Birdshop or private breeder?

[Gabriel]

Hi. I'm new on the board and getting an african grey soon!!

Would like to ask if anyone has any experience with acquiring a grey from from a birdshop compared to a private breeder...

Cos I went to a shop with newly arrived baby greys around 2 months old still being handfed. But am not sure about the environment (many strangers, other screaming parrots, diseases etc) they are exposed to at such a vulnerable age.
But the good point is that there are more babies to choose from and they are adorable!!!

A private breeder has less choice, depending on his brood.
But more control and say on what food to weaned on and a much quieter and controlled environment.

Which would be better?

Thanks

[SavvyMoon]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with getting well cared for,
fully abundance weaned parrots from a clean, well maintained
bird shop or pet shop.
As a matter of fact, there ARE some advantages to it;
Especially where the 'shy' birds like the Timnehs,
CAGs and Eclectus' are concerned.

I believe the busy (but somewhat controlled) atmosphere in a pet store
can be very good for socializing and desensitizing the parrots who
tend toward shy-ness when raised in quiet, sheltered environments,
while mostly bonding to one caretaker (the breeder).

Some of the most well socialized, playful, *fearless* Greys I've ever seen were pet store Greys. I happened to get my TAG from a rescue/adoption service, but if I were to shop for another, I'd definitely not rule out pet shop birds. They would be considered right along with any others being raised in a breeder's home.

[Gabriel]

hmm...
what you has said made much sense!

Guess the babies get used to seeing strangers all the time...all the other parrots, etc

The ones I saw at a bird shop's actually shipped from overseas at around 2 months old and currently still handfed by the shop people.

They do seem to exhibit fearlessness...appear as if there's nothing out of place when I peered at them.
Quiet, with crops quite prominent (maybe full with handfed food?)

If anything, they are adorable!!!

[Emma]

We purchased out Grey from a breeder instead of a pet shop because of the price... there was like a $400 difference there.... It ended up that the breeder we purchased from was the same dude supplying the pet shop with birds!!

anyway, if I could have a do over... I would still probably buy from a breeder..BUT... I would buy the bird from a breeder who was available and willing to give support and help along the way.

Milo was 2 months old when we brought him home. I had never had a bird and had very little experience even being around birds....and here I was handfeeding this guy and scared absolutely out of my wits. I met the guy in a McDonalds parking lot for chrissakes!!! and although I have spoken to him a few times...he really doesnt seem to want to take the time to chat with me about how he is doing or answer any questions. I dont think he is that way to be mean or anything, ... he's just a very busy dude with his own birds and wants to focus his time on potential buyers not past ones. That bugs, but what can you do??


Anyway, I didnt sleep more than 3 hours at a time for at least the first 2 weeks he was home. The book I bought clearly said that it was wrong to get a bird at this age and that any breeder who would sell at this age was irresponsible!!

Things went well though... Milo has been awesome so far and seems to be really happy with us.
I still have my fears...when we took him to the vet, the lady said that we had picked a very hard bird to be our first bird. I got kinda defensive and told her that I was a stay at home mom and that I can do this. She just gave me this look...this look that kinda said lady... you shouldnt have bought this bird !!!

He is healthy and happy. The only problem we have had was when I got the flu and was in bed for like 6 days. He started plucking...including his red feathers ....but as soon as I was back up and around he stopped.

Good luck with your decision and I would be really interested to hear where you get your bird from and how it works out for you.

Emma

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by Emma

We purchased out Grey from a breeder instead of a pet shop because of the price... there was like a $400 difference there.... It ended up that the breeder we purchased from was the same dude supplying the pet shop with birds!!

anyway, if I could have a do over... I would still probably buy from a breeder..BUT... I would buy the bird from a breeder who was available and willing to give support and help along the way.

Milo was 2 months old when we brought him home. I had never had a bird and had very little experience even being around birds....and here I was handfeeding this guy and scared absolutely out of my wits. I met the guy in a McDonalds parking lot for chrissakes!!! and although I have spoken to him a few times...he really doesnt seem to want to take the time to chat with me about how he is doing or answer any questions. I dont think he is that way to be mean or anything, ... he's just a very busy dude with his own birds and wants to focus his time on potential buyers not past ones. That bugs, but what can you do??


Anyway, I didnt sleep more than 3 hours at a time for at least the first 2 weeks he was home. The book I bought clearly said that it was wrong to get a bird at this age and that any breeder who would sell at this age was irresponsible!!

Things went well though... Milo has been awesome so far and seems to be really happy with us.
I still have my fears...when we took him to the vet, the lady said that we had picked a very hard bird to be our first bird. I got kinda defensive and told her that I was a stay at home mom and that I can do this. She just gave me this look...this look that kinda said lady... you shouldnt have bought this bird !!!

He is healthy and happy. The only problem we have had was when I got the flu and was in bed for like 6 days. He started plucking...including his red feathers ....but as soon as I was back up and around he stopped.

Good luck with your decision and I would be really interested to hear where you get your bird from and how it works out for you.

Emma

Hi Emma!

I think I'm kinda in a similar situation as you!
The private breeder I've contacted says he'll not be able to hold on to the baby till it weans and requires me to take over around 2 months old.

So due to some time schedule problem, I have decided to buy from the shop that sells 1+ mths old.

Then comes the high risk of handfeeding ourselves.
Luckily, I've managed to find a parrot behavior and training consultant who is willing to take the baby in for some time and teach and supervise me in handfeeding till I'm confident and doing it properly!!
Of course there's a charge involved.

But at least this solve the problem though the arrangement's kind of unconventional?

How old is your baby now?
:)

[greyburd]

Honestly, I wouldn't buy/adopt any bird that hasn't been weaned yet. If a pet shot is selling birds that are one month old, I'm pretty sure they aren't weaned.

I personally prefer to go with a breeder. A GOOD, REPUTABLE breeder that weans their birds before placing them into their homes. Handfeeding can be very difficult, it's something I wouldn't consider doing.

JMHO

[The Outlaw]

I would NEVER buy an unweaned baby bird. Its risky, and if you aren't absolutley trained in more than just handfeeding technique, you can wind up with a dead bird. Its ALWAYS risky.There is more to handfeeding than just knowing how often, how much and what brand of formula. Unless you've fed a LOT of baby greys, DO NOT BUY AN UNWEANED BABY.

THE OUTLAW

[Emma]

Hi Gabrielle,

Hopefully you can post some pics of your new baby and I think that you have made a really really good decision for both of you guys to have a professional take him until you feel confident or until he is weaned.

Milo is 6 months old now.... at least that is my best guess. The breeder told us that he was 8 weeks old when we got him but I have no actual proof of that. He was not fully feathered when I brought him home. I question his age because the pet store who has one of his siblings (is that what you call them??) for sale still says their bird is only 3-4 months old...which doesnt make any sense to us.
They told me last night that their bird is still being hand fed. Milo has been weaned for many many many weeks now. He weaned himself...lost interest in the syringe and preferred eating from a spoon while we held it over his bowl...that is how our morning ritual got started with serving him oatmeal now at our bar while we eat breakfast ourselves.
He loves his oatmeal...but he must also have a bit of whatever everyone else is eating too... my yogurt...john's bran flakes...and a drink of orange juice and ice water too. He has finally given up on trying to sip our coffee... it took awhile for him to accept that we wont share that!! Breakfast is his favorite time of the day...and mine too. I love waking up in the morning and i practically run straight from the bed to him as soon as my feet hit the floor. He is always awake and waiting for me.

I know for sure that we were very lucky in that Milo's early life did not end in tragedy. God was really watching over the little guy. Not only was I not experienced in handfeeding at all.... I also didnt let him get a full and restful night of sleep in the beginning.

I see this in him now very clear... he HAS to have his sleep and if the kids come in late at night and wake him and keep him awake with their giggles and midnight snacks.... he's tired the next day. We have made a spot for him in our room now... and are going to try putting him in his smaller cage at night starting tonight to see if he likes sleeping in that cage and in our room.

Does the breeder you are buying from let you come to his home??
Milo's breeder (found him via a newspaper ad) told me that he would have to meet us in a public place because his birds at home get upset when strangers come in and that is just the way they do it. I had to take his word for all that he told me of his parents and him too.

Passing this cash and our bird in the parking lot of McDonalds was weird :aiwebs_01 ... like making some kind of drug deal...dang. I dont know why we did this...other than we just wanted to get a bird right then and were naive about it all.

Good luck with everything. I bet you are so excited. Theres nothing like falling in love with your bird!!!

Emma

[FairLight]

When we purchased our CAG, we had to wait for her to be weaned, fully fledged, and eating regular meals for two weeks. She had to be the correct weight, and we had to express a knowledge of how to care for her.
It took over four months for this process to be complete. We could visit her whenever we wanted to and were graciously welcomed each time.
We take her back for wing and nail clips, for life. The owners are always available for a consult, and always show interest and concern for their former baby.
Their lively hood depends on excellent shop conditions and healthy birds. They depend on clientele coming back for supplies and seed, pellets, toys, ect.
Most of all, anyone can see that they are devoted to their birds. Their own birds are there during store hours, and are absolutly gorgeous!
I would ask a lot of questions, and go with your gut feeling when interviewing a bird shop, pet store or breeder.
You will probably get an idea of their character very quickly.
If it doesn't feel right, go elsewhere.

[Gabriel]

Hi Emma and all.

Sorry for the long silence. :p

I've managed to find a shop thats selling a baby that will be weaned before handing to me!
And the shop also offer me another baby thats already weaned and 6 months old.

So now I have a choice to take the 6 mths old weaned and fully feathered baby or to wait for another younger one to wean.

Another dilemma... haha

Cos according to the shop keeper...he says it would be better for bonding if we handfeed and wean the baby ourselves PROVIDED we are taught and supervised and learned how to handfeed proficiently before handfeeding the baby ourselves.

Cos by the time the baby is weaned, it may already bond to the handfeeder so bringing it home is like starting the bonding process all over again with a whole family of strangers.

So the bottom line is still the same....don't ever buy an unweaned baby if one is not proficient in handfeeding and the intensive care needed in the weaning process.

Not unless one wish to learn handfeeding and weaning babies (there's always a first time) under supervision till proficiency is reached and to start early socialization and good food regimen right from the early age!

Its been quite a learning process for me as I ask people who keep them (in forums, thanks guys!) and also the bird shop keeper.