Breeder advised two parrots..

[codyf]

Hi all,

I posted quite a long time ago here viewtopic.php?t=6252 asking about parrot species; I didn't end up getting a parrot because life kept throwing me some curve balls and I just couldn't make it work out over the last couple of years.

Anyways, I'm back and ready now and contacted a brown-headed breeder and had a couple of other questions, mainly that I wouldn't have really any time in the morning other than to feed/change water for the parrot (I leave for work early), although my evenings are open so I'd have plenty of time when I got home, but the bird would be alone from about 6AM-5PM most days during the week, and every now and then longer if I have to work late (not common.. maybe once or twice a month).

The breeder said this isn't a problem but advised that I get two parrots so they could keep eachother company during the day. The thing is this is contrary to nearly everything I've read about parrots, with a lot of people saying one of the worst reasons to get two parrots is to keep the other company. I can probably handle the increased maintenance of two birds but it does represent a dramatic increase. I would probably go for two of the same species, and they would also have to be kept in the same cage because I live in a condo and don't really have room for two large parrot cages.

Just want another opinion here.

[Wolf]

The factor to be considered here first is why did breeder suggest a pair as opposed to a single bird. The reason is quite simple, it is because you would be absent for at least 11 hours per day and that is really bad for the mental and emotional health of parrots.
The reason that you think that this goes against everything you have read is that when you have only one bird it has to bond more closely to you. When you add another bird to the flock the dyanamics are changed and the birds will usually bond more closely to each other than to you.
Next thing is that it is not always a good idea to house more than one bird in a single cage. The factors determining the feasibility of this is species and size of cage ( actual space that can be occupied by birds.

I have three birds of differing species all in separate cages and no bonding issues at this time.

[Pajarita]

It's ALWAYS kinder to keep more than one parrot and, if they are of the same species, opposite genders and bond with each other, then you know for a fact that you will have two very happy parrots. People who just want a parrot for what the parrot does for them (a pet) would say that this is not good but it doesn't mean it's not good for the parrot (it is!), it means that it's not good for them. But it's also not always true that when you have a bonded pair, the parrots don't love you as much. The males would most likely not but the hens might. It all depends on the bird and the human. I have (and have had) several bonded pairs where the hen still loved me as much as any single bird without a mate.

[JaydeParrot]

If you're getting both from the same breeder try to get two of the same gender (two males or two females), even if you're not intending to, a few accidental eggs could be laid in later years and you really don't want offspring coming from a brother and sister it could result in seriously genetically unhealthy chicks- biological, psychological afflictions e.t.c

[codyf]

Hey thanks for the replies all! Interesting the amount of different and sometimes conflicting information out there.

I'm currently looking at two female BH parrots. As much as I'd love the bird(s) to bond with me I'm vastly more concerned about their well being.

I did some measuring and I can fit in two poicephalus-sized cages if need be, though I think I'd rather go with a larger single cage.

[Wolf]

Having more than one bird will not stop them from bonding with a human Although there is evidence that they may not bond as deeply. There is also evidence that it does make much of a difference.

Either way, I would suggest that with the amount of time that you will be gone that two birds would definitely be the best way to proceed.

Also in my previous post I was referring to what you had most likely read about bonding issues not whether it was correct or not. After rereading the post I realize that I was not clear on that, apology, my bad.

[jparrothead]

Interesting issue and dilemma here. I think it is great that you are really thinking about the bird's welfare more than your own, and being honest with yourself about the limitations of the time you can commit.

I am one of the lucky ones who works from home, so I get a lot of close contact daily with my GCC. My GCC still has about 4-5 hours of alone time during the day, though rarely consecutive hours. It enjoys dining, chewing, napping, and the usual activities in its cage.

Still, I wonder about whether a second one would be advisable for the bird's sake, if not mine. I certainly don't have any plans to do this, as my hands are more than full with my current bird, but it is an topic worth mulling over.

Is same species usually advisable? Same cage necessary? I think someone suggested same-sex pairs and another opposite sex pairs--pros and cons, apart from eggs with opposite-sex pairing? What about age differences?

[Pajarita]

LOL - There are no age differences when it comes to animals, they love who they love without any regard for actual beauty, physical fitness, age or temperament. Only humans are picky -LOL-

As to same gender versus opposite... well, it depends on the birds, I've had bonded pairs of the same gender and they lived like husband and wife. I had two female umbrellas where one of them (Coco) adopted the female's part while Angela did the male's but they both laid eggs and they shared the nest and duties. I've had several of two males as well as threesomes, both ways: one wife to two husbands (I have one right now but had more in the past) and one husband to two wives -LOL- Personally, it makes me no never mind as long as they are happy. But if the only consideration is whether inbreeding will occur with the consequent potential genetic defective offspring, the solution is very simple, just switch the real eggs with plastic ones. I had a pair of hybrid lovebirds that were brother and sister and that's what I did (actually, I do that with all the pairs as I allow them to go through all the motions of breeding but I don't allow them to procreate).

[codyf]

I talked to the breeder today for well over an hour about the situation, and I am now MUCH more comfortable with the idea. We went over the dietary requirements, space requirements, time allotment, and how I could fit two birds into my schedule.

Looks like I'll be eating much better, that's for sure. I'm going to meet with her later this week and check out how she has things set up for her birds to help me along. But it looks like in the near future I'll have myself a pair of Brown-Headed parrots.

[Wolf]

Congratulations on being almost a daddy.