"Chirp, chirp! Take me home, Thistle! We love you! Peep!"

[thistlechaser]

I went to the petstore at lunchtime to get more catfood and kitty litter (because if you're kind enough to give your cat the former, you sure as heck are going to need the latter), and while looking for a cat toy that'd make a good gift for her, I heard it.

"Peep! Peep!"

Little birdies, calling my name!

"Peep! Peep! Take us home, mama Thistle! We need a home!"

So I wandered over that way, just to take a look. On the way I noticed cage-stand things. Hm, they looked stable, too. And such nice big cages! I could give a birdy a really good home!

"Peep! Peep!" *flutter* "Take us home, Thistle! Pweese! Peep! Let me go home with you!"

But alas, I had to resist. I watched the wonderful plantakeets (...Gah! Darned you, PokeMUSH!) parakeets for five or ten minutes, then left. It's a good thing a salesperson didn't come over and offer to help, because with the slightest pressure I would have given in and gotten one. My worry is this though: Even if a cage is on a stand, if my 15 pound cat jumps at it, she'd knock it over easily. *sniff* Poor peeping birds wouldn't like to be sat upon by my cat, so... No peeps for me.

On a related note: 40 pound containers of kitty litter are too darned heavy! They're such a good bargain (under $10!), but I killed my back getting them into the trunk. Ow.

On an unrelated note: Eee! Look what I won! (I really need to stop visiting eBay...) Recall the stickers I won over the weekend? Well it turns out they were only one of a set of four! And now I have all four, so I'll have two of the Zabuza/Haku set! Woo! Aren't they keen?

Comments

[firebyrd.livejournal.com]

Even if you change your mind about a bird, you should almost never buy them from a pet store. Not only do breeders tend to be cheaper, most actually take good care of their birds, as opposed to most pet stores, which don't.

Re:

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I thought about that too, yeah. This one did something I never saw before though: They listed a local vet's address and phone number that you could call/visit to confirm that they come by and see the birds and all that.

Re:

[firebyrd.livejournal.com]

I'm admittedly kind of skeptical about this, because the local Petco has that too, and while they take better care of their birds than a lot of places do, they're still not very good. Despite the numerous signs about the vet they supposedly visit all around, they recently emptied their bird room after having it locked up for days, so it seems pretty clear that their birds got sick and most likely all died.

Since I didn't see this store, I obviously can't say for sure whether it's a good one or not, but statistically speaking, the odds are that it's just as bad as most of them. Birds take a higher degree of care than most pets and the poorly-trained and paid employees just don't know what they're doing most places.

Re:

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

[animarelic.livejournal.com]

Skip out on parakeets as a first bird. They're a lot noiser/messier/more obnoxious than they seem to be at the store.

If you're looking for a cool pet-type bird, then try a cockateil, they're easy to breed and handraise, check your local newspaper/want advertiser. Those are usually full of breeder ads.

If you're looking for a bird that's just -cool-, and sounds cool, and doesn't get loud/obnoxious, try Zebra Finches. Get two or three, they're communal, and they make the best little *beepbeep* noises.

Be aware that all birds are messy, and will manage to get feathers/poo/etc onto everything within 5 feet of the cage.

As for dealing with cats? We got a hook and hung the cage out of jumping reach in the middle of the ceiling somewhere - with no furniture nearby to climb, the cats couldn't touch the cage. Then when we wanted to deal with the birds, we'd close the cats up, and let the birds have a walkabout.

Depending on your area/climate, some finches can be kept outside. In fact, a lot of finches are indiginous to the US, it's just a matter of finding the same type as the ones that live in your area, and going with those, if you want outside birds. They can be kept in an enclosed porch, or on a 2nd/3rd floor balcony. ^.^

Re:

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I had a parakeet before, that's why I'm tempted by another. :) I'd like to hang it from the ceiling, but unfortunately this is an apartment, so...

And the finches were nice! I'd like them, too.

[sillysophia.livejournal.com]

Actually, for some reason, my cat's afraid of our parakeet. We got ours free from a man who owns an aviary. He had too many, so we got to keep one of his extras. Bright yellow baby. But the dang thing is meaner than holy heck. Even our yellow lab keeps away from Das Birt. On the other hand, it's really cool when they nibble your glasses. I recommend checking the library for bird books if you're serious about gettin' some peepers.

[chichiri.livejournal.com]

Haha peep-less. That's cute. I love that icon, by the way.

Re:

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks!