What to do with baby lovebirds?

mrcow

We've discovered eggs in the bottom of our lovebirds' cage. We've had them about 12 years now and this happened once before about five years ago when they had two clutches totalling five babies.

I usually keep the cage free of anything they can nest with which has worked up until now but it seems the hen has used a pile of empy seed husks to make herself a nest.

My question is does anyone have any idea what to do with the chicks once they are independent of their parents? Before, we ended up giving them to a pet shop which I was unhappy about. Trying to find a lovebird fan wanting newborn chicks proved harder than I thought.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Last time I tried local paper, notices in pet shops and even contacted the RSPCA to see if they had any breeders or bird fanciers on their lists who would know what I could do or who to contact.

Ephemera

Grow them till they're big enough to barbecue?:rotfl:

Would a local pet shop swap them for food / another animal?

just a thought...and that cat's looking peckish...

sleepymy

I'd avoid pet shops if I were you. As well as contributing to animal trading you don't know where the birds could end up or how they would be treated.

If you're responsible for creating animals you have a duty to make sure they are properly cared for IMHO.

Have you tried getting advice from some of the bird charities/organizations like the RSPB?

mrcow

The RSPB only deal with wild animals as far as I know? (We they did when I was a member). So I didn't try them before and the RSPCA were clueless to be honest.......I think as many places are with specialised pets, which is a big part of the problem.

I have always been an extremely responsible and caring pet owner. With the last two sets of chicks I turned down quite a few offers of people wanting to take them as I understand what lovebirds need in terms of accomodation and care and IMO they need an experienced owner who will home them responsibly in adequate accomodation with plenty of facilities to fly etc.

The reason for giving them to a pet shop in the end was that once they get to a certain age, they will fight if not housed in large enough accomodation. Whilst I have the facilities for my current pair I don't have so for three extra. My logic last time round was that if I give them to a pet shop, then someone will be paying £50 or so per bird and that will be incentive enough to take care of them. I know that this doesn't always follow, hence why I don't want to have to repeat the experience. The trouble was though that we ran out of time as the babies got too bit and had to leave the nest as they were upsetting the parents (eventhough we had separated at this stage).

The pet shop in question also kept them in a large aviary so I figured that at least temporarily they had better accomodation that I was supplying them.

I guess that's why I'm posting this. I don't want to have to end up in a situation like last time. It's stressful enough to have a much loved pet go through all this again and then to have the worry about where to home the babies is quite upsetting.

I can't understand why anyone would want to breed animals for recreation.

sleepymy

I was thinking the RSPB could maybe point you in the right direction?

mrcow

I will call them and ask. They may know of bird carers in the area who look after exotic birds and wild birds so it's well worth asing the question.

juno

If you're anywhere near nottingham, i'll have em!

have you tried putting notices in the vets, or posting on gumtree?

mrcow

I tried a few vets but I didn't get any replies. I don't know what gumtree is? I'll take a look thanks.

mutley_muppet

Check out this link:
http://www.veggies.org.uk/acd/europe/uk/rescue/rescue.htm#Engl

AT the top is a list of National Animal Rescue Sanctuaries and if you scroll down the page you will find local rescue charities divided into counties.

I would try to home them via an animal rescue group as they may know some genuine bird lovers who have a nice aviary, rather than a pet shop who will probably sell them to anyone, including people who keep birds in small cages.

Good luck,
MM. x

sleepymy

Sorry I can't be of more help mrcrow, I don't know anything about birds. I applaud you for trying to find them good homes instead of just flogging them off :T
It's a pity more people don't think like you :beer:

I hope you find good homes for them all & hope I didn't sound too harsh or upset you with my first post

mrcow

mutley_muppet wrote: »

Check out this link:
http://www.veggies.org.uk/acd/europe/uk/rescue/rescue.htm#Engl

AT the top is a list of National Animal Rescue Sanctuaries and if you scroll down the page you will find local rescue charities divided into counties.

That's great - thank you so much.