Quaker parrot and kids

[deckie1111]

Does anyone know if quaker parrots are ok to be around kids?

[liz]

Sorry - I trust a parrot more than I do kids.

[Cage Cleaner]

Depends on the kid. Can they be taught to handle a parrot without squeezing/tormenting/harassing it? If not, then no parrot is safe around a kid.

Now if the kid is going to be cooperative--Cooperative being, not hurt the parrot, but in no way responsible for the parrot's care-- then you want to worry about the kid.

Birds bite. They bite hard. They scratch, and then they bite. If the kid can learn to not become intimidated by that, and you are fine with your kid being bitten (and the kid is yours--lets not even get into the potential law suits that could happen if the kid isn't yours) then maybe we have a possibility.

If I had to choose the best bird for kids, I actually would probably choose a quaker. I would choose this because they are sturdier than most parrots, but not because they have better temperaments and/or bite less than most parrots.

In summary, no bird is a perfect pet for a kid. I'd recommend a hamster or a dog instead.

[Mum2rory]

Cage Cleaner, hamsters and dogs bite kids too LOL

[liz]

It depends on the age and the training of the kids if they should even have a hampster. The best pet for a kid is a Golden Retrever.

[Khaiqha]

According to animal planet, golden retrievers are number 3 on the most likely to bite list.

Really, animals and children are dangerous to one another. It just depends on the kid. I grew up with a zoo, my best friend couldn't be trusted with a plant. A quaker should be small enough that if the worst were to happen, the child wouldn't be seriously injured.

[liz]

I stopped a 3 year old from biting the head off a baby chick. I saw a 4 year old hit a puppy for grabbing his pants leg. I saw a 5 year old throw a cat up against a wall. When I was little I slung a hampster off my finger. I could have hurt it and still regret being young and stupid.

Bite, hit, throw and sling - a bird with thin bones would be injured or not survive. I fear more for the pet more than the kids. To me the bigger the better a pet for kids.

From what I have seen, a Golden Retreiver or Labrador is the best for kids.

Among other animals that have found me, a Golden Retriever was one. I came home and found him on my doorstep, fed & watered him then starting looking for his owner. In my 2 week search my daughter had him inside playing with the ferrets.

A friend in the Humane Sociey taught me how to screen for a re home. I found it a home with a big fenced back yard and 2 boys 5 & 6 years old. That dog ran to those kids and started playing. The 3 played a little rough by my standards but the dog loved them and he was big enough that he could handle the boys play.

Those boys would have been too rough on a bird.

[Michael]

If a child is really interested in parrots, here is an article I wrote that suggest some toys and games that may satisfy their curiosity without the burden on a real life.