Poll 4: How old are you?

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:29 am

I'm interested in establishing the spectrum and commitment level of our forum members and decided to run a couple of polls. Please fill in as many as you can. This is not for research purposes; I just think it would be interesting to see how our members are spread. Please DON'T be shy - we won't think more or less of you. Feel free to add your own poll to the series to make it even more interesting.

Now ladies before you complain about the appropriateness of this specific poll, I just want to establish whether aviculture is something that is pursued and practiced more by the older generation, as where I live the number of younger people involved in our great pastime is very low.

Also: I've hidden the detailed results so it won't show on the poll.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:45 am

I understand what you are looking for, but I choose not to participate in this poll.

Post by **Sally** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:40 am

I'm hoping to see some younger members on here, as they are the future of aviculture. In my area, when you do see children involved in keeping finches, it is usually because their parents keep finches.

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:10 am

I'm with you there Sally, I got involved when I was still a teenager and gave up the hobby while I was studying and starting my career and took it up again 5 - 6 years ago. It is so sad, I went to our local Gouldian Finch Society meeting once and at age 29 I was the second youngest person there, the only younger person was 19 and kept finches with his dad like you mentioned.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:59 am

L in Ontario wrote:I understand what you are looking for, but I choose not to participate in this poll.

I heard that Liz had her first aviary built by a couple of gentlemen who were paid in beaver pelts....definitely over 21...

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:04 pm

I started with birds way to late as far as I am concerned, sure wish I had known someone that keep finches when I was a young man .
We sell plants out of our yard and get some customers with young children they like to see the birds, I don't understand why more don't want them as pets ,I try to offer the society's to the kids if they want one or two.I had a school teacher that wanted a couple for her classroom I had a cage I got from a yard sale I told her she could have a couple society's and cage free but she never came back.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:29 pm

poohbear wrote:
L in Ontario wrote:I understand what you are looking for, but I choose not to participate in this poll.
I heard that Liz had her first aviary built by a couple of gentlemen who were paid in beaver pelts....definitely over 21...

I thought I recognized your accent PoohBear - you still owe me some change for that extra large beaver pelt!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:37 pm

Well I turned 54 in June and I am proud of every year that I have lived.!
Life is great and I am not ashamed of my age. I don't look it anyway.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:00 pm

Hey Donna.....I am with you on that thinking!

I am 56 and am happy for every day I am above ground!

Besides I don't look my age either....(My secret weapon? Hair Dye)...shhhh don't tell anybody!

At least my birdies don't care how old the hand is that feeds them!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:11 am

This is an interesting poll. I did have an idea of how old some of you were before you offered it....except for Willie....I thought you might have been a little older.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:57 am

[quote="atarasi"]This is an interesting poll. I did have an idea of how old some of you were before you offered it....except for Willie....I thought you might have been a little older.[/quote

I am a the grandma of a nine year old!

And a young one at that.

I am aging gracefully. Hair dye and all.

I think we will discover that the older generation will exceed on this poll.
I don't think I would have had the time to do this when I was younger and taking care of my own two children. I had enough on my plate then and probably would not have enjoyed them as much. (the birds)

FinchMommy · Post by **FinchMommy** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:40 am

I am still fairly young (33), but I wish I had found this passion sooner. Although, I'm probably a lot more commited to it than I would have been if I had. I'm glad my son is getting to know birds at a young age. At the age of 5, he's had a lot more experience with different pets than most of his friends, but it seems birds are one of the only things he isn't allergic to!

James · Post by **James** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:25 am

all you young whipper snappers think your old,:-({|= i'm 61. I first had birds in the 70's (17xx 18xx or 19xx, I can't remember which) my first computer was a black slate with a piece of chock. I had to walk 5 miles to school and it was up hill both ways.

$\:D/$

James

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:26 pm

James wrote:all you young whipper snappers think your old,:-({|= i'm 61. I first had birds in the 70's (17xx 18xx or 19xx, I can't remember which) my first computer was a black slate with a piece of chock. I had to walk 5 miles to school and it was up hill both ways. $\:D/$
James

Well I'm a youngster at 58. When I walked to school it was through 3 feet of snow, and when we got there, if it was above -20 degrees farenheit, we had to wait outside 'til the bell rang! Had to be below minus 20 before they decided we might freeze our tiny little butts off!

Wasn't allowed any pets as a child, other than hamsters, and once my brother brought home a polecat (skunk), much to my mother's dismay!

When I got my own place I got a cat, then another, then another... well you know how it goes. Guess I was afraid of being known as "that cat lady", so got my first finches when I was in my 40's and still single, and I'm not really sure what drew me to them. Maybe a friend who used to breed them, and I enjoyed listening to her crowd of 200 or so finches they she kept in her basement.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:14 pm

Well I am very proud of you all for giving up your age. See Liz.... it's not so bad.

I am really interested in the fact that so many men have taken such an interest.

My husband likes the birds and never complains. He goes to all the bird fairs with me (probably to make sure I don't spend too much money.)

But he doesn't seem to care one way or another. I am constantly saying....come here and look at this..... He always comes. Then goes and sits back down.

I would LOVE it if he were as interested in the birds as I am.