What to do with baby lovebirds?

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mrcow
mrcow Posts: 15,170 Forumite
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in Pets & pet care
:o

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.
"One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."
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  • Ephemera
    Ephemera Posts: 1,604 Forumite
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    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...
    If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got.



  • sleepymy
    sleepymy Posts: 6,097 Forumite
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    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?
    The stupid things you do, you regret... if you have any sense, and if you don't regret them, maybe you're stupid. - Katharine Hepburn
  • mrcow
    mrcow Posts: 15,170 Forumite
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    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.
    "One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
    Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."
  • sleepymy
    sleepymy Posts: 6,097 Forumite
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    I was thinking the RSPB could maybe point you in the right direction?
    The stupid things you do, you regret... if you have any sense, and if you don't regret them, maybe you're stupid. - Katharine Hepburn
  • mrcow
    mrcow Posts: 15,170 Forumite
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    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.
    "One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
    Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."
  • juno
    juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
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    If you're anywhere near nottingham, i'll have em!

    have you tried putting notices in the vets, or posting on gumtree?
    Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

    Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
    100% paid off :j
  • mrcow
    mrcow Posts: 15,170 Forumite
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    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.
    "One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
    Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."
  • mutley_muppet
    mutley_muppet Posts: 1,071 Forumite
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    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
    "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again."

    Stephen Grellet, (1773-1855).
  • sleepymy
    sleepymy Posts: 6,097 Forumite
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    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 :o
    The stupid things you do, you regret... if you have any sense, and if you don't regret them, maybe you're stupid. - Katharine Hepburn
  • mrcow
    mrcow Posts: 15,170 Forumite
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    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.
    "One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
    Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."
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