Hey guys. I'm back for opinions. At the moment I'm attending college and living it up in the dorms. At times I really don't like my cement cubicle I call my home, so I brought my birds to live with me. They're doing quite well, and I feel happy that they are here with me. I don't have a ton of time to spend with them, but I know they never get out at home if I'm not there. I've been keeping them in one of my two big closets. The closet itself has two doors, and it's split in half. On one half there are drawers and a place to set things on top of them, and the other side is designated to hang clothes. Right now the birds are on top of the drawers. It's been nice because when it's time for bed I just cover them up and close the doors, and then open it back up in the morning.

 

I've managed to keep them a secret until lately, as they have become much more vocal, and my dorm advisor has taken notice. He doesn't care if I have them as long as I "shut them up." ( I guess they woke him at noon last Saturday because I forgot to feed them) If I shut the door to the closet it really mutes the sound, and even if they are making a scene it's not nearly as audible. My question is whether or not you all think it would be poor husbandary on my part if I kept the door closed for most of the day, provided I put together some sort of lighting fixture in the closet so they aren't sitting in the dark. I'm thinking when I'm in my room in the afternoon they aren't going to make such a fuss, and I can monitor them more closely while the door is open. What do you all think? I'll probably end up having to take them back home, but I'd like to keep them here as long as possible with no problems.

 

Thanks!

Edited January 4, 200718 yr by brunof

Light makes for budgie noise period. I can tell you really love your birds and your heart is in a good place but just from reading what you wrote I don't believe it is the best situation for the birds. What you were doing before I think is okay but keeping them locked up in a closet with no good ventilation is not healthy for them at all (not for any living creature) even if you provided them light.

 

Saddly they are best back at home and if your parents don't want to take care of them (don't know the situation) then you may have to look at re-homing them by screening your potential owners or finding a good rescuse. I know it is the LAST thing anyone ever wants to do but in some cases it is a better then the current situation at hand. It would break my heart if I had to do it and I know it will break yours but again what is best for the birds you love?

 

BUT if you can keep them at home and they will be happy, taken care of etc... then that is most likely best.

 

This is my my opinion others will have theirs and if I said anything that you didn't like or thought I was rude I am sorry. I wish you the best in your studies and I applaude you for caring so much about them it shows.

I agree with everything Lovey has said. To have them with you, you are having to compromise their living arrangements and not necessarily for the best for their health and well being. Inside a closet isn't really ideal at all and deep down I think you know that, but you just want them with you.

I tried to edit this on to my post

 

Sooner or later someone else is going to find out and then you will be rushed to make a hasty decision at least now you can think, ask and make a good decision.

I tried to edit this on to my post

 

Sooner or later someone else is going to find out and then you will be rushed to make a hasty decision at least now you can think, ask and make a good decision.

 

 

Thank you both for the reply. I think I will be forced to bring them back home with me when I go back for Thanksgiving Break. Unfortunately, I'm nearly four hours away so I don't get home much at all to see any of my other pets either! They will be taken care of at home, my mom and dad do their best to juggle everything else in their lives, and do a good job with them, despite the fact that they never get out. 90 percent of the time they are great, and the noise level is just beeping and quiet chirping, but in the morning it's usually a full out scream-fest so that's the problem. Stupid thing is, their noise isn't half as bad or as frequent as some of the very bad, loud music played around here.

 

I've thought about adopting them out, but I honestly don't know if I could at this point.

 

Lovely,

 

Don't worry about being rude...you're not rude at all, I totally appreciate your input.

 

P.S. - I don't want to give off the impression that I keep them slammed up in the closet in the dark all day either. I think I will keep them in the closet, but keep the door open for better ventilation from now on.

 

I'll keep you guys updated. :ausb:

Edited November 7, 200618 yr by brunof

sounds like it is better to have them at home. It is a hard decision but like I said your heart is in the right place hats off to you.

I agree with what the others have said. You might keep the birds in such a situation but which feels right to you - having them around but not in the best health, or having your birds happy? Even if it means you will see them less. I know it's a hard decision that I hope I never have to make, but I know which one I would choose.

 

In the meantime, all animals require a certain amount of sunlight (particularly UV) to make vitamin D. What they get at the moment may not be enough. I think it should be okay if it's not for a long time, but in the long term a closet is not the best place for a bird (or any animal for that matter).

 

For the morning noise - have you tried covering them with a cloth at night? Mine keep quiet until I take it off when I wake up. Then yep, it's Screamfest. It's quite good for when you want to wake up early actually

:ausb: Bubbles and Lovey have given excellent advice! It is very commendable that you are trying to make everybody happy (including the budgies) but as pointed out, deep down you know it isn't right to confine them to a small space and it is just a matter of time until the heat will be on for you to get rid of them. Fellow dormmates will point out that it is their right to bring in their cats, snakes, rats, whatever, you get the picture. Guess all that is left you is to take them home, try and get your parents to let them out more and visit whenever you can. Good luck to you.

Well guys, I'm about to go to bed, but I thought I would update you all. Tomorrow I will be waking up early and heading back home, and sadly Sheldon and Buttons will be coming back home with me. I had them out tonight and I know I will miss their company here at school, but I know that they will be taken care of at home. They probably won't be taken out much, and I probably will once again lose my influence over them as times goes by but I'd rather have them safe at home than living here in the dorms "illegally" with me. I'd hate to have to make a hasty decision if I were to get in trouble. Hopefully someday soon I'll be able to get out of this cubicle that I call home and find a place that will allow me to keep them.

 

Thanks again for all the support and advice! I'll keep checking in!

 

B :ausb:

good luck with your college, they will be fine and they will miss you, you did the right thing. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a weekend home.

Just a quick update I suppose. So, I came back home for Christmas in part to reunite with my beloved babies. I've decided to opt out of an interim course to take a course in my home town so this means I can spend more time with my pets. I actually have Sheldon and Buttons with me as I type this. Things are going pretty well with them. They actually have taken a liking to going in the shower with me. (No soap for me until they get back out of course, :dbb1:) Sheldon is her usual annoying self. I thought I had made a bit more peace with her, until she just bit me in my face this morning! I was up close to Buttons as I like to do, and she was kind of playing with my nose and eyebrows, until Sheldon came up and decided it would be more fun to scream at me and then attack my lip. A nice bloody lip. I kicked her off my shoulder and she flew away but then came back. In my heart I guess I feel good she came back to my shoulder to join Buttons, or rather, to chew her out and climb on top of her. :yelling: Anyway, things are peachy here for the most part, thanks again guys for your help!

Edited January 4, 200718 yr by brunof