Where to find one??

eaglewings

New member
Aug 24, 2020
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0
Hi folks,
I am new to this forum. I joined to be around people who have interests the same as mine.... Congo African Greys
So, I do not own one. I have been searching for a breeder to buy one from, but so far they are either scammers (Just sent $500 to one, and discovered he was a scammer) or so high that you'd have to be rich to own one.
Folks, I am disabled and can only work part time. Im looking for a "Hobby" breeder. They seem to be much cheaper. Is there anyone on here that can either sell a young CAG or point me in the right direction? Any help is GREATLY appreciated.
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Eaglewings, where are you looking and where are you located?

Also, have you ever had a parrot?
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
There is a good reason for a quality Breeder to charge a reasonable amount for the months of effort - 20 plus hours a day, extensive equipment, onsite medical and support equipment, drugs and food. Even at what you consider expensive, they are barely breaking even.

There is no question that Mid to Large Parrots are expensive to obtain, provide for in cages, perches, toys, food and that does not include Avian Medical Care and medication.
 
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eaglewings

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Aug 24, 2020
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Hi, thank you for replying. I am in Texas, but there arent any breeders for the African Grey here, that I can find. And, yes the CAG is well worth the hefty price tag, but how can they expect people to buy them if they are as expensive as a good used car? I just need one as a companion. I suffer frombad anxiety since my stroke, and the doctor suggested I get a companion. (because I refused to take anxiety meds) An CAG is what I have always wanted, so I began looking.
 
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eaglewings

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Aug 24, 2020
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I searched on Facebook market place, Craig's list and Birds now. Found breeders on both... got breeder off of Birds now, only 30 minutes away, breeder had 75-100 Parrots.

I did this, and found a man who had what appeared to be a legitimate website. Everything looked so good. I had $500 saved up. I bought a incubator and brooder and 4 CAG "eggs" from this guy. All seemed to be going well. I received an email with the shipping label, showing the shipment, address and price. I was anxious to get them. Then the "other shoe" dropped. I got a call from the shipping service saying that my shipment was being held up in New Mexico, awaiting me to send "a completely refundable" insurance, which was $950. I called the seller, he said "we need to get that done, to save the eggs"

My heart sank, because now I had NO doubt that he was a scammer.

This is why I am here on this site, hoping that people who have used other breeders can send me their information so I too can have a baby to care for.
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Hi, thank you for replying. I am in Texas, but there arent any breeders for the African Grey here, that I can find. And, yes the CAG is well worth the hefty price tag, but how can they expect people to buy them if they are as expensive as a good used car? I just need one as a companion. I suffer frombad anxiety since my stroke, and the doctor suggested I get a companion. (because I refused to take anxiety meds) An CAG is what I have always wanted, so I began looking.

Here is a breeder in TX-- http://www.tdaviary.com/
They get good reviews but I know nothing about them personally.

Again, have you ever had a parrot before? Sorry you had to deal with that.

1. NEVER try to buy and hatch eggs.
2. Never buy an un-weaned baby. It is worse for the bird and it doesn't help your bond. Too much can go wrong- there is no reason to do it. It is a myth that parrots bond for life with their hand-feeder. The baby may initially see that person as a source of food, but it means very little long-term.

For most TAG babies, you are looking at $3000-$5000 dollars (CAG babies, roughly $3000-$4000), plus the cost of the cage ($200-600), perches, toys etc ($100 initially, but more long-term), avian vet visit ($200-$400 for initial, depending on location, but more long-term), $30 for initial food (excluding veg/fruits), $15 for extra food dishes, $100 for a travel cage (at least), $20-$40 if you want to harness-train (that's about how much harnesses run), and then $100-$500 for a play-perch/tree-stand/play gym.
I easily spend $1000 a year on my bird, between vet visits, food, toys etc. If any serious health issues come up, then that number goes up as well.

I would not get a first parrot without anxiety meds if you have anxiety..Coming from someone who also has anxiety and also has resisted medication in the past. There is a lot to worry about with them constantly (when compared to almost any other pet) because they are super sensitive and fairly fragile. If someone doesn't frequently fret about the "little things" in relation to their bird, it's because they either have a TON of experience (and are naturally care-free) , or because they are blissfully unaware of all of the things that can go wrong in terms of them hiding illness/subtleties/behaviors etc.

They hide illness until it is nearly too late, they require special diets and they do not know what is best for them lol. Homes are highly unnatural for them (both in terms of space/behavior/enrichment etc, but also due to numerous dangers). They cannot breathe the most basic chemicals in a home and basically require you to completely re-outfit your entire kitchen (pots, pans, popcorn poppers, drip trays, etc etc) and cleaning routines....No standard cleaners, no scented products, no aerosols or air fresheners, no candles, wax warmers, scented oils, plug-ins etc...and absolutely NO Teflon/ptfe/pfoa/pfcs heated within the same house. You have to call before buying anything that heats up because these chemicals are hidden in all sorts of things (like space-heaters, irons, hair dryers, pots and pans etc). They off-gas when heated and can kill a bird in 5 minutes through closed doors and on different floors.

They can be great companions and they are amazing, but they can be all over the place (in terms of health, sexuality, aggression, screaming, neurotic behaviors etc). There is nothing like the bond you can have with a parrot, but it's constant work and analysis. Also, babies change a ton as they mature, so a baby who lets you handle it and loves everybody will not stay that way (much like a human infant vs teen).

I wouldn't say that they "lower" most people's anxiety consistently (there is nothing better than the good moments, but it's a bumpy road and unlike dogs or cats, do not accept people nearly as easily). It often take a long time for you to see the fruits of your labor in terms of bonding, training etc. It can be like having a complicated kid-- they stress you out and scare you often but you love them, so you will do whatever it takes..EVEN when it stresses you out or deprives you of your own personal freedoms.

My whole thing is, do not get one as an alternative to meds or without considering all of this stuff.

While amazing and lovable, they can actually be quite stressful and intense. A large parrot is like an sometimes (or often) neurotic, gifted, mega-phone-toting toddler with a chainsaw and a million dietary/respiratory sensitivities. Only they never grow up, can fly, and do a lot of damage. They can also exhibit very complicated behaviors and they require a lot of enrichment (outside of petting etc), but also enough knowledge to teach independence etc)..small ones are still very intelligent and a lot of work- just slightly less loud, slightly less neurotic and less capable of serious injury...I do not believe in "starter" birds, but if you haven't spent a lot of time around parrots, I would definitely volunteer at a rescue or something if you can, before taking the plunge.

They need a lot of space and the large ones can be especially intense behaviorally..there are so many rules and expenses with parrots (very expensive long-term). First-time ownership is anything but relaxing when compared to a cat or dog because parrots are not intuitive and the learning curve is steep (they also are not domesticated like dogs and cats, so they are truly wild animals)...
My bird is like my child-- I would run into a burning building to get her, BUT because I love her so much and because she takes up so much of my life, I worry about her often (due to lifestyle restriction, constant needs, high attention/training need, high activity needs, the tendency to self-destruct when needs are not met, dietary restrictions, HIGH vet bills/cost over time and extreme sensitivity to environmental toxins that non-parrot people use daily).

Regardless of what you think of that opinion, if you haven't had a parrot, it's really important that you put that out there, because there is so much more to know than ANYONE ever is aware...in terms of chemicals, cleaners, aerosols, lifestyle, cooking etc.

I am not trying to discourage you, but I just want you to really REALLY think this through. A CAG or TAG can live 80 years...they bond for life..the loss of a "parront" leaves a serious mark, as it is like losing a mate. You have to put these birds in your will, set up trusts etc. Babies SEEM easier up-front, but the way they are as babies is not the way that they stay.

Just stick around and research.

A CAG/TAG= very cool, but smaller parrots are extremely intelligent too and just as trainable (if not more so--it's all about the work you put in, patience and knowledge of parrot behavior etc). They just don't live as long, which can actually be a good thing. Some also tend to be a little less high-strung (some, not all). Smaller birds are a HUGGGGE commitment too--- you still need all of the lifestyle changes I mentioned above ( they are all perpetual toddlers...but a bigger bird can cause less damage to your skin (not saying they they can't still make you bleed, but serious damage is less likely)
If you are older, I would really consider the lifespan of the parrot when making a decision, as well as any allergies or mobility issues.
A bird like a CAG/TAG is a dust producer-- if you have any allergies, the dander they produce can cause serious issues.

If you do get a bird, a smaller one would at least pose less risk to you, and generally, certain smaller ones are less prone to self destruction, but they all need a ton of attention, time out of the cage and they all move in slow-motion...If you have allergies, consider a non-powder-down bird. Smaller birds are NOT cheap, but they do cost less up-front ($25-500, depending on the species). Smaller bird's toys are also less expensive and flight cages (while still $100-$300) are easier to find and cheaper in general than the housing needed for a Grey. Vet visits are still going to be high...food might be slightly less, as smaller birds consume less food.

Things to consider:
You can't just expect them to let you handle them. Gloves/forcing it/toweling will destroy trust and make them dislike you.
What happens if they bite or fly off?
At the same time, caging them all day isn't an option..
If you live with others, consider the fact that your bird may decides it prefers your spouse/roommate etc etc (or vice-versa) and just because a baby is okay with everyone holding it etc. If you will need assistance with the bird, know that whoever is living with you may or may not have a good enough bond with the bird in order to handle it when needed.
Do you have enough money for vet bills/emergencies etc.
Is their an avian vet near you? Dogs and cats vets are not nearly specialized enough to deal with birds in 80% of cases.
 
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