A few questions before getting a Lovebird...

[cypher543]

I have a few questions that didn't seem to fit in Breeding or Training, so I figured I would ask them here. Sorry if this isn't the right place...

First, where can I get a Lovebird? I saw a pair at Petsmart, but I just have a feeling that it won't work out. I don't know... Petsmart has so many pets, and they might not be keeping the Birds as healthy as a dedicated breeder would. So, how do I find a breeder in my area?

How do I get a Lovebird "DNA'd"? Is it just a quick trip to the vet and a few weeks of waiting? Do breeders usually DNA their own birds, so the new owner doesn't have to?

I have school 5 days a week for 7 hours a day, so I'm guessing I'll have to get a pair. Is this true, or will a lone bird get along well with my dad as company? Will the bird ignore me more if I'm not home very much?

Do lovebirds bite viciously? I mean, do they just nip, or do they go all out and just tear into your finger? Can they be easily trained to stop biting?

That's all the questions I have for now.

Thanks!

[bellarains]

Hi,

I just answered your other post on Petstore birds, and am glad to see that you are looking for a breeder. Let us know where you are exactly, and maybe we can recommend one to you.

Some breeders do DNA sex, most if you request it. There is a fee, but you would have to pay to have that done yourself, so better to let them do it, and then you know exactly what sex you are getting.

I would recommend a male for a first time bird owner. Hens are wonderful pets also, but you would have eggs to deal with, and you might want a little more experience before jumping into that. It's not a huge deal, but it is a little extra.

You don't necessarily need a pair. As long as you can spend at least 1-2 hours per day with your birds(more if possible) then that will keep a bond with your bird. Everyday interaction is key is taming. You are looking for quality more so than quanity time.

Some lovies do carry a good bite. The thing to keep in mind is they are birds, biting is their defense, and sometimes they bite for a reason. Sometimes they are trying to tell you something, I'm scared, I don't like that, I want to go eat, I need a drink, etc.... Sometimes they are just tired, and ready to go back to their cage. The way to avoid a bite it to get to know your birds body language, and respect it. You will learn body stance and actions of your bird by getting a nip or two, and then you will learn to avoid a bite, and train them not to bite. Still, you will get an occasional nip. It's not personal, it's just part of having a bird;)

Let us know if we can help locate a breeder, and if you have more questions. I'm sure you will get more responses. The more you ask, the more you know, the better prepared you'll be:)

[cypher543]

Thanks for the answers!

I live near Sedalia, Missouri. Know of a Lovebird breeder near there?

[Eliza]

Just chiming in to say that you do not need a pair of lovies. You can certainly purchase a pair to love and enjoy but that might decrease your chances of having birds that are comfortable being handled by you.

Here is a list of avian breeders: http://www.flyinggems.com/fga/avianbreeders.htm. I'm sure that members here will offer recommendations as well.

I currently have one lovebird, who came from a breeder near me in NJ. I lucked out in that regard ;) He's rather well-adjusted and quite content being my buddy. That's not to say that I won't consider bringing another bird into the mix later.

I also am out of the house close to 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. Beetle has not suffered for it that I can tell. If you think that you can find time in your schedule to fit in some one-on-one bird handling, it's well worth doing. Think of the time you spend at home after homework and chores are done. In time a tame lovie can become part of those situations ;)

Best wishes!

-e-

[cypher543]

ejw829: Thanks for the link. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to handle the lovebird. I get rather stressed during school, and spending time watching a tiny lovebird climb around his cage (and maybe even my curtains) is exactly what I need. :D

[Janie]

If you buy a young pair from a breeder that have been handfed or at least socialized early on, you can end up with two very, very tame birds. I did! :D I wanted two because I already had an older lovebird that was very bonded to me and I didn't think adding just one more would be right for him or for the new bird. They were very tame when I got them but still had to get used to me and a new home. I played with them several times a day for at least 15 to 30 minutes each time in the first month. They were in a quarantine room (as protection for my older lovebird) so I had to make it a point to spend time with them. Once I could move them into the bird room with Oliver, I was able to interact with them off and on during the day and they have remained very tame. Even a younger bird who is tame in the beginning can revert back to wild if it goes a few weeks w/o attention. I would imagine that some petstores start out with tame babies that revert back to being wild while they are sitting in a cage waiting to be bought.

I'm with Lori and do recommend a male and if you decide to get two, I'd get two males. The breeder I purchased from DNA'd them for me at a total cost of $25 (usually $25. per bird). I only wanted males and had to pass on a few until she had two males for me. Worth the wait. I don't want to breed and males generally get along better together.

Give some thought to the life span of a lovebird, too. In good health they can live 15 plus years and if you are planning to go to college, that is something to consider. I ended up with my first bird, my precious Oliver, because his former owner was going off to college and her parents didn't want to keep him. He'd been in their home for 6 or 7 years but that didn't seem to matter to them, something I'll never understand.