Maria_Metropolis
New member
- Nov 12, 2013
- 501
- 2
- Parrots
-
White Face Cinnamon Pearl Pied Cockatiel - "Muffin"
Hatch Date: October 4th, 2013
RIP July 4, 2014
Everyone has probably heard of puppy mills, where dogs are bread in small crowded cages, no human interaction, overcrowding, etc. . .
However, what about bird mills? I just recently heard of them.
I was in touch with an avian breeder who has glowing reviews all over the internet. He has tons of happy customers, but he told me his aviary has 300 birds in a "commercial warehouse location" and no one is allowed to come in there, except a few volunteers and himself. The birds obviously get very little human contact.
Does this sound like a bird mill?
I don't want to accuse this person of anything, as he obviously has tons of happy customers, but you know, sometimes everything is not what it seems, especially if you're only viewing the surface. Perhaps they are being kept in pristine circumstances, but since no one is allowed there, who knows? I understand that he won't let people in his aviary because of infection, and security reasons.
I am looking for an Eclectus, so he also recommended that if I get an Ekkie, I should feed him/her zupreem or roundybush pellets, which is also a bit disconcerting, as I hear they need fresh food and/or specialized pellets for Eclectus. It's so difficult to find a decent Ekkie breeder in my area. I heard people that obtained Ekkies from him have "wonderful pets" now, and he allows the owners hand feeding once a week, for one hour a day at his home (where he hand feeds his birds once they are out of the nest), until they can come home fully weened of course. He will not allow unweened babies to come home.
As you can see, I'm doing a ton of research on these parrots once I commit, as I know this is a major lifetime commitment. I also want to make sure I buy from a reputable source. I'm thinking of getting a baby instead of adopting because I have young children, and I can train him/her for better socialization that way. I am considering adopting, but there are no Ekkies in rescues, but I am looking at one adoptee tomorrow. I just am very ambivalent about an adopted bird in my circumstances. If I didn't have a large family, then I would probably adopt. I have plenty of time for training the bird in either case.
However, what about bird mills? I just recently heard of them.
I was in touch with an avian breeder who has glowing reviews all over the internet. He has tons of happy customers, but he told me his aviary has 300 birds in a "commercial warehouse location" and no one is allowed to come in there, except a few volunteers and himself. The birds obviously get very little human contact.
Does this sound like a bird mill?
I don't want to accuse this person of anything, as he obviously has tons of happy customers, but you know, sometimes everything is not what it seems, especially if you're only viewing the surface. Perhaps they are being kept in pristine circumstances, but since no one is allowed there, who knows? I understand that he won't let people in his aviary because of infection, and security reasons.
I am looking for an Eclectus, so he also recommended that if I get an Ekkie, I should feed him/her zupreem or roundybush pellets, which is also a bit disconcerting, as I hear they need fresh food and/or specialized pellets for Eclectus. It's so difficult to find a decent Ekkie breeder in my area. I heard people that obtained Ekkies from him have "wonderful pets" now, and he allows the owners hand feeding once a week, for one hour a day at his home (where he hand feeds his birds once they are out of the nest), until they can come home fully weened of course. He will not allow unweened babies to come home.
As you can see, I'm doing a ton of research on these parrots once I commit, as I know this is a major lifetime commitment. I also want to make sure I buy from a reputable source. I'm thinking of getting a baby instead of adopting because I have young children, and I can train him/her for better socialization that way. I am considering adopting, but there are no Ekkies in rescues, but I am looking at one adoptee tomorrow. I just am very ambivalent about an adopted bird in my circumstances. If I didn't have a large family, then I would probably adopt. I have plenty of time for training the bird in either case.
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