lovebird baby.....one or two???

[carvertmmy]

Hi everyone.
I am getting a lovebird baby. Hopefully he/she is weaned this weekend. The whole family is very excited.

Here is my question. What is best for the bird..... to be alone or with a friend? Let me give you some details on our situation.
I am a stay home mom. My husband is also home all the time as he is a retired deputy. We have a 9 yr old daughter that is homeschooled. And a son who just turned one. We are most always home. In the summer we are away from the house a little more doing things with the kids. But for the most part we are homebodies.
My concern is for the times we are not home, with the bird becoming lonely. Also, I have the concern that if we had two they would bond more to each other. However, they would have to be in seperate cages as they would be from the same parents and I would not know if they were different sexes until I had them DNA sexed. We certainly wouldn't want babies, especially from siblings. And it would be easier to keep track of their poo, their health etc if they were caged seperately. We could also have one on one time with each one and then they would have out of cage time together.

Ultimately, I want what is best for the birds. I am thinking two, so all bases are covered if something happens down the road and our circumstances change or whatever and we can't spend as much time one on one with the bird/s. Sometimes things happen in life that you can't forsee, but I like to try to be prepared for anything.

How much more difficult is it to take care of two instead of one? How much more expensive? How much more time consuming? How much more noisy would it be with two? (i know that depends on the bird, but for those of you with experience with lovebirds, do they tend to be more quiet with another bird around?)

The cages would be placed next to each other on our living room. They are on stands with wheels however, so they can be moved wherever the birds are most comfortable.

I want to do what is best for our family and for the birds, to ensure a successful adoption, and happy enjoyable bird/s. They will be considered part of the family and will be loved and respected as such.

I really am having such a hard time deciding between one, which we laready have picked out, or two.

Please offer your advice and input.

Thanks
Tammy

[GlassOnion]

I suggest one. Too many people start with two and the birds never properly bond with the humans unfortunately.

[liz]

It would be easier on the bird to have another bird with it in the same cage for companionship. Moving in with you means moving away from it's siblings.

On the other hand it would be like raising twins. They are comfortable with each other but you have to deal with them individually to make the close parent relationship. Can you play with two babies at the same time and give them both attention and guidance.

Cleaning doesn't double though it does increase. Physical care does not double but does increase. You will need a big cage for two. They love to fly and sound like humming birds when they do.

[carvertmmy]

Thanks .
Keep the opinions coming.

Just would like to know from the previous poster, why they would have to be in the same cage? Why not seperate cages next to each other with lots of out of cage time together daily? I would think it not very responsible to put two siblings together in the same cage when they could be different sexes and mate??? I don't want babies, and I especially wouldn't want babies between two siblings.

Any other advice or opinions? I want my baby, Sheriff to be the healthiest and happiest he/she can be. Is there research on the subject of whether it is better for the bird to be alone or with one of it's kind?

Thanks
Tammy

[carvertmmy]

Oh and to respond to the previous question of whether I could play with two, I could. My husband and I are committed to providing whatever the bird/s need. That is why I am trying to forsee any future issues like say, if I were to have to return to work and there would be less time to devote to the bird/s. It's not likely but never say never.

How long can one lovebird be left alone in the cage, reasonably? I ask because this summer there are a few museums we would like to take the kids too as well as some outings to go fishing and maybe a waterpark. These events would take us away from the home for several hours. Of course we would give Sheriff attention before we left and when we arrived home. And we don't really do vacations. We haven't spent a night away from home since our son was born. So that isn't really an issue either.

I am so serious about this, I can't even tell you. I want this to be successful. And everyone to be happy in adding to our family. I even bought an expensive stick vacuum because I am a neat FREAK and I know how messy birds can be. So i have this cordless vacuum I can use, that's quiet, and not heavy and all I have to do is flip the switch and clean up the seed around the cage on the floor!!!!!


I have spent over $300 dollars so far for supplies and such for Sheriff.
I mean we have visions of Sheriff, in his cage of course, joining us on the back patio this summer while the kids play on their playset and swim and stuff. We have a mist sprayer for our hose that I think he/she would really enjoy on really hot days!!! We have made a space for the cage in the living room where we spend most of our time but the cage is on wheels and can be moved if Sheriff isn't comfortable in that spot. We have three spots in the home where his cage could be located.
The living room, around the corner in the dining room where it isn't as busy but still very near us, and a space in the classroom if he needs to be away from business and noise.
I bought a shower perch that can be used in the shower or on a window. We have the full length glass door on the front of our house that he may enjoy looking out of on a nice day. I have begun to make the list of rules to be posted for everyone with things on it like noone feeds him but mom, Sheriif isn't allowed to eat from peoples mouths, Sheriff must be in his cage when mom is cooking, no ceiling fans are allowed to be used when Sheriff is out of his cage, Sheriff must be secured before opening a door, bathroom door is to remain closed and if Sheriff is in the bathroom with you, make sure the toilet lid is down, etc. As well as a list of foods that he is not allowed to have. EVER.
I have done everything I can do to ensure this will be a good home for Sheriff, but I just can't decide whether to just adopt him or him and a sibling. I'm driving myself nuts. lol

Thanks
Tammy

[GlassOnion]

Oh, I suggest an aviator harness or a flight suit for your lovie that way, you can take him outside safely with or without wings clipped. My cockatiel and I go out for walks with his aviator harness.
The younger the bird, the easier it is to harness train. Outings are very enriching for captive birds!

As for two kept separately, that is what I would recommend if you go with two. I know of breeders who won't sell two babies together because too often they won't bond with their humans.

[liz]

If you are worried about him being bored while you are away - give it something new to destroy or forage when you leave. And by the way, they like to be in the noisiest room with the most activity.

[carvertmmy]

I am really appreciative of these suggestions.

I never thought about the aviator harness....... hmm. That would be nice to be able to have and use when we go for walks with the kids. Hubs and daughter ride their bikes while I push the stroller and walk the dog. I can just picture a lovebird named Sheriff tetherd to and perched on the handle of the stroller.

hahahahahah. I love it. What size would I need for a lovebird? Most of the stuff I have purchased so far from amazon has been too big. Even the stuff listed for small birds. Unfortunately the cage is on the small side. I am very disappointed in it. It was listed as 18"x14" but I am afraid the actual inside dimensions are smaller. He won't be in there much tho.

I think we are going to stick with just getting one. Down the road if need be, we could always adopt another bird. :0) Maybe even one of a different type, like a cockatiel.

Now I'm off to cook up some recipes and freeze for Sheriff. I thought hubs has sheriff star stickers but we couldn't find them so he is going to call his son, who is currently a deputy, to see what he can find. I want one to put on the side of the bird carrier I bought for his trip home. lol. And hubs has a remote control police car he is hoping he can get Sheriff acclimated to perching on the light bar. I told him not get his hopes up, the siren and stuff on it is really loud. But wouldn't that be too funny.

Tammy

[GlassOnion]

Websites for flight suit/aviator harness:

http://www.avianfashions.com/
http://theparrotuniversity.com/aviator_harness.php

If you also look on www.mysafebirdstore.com, they sell harnesses and a bunch of other useful supplies. Great deals, 10% off for 1st time customers and free shipping over $100!

[carvertmmy]

Ok. Seriously, one of those websites has hoodies ...............FOR BIRDS. OMG. They don't make em the size I need. I wonder if I can figure it out myself. That would be too funny. Or a black flight suit with the sheriff star emblem right on the chest.

Tammy