How NOT to message a breeder

It amazes me how often these kinds of messages come in. If you want a parrot, cost shouldn’t be your number 1 concern. Parrots can be expensive to care for! This is a life long companion!


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Wow, he was not getting the message at all!
Loved your responses, and hope he buys a stuffed bird.

I hope so too, but I’m sure he’ll just buy a cheap, doomed bird off craigslist. I wish I could keep him from buying at all but at least he won’t get MY babies!


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I also turned down an adoption this week of a pair of rescue budgies (yes, I know, I said I would take in any more foster budgies... but I only have 3 foster budgies and one foster tiel right now.. it’s ALMOST the same as none... right?) to a self proclaimed “beginning bird enthusiast.” She started getting birds about 3 months ago, and so far has 3 tiels. When asked how many birds she plans to get, she said “some sun conures, an African Grey, and a few budgies.” I actually believe she is a super sweet lady, but I had to turn her down. When you start getting a lot of birds in a short period of time, you are asking to burn out and have to cut down, and the little ones tend to be the first to go.


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Omfg! Ugggggggggggggggggggggggggg! Uggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg! Ugggggggg! Why?!

that's incredible :24_shocke:headwall:

thanks for sharing

How rude and inconciderate. Even smaller birds need love, care and a gentle hand to look after them.
Good on you for replying as you did. I don't think this person should be allowed near a bird let alone own one with such a horrid attitude.
Unfortunately some people have an outlook of fashion and being popular. Birds aren't accessories. :/

Unfortunately Economics always trumps over ethics 99 out of 100 times or perhaps 999 out of 1000 times, whether it is chicken farming or pet budgie keeping.

That is why I believe every city municipality should have a non-breeding retirement home for abandoned budgies and cockatiels and others too but these are two most victims because they are the "cheapest"

Because whether we like it or not, a lot of people from across the world in many countries, if not all, will continue to keep budgies in such mass production set ups

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I just don't get 'haggling' for a sentient being and I especially don't get looking for the "cheapest option" because chances are, if you're looking for a "deal" on a pet, you probably cannot afford to care for said pet properly. It's one thing to understand your personal financial limitations and know that a larger parrot would be too costly, but it's a whole other thing to look for a "deal" to get a bird you can't afford to upkeep after the initial purchase.

People ask me all the time what Kiwi cost when I have him out with me. Makes me so mad and also a bit nervous because they clearly perceive him as "monetarily valuable". I never tell them what we paid for him or even what a baby blue front would likely cost. I always instead tell them that he's a rescue and that "the initial cost of these birds is pocket change compared to the cost of keeping them happy and healthy for the next 65+ years!".

I used to get these emails/texts/messages all the time. It was so frustrating as I found myself repeating myself over and over again. What I found have helped a little bit in deterring the "bad" buyers is posting on my website my expectations and a contract between me and whoever is purchasing a baby from me. I also always rely on my gut and if I feel something is off in the slightest I do not sell them my baby.

Gotta love it...it's like they're buying furniture or a new TV..."What's your cheapest model in-stock?"

Dani your point is well received. But do keep in mind people often have to be conscientious of budget, and have little perspective on pricing. Not everyone can afford a $700 conure, but might be able to afford $200 for an IRN.

I don’t necessarily see anything wrong with looking at the finances - we advocate it here all the time on this forum: it’s not just the cost of the bird butt he cage, accessories, food etc.

He was perhaps a bit inartful, but I see where he’s coming from. At least I think I do...I’m just seeing this, and you likely have a better sense of where they are really coming from with how often you deal with it.

Chris, I also see your point. However we all know there is a right bird and a wrong bird for most people, and I truly believe that money should be the second thought. If the right bird for you is a Conure, then a ringneck is a HORRIBLE CHOICE. In fact, I refuse adoptions all the time on the basis of people even mentioning a Conure to me, because the behavior of the birds is so radically different and I constantly see ringnecks being rehomed because they don’t act like conures.

You will also notice I didn’t tell him not to get a bird, but that we aren’t the right breeder for him.

Side note, my ringnecks sell for up to $1800 there are expensive and inexpensive ways to get any species. If he had come to me saying “I truly want a sun Conure, how can I afford one?” The conversation would have been much different. Instead he went through species that are nothing alike, looking for a cheap one.


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