Rarely do you hear of people that would worry about adding additional pets to existing pets because of jealously. You can tell that people truly love their animals in the exotic pet forum. People are putting their animal's feelings and trust in them first. The people's feelings and their need for more. We all can wish and dream but existing animals have to come first.

The bird farm you go to sounds like one I use to go to. Any chance it is in CA?

I love African Greys; both varieties. Sweet and intelligent birds. I love all macaws even the tiny Hahn's macaw and its Napoleon complex. He was such a monster bird!! But he had me wrapped around his beak, hook, line, and sinker!

I suppose I could have someone take care of the tank, but if I didn't do it I might not appreciate it enough

There are bird rescues many people give up birds for one reason or another. The bird, with love an patience is one animal that is easier to "bring back into the fold." Some animals once they lose trust are near impossible and may remain adoptable.

I wonder what the general feelings are of people adopting birds such as the macaw once they end up in a rescue. Most have set in a cage with no socialization from humans. Ignored, purposely injured. Many have serious behavioral issues.

The bird farm was in PA and has since closed. I had gotten my first red-throat baby conure there and later another red-throat that was eight months old. Plus we had gotten a parakeet to keep company with another parakeet we had adopted (because he was hopelessly in love with our adopted cockatiel and we didn't think she felt the same LOL). It was a great place to purchase birds.

My personal feeling is, since I have adopted so many unwanted or lost and found pet birds over the years, that rescuing would be the only option for me. I appreciated going through the experience of raising a baby pet bird and might like to do that again and would probably enjoy breeding, but it is a hard choice to make when there are so many pets looking for homes.

Your bird farm sounds much like my bird farm. They are wonderful people. They supply many of my bird photos. I was totally smitten by Angel their Cockatoo. Their Angel, not for sale - period!! I tried for a number of years.

Breeding is a difficult decision for any animal these days. I have considered it on a number of occasions. It was never the right place or the right time.

I adore the cockatiel have had many over the years. We had parakeets through my entire childhood. I don't ever remember not having birds and pets and can't imagine life without them.

My daughter and I have had a few discussions lately. She hates that I have become pretty much a recluse (physical - back and legs). She tells me to get out and make a bunch of friends. I enjoy the friends I have. She tells me what would happen if someday George, my husband should pass away. I told her I'd adopt another cat, dog or whatever. She is such a irritant But love her dearly. Life will be what it will be. Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)

I quite agree. Que Sera, Sera. Although I miss the work at the office days, I have church and school functions and friends to socialize offline on occasion. Obviously I appreciate social networking online.

Social networking has many advantages. I personally love it.

I wish I could visit either of these bird farms. I really enjoy Cockatoos. Though, I think they are more of human social need than any other pet bird.

The advice for getting a Cockatoo is to not spoil it right off with attention. The amount of attention it becomes accustomed to is the amount it will always crave. If they don't get the attention they've gotten used to when first brought home and spoiled they will most likely resort to feather picking.

If rescuing one and it has no feathers, there is no guarantee that the right amount of attention and good care will make the feathers grow back. I have a naked Conure with head and wing feathers only that we adopted. She would have been so beautiful fully feathered.

I was surprised at the number of Cockatoo species, 21 kinds to be exact in so many beautiful color combinations.

The advice is sound and you are quite right about the seriousness of feather plucking. It is difficult not to spoil a had-fed baby when you first get it, or any bird for that matter Often the situation can be reversed but certainly a percentage never emotionally or physically recover.

One of every reptile that is legal in the United States. What can I say I love reptiles. Diana's choices will looking like a shopping list.

skunk 2 Mongoose
Birds, two of every variety (is she building an
raccoons 2
ark)

weasels
Ragdoll cat
Fishers
Chelsea cat
Serval