It sucks that a lot of people end up getting a parrot just because they are cute and they are not aware of the fact that having a parrot is a Lifestyle change. Store owners just want to sell the Bird so they tell you they are easy, just give them pellets and water and change the paper at the bottom of the cage once a week. HAHAHA, if this was true, we wouldn’t have so many re-homes. I would have 20 instead of 8 birds and I would be rich because I wouldn’t be spending money on toys, perches, food, sprouts, feeding equipment, air filters, cages, vet bills, travel carriers, training tools, seeds and nuts for training, cleaning products, paper towels and I’m sure I’m missing a few other things.
I’ve had to adjust my life SO much to accommodate my parrots and I still am everyday. I went from working full 10 hour shifts to only 6 hours so I can have more time with the birds. I changed my non-stick cookware to stainless steel pots (very costly switch). I had to remove all air fresheners from my house and find homemade, safe options. All cleaning solutions have been removed so nothing remains except bleach, vinegar, dawn dishwashing liquid and good old water options and some bird cleaning products. I buy LOTS of paper towels and have to stop my “night owl” tendencies to make sure I’m being sensitive to their 10-12 hour night rest. I have to get up earlier in the morning to make sure I feed and change their water bowls/bottles before I go to work. So now that I have to be at work for 7am and I have to leave home by 6:30am to make it on time. I usually wake up at 5am so I can have an extra 30 minutes to accommodate them. I usually like to train before breakfast but unfortunately I just can’t find the extra time to do that in the mornings now except for on weekends. So I now train before lunch or before dinner depending on how much they ate from breakfast.
I have to consider how long I’m going to be out of the house if I’m leaving to go somewhere. I haven’t had a vacation since acquiring my birds because I haven’t lined up a sitter and I’m still concerned about leaving them with others to care for them (worried mommy). Your life will never be the same. Having parrots is a lifestyle change. I used to work from home answering the phones hahaha I can’t do that with parrots in the house, they are just too unpredictable regarding when they will decide to vocalize. I have to retreat from my living room at a certain time so they can get to bed on time. EVERYTHING and ANYTHING I do includes how it will affect my birds. They are just like having kids. I should know I have quite a bit of both hahaha.
This type of change is NOT for everyone, definitely think twice before deciding if you truly want a bird. No more using the oven self-cleaning option for an easy clean, no more sleeping in or being lazy, DEFINITELY more cleaning and then more education. My learning NEVER stops when it comes to having parrots and if you are seeking the best for your birds, yours won’t stop either. So just think about all these things BEFORE you add a bird to your life. Are you ready for a lifestyle change?
If so please comment below with what birds you have decided to make this change for example an African Grey parrot, Amazon, Macaw, Cockatoo? Which bird has captured your heart and what other type of lifestyle changes did you have to make that maybe I forgot to mention?
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Parenting Parrots
