Breeders selling as pets vs to other breeders

[MosaicMadness]

I'm curious... why does it seem like people who have the rarer species of parrots (mini macaws, pionus parrots, canary wing bebe, etc) sell to the pet trade and not try to work with other breeders to set up future pairs or even hold back females for breeding while offering males for pets?? I guess I'm just feeling frustrated and looking for other feedback/thoughts on this. I have been told: I have a wait list for babies, I'll put you on it (which is ok, but .. whatever) and I have been told "these are too rare to start with them now" (wth?) Um, if no one is starting with them, then why bother??

 

[SailBoat]

Maybe, follow the money? They can get more from the public and not have to discount to other breeders.

 

[MonicaMc]

Breeders don't make money breeding parrots that they can't sell. (re: rare species meant to help repopulate them)

Some breeders *DO* have birds raised for the pet trade and those raised to become breeders... and the birds are raised differently as well.


Just depends on the breeder...

 

[SilverSage]

Depends on the breeder. Could be ignorance, selfishness, or they could feel that it would be a waste to set up an inexperienced breeder who doesn’t have a good chance?

Your best bet is likely to pay full retail pet price for a few babies that you can pair up. Trace their lines as far back as you can by calling the breeders that sold the stock, and do your best to avoid inbreeding.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RavensGryf]

Out here in the area I live in, we are fortunate to regularly see (or be able to get) all sorts of “rare” species that aren’t usually seen in other places in the country. Even species that really should just be in breeding programs.

My Ruppell’s ‘was’ super rare until just maybe the last couple years when they started really taking off in the pet trade. I’ve always had a fascination for rare or uncommon species, and I’ve had several in the past.

It does surprise me when I see something super rare at a bird store, and think wow it’s actually for sale as a pet? I guess some breeders of the rare only breed for propogation purposes, while others don’t really care if some go into the pet trade, and you can really find anything out here if you search hard enough.