Guilty

[renugac]

:cry: Hi,

I would like to share my thoughts about the new love birds that I bought. They are 8 months old. Since day one I feel guilty of trapping them in a cage. They are meant to fly around wherever they want without any barriers. I feel very bad and sometimes even think of letting them go. If I do that will they be able to survive among other birds?. What will they do when winter comes and it is snowing. I will lose my money but I will feel good that they will be happy. I feel the same way about clipping their wings. Am I the only one with this kind of mixed feelings?. My husband says that they will be killed by other larger birds if I let them go. Is that true? I need some convincing advice please.....

[Sweetpeaches]

oh my! i'm so sorry you are having these mixed emotions. but to be honest, i'm sure that all of us who own domesticated birds at times feel (or wish) our fids could be flying to their hearts content....however, for whatever reason, we have chose to domesticate these birds so we are responsible for their well being and since they have not been born into the wild they have a very slim chance of surviving it. with all that said, they can live very happy productive lives in our care. probably more protected than being exposed to the natural elements. so i would not let your lovies loose! they will love you as you love them. you are now their "flock".

[Cindy N.]

Hello,

Depending on where you live, if your birds are let loose out the door, there are a number of problems that can happen for the birds and you. I cannot say that it would be sure death for the birds, but it would be a high percentage of possible death and you may be facing charges of animal cruelty.

If they do survive and thrive in your area, you may be creating an alien species that takes over the ecology of the natural species of birds in your area. If you do this you may get in trouble with the government Wildlife Officers. You could also be creating potential problems for other lovebird owners in your area, because the government may ban the owning of lovebirds, as they have done with quakers in some states.

Lovebirds do feel at home in their own cages. If you do not feel comfortable seeing them in cages, why don't you convert a room for them, where they can fly around or give them to an owner that does not mind seeing them in cages.

Cindy

[linda040899]

Quite honestly, domestically raised parrots are terrified when they go outside for the first time, and rightfully so! They don't have the knowledge to survive in the wild, as they were not hatched there and taught by their parents. Even many youngsters that are raised by their parents in the wild don't survive to grow up! So while you may feel guilty about keeping domestically raised birds safe inside and housing them in a cage, they are actually happier that way, as they don't know any different.

I've got one bird that has always given me a few guilt feelings and that's Ginger, my imported CAG. She was raised in the wild but was in the right place at the wrong time and went from her world into a world where she would be kept as either a breeder or a pet. I've chosen to keep her as a pet and I allow her as much freedom as possible, as long as she's not destroying the house! I've done a mini clip on both wings so she can fly, just not far enough/high enough to get into trouble. :) Do I think she would be happier outside? Not really. She's adapted well and birds tend to be creatures of habit.