Hello everyone

[notscaredtodance]

Hi! My name is Jamie, I'm 18, love interactive, intelligent pets, and hope one day to be the owner of a senegal parrot.

I work at a petstore in the animal department, and we just got a Senegal Parrot from a breeder about 2 months ago. She was hatched May 3 2009 so she is almost a year old, and she is a DNA sexed female. Because I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week taking care of the animals, the senegal has definitely become attached to me, and I adore her also. She does have some nipping issues, but right now they are minor.

I would love to buy her because she is already attached to me, but right now I own six rats that take up quite a bit of my time, and I know I couldn't give a parrot the time and attention that they definitely need, along with taking care of the rats. I am in college for veterinary medicine and don't plan on ever living in dorms with other people, which I know is a factor when owning a bird. I'm hoping, because rats only have a lifespan of about 2 years, that the senegal will still be there to buy, but I realize it's rather unlikely.

Overall, I know my situation, being 18 and in college, is not ideal. Nothing is really ideal. She is a petstore bird rather than from a responsible breeder, she is getting minimum human interaction, mostly just from customers petting her head through cage bars, she doesn't get to see her "bonded" human every day... it's really very sad. But if the stars align and I can end up with her, I think it will be great for both me and bird, because I am dedicated to my pets and always wanting to learning more about them.


So there's my story. I wanted to come into the forum being open and honest about the shortcomings I have, but also saying I am very willing and ready to learn for the future when I do hopefully own a bird. Thanks for reading!

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Welcome to the forum!

I guess my advice would be to wait a while before taking on a pet that needs as much time and attention as a parrot. College, vet school and starting a practice and in fact your whole adult life are all awfully all-consuming activities. I bet you'd be fair to the parrot, but that might make it hard to be fair to yourself. MHO from someone who doesn't know you at all.

[MandyG]

Welcome! Sounds like you've landed yourself in a great position. Not a great position to own a bird at this time, but you have a great opportunity to get a lot of hands on experience with many different birds of the same species and with birds of different species.

I wouldn't rush into owning a parrot when you're going to be so busy. I've had two friends go through the full 8 years (in Canada) to become vets and believe me, they didn't have any time for anything else. Now that my one friend has graduated she just finally got a pair of kittens. Now that she's starting her career in a new clinic she still doesn't have enough time for them. Just a little advice from somebody that's seen the work load second hand .

You're really lucky to be where you are if you're wanting to learn what you can about these amazing animals. I hope everything works out for you and that you find a lot of great information here!

[missy]

Like you said, that you are very willing to learn about your future parrot,
but your daily routine will change. Like me I have a 3 year old girl, dog and a Yellow Bibbed Lory and I am in a part time job so I think you can this

[Michael]

Welcome. I think what others said is right. You have your hands full right now and owning a parrot really does take a lot. Enjoy the Senegal Parrot while it's at the store. You can do that without owning it. Then when you are ready to own a parrot, you'll know what to do.