everything to prevent that and can never forget cuttlebones!
Time!!:
This is my main concern and will determine if I get one bird or two birds, or maybe even no birds!! :th_eek: I’ll be starting college next year and I worry about how much time I can spend with my bird. I’ll be living with my mother and be going to a community college for the first two years. So, I’ll have a part-time job and I’ll be a full-time student. I did some reading on college students with single birds and they seem to be several people managing just nicely with content birds. I read on multiple sites that you should spend at least an hour with your bird, but that didn’t sound right to me. I planned on spending at the very least 2 to 3 hours with my bird. But I can’t even begin to think of what my schedule will be. I would also like everyone to know that I do not think this will be some kind of simple walk in the park. I am ready to face whatever challenges may come my way in trying to get a bird because I feel that the reward is so much greater.
Questions:
I read that the minimal size of a single Lovebirds cage should be 18" x 22" x 18", the one I was planning to get is 16" long rather than 18", but since it is much larger in other areas I felt it wouldn't be a problem.
Would this be a problem at all for a single Lovebird?
I read that you can feed your bird a large variety of fruits and vegetables, also foods to avoid. Then I read about seeds and pellets. Seeds can be fattening and pellets have a lot of love and hate. I just fed my budgies seeds along with their fruits and veggies.
What exactly should I feed my Lovebird?
I don’t plan on getting a Lovebird until I move out of my Aunt’s which would likely be this summer. Then I have college and work.
What are some tips and opinions on caring for a Lovebird on a tighter schedule? Should I not even get a single Lovebird? Do you think I should not get a bird?!?! I really really want to get a single Lovebird so we can bond...but honestly, I don’t even know if this question can be answered until I get a better idea of my future schedule. There is also no rush at the moment since I don’t even have a bird yet and can hold off as much as I feel is necessary, but I am always open to thoughts and opinions!!
How much time should I spend with my bird?! I’m not saying there’s a “set time” because that doesn’t sound fair, but the reason I ask is so I know if I have the time or not.