Downsizing and Quality over Quantity.

[Sheather]

With a heavy but perhaps somewhat relieved heart following a few recent changes in my life I have decided to drastically reduce my avian inventory. While it was inevitable to happen one day, I figured it would be in a couple more years, or I'd not have made several recent purchases that I probably won't be able to make back financially. Long story short, I'm not really getting assistance in paying for the birds' care any longer with the relatives whom I live with having been in and out of hospitals and out of town and this and that and that and this, and I don't make a steady income, ergo I've decided to cut back the numbers to an amount I can personally feel comfortable being able to provide for on my own.

Thus, I'll have a tentative fifteen or so when all's said and done, only six of them will be finches (not counting two canaries).

It will be the end of one era but perhaps the beginning of another. I will have time to do other things and to give the remaining animals the utmost in good care, which has slowly been declining in recent weeks as my financial assistance in providing for the animals gradually diminished. I have also always had a slight tendency to go overboard in hobbies when I have all the time in the world which can become terribly tedious later on when I don't, and while my birds were always cared for, they were not being cared for as well as I liked them to be lately (particularly in regards to diet and how frequently I could clean their living arrangement) and now that should change with fewer charges overall. Quality over quantity. I will no longer be taking in (many) additional birds after this and breeding will be sparse, one species at a time, and controlled. Everyone remaining will have a flight cage to call home and free-flight will no longer be continuous - I'm simply unable to maintain that arrangement as well a I would like right now. Working all the time to keep things clean prevented me from really enjoying the animals as I used to. Hopefully, with fewer pets and much reduced daily maintenance, that will change.

A lot have already found new homes. When all's said and done, I will have just four society finches, two orange-cheeked waxbills, one cockatiel, 3 - 5 budgerigars, one pair of canaries, 2 diamond doves and a ringneck dove (with a possibility of a second ringneck dove in the future if I decide Sparky needs a mate to be happy): which really is still a lot! But far fewer than the 40 - 50 birds we've had at any one time for the better part of the last year. Most of my other finches have already been sold or adopted out, and though I've taken a net loss overall compared to prices I paid for them, it's not a big deal to me. It's already a lot more enjoyable to go into the bird room now and not be overwhelmed by the maintenance, even with another dozen or so birds to be sold yet before I'm at my goal.

I won't diminish my forum presence any as a result of this. I will still have birds and finches among them - just an amount more manageable for me right at this point in my life.

[Rox]

Dylan, good for you for making the decision that works best for you and your birds. While it's never easy rehoming your pets, you need to do what is best for everyone concerned, including yourself. As soon as something becomes more of a challenge than pleasure, you know it's time to make a change.

Enjoy the reduced workload and especially enjoy the quality time you will now have with your remaining birds

[Sally]

That is a very mature decision, one that some of us have trouble making. You will be able to enjoy your birds and give them and yourself the kind of life you want. If and when you are once again ready to expand, you already have the experience to know just what you are able to manage.

Kudos to you, and glad you are going to maintain your forum presence.

[lovezebs]

Sheather

I understand, and I am so sorry.
I really wish, that there was some way I could have helped. I know how hard this must be, and my heart goes out to you along with a big big hug.

[debbie276]

Very smart decision, although it was probably hard I'm sure it will be best for all. I've downsized myself several times over the years and it is sad to see them go even though you know they are in good hands.

All the best in your future.
Can't wait to hear more about the ones you keep

[Babs _Owner]

Sheather

This process must have been very hard for you. Which bird stays which goes. I know how very hands-on you are with your birds
But I am sure you have made quite a few people very happy by passing your healthy beautiful birds over to them to enjoy.

Hopefully now you can relax a bit.

[Sheather]

lovezebs babs Sally debbie276 Rox
Thanks everyone for your replies.

It was a bit hard, but it had to happen, and as much as I wanted to so many times to just say "oh just keep one more", I didn't. I want to get down to enough to comfortably house in the flights I have available, and few enough that it will not break the bank to feed or take hours to maintain. I think I've already struck a balance, and I still have most of the budgies, a canary, and two diamond doves to rehome. However, I've already sold or otherwise adopted out sixteen, and that made a palpable dent already. It's already so quiet in the bird room, without the meeps of zebras or the clicks of the Javas, but at the same time, I'm able to hear everyone's individual sounds again and not just the cacophony of everyone at once. Everything seems a lot more peaceful and enjoyable. I'm happy I've made the decision as I have.