Keeping a bird in full time work/education?

[Donuttb]

Hi all,
First of all I apologise if this is posted in the wrong area, but I guessed socialising/ social health is health related
I was wondering how people keep their bird happy while working a full time job/ in full time education. I've been looking/researching many birds but am disheartened by the fact I have little time due to college, being away from home 12hrs a day- I am afraid I'll socially deprive the bird; So I tried looking behind college, for when I finish, but got caught up with the fact I'll most likely move into full time working.
So how do you guys do it? What kind of birds do you have and what kind of activities/ things do you do to keep them happy? I've been looking at Indian Ringnecks, Cockatiels and Lovebirds, I also have aviary budgies, but I'm looking for a companion and not sure what I can do to prevent depression.
Thanks

 

[HolliDaze]

Getting more than one bird (same species) would help alot. They'd need to Be Kept together. I had a cockatiel while I was in highschool, and she was out as long as I was home. Smaller birds, from my experience, don't need to be monitored as closely, so I could hAve her out and about without having to directly watch her.

 

[Menagerie Mama]

There are so many sources of good information here, I'm certain you will have loads of input soon!

Afraid that I am not a good one to weigh in on this...after looking into it, I didn't get any birds until I was self employed (and so, could orchestrate my schedule in a way that having a full time job would never allow), and even then, it was only zebra finches until semi-retirement allowed a majority of my time to be spent at home and I finally felt better able to meet a companion bird's needs.

There are members here on the Avenue who make the situation you describe work, and I am sure they will chime in; but, don't take it personally if many also emphasize the tremendous commitment required at a time in your life when it is entirely likely that you will be presented with unforeseen opportunities, possibilities, adventures or obstacles...the milestone you are reaching now is an amazing time in life, think deeply about if you want major your life choices to be dictated and limited by your responsibility to an intelligent and feeling creature who is completely dependent on you. Your post makes it clear that you are a feeling and thoughtful person who is well cut out to be a "parront"; congratulations on exploring whether this is the right time for it
Good Luck!

 

[Menagerie Mama]

P.S. not to imply that my zebras are in any way lacking! they just supply one another's emotional requirements

 

[datlamb]

I was in the same spot you are in before I got my parrots.
The only conclusion I got to was that there must be more than one bird.
I found my two lovely cockatiels up for a rehome and knew they were perfect for my situation. A bonded pair of cockatiels who are also friendly to humans.
Right now I am working a full time job and I make sure I wake up early enough for the birds to have an hour out of the cage before I head to work. At noon my bf wakes up and opens the cage to let them be out some more and they are out until the sun sets and they go to sleep.
I fill their cage with toys and hide treats so they are occupied when they are caged in.
The only thing keeping me calm on days I don't have as much time for them is knowing they have each other.

Now, I don't know if it's because they are bonded or if it's their personality but they don't seek me out during the day.
In the morning they yell so I will come open their cage but they don't mind if I am with them or not.
They love getting scritches and they don't mind being on me, mostly when they are on me they nap which is very sweet.

I don't mind them being like this but perhaps you are expecting a bird that is clingier? Again I don't know if the reason is that they are bonded or if that's just how they are.

as healthy as it is to have more than one parrot there are some things to consider.

if you get the two birds separately or as babies there is no guarantee that they will enjoy sharing a cage with one another as they grow older. so if you were planning on keeping both in a single cage you will have to get another that is just as big and accessorized.
even if they do get along it is always good to have an extra cage in case one of them gets sick or injured.

if the birds do get along and they are of opposite sex you may need to eliminate hormonal behaviors. this includes limiting daylight hours, avoiding nesting sites and materials and maybe even separating them during breeding season.

all in all though, from my experience having 2 birds is great for both them and me

 

[Joseph012]

For me it's about priorities. My animals come first before anything else outside of work and the like. In addition to the parrots, I have a senior dog and a high energy puppy and a high eagerly cat. So they all need attention, care, and engagement. For the parrots- I have the acrylic puzzle toys in their cages, several bowls with hidden treats, and plenty of different types of toys to keep them occupied while I'm gone. When I'm at home, they are out in the bird room in rotations of who gets along with who and size and then one on one time with me. I work in education and have fairly decent hours and that helps.

What I mean about priorities is that I don't go on weekend trips, I rarely go out with coworkers after work, I plan errands around their cage time etc... I just make sure I'm home more than I'm not. I stay organized and keep a schedule and that helps make things much easier and manageable as well.