A few thoughts on MBS/Multiple Birds Syndrom

[Tari]

MBS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER

It is so strange how everyone always thinks this is so funny. But I have to wonder if we are doing birds any real favorers by taking in that bird no one wants.

There are a few that do very well with lots of birds and can give them all they need but only a few most of us get in over our heads very quickly.(but rarely admit it to anyone) Then what?

When do you say enough is enough? Can we say it?

Here are some things to think about before adding just one more bird.

Can you with no strain at all on the budget take your birds to an avian vet when needed?

Can you spend at least 15 minutes in your face time daily with each bird? More is better.

Do you have the space without making the rest of the family feel put out?

Does your spouse roll their eyes or say something like "where do you plan to put it?' but would never come right out and tell you no?

Just why do you want another one anyway? Is it so you can say you have a such and such? Or cause you think it well bond with you better then the others have?

Why do we always laugh when people bring up getting a new bird? Why do we think MBS is funny?

I for one have met my limit. Do you know what your limit is? Did you stop? Or well you stop?

I am sure some of you think the same way but knowing it is not the popular thing to say and that people wont like you to point out the reasons not to get more birds.

On the plus side less birds means you can buy the birds you do have the very best and more toys.

It means you can build a special relationship with them that you could not have if you had to many cause your time is spread out.

Just food for thought.

Post edited by: Tari, at: 2008/05/03 14:28<br><br>Post edited by: Tari, at: 2008/05/03 14:35

[siobha9]

You have raised some very valid questions here Tari. And I suppose there are varying degrees of MBS!

I am sure most of have our limits and know what they are. I for one, will never have a cockatoo or a Macaw for different reasons. I will never have a cockatoo because I KNOW I couldnt give them the attention that they would need and still keep my other babies happy. And I will never have a Macaw because I am afraid of their beak :S

Then there are different reasons why people take on a new bird. Maybe they do it for the love of the new bird, well obviously this must be a factor to some degree else why would you take the bird ? But there are other reasons. Maybe its because our Greys are one person birds and another member of the family wants a relationship like that with a bird. That was the case in my family for 2 of my birds.

Birds did not evolve to need human interaction, therefore some birds do better without it. I have small birds who are very happy little guys but who do not need, or want handling by me. I give them toys, I give them food and water and I let them play with each other. I don't consider that these little guys are suffering for want of my giant hand in their face on a daily basis! But most of all I gave them playmates of their own kind.

I know for sure that there are individuals out there who get birds just to say they have bird X or Bird Y. But I honestly dont believe that those types of people are on a site like this one. Those kinds of people are probably not interested in enriching their birds lives, and in looking for help to interact with them. So why would they be reading a forum like this?
I consider the members of this forum to be the elite in bird owners for the most part. And I truly believe that if a bird is plucking, or biting, or whatever, that our members, with the support from the rest of us, have the best possible chance of improving that birds quality of life.

However.... having said all that.... each and every time someone considers taking in another bird, they should definitely reflect on the questions you raise regarding vet bills, space and whether they need interaction, and whether you can give it!

[danmcq]

Tari - This is a great post and brings out many questions anyone considering bringing more parrots home should answer to themselves truthfully. I think you should make this a "Sticky" so it will be in view constantly. Perhaps even change the title to "Multiple Birds Syndrome" since some will not recognize the acronym. :-)

Siobha - Great thoughts and responses. It is obvious you thought before you leaped.

I am also on the same page with Siobha's comments. I want a B&G Macaw, but I know it would require too much Cage space and attention to truly be the owner of a Grey, a Conure and it. Large Cockatoos of course are completely out of the possibilities. Due to their very needful nature in terms of requiring constant attention.

I am getting a Jenday Conure. Why? - 1) because they do not require the attention a Grey does 2) they will flock with other species and enjoy it 3) my existing Conure "Jake" is very friendly to other Parrots and the Jenday would be a welcomed flock member he could interact with 4) My existing Conure cannot interact with my Grey at all, though he tries constantly 5) If, for some reason the previous 4 items were not true, I would keep and love the new Conure regardless and divide time as needed.

One serious thought for all, whether they own a Parrot or not. It is a huge responsibility and a multi-decade commitment. You do not buy them like clothes and discard them if you decide it wasn't what you wanted after all.

[Tari]

Thank you for your great responses.

I know that here most of us keep our bird ownership within reason. But on some of the other forums I am on where people have 18 or more birds and keep adding. They justify it by taking in rehomes.

I have also seen post from people complaining about not being able to take their bird to the vet or spend enough time with it then two weeks later announce a new bird. Again not here but I do see it.

I thought this would be a great topic for this forum to bring up and keep in mind so none of us get in that boat.

I for one would love a rose breasted too. But for many reasons well never own one.

[judygram]

"""""I thought this would be a great topic for this forum to bring up and keep in mind so none of us get in that boat."""""

I completely agree Tari and you have made an excellent thread and I second Dan's comment that this be made a sticky with the title as he suggested.

I too would love to have more birds but I question having the time to devote to another bird and the one I would have is one that requires lots of it.

I think most of us here are the kind of parrot owners that know their limits and give their all to the ones we own, not that we wouldn't love to have one more but we have to be realistic, we want what is best for the bird not just what we would love to have.

[Lyric]

I'm one of those that got in over their head before they even realized what was happening. It's good you are drawing attention to this topic. I loved birds so much that when people had one they just didn't want they always thought of me. I had a hard time saying no because I just wanted the birds to have a good home. After a few years of caring for so many I realized I had reached my limit and learned how to say "No". Just recently I had to turn down a blue & gold macaw that some friends of mine had. The father had developed an allergy to the bird and just couldn't keep him. They offered him to me knowing I would give him a good home. Knowing that I really couldn't offer him the attention he would need on top of all my other birds I had to say no. It was hard, but I feel like it was in all of our best interests!

[MommaFawkes]

This is a very good topic...

As you all know I own MANY birds!! So I guess you could say I have MBS, however I do not take in every bird offered to me and give each one careful thought before I add it. I have turned down parrots that would be great for Shane and I because I thought they could negatively impact my flock..I always put my flock first. I firmly believe that each of my birds gets the attention they need, and yes I do believe I can handle a few more yet. But I am home all day also, this is a big factor. I can afford the vet care they need...I have a bird emergency fund. It had been cleaned out many times and replenished very quickly. Shooot last month I spent well over $2000 on vet bills and never gave it a second thought. Could I of used that money for things shane and I needed? Yes, but I took on this responsibility and its one I am serious about. My pets come first, no doubt about it. Shane and I would eat Mac N cheese if we were broke just so we could feed the birds what they deserve. In fact $ was tight this winter and we ate cheap food, while the birds got everything they always have, the best pellets, fresh food, etc.

I guess the point im trying to make is just know YOUR limits, everybody are different. Now I have a ton of birds, so do I get much alone time ever> NOPE. But I enjoy giving up my time for them all. I have a lot of "problem" birds, they take even more time and patience. But we always get through it! Anyways how many birds you can handle is up to you and you only, as long as you can care for and provide all the birds with what the need and lead a normal healthy life yourself.

[Tari]

I have several birds also. Only three pet birds and one semi pet.
But last summer when I had three extras cause of the baby blues there were days I felt I had way to many. lol
So far no viable eggs. But the thoughts of the extra babies I may get this year keep me from getting more.
At least it has so far but bird fair next month and those are my great weakness and I still want a white budgie..... Please don't let there be any. But I guess adding anouther untamed budgie to my budgies would not be to much except I well need a bigger cage.<br><br>Post edited by: Tari, at: 2008/05/05 23:36

[MommaFawkes]

LOL! I have a bird fair on saturday! Oh boy budgies are my weakeness too!! I do know Im getting 2 lovebirds and 2 button quail babies there but thats been planned for a while now, lol! I am also hoping to find a female Green cheek conure there!

[Tycos_mom]

This is a wonderful thread and I think you have to know your limits I am totaly at my limits even though I stay home most of the time I still work 3nights a week 6 hours a shift from 5pm til 11pm so for most of that time my birds are sleeping. I have 6 birds 3 of which are small I have 2 small conures 1 Green cheek and 1 Fiery shoulder they are great friends and keep each other company they are both still very bonded to me so I make a point of spending at least a half an hour a day with them my cockateil I didn't ask for Some one left him on my doorstep in a box with a note He wasn't even weaned yet so I took him in. He sits beside my bed so he's with me allot The others are big birds and need alot of intervention I love my birds and I spend a lot of time with each of them my Grey and my Amazon share my bedroom with me along with my cockateil I spend allot of time there due to my disablity I have very bad legs and must keep them up for allot of the time I can walk but if I am on my feet to much my legs break out into alsers that take forever to heal so its two hours up and two hours down all day long on the days I have to work I have to keep my feet up most of the day so I can do my job and not have problems. My cockatoo is in the living room so every couple hours I go and spend a half hour with him playing with his toys and cuddling him my Amazon just flys over to the bed when she want to be with me and Tyco i talk at all day. and play different games with her teach her things and just try to earn her trust which is working great but because I only have three big bird I have lots of time to spend with all of them I am at my limit though I couldn't imagine trying to give any more than I have the quality time they deserve and need Pat