If you had to adopt one of these exotic pets, which one would you choose? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 10 months ago by balderdash9@lemmy.zip to c/casualconversation@lemmy.world

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[-] HubertManne@kbin.social 7 points 10 months ago

I have a cockatoo I inherited and it taught me birds should not be pets.

[-] memfree@lemmy.ml 7 points 10 months ago

Amen, brother. I LOVE parrots. I WANT to have them as screaming, demanding, insanely destructive friends, but it feels cruel to force them to live with humans. They care about their mates and their flock and humans are bad, inattentive partners for parrots.

If a human insists on avian friends, I'd suggest a small set of chickens outside in the yard. They are very domesticated, not endangered, and can rely on one another for most their socializing needs. You can even put them in diapers for visits in the house. Before considering, beware that all kinds of predators want to eat your pet chickens.

[-] Justas@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

Ducks and geese are probably fine but require a pond outdoors. And, you know, outdoors.

Some people nearby have a turkey, I guess that's an option too.

[-] memfree@lemmy.ml 2 points 10 months ago

I've done ducks. They are a lot of work. They're very messy, but have big personalities. They are adorable as ducklings but once they are grown you are -- at best -- just another duck to them. They don't want human affection if they have a flock. Geese, on the other hand will love you as MOM forever if you raise them from goslings. The lady here with domestic turkeys has some very affectionate examples, too, but I remember a book where the author raised wild turkeys and was attacked by one of the Toms once it was breeding age.

[-] VinesNFluff@pawb.social 2 points 10 months ago

I'm curious. What happened?

[-] HubertManne@kbin.social 5 points 10 months ago

Oh nothing. Hes a funny little guy. He spent over 30 years with my father in law and is a little curmudgeon just like he was. Its just how they are. Birds have a territory that should be counted in miles not feet. This is true for dogs and humans to a much larger degree with birds. This is why taking a dog out should not just be about going to the bathroom but for stimulation and excersise. Folks that do not own a dog should go for daily walks really. Keeping it in cage is just no but you will have furniture and walls and stuff bit up if you don't. You can mitigate it a bit. I keep the walls around his cage covered in cardboard and we are lucky he is a bit cage bound so he generally does not roam to far (maybe because of the dog who is not mean to him but he basically yells at everything because curmudgeon.) They are messy with their food and poop and their dander is worse than dog and cat stuff. Definately need an air purifier for the house with them. Again though its just a feeling to me that these creatures really should not be bound to such a small area. I mean you can't take one that has for so long and set it free despite poetic talk around that, but I would never get one except in the scenario we have one where it just needs to be taken care of and I would avoid being the one to take that up if there was any way to avoid it. We maybe get a lot of benefit from them as they are smart and definately provide company but they just should not be bound. Oh another downside is they can be too much company. Loud and demanding. Again in a way far beyond what you will see with cat/dog.