Parrot Limit

[Michael]

Ok, we've all had someone (possibly ourselves) impose a limit on us of how many parrots we can have in our living conditions. This number may change with a change of home, family, or environment. But share what your current max limit is, why, who imposed it, if you've reached it, and what could possibly alter this limit?

[Kim S]

I voted no limit. If I put a limit on it my bf will probably keep me to it

At the moment we have Kika and Guus as tame birds (I wont count the ones in the aviary). I really want to keep one of the cockatiels I breed this year or the next as a playmate for Guus. We also want another large parrot in addition to Kika. Maybe anothother Senegal, but my bf really loves macaws. So we havent decided about that yet.

My bf would like to just keep these 4 birds. That would mean we have 3 cages in our livingroom (the two cockatiels sharing one). My bf loves parrots but hates giving up the space you need to put the cages. But knowing me, knowing my bf. If there was a pretty little fluff coming allong that really needed a home, who could say no?

[Rrrma]

I guess I'd have to say my current limit is 3 parrots, but then I have my 2 cockatiels as well... so do I count them? lol!

I don't think I could even fit another cage in my house right now, but one day I will have my aviary and then the number will change, hehe

[lzver]

3 is my limit.

I currently have 2, but I am in the process of adopting a Meyer's Parrot. She won't be coming home with us until late September/early October to ensure I can do a proper quarantine.

3 is a self-imposed limit. In preparation for a 3rd bird, we are now moving the birds into another room that is more open and will actually allow them to see us and spend more time with us. We'll be able to have an area specifically for them and they'll be able to spend more time out of their cages because I can supervise while being in our living room. I don't think I'll have a bird room quite like Natacha's, but it will allow more room to hang toys and have their playstand in the same room.

Unless our life situation dramatically changes (like winning a lottery), 3 will remain my limit. I want to still be able to spend quality time with them each day.

[Rue]

That's a hard one to answer.

I've always had 2 cockatiels - in one cage. But then I developed that added interest in the birds and wanted to experience more.

When you start getting more birds, you have to be careful. It does have an addictive quality.

I could have stopped with the 'just' the Pionus (in addition to the 'tiels). But he was so fascinating, I wanted to try more...and I wanted to rescue. So I got the Amazon. Then I really wanted to experience a parrot that talks - in part from a biologist POV...so we got the CAG.

Well...5 birds (4 cages) are a fair amount of work. But doable. I also don't have room for more cages - at least not so that it's convenient. And that strong desire for 'one more' did go away.

Would I get another parrot? Possibly. But not at the moment. With the kids getting older I need to downsize pets (this was part of the initial plan) to get to a number I can handle easily on my own. If my daughter had to leave her 2 budgies behind, I would look after them as well. But I'm hoping she would take them with her (depends on where she'd move to).

BTW...I also have a small chicken coop...rare and heritage hens...I really enjoy the chickens as well, I have one rooster who's very friendly - he comes when I call him. But because they're housed together I think of them as 'one' unit, vs. individually.

[Rrrma]

That's a hard one to answer.

I think we are 2 birds hatched from the same egg :p I've always wanted chickens, but zoning won't allow it

[Rue]

We have an acerage. You'll just have to move!

[ptuga72]

Four is my current limit. Why? because that is how many I have now. My hubby is very sweet and told me that he would never put a limit on how many birds we get, not that he'll be happy about getting #5, but also wont throw a tantrum. He wants me to decide when enough is enough, they are MY birds and I will be the one to take care of them.

My limit is four now because I honestly cannot handle anymore. We have Scarlet who requires more out of me taming wise than Jake. But, Jake is a velcro bird and so if I spend more time with Scarlet than him chaos ensues. Then there are the fosters. They are funny birds, but they are literally wild. I have taken on the task of taming them so I can get them adopted quickly. I only have so much time in my day and only so much space. I think it would be unfair to any new bird, as well as my current birds to take on anymore birds. Like Rue said, the urge for "just 1 more" quickly fades.

We live in a condo with limited space. Scarlet's and foster's cages are 5 ft tall and 3.5 feet wide, which are two large cages to keep in our only extra bedroom. This also means that I have no proper quarantine space, unless the bird is no larger than a small conure or cockatiel and so it can be kept in our bedroom.

Of course the rescue just took in a gold-capped conure, which is VERY tempting .

We (hopefully) will be moving to a larger home in 2 years. When that happens I will consider adopting one more, but for now, I am very happy with my current mess makers.

[Brittanyv326]

My limit right now is one. Of course we just got her 2 months ago, so I really don't have much of a desire to get another yet, I guess you could say I still am getting the new-parrot-buzz. My boyfriend would kill me if I got another though. Things would change if we moved into a larger house probably. As is, there is just absolutely NO room for another cage and accessories. Eventually, I'd love to get another, but even if my boyfriend had no limit, my own limit would be three unless I had an aviary. I just don't think I could properly provide enough attention to more than three parrots.

[pchela]

My limit is three which is an agreement made with my husband. Three is perfect in my opinion. I like them to have company when I leave the house and if I take one with me there are still two that can chatter with each other. Also, 3 is a decent amount of work... more than that and it starts becoming too much to handle and doesn't leave enough time for the quality one on one time they all need. I know there are people who manage it, but for me, I also need some me time and I don't want birds to monopolize my life. I don't want to spend all of my time cleaning, feeding and cooking for my parrots. I want time to enjoy them too. That said, it is always tempting to add just one more!