Is it time to say goodbye?

[Grey_Moon]

This week is the week I've finally acknowledged the dark though bouncing around in my head.
Is it time for Sully and I to part ways?

The situation is this:

Sully is hormonal and overbonded to me, and contact calls *LOUDLY* every time I start leaving his cage area. He is not a loud bird except in this circumstance (anyone I've lived with has said if I'm not around he's a dramatically different bird). He also screams in the shower...if I'm not paying attention or close enough. The problem is that really my school schedule doesn't really allow me to be able to give him the 14 or so hours of darkness in a day to help with the hormones. I already cut down his shower to once a week (to avoid simulating the rainy breeding season in Australia) and this has helped.I try my best not to let him masturbate on me or to pet him in ways that stimulate him...but its like all he wants to do is step onto my hand and well...you know.

The biggest issue of course is that my Timneh *does not* like other birds. SO its like I need to give her 3-4 hours at least everyday and unless I plan to keep Sully up till midnight or wake them up at 6 AM i dont know if there's room attention-wise for the two.

I guess as well I'm out of a job and am disabled so its really getting to me being broke all the time when the fids need things (thank gods I get a bursary for school) and its like having to double that cost just makes the list of things even longer. Especially considering the bird I'm doubling those costs for is a screamer and is a source of frustration for me becuase I cannot give him what he wants. Maybe he'd be happier as an only pet with a carefully chosen new-home. But at the same time I made that commitment to him 6 years ago and I feel like maybe there's an alternative. I'm already cutting other things that take up my time and trying to get on a schedule.
I don't just want to see him go...I know it wont be easy for him (or me!) to leave his flock...but is there another way? IS there something I can do? How much attention to birds really need? Are my two just spoiled and in need of more structure and guidance? I'm willing to do anything to help and keep my flock together. Anyone have any ideas?

[patdbunny]

Foraging? Taking him outside for walks and errands everyday to change things up and get the nasty off his mind?

I personally can't imagine getting rid of a bird because it's mature and hormonal (and no, I don't set up something for breeding just because it's hormonal - ask Sam and Bubbles).

Throw everything you've read about lighting hours, petting, etc. out the door for a minute. I'm not saying those things aren't valid. I'm saying try looking at everything with fresh eyes. Look at your habits and surroundings and see what else you can change up. It's not always about spending money and buying it something.

[felix11]

Before you think of letting Sully go, seriously consider getting him a mate cockatiel. I'm not suggesting letting them breed, but it would direct Sully's sexual attention away from you, and the birds would entertain each other while you were gone. Two birds are not that much more work than one!

Having said that, foraging is also basically the perfect way to keep your bird occupied and not screaming.

[Grey_Moon]

Felix, I've though of that.

The problem is that is just increasing the bill for food, toys and vet care. Sully also has reoccuring medical issues (namely giardia) which im worried about the other bird contracting if I went down that road.

Spoke to the vet today when I went in for Jacko's nails and she said that the reoccuring flare-ups of either giardia, yeast or etc could be due in a large part to stress of living in the same room as a grey parrot that wants to kill him. As well as the stress of him being so overbonded to me and yet I'm 'abandoning my mate' every time I walk out of the room.
She therefore recommended a good new home when he was healthy. I'm torn. I also wonder...how could I find a landlord willing to rent to someone with three birds!?

[patdbunny]

Move to San Diego. I'll rent to you. For all I care, my tenants can have a moose if they can hide it from animal control I just get petting rights.

[greymatter]

I never had problems finding places to rent when I had a breeding pair of tiels, pet tiel, grey, caique, and at one time I moved with the fids AND reptiles and chichillas...

Can you put them into separate rooms to see if that helps alleviate some of the stress?

[kaylayuh]

Perhaps you could try moving the cage to another area and playing some bird noises as background noise for him. It may alleviate the stress of being around another bird that hates him and "losing" his mate daily.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

There are times when parting with a companion animal is the right thing for everybody. But for me that depends on being able to believe that I did appropriate to ensure a positive outcome. For a small bird with recurring medical issues... that's problematic. Can you find a home you would feel good about?

[Margaret]

Felix, I've though of that.
She therefore recommended a good new home when he was healthy. I'm torn. I also wonder...how could I find a landlord willing to rent to someone with three birds!?

When I had a bunny I didn't mention nothing for my landlord, but he was quiet. I hope you'll really find good solution for yourself. Maybe keeping Tiel in another room? I keep fingers crossed

For all I care, my tenants can have a moose if they can hide it from animal control I just get petting rights.

Couldn't go without comment. I almost spit on my computer

[Lokums]

...my tenants can have a moose if they can hide it from animal control I just get petting rights.

Lol! Nice. Is that in their rental agreement?

"Any animal is acceptable on premises under two non-negotiable conditions:
1) Ability to avoid detection from local animal control officers.
2) Landlord has open petting rights."

Ace Ventura would love you!