Second thoughts - yet will follow through regardless !

[shock&awe92]

Thank you Penny for apologizing but honestly you didn't need to because I think you were that way as a result of your passion and love for animals and i understand , I didn't mean to be abrasive I guess I was hoping for a little more support but I guess at this point it is what it is, the reading I've done online and in the books I bought about parrots and Senegal in particular, is you're right dog and cat saliva is in fact toxic and will kill the bird, I was wondering when should i introduce the bird to my animals , I would think after the parrot settles in and becomes used its surroundings right ? I would say about 2 - 3 weeks is that long enough or should I wait a little longer? Thank you for being kind enough to apologize but like I said you didn't need to I understand why you did and I totally respect you for that

[pennyandrocky]

2-3 weeks sounds about right to let your bird adjust and get comfortable with you then introduce the pets but i would allow them to see the bird in the cage right away since the scent is going to tell them there's something new in the home and you don't want them stressed.the bird should stay in the cage at least the first day anyway so it can observe you and your family in the security of it's cage.then day 2 you can open the cage and let the come out on it's own without forcing it. i also suggest finding a rescue to visit, which i tell all people new to birds to do, there really is nothing like up close and personal experiance to prepare yourself.i grew up with my first who i inherited from my grandmother and i was still not fully prepared for what i was in for when my mother brought him home and i had to take over.

[shock&awe92]

They can actually pick up his scent right away ( my animals that is) when he enters the house in his cage, its so amazing the sense of smell they have, I would like to know if i should have his flight feathers clipped so he can't escape ,I'm hearing mixed messages about doing such a thing, this way he can only fly horizontal instead of vertical, I already have a DVM set up she has worked with birds for 18 yrs.

[pennyandrocky]

clipping would be a bad idea so your can get away rather than biting or getting torn apart by your cats or dog like penny's companion did.believe or not flighted are much easier to handle than clipped.the 2 i have now came clipped and i got bit alot,they gain more confidence with flight and are much easier to train.look up micheal's article how to properly clip your parrot i was physically ill after watching the birds get clipped in the video.

[shock&awe92]

I hear it alot though, people clipping the flight feathers of their parrot, on the other hand it makes sense to not do it so they can fly away and not be ripped apart from my cats however my cats are extremely obedient when i tell them what to do, but I do see your point clipping their wings could cause problems for me and them down the road and that's the last thing I want to do.

[Eurycerus]

You really want to have these kinds of problems/regrets down the line because you refused to listen to advice from experienced people now? (No offense Eurycerus, just the most recent example that comes to mind but this is sooo typical of what Senegal Parrot owners go

Not offended particularly because i do listen to advice. However reading about someone else's experience is completely different than actually doing. Same with advice. It's a lot easier read about than actually put into practice especially when the animal is willful. Pretty sure no one told me to not get a parrot parrots are rewarding but not easy. i didn't expect it to be a cake walk but i didn't expect such difficult to understand behavior.

[GreenWing]

Hi Shock&awe92,

I'm going to keep it real: I've owned dogs my entire life and had other birds before Tiki; I took care of a cockatiel and also rescued and rehabilitated a pigeon. None of these experiences prepared me for a Senegal. I purchased Tiki several months ago. It has been far from a cake walk, and I work from home, too. As discussed elsewhere on this forum, Senegals are the Jekyll and Hyde of birds. I have a hen and while sweet 90 percent of the time, she has displayed aggression to the point that she has drawn blood from a bite. These birds are very intelligent, they often are one-person birds, and they can be jealous, even of items like a cell phone (which was the reason for the blood-inducing bite).

Before I purchased Tiki, I was told that Senegals are "great birds, great talkers, and very quiet." Pet shop people aren't really to be trusted, because how many of them tell you the negatives about a bird, too?

Now, Tiki is a great bird. She is my companion, and she is a light in my life. I love her very much, but you kind of need to have unconditional love for a Senegal (which I do). They are very misunderstood birds; so many end up being re-homed because people are told what I'm told, that they're wonderful and all the good things, but never the negatives. So people buy them, but when they get bitten, they are disappointed. Owning a Senegal is a true commitment. This forum has helped me tremendously; please take their advice (especially Michael's) because they know what they're talking about.

My own advice is to read about them (Guide to the Senegal Parrot and its Family) and hang out on this forum before truly considering a purchase.

[guardianmax]

I live peacefully with my 4 birds, 2 cats and Chihuahua. At one one time I had quite a number of birds and still other critters as the ones I mentioned. I am always present when the birds are out of their cage. I do not take the Senegal and Love birds out at the same time because the Love birds will attack the senegal. I have had love birds of all kinds for years and know a little something on how they respond to other birds.
As for my dog and 2 cats, they are never put "away" when the birds are out. Infact they are afraid of the birds and stay clear. I am very aware at all times where the cats are. My cats find the birds boring [I do know that not all cats would find them so]. But it is possible to have cats and or dogs while also enjoying the ownership of having a bird. I am always aware as I said as to where the cats are and my Chihuahua. If I had a large though I would try to arrange it so that his outside yard time is when my birds are out. A large dog is more intimidating than a chihuahua. Dont get me wrong as I know the chihuahua can also kill; the large dog would be faster.
Anyway, this is my 2 cents what ever it is worth.