As a first time breeder, what kind of info can you give me?

[mythreeiggys]

Hi! I am new to this board and also new to breeding. My mom bred birds for many years and I am following in her foot steps. The only thing is, that was a long time ago. We are doing this together as hobby breeding. We were able to get a pair of Hahns Macaws and will be breeding them (we don't have them yet). I am researching Hahns breeding and am finding some great info, but I wanted to get your opinions and suggestions! Any info will be greatly apprecaited!

[jakeandoscar]

do you have birds now? if not i would highly highly reccomend that you not get mccaws and try to breed them. mccaws are birds that need to be constantly mentally stimulated and especially if you want to breed the it will be difficult and in my oppinion WAY to difficult or someone who hasn't ever had or hasn't had in awhile birds to care for. My suggestion is to try and breed or just own for awile some of the smaller parrot species. i would go with tiels or budgies or maybe love birds.

[odhinn]

I agree. If you are a first time breeder without a mentor then I would suggest a much easier bird to breed. Then work your way up to macaws if you want.

[MicahEspudo]

If you want to breed macaws you should breed macaws. I don't think you should have to breed a species of bird that you are not passionate about to merely gain experience.
All species of birds have different breeding needs, so if you breed a lovebirds it will not necessarily help you breed cockatoos better. Do you see what I mean?

But I will say that before you start breeding you should:
a) do as much research as possible, and I mean at minimum a couple months worth.
b) Find someone in your area who breeds that particular species of bird that is willing to help you with any problems that may arise, and to give you some pointers.
c) Save up a lot of money. Hahns macaws are expensive little birds to breed. Even for one pair the upkeep for breeders is a lot per month. Not to mention all the equipment you NEED. If you were breeding a single pair of Parrotlets, you would need almost $2,000 american dollars worth of equipment... not to mention food costs, vet costs, and the purchase of the actual breeding stock.

Please do your research. Make sure you have the time, money, and commitment that is takes to breed. It may be fun to think about breeding, but in reality it is a lot more work than you expect.