Lovebirds breeding and price

[Jaydee]

Hello, I am interested in lovebirds, I am a beginner so I would like to get some tips. And especially I would like to know the best price for lovebirds, differences between them, how to figure out which one is a male or a female without the DNA test. How to breed them together, how to take care of the birds so that their wings and feathers are of the best quality, what is the best food for them. And where can I buy lovebirds of the best quality for breeding and enjoying them for the best and most fair price.

I thank you for your attention and taking time to answer my questions!

 

[Ann333]

Hello, welcome to the forum! Glad to have you.
If you're a beginner are you sure you want to start off by breeding instead of just a pet? That seems like quite the challenge for a newbie. Im not sure about lovebirds, but most bird i believe you NEED the DNA test to tell gender except budgies and ekkies? I think? My breeder told me with some green cheek mutations you can tell the gender of the babies by the mutations of the parents because they are sex linked genes, im not sure if that is true, probably not, even so it probably wont apply to lovies. Sorry, i've no experience with lovebirds, hope you get some better answers.

 

[veimar]

There is no sure way to know without a DNA test unless she lays an egg. LOL I know mine is a girl because my budgie boy is mating with her once in a while. The prices depend very much of location and the seller. I got my very rare color baby lovie rescue for $20 off CL, and the breeders sell them for over $100. I'm also looking for a mate for her and I'm ready to pay, but so far I haven't found the same color mutation. The normal green peachface are the cheapest ($40-50 around here), fishers are more expensive. Violets and whitefaces cost more as well.

 

[EAI]

Breeding is a serious and a very committed thing in keeping birds. I would recommend having one as a pet first as Ann333 mentioned. Breeding isn’t a hobby, you’ll be responsible for 3, possible 5+ lives.

You have to have: experience with the species your'e dealing with, in-depth knowledge, lots of time, and money. If you do plan on taking breeding very seriously, I would try to get in touch with local breeders to see what they do and hopefully take you under their wing, as well as making a good relationship with an avian vet in case something goes wrong during the breeding process (egg binding) or after (deformities, one is getting picked on, the parents abandon them). Some breeders go above and beyond by socializing their birds from an early age with training and hand feeding.

I don't want to put you down, but I wanted to do the same thing when I started. I thought I knew everything but there are lists of things you need to know how to do like dealing with deformities and hand-raising them if you plan on hand taming and or if the parents abandon them. Not to mention, prior, your breeding pair must be 100% free from any illness' which means a full round of blood tests and have a proper breeding diet and other supplements. It might even go to waste if the pair chooses not to reproduce. That alone may cost about $500 if you pay attention to every detail.
You can guess their genders depending on their sizes, females are usually larger but that's a 50/50 chance until she starts laying eggs.

For best feather conditions, it’s extremely important that they get their vitamins and minerals through their food. Pellets are a good option but the best way to go is fresh foods to mimic what they would eat in the wild. Seeds and other treats like nuts should be moderated.

The prices of birds depends solely where you live, the condition they’re in, the species, and how they were raised. Breeders are usually cheaper and healthier but don’t knock down pet stores. Some stores can be cleaner than a breeders and vice versa.

 

[Jaydee]

EAI, earlier I had a peachfaced lovebird, but in another country, and I wasn't taking too good of a care about it, didn't have enough time for it, so it died... I have had it for 2-3 years only. and this is why I am asking, maybe I missed something, I know I missed tha fact that I had to spend more time with it, feed it more often, play with it, etc. but is there anything else, like clipping their wings, some special kind of food, or anything else? thanks for the info provided earlier.

 

[Jaydee]

and also. I knew she was a girl cause she lqid qn egg

 

[Flboy]

Hi,
If you are in the Central Florida area, there is a feed and grain store that has a pair. They took em in as a rescue and they are doing very well. Beautiful birds and young!

 

[Jaydee]

No, I live in Antelope. close to sacramento. california