Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have to get rid of my jenday conure. I really dont know how about going to sell it, or maybe find someone to hold it for me for about 6 months to a year beacause of a divorce and she hates the bird so it coming with me. I am so confused on what to do. The bird needs more affection than I can give it, and I would love to find someone to take it. Is there anywebsites or any type of info or support you can give me. This bird is a eye catcher, and loves people and loves to snuggle.
Thanks
dan
ANSWER: Hi, Dan.  Thanks for posting!

Your best bet is to put an ad in your local newspaper classified ads.  Also, you may be able to find local bird fairs/auctions to place your conure up for sale (watch your newspaper classified ads for announcements or check with local parrot (bird) clubs.  There are lots of websites out there you could list your bird up for sale on, however, this usually means you would have to ship your bird to a purchaser, which can be expensive (and not very pleasant for the bird).  You'd just have to search the internet for these websites.  Use a search string in a search engine such as "parrots for sale" or something similar.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Man i really hate having to do this. Is it going to be tough for the bird to get used to a different owner, or do they adjust well? It just sucks ya know. I would actuallyy give the bird away just to know he was well taken care of, and loved like we did. I guess my question is will the bird adjust well? we had hinm for about 6 years?
Thanks
Dan

Answer
Hi again, Dan.

Life can be tough.  Sorry about your situation and for the bird.

It depends on the new owners and the personality of your jenday and how he handles stress.  A move can be hard on a parrot.  You can do like I do when I have baby parrots for sale...I interview potential people by phone first, finding out how much they know about parrots, caring for them, etc., before I even let them come see any babies.  Then I see how they act when they are around a few of my birds, and the babies, then I decide if I will sell to them or not.  I don't have to sell my birds to just anyone.  

If you feel so bad about this, keep the bird.  It's not the quantity of time you spend with your bird, it's the quality of the time you spend together.  Your conure can do just fine while you're at work if he has enough to keep him mentally stimulated/occupied while you are gone.  Then you can spend time with him when you come home.  I'm away from home 10 hours per day and I have lots of animals...hundreds of birds...they do just fine.

Chrys