Breeding

MustLoveAnimals · Sep 20, 2014

Now, don't get worked up. I'm not thinking about breeding parrots right now, I'm simply curious.

I'm on the GSD Forum (German Shepherd Dog), and I have learned there, that breeding dogs is NOT something to be taken lightly. There are lots of considerations to be taken. It's not like "Oh, my dog is so pretty and nice, I think I'll breed him/her!" You have to get them health tested, they should have a temperament test taken, they should be titled, etc. Breeding is about how your dog can better the breed with it's offspring. So that's my state of mind.

Is Breeding Parrots like this?

SilverSage · Sep 20, 2014

Yes, but in a slightly different way. Because birds come in species instead of breeds and are kept almost exclusively as pets instead of as working animals, the issues are a bit different. Of course there is a lot of importance on genetics and making sure you have a healthy bird with no genetic deformities or genetic predispositions to issues like chronic egg laying or other negative behaviors, but the stress is more on the early life of the bird. The issues become things like nutrition, wing clipping, hand feeding, early socialization, etc, and what the breeder practices in those regards. There is a lot of controversy, and I know that personally I would step on a lot of toes if I were to go into what I believe about a lot of things on a forum like this, but if you are interested on my stance as a breeder, please feel free to pm me

MustLoveAnimals · Sep 21, 2014

SilverSage said:
Yes, but in a slightly different way. Because birds come in species instead of breeds and are kept almost exclusively as pets instead of as working animals, the issues are a bit different. Of course there is a lot of importance on genetics and making sure you have a healthy bird with no genetic deformities or genetic predispositions to issues like chronic egg laying or other negative behaviors, but the stress is more on the early life of the bird. The issues become things like nutrition, wing clipping, hand feeding, early socialization, etc, and what the breeder practices in those regards. There is a lot of controversy, and I know that personally I would step on a lot of toes if I were to go into what I believe about a lot of things on a forum like this, but if you are interested on my stance as a breeder, please feel free to pm me

I understand. Breeding any animal should be approached with caution and knowledge.
Thank you!

veimar · Sep 22, 2014

There are two levels of breeding, both for dogs and birds. One is high standard licensed breeding which sets high requirements for dog and bird breeding pairs. And the other one is so called "backyard breeding" when the animals and birds just breed accidentally (or are bred even purposefully), and the owner sells the pups or young birds. I know people who own pairs of birds as pets and once in a while they produce babies - I myself got two wonderful budgie babies like that from my friend.
As for birds there is another point of view - I heard it several times from good breeders. Parrots usually mate for life and they are much happier if they have a mate and can are for their babies. Pretty much like people.

It's different with dogs who don't need a lifelong mate.

MustLoveAnimals · Sep 22, 2014

veimar said:
There are two levels of breeding, both for dogs and birds. One is high standard licensed breeding which sets high requirements for dog and bird breeding pairs. And the other one is so called "backyard breeding" when the animals and birds just breed accidentally (or are bred even purposefully), and the owner sells the pups or young birds. I know people who own pairs of birds as pets and once in a while they produce babies - I myself got two wonderful budgie babies like that from my friend.
As for birds there is another point of view - I heard it several times from good breeders. Parrots usually mate for life and they are much happier if they have a mate and can are for their babies. Pretty much like people. It's different with dogs who don't need a lifelong mate.

I see.
I am familiar with the term 'backyard breeder' (BYB). In the dog world, they say that you want to stay away from them, for they are not reputable. Is this also true with BYB Parrots?

henpecked · Sep 22, 2014

It all depends on their stock. If they're using ex-pets that they happen to find, then their genetics are questionable. However many small time breeders,like me, buy/raise babies with good genetics and raise them as future breeders to mix with our own gene pool. Either a pet or breeder i always want to see the parents.

veimar · Sep 22, 2014

MustLoveAnimals said:
I see.
I am familiar with the term 'backyard breeder' (BYB). In the dog world, they say that you want to stay away from them, for they are not reputable. Is this also true with BYB Parrots?

I have 4 out of my 5 birds from people off CL who don't specialize in breeding, and they are most wonderful birds ever! Maybe I just had a good luck. There are so many neglected birds, so why to buy from a breeder and pay a crazy price? It's true for small birds who are easily bred (cockatiels, lovebirds, budgies etc). I cannot imagine a backyard breeder for an African Grey or a Cockatoo for example. If someone is able to hand raise these chicks he/she is very professional.

SilverSage · Sep 23, 2014

Sadly I have to disagree with that, I have seen many bybs of large birds who should never own parrots to start with, and who roll out as many as possible. It is not necessary to understand the full needs of a parrot in order to keep it alive and tame long enough to sell to an unsuspecting buyer.

Breeding

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