Opinions, suggestions, stories..

[Susan27]

After reading all the responses and doing some hard thinking, I think I will enjoy my flock, which by the end of the month will be a total of 8 peachfaced lovebirds. At this point I am leaning towards no breeding, at least I won't actively encourage it.
My limit started out at 6...it will be 8...I feel my flock is full. I did get my orange faced lovebird...pictures to come later. I also have an older male coming my way.

For me, I did add many birds in a short time. (one was a surprise from my roomie...but I love my Mr. Peepers). I wanted to have everyone establish their place in the flock before I returned to work. As of my doctors appointment today, that seems like quite a while in the future...I thought months...but it appears it will be more like years I don't foresee my health problems effecting my bird ownership, but hey...you never know. My doctors actually believe my pets help to heal physically and mentally....guess they haven't heard a flock of lovies squawking for attention...

Thanks for all your posts. I know I will get honest answers from my fellow lovies owners here.

[Eliza]

Yay for orange-faces! Can't wait to see pics...

I hope that your health continues to improve

-e-

[Christine9]

My doctors actually believe my pets help to heal physically and mentally.

I definitely agree with this. While you are right, sometimes their squawking can cause stress, I find the majority of the time my birds are such a stress reliever. I wish you a full recovery, though, whether it be months or years.

Congratulations on the orangefaced! I can't wait to see pics. My "dream lovie" happens to be an orangefaced australian cinnamon (male, of course ), and I actually had the chance to get one last week, but I had to pass. I have my hands full trying to integrate my new guy (Coconut) safely into my flock, and I would definitely feel overwelmed with two new birds right now. Hopefully another one will come my way in a couple years, when I am ready.

[Susan27]

I don't know if my approach is the best. Integrating so many new birds in a short period of time. So far everything is going pretty good. Everyone has paired up, or were paired when I got them. They all pretty much stay in their pairs when out together...some beak fighting which I break up after about 15 seconds. They get along wonderful during popcorn parties...heehee. New lovie is segregated and will meet the flock in about 30 days.

I believe new lovie to be an orange face...it definitly looks orange to me...but of course, I will post pictures and find out I don't have an orange face after all.

Pictures will come soon...I promise.

[Christine9]

I don't know if my approach is the best. Integrating so many new birds in a short period of time.

Actually, it's probably easier. In your case, they are all pretty much new, so they don't already have the "this is my turf" attitude. It's harder to introduce a single bird into an established flock, at least that is my experience so far. Right now, I pretty much dealing with my four vs. the "new guy". Razzle's been nice (and I'm thinking this is because he is the oldest and most mature), but the others have been very bossy, because they see everything as "their turf". I think it is going to take them awile to accept him.

[DebSpace]

So many birds, so little time. I have warned my husband, though, that should I ever win the lottery, I'm retiring from the day job. moving to the country and adding lots of birdies. I think he said something like, "okay by me, so long as you build them a separate house."

Seriously, there are so many beautiful ones I don't know how I would choose. And baby birds are darling, but in my experience with rescues, handfeeding just one requires a huge amount of time and committment. I'm such a worrier that if I had baby lovies, I'd have to do homestudies before I could let them leave with someone else. That is just me, though. I have to continually tell myself not to bite off more than I can chew. They are so pretty and cute, that I could be swept away in a moment without due consideration of expenses and time involved to provide them with the best care. Sounds like you have made the right choice for yourself at this time.

[Janie]

I think refraining from getting more lovebirds is a hard thing because there are so many colors in the peachies and those masked and fischers just knock my socks off and......they are all so tiny! Very few people would get one dog and then think they need another one in a few weeks or months but we all know that lovies are different. I've had the hardest time trying to explain that to my hubby. He is horrified that I'm going to go over-board and end up with four or six and we all know that four or six is not too many when you're talking about lovebirds. Dogs or cats, maybe but lovies? No way! As long as you have the time, space and $ needed for care, why not? I refrain only because my flock of three gets along so well and I hesitate to shake-up a good situation with one more. But.....I sure would love to have one more, or TEN more!

[BarbieH]

What a wonderful thread! It's so terrific to read a discussion on such a personal issue, that is handled so candidly.

I think Cassy's story touched me the most. (Thanks Cassy! ) I also have an illness that could progress unexpectedly, and who knows what would happen? I could have to stop working, or not be able to care for my pets. The more you have, the more you risk losing ... not to mention potential vet bills vs. doctor bills and living expenses. It's not always easy to find your balance point between fear and love. The greater the risk of loss, the more caution is needed.

We are at a current limit with eight. We bred one generation to keep blood lines going, for now. All living offspring so far have been males. All eggs are being boiled to prevent them from developing.

All of our critters get our full love and attention. The love always grows; the more you give, the more you create. But I would hate to have to put their happiness and health at risk because I didn't control their numbers.

That's my .