I am going to sell him due to the fact of all the other family members. The bird makes any noise at all then people are upset. My two daughters are used to him and understand when he makes noise. But the other half of my family doesn't understand him. He is not necessarily a noisy bird, he just knows how to get the point across when he wants something, although I have not figured out the noise for when he hears the tractors drive by. This is the best parrot, he is great with the kids but I feel he would be happier with someone who doesn't have people mad at him for making any kind of noise. It is either keep the bird and find a new family or find the bird a new (better) home and keep the family (sometimes I would rather do the first choice). I really think that if his next owner pays any attention to him he will be fine. He is a real people bird. I have a friend who owns a pet store and he kept him there while I was getting my divorce and moving. The bird loved it with all the attention he was getting when I thought he would be upset for being moved. He has not really bonded with one person and I think it is due to there are so many of us here (me my other half and seven girls)that spend time with him. I think had he bonded to one of us it would be a different story. I also plan on letting the person know that if there are any problems whatsoever I would take him back. And I would like to have the first offer should she want to sell him. I do this with all of my animals and with the dogs I raise this is in the contract and I fully expect them to come back here should the buyer decide they don't want them any more. The bird was never a mistake, peoples lives just don't stay the same. We have tried to make it work with the bird. We have talked about getting rid of the bird for well over a year now, closer to two years, so it has not been a lightly made decision. He is a good bird and he needs a good home, not one where kids are yelling at him to shut up. And don't think that there wont be tears from me or my two girls when he goes. As for having the ferrets, I have done quite a bit of research. I know that they will be a lot of work but here on the farm that is what we are used to. I am not just jumping into it without thinking about the what ifs. I know they are mainly for the kids but we are willing to jump in and take care of them if the kids start slacking. I know that they are going to be my girls but they are also going to be part of the family. I have a funny feeling that ferrets, work wise, will be about like bringing in the baby pigs, sheep and goats to raise until they are weaned. If not a little easier. The one baby pig can generate a load of laundry a day. We are a big family that is very animal oriented. And I think we would really enjoy having a ferret, unless they are loud enough to make your ears ring. Sorry this is a little long but I had received some good emails and some that made me feel like I should defend my ideas. This is not something that we have just decided over night. Molly Wilson's Feed and Stock http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/SuburbanSt/wilsons-feed-stock/index.html [Posted in FML issue 3701]