Unweaned birds

I have put out a few feelers to see what is out there in my area for African Greys. I have had numerous breeders contact me offering me 4-6 week old babies for like $400.00-$600.00. But when I told them I didn't know anything about hand feeding & weaning and prefer a weaned bird, the shot up dramatically to $1000.00 and up. But some said that they don't sell weaned birds.

Is it a good or bad idea to purchase an Unweaned birds? I think it's just their way of trying to skirt around the health warranty that they are required to give you in Florida if your a breeder.


Mike

I have handfed babies before, and it can be a very scary thing. You can easily harm or kill a baby bird if you don't know what you are doing, and even if you do. I say wait until the baby is weaned.

For me it don't matter either way cause I used to raise birds, but like its mentioned above you can easily hurt the baby if you don't know how to handfeed.

I just had one breeder who called me and said he had baby Macaws & Greys from a few days old to a week old. He didn't sound too keen on weaning them. He said IF he did, it would cost you. I asked what type of health warranty was offered and he said well as long as you follow his instructions then you don't need a warranty. I told him thanks, but no thanks.

Mike,

It takes time and space to wean a baby bird. He's not willing and to me that makes him a bad breeder. Good job telling him no!!!!

A young CAG in Md. and neighboring states goes for about $1,200. For good reason too. They are well worth the money for a lifetime of joy.

Spiritbird said:

A young CAG in Md. and neighboring states goes for about $1,200. For good reason too. They are well worth the money for a lifetime of joy.

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This guy wanted $400.00 for a baby less than a week old & $600.00 for a month old baby which I guess is a good deal if you know what your doing as far as handing feeding and willing to take a $400.00-$600.00 gamble. In Florida, breeders are required to give you a minimum of 72 hours to have your pet checked by a vet. This is their way of getting around that issue.

A quality breeder like Amanda @ www.tropicalparrotise.com sells WEANED baby African Greys for $850.00. She currently has one that is still on a few feedings a day if anyone is interested. She also is willing to ship within the US.

Caring for a newly hatched, unweaned baby bird is like caring for a newborn human baby. They get lots of small feedings at specific times. I cna't imagine selling a baby bird at only a week old. Our breeder likes to keep them in the nest with parents longer than that.

A breeder who doesn't want to wean the babies before selling them sounds a lot like a "puppy" mill and just in it for the money. Granted, all breeders need to make money, it's their livelihood, but you know what I mean.

They are very delicate creatures. Personally, I would much rather get a weaned baby from a breeder who knows what they're doing than try to do it myself. However, my hat's off to those who want to try it. I'm just not that brave.

MikeyTN said:

For me it don't matter either way cause I used to raise birds, but like its mentioned above you can easily hurt the baby if you don't know how to handfeed.

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the rest of this past is because I couldn't just post X2 by itself.

MtdoraMike are you located in FL? If so what part?

Cecilia said:

MtdoraMike are you located in FL? If so what part?

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I'm located in Mt. Dora, which is 25 miles north of the Northern most point of Orlando and about 40 miles South of Ocala.

Nice. I'm in Melbourne FL East Coast about 1 hour from Orlando. =) I bought my bird from Wendy below is her info. I'm also getting a B&G from a friend of hers with a great rep. below is his info as well. Hope this helps!
birdman of tampa aviary
We Ship
tampa, FL
813-839-2049

Wendys Winged Companions Aviary
We Ship
Palm Bay, FL 32907
321-501-1844

If you call Wendy let her know I sent ya she will help ya get what you want!

@ Spiritbird - I enjoyed reading that. I have only hand reared 2 birds... I have hand feed a cockatoo once but not till it was weaned as it was at a pet store. My black masked lovebird is my first fully weaned bird I have handreared on my own. I got him sometime in March... =/ but anyhow. he is doing amazing! I honestly agree with the words that breeder had to say... BUT i also believe that one such as myself who has confidence, time, patience, and love can do it just as well and good as a breeder. Yes I took the risk of all those things happening BUT b/c i KNEW of all those things then I was ahead of the game. I followed EVERYTHING the breeder was doing... how she was doing it the times she was doing it and gave Kix the love patience and time he needed to wean on his own!

@ mtdoraMike - If you have NEVER handfed then I recommend a weaned bird. I'm stubborn and have been an animal lover since 7yrs old... LOL SOOOOO.... I will learn what i need to and do whatever it takes to do what needs to be done the right way... If you have the breeder give you several sessions of handfeeding where they are showing you how and telling you what to look for and etc AND you have the confidence then there is no reason why you couldn't hand rear your bird... You have to start somewhere... Even if you hand rear at the breeders place while the breeder present to walk you though so your still handrearing but in the company of an experienced breeder. =) (excuse typos if any)