If anyone knows of some Ruppells breeders.

[Lunarsprint]

I'd appreciate if someone could point me at some Ruppells breeders, I've only found 3 one of which 1 already retired from the scene and the other two are difficult to contact/ haven't responded in a many months. I'm trying to compile a list to hopefully find a boyfriend for my lil Isla since she's a non tame bird who needs a companion to keep her from overpreening.

 

[noodles123]

I'd appreciate if someone could point me at some Ruppells breeders, I've only found 3 one of which 1 already retired from the scene and the other two are difficult to contact/ haven't responded in a many months. I'm trying to compile a list to hopefully find a boyfriend for my lil Isla since she's a non tame bird who needs a companion to keep her from overpreening.

A companion is unlikely to stop a bird from over-preening...who told you this? I mean, it could, if she is stress preening out of lack of bonds with others, but you can tame her if you take the time to be gentle, patient and consistent...Do you ever let her out of her cage (a pent up/bored bird will also over-preen)? I know you said she isn't tame, but I was able to let mine out without ever toweling or anything for 3 months before she would even consider stepping up. It does depend a bit on your bird and the set-up, but you might be surprised by what can be done with an "un-tame" bird--safety is important though, so always keep that in mind.

if you have a pair, that opens Pandora's box in terms of risks and behaviors...and if they mate, you would definitely have to separate the babies or they will mate too...plus, even if you get a bird of the same species and opposite gender, they could hate each other.

 

[Lunarsprint]

I should give some history, she was in not the best feather from over preening when I received her(primarily her tail feathers, her vet work was clear but she was sent with a few younger birds to a breeder friend in hopes a new home would help. I got her with a male, all was good for about 4-5mo her feathers were recovering, then the male became aggressive towards her, and it escalated and I pulled him, and returned him before he could seriously harm her, she started over preening again afterwards, it would seem clear she wants a companion. I bought her for the purpose of breeding cause I'd hate to see her species disappear from the US.

Also I'm not interested in allowing Alabama cousins lol I'm aware I run the risk of another bad pairing, if I had the space and $ I'd rather have a large outdoor aviary and a flock of Ruppells and let them pair off on their own before separating pairs to individual enclosures. Wishes were fishes and all that.

On the taming thing, my Myers was 1/4-1/2 tame handfearing lil girl when I got her, now I have her full trust, other people not so much.

 

[noodles123]

What happened to the male? She may be upset if she was attached to him specifically, even if he was mean to her..It isn't always a 2-way street...

 

[Lunarsprint]

He's back with my friend, who acquired his sister and an unrelated male as well,(I'm pretty sure it was a buyout lot) unfortunately his aggression reached a point I was scared to leave the house for work. She started flirting with the other birds in the room, even escaped a few times the lil velociraptor. Unfortunately she's got no interest in toys, she's looking for a friend/mate. I'm fairly sure it's boredom/loneliness preening.

I guess it could be a new reason such as missing the demon, she was alone before as she is now, I just figure it's not a state she appreciates.

Forgot to mention she has a bum leg from an incident when she was much younger which hindered her ability to run/escape.

 

[noodles123]

Have you tried building trust/ making a bond (yes..it takes MONTHS) but if you no longer care to breed her, this is a real possibility still.

 

[Lunarsprint]

I do want to breed her, I'm trying not to let her get overly attached to me because of it, Ruppells are so rare, if I can get her a male unrelated to the breeders my friend has we may have enough diversity to expand their lines since she's also not related to any of them. My end goal/10yr plan is to be breeding Ruppells, red bellies, Meyers, and jardines, cause they all seem to be fading away in the US, with current laws once they're gone they're gone for good.

 

[noodles123]

Have you bred parrots before?

 

[Lunarsprint]

I have not, but I have many experienced friends sharing knowledge and wisdom.

 

[noodles123]

I appreciate your honesty and enthusiasm/good intentions.
Here's the thing-- you will literally need THOUSANDS of dollars---in addition to experienced breeder friends, and a avian certified vet nearby (if you want to avoid added heart-ache). I mean...here's the deal-- you won't be able to release these birds, and a LOT can go wrong..plus, you will need to house them separately once they are weaned, and the average clutch can contain more the 3 chicks....so, you are going to need 1.) MULTIPLE large cages for each chick after weaning (or they will fight or mate and create genetic health problems). 2) MULTIPLE brooders (in all likelihood anyway...because new parents often suck and you are talking about quite a few birds/species) 3.) It's probable that you will need specialized feeding formula, as many parents fail at raising chicks at least a few times.....and 4) Access to an AMAZING vet...not just an exotics vet, but a really solid avian specialist.
Then there is the whole issue of disease transmission and quarantine among potential breeding pairs (requiring separate cages and air spaces).
Here is a very useful thread on hand-rearing (which often follows first-time breeding)- read for detail : http://www.parrotforums.com/breeding-raising-parrots/74363-so-you-bought-unweaned-baby.html

Once they hatch (if they survive), what will you do with them?
^I am not asking this rhetorically--it's something you genuinely need to consider...
If you sell them, you are competing with all of the other captive-born-birds (some who may share the same species-- my uncle bought a jardines from a breeder, for instance).
I know that breeding is better than importing, but my thing is, there are SO MANY birds who already need homes, and so many people who want parrots but get in over their heads within the first few years of ownership and end up perpetuating a bad cycle of buying and surrendering.

 

[Lunarsprint]

I understand your concerns, my local area is blessed with multiple avian vets a few at the local exotics vet school and 4 private sector avian vets within 2 hours drive, most including vet school are within 30 mins, I'm aware of brooders, considering I regularly repair them for my friend, releasing birds to the wild is cruel the vast majority of species have a 0% chance of survival or 100% chance to become an invasive species or suffer predation (Quakers and cherry heads in certain locales) I'm aware of the time, attention and financial requirements hence why I expect it to take a decade to reach (optimistic goal) ready availability of handfeeding supplies and experienced breeders invested in the next generation of breeders. I understand it's a huge undertaking, I don't plan on having more than one or two pair for the first four years. I just want to do my part for pois, since many wild and captive species numbers are falling and I see no reason for that trend to reverse.
I would like to primarily (70-30) work with other breeders, zoos, etc to increase the genetic diversity and numbers of US born birds, and only release some to pet trade to help offset costs till their numbers in US is sustainable so that one day when their wild cousins are endangered we"ll have enough diversity to stand a chance of rehabilitating their populations.

Going beyond the first pair of Ruppells is gonna wait till I get well outside the city. As far as capital goes, in my line of work it's semi common to put away 5k a month(post bills) so long as you stay busy (industrial construction)

I agree that many people have no business owning birds, birds are family not pets I don't understand why breeders don't have contracts to that effect like right to first refusal or something.

Your concerns and points do you credit, I promise ya I ain't going bout this half-cocked, or for profit, if I wanted that I'd be after Grey's and cockatoos.

PS wrote this on cell so I apologise for any rambling grammatical errors.

 

[noodles123]

I understand your concerns, my local area is blessed with multiple avian vets a few at the local exotics vet school and 4 private sector avian vets within 2 hours drive, most including vet school are within 30 mins, I'm aware of brooders, considering I regularly repair them for my friend, releasing birds to the wild is cruel the vast majority of species have a 0% chance of survival or 100% chance to become an invasive species or suffer predation (Quakers and cherry heads in certain locales) I'm aware of the time, attention and financial requirements hence why I expect it to take a decade to reach (optimistic goal) ready availability of handfeeding supplies and experienced breeders invested in the next generation of breeders. I understand it's a huge undertaking, I don't plan on having more than one or two pair for the first four years. I just want to do my part for pois, since many wild and captive species numbers are falling and I see no reason for that trend to reverse.
I would like to primarily (70-30) work with other breeders, zoos, etc to increase the genetic diversity and numbers of US born birds, and only release some to pet trade to help offset costs till their numbers in US is sustainable so that one day when their wild cousins are endangered we"ll have enough diversity to stand a chance of rehabilitating their populations.

Going beyond the first pair of Ruppells is gonna wait till I get well outside the city. As far as capital goes, in my line of work it's semi common to put away 5k a month(post bills) so long as you stay busy (industrial construction)

I agree that many people have no business owning birds, birds are family not pets I don't understand why breeders don't have contracts to that effect like right to first refusal or something.

Your concerns and points do you credit, I promise ya I ain't going bout this half-cocked, or for profit, if I wanted that I'd be after Grey's and cockatoos.

PS wrote this on cell so I apologise for any rambling grammatical errors.

No rambles! It was a very well-written response! I just would say PLAN PLAN PLAN....AND PLAN...So that you don't end up in a situation with a million babies and not enough space for cages for each/low on funds etc...or birds attacking other birds (with or without babies).

It does sound like you are thinking carefully and that is huge-- just make sure there is actually a market for your intentions (in terms of zoos etc) or you may end up in a situation you didn't anticipate, you know?

But I was worried my last post would be received negatively and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your reply!

Also, hygiene, sterilization, temperature , humidity and quarantine are huge---for everything when it comes to breeding and combing birds. It's ridiculous how important it is, so you have to be very compulsive in your monitoring etc. Get in touch with vets ahead of time and scope things out because once you are dealing with egg-laying parrots, a lot of intervention can become imperative without a lot of warning (of course, that isn't always the case, but it is a real possibility).

You will definitely need to have an experienced person helping you along the way, but it has been done---just go into it with appropriate supplies, resources, and funds (with eyes-wide-open).

 

[noodles123]

Have you had parrots or birds etc inside the house before? I ask because there are all sorts of rules about what sorts of pots/pans/cleaners etc you can use.
NO SCENTED PRODUCTS -UNLESS AVIAN SAFE. This is huge...so, no candles, no burning food, no vaping, no standard cleaners, no air fresheners or aerosols, no paints, no Glade plug-ins or essential oils, no glues,no polishes, no solvents, NO Teflon/PTFE/PFOA/PFCs(which, sadly, are scentless and invisible half of the time and kill birds through closed doors, on separate floors, when heated).

 

[Lunarsprint]

Yes, I've had my Myers since 2014, but I'd been around the bird scene since about 2007-08 got stainless pots, use vinegar and water, mostly, unless I bring the birds to stay with family for a few days like when I was doing a pre move out cleaning. (They don't mind visiting the big birds at my mom's bg macaw, Amazon, moluccan)

Once I get to the country side I'd like to turn a box trailer into a climate controlled portion of an outdoor aviary, for any breeders I'd have/get. I've already made halfway detailed drawings for how to build the cages, as well as where to get stainless wire etc so it's modular.

Thinking and planning is bout all I'm good at, it's the doing that's hard.