What Happens to Breeder Birds ???

[Barb E]

I've wondered about what happens to all the breeder birds when their babies are no longer in demand?
Recently a large petstore chain "SuperPet" changed hands and the new stores don't offer large parrots.
There were quite a number of "SuperPets" in Ontario and each store had many baby parrots.
It's left me wondering what do the breeders do with their birds when there is no longer a demand for the babies?
Can they just stop breeding? Does a breeding pair of birds willingly stop breeding at the wim of the breeder???

Just curious about how this works.

[Nazir's]

Interesting.. I honestly don't know but I'd be interested in reading the responses to the question you posed.

[dragon06]

I don't know about other stores or breeders but I know that Superpet received their birds from Hagen as they were owned by Hagen. Hagen breeds for many many people/stores so I doubt the fall of Superpet will affect their birds at all.

However, I do not know the answer to your question as to what happens to breeders when they are no longer needed or too old to breed.

[birdsnreps]

there is always someone who wants babies, doesnt matter what type of bird they are. sometimes we dont sell a baby by the time he is weaned, it just means they will have to stay with us for a little longer. we are always sold out by the time they reach 6 months though. but yes you can stop breeders from breeding if you need there, there are several diff ways to do that, you just have to find the best way to keep the birds happy and together, without giving them a chance to breed.

[TheFrantom]

I can reply to your question -- in the US
(1) Old breeder birds are sold at bird shows or bird auctions to unsuspecting bird owners or someone who wants to "try" to breed their parrot.
(2)The old breeder birds are "dumped" off with parrot rescue organizations. These birds are very difficult to place as most everyone wants a young, handleable, tame, talking parrot. But rescue organizations with good hearts will take them in and attempt to find homes for them. I have several older "problem breeder birds" to find homes for now. Not many people have contacted with with interest to adopt though. But for now they are fine with me temporarily.

If parrots are not set up with nest boxes properly and with a mate they are happy with, they will not usually lay eggs. It is not that easy to breed parrots successfully.
And not all breeder birds make good parents -- some adult parrots eat eggs, not sit on eggs, not feed the babies, hurt or kill babies. So these "reject" breeder birds are also disposed of as noted above.

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Disclaimer: My comments on this site are of my own opinion. My intent is a friendly chat, to promote the welfare and proper care of parrots, offer helpful bird advice, to alert this site to issues that may result in financial loss, or issues (pro or con) that may arise concerning obtaining, purchasing, or adopting pet birds/parrots. My intent is not to criticize or hurt anyone else's feelings. If anyone thinks my comments pertain to them specifically, I apologize to them in advance. If you object to my comments, private message me so as not to offend sensitive members on this site. Thank you.

[Birdsmile]

Most breeders only let their birds breed so many times a year. YES you can control if they breed or not by light,giving them a box or not, and also if nessary seperation.
And as for Rescues taking in breeders, I know of none and I know of no breeders who give their birds to Rescues. But I dont know every breeder and Rescue.
Jack

[wildirish]

I know of one breeder who when she became ill gave a few of her M2's to a rescue. Surprisingly these M2's have been some of the sweetest wild caught birds I had ever met!
There are a few rescues small and large that have ex breeders in them, some still paired (not breeding) but usually not due to mate passing on etc.

[birdlady49]

I'm a former breeder of Greys, cockatiels, lovies, and softbills. Even though I no longer breed them, I still have them all and enjoy them all. I don't breed any birds anymore.

For example, I have a flight of "retired" cockatiels. They play golf, watch TV, talk about the good ole' days, and wolf whistle at the young boys and girls in the next flight. In the same flight, I have an old rosella and two even older ringneck doves (22 years old or thereabouts).

I've never run an "animal factory" where "useless" birds are put to death and made into dog food or given to shelters.

(Before anyone gets upset, in this case I'm talking about chicken factories....)

[TheFrantom]

I have never heard of any parrot breeder who would intentionally put to sleep a healthy non-breeding parrot. ("if" they do, that person would not admit they put the "useless" one down).

The exception would be pigeon fanciers. That hobby is a little wierd, as compared to parrot ownership. It is common to wring the pigeon's neck if the bird did not win a "race", and then they make "squab" out of the bird. I had an aquaintance who did this and he said squab was real good! Yuckkkkk. I cannot even eat cornish hens because they look like an african grey on my plate! (my mother-in-law made cornish hens ONCE, I told her never again, please)

I think most reputable parrot breeders love their birds, will just retire them, remove the nest boxes, & keep them as "pets". I have 2 cages of old cockatiels too, the oldest being 22 years old. They have tamed up over the years too, males in one cage, females in the other.

In our rescue we have some older parrots for adoption, for "pets" only. These were passed off at a bird show/auction, bought by someone there who found out that these birds were not the tame, cutsey pet they were told they were, and the parrots were turned over to me (separate owners) at different times. I will not dump them either. Some good-hearted person will show up sometime and be interested in them. Not to be set up for breeding again, though.

It is good to hear someone else had a ringneck dove for over 20 years too. I cannot find the life span for that species. My Aunt had one for 28 years, and it was an older bird when her kids brought it home.

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Disclaimer: My comments on this site are of my own opinion. My intent is a friendly chat, to promote the welfare and proper care of parrots, offer helpful bird advice, to alert this site to issues that may result in financial loss, or issues (pro or con) that may arise concerning obtaining, purchasing, or adopting pet birds/parrots. My intent is not to criticize or hurt anyone else's feelings. If anyone thinks my comments pertain to them specifically, I apologize to them in advance. If you object to my comments, private message me so as not to offend sensitive members on this site. Thank you.

[birdlady49]

Originally Posted by TheFrantom

I have never heard of any parrot breeder who would intentionally put to sleep a healthy non-breeding parrot. ("if" they do, that person would not admit they put the "useless" one down).

It is good to hear someone else had a ringneck dove for over 20 years too. I cannot find the life span for that species. My Aunt had one for 28 years, and it was an older bird when her kids brought it home.

If you reread my post, you will see I was talking about chickens, not parrots. I do have horror stories about canary breeders though. I'll spare everyone on this board of the gory details.

I recently put Carnation, a 20-year old ringneck dove, to sleep because she was having uncontrollable seizures. Her grandfather, Peace, is 22 years old. He came to me from the Colorado Humane Society when he was nine months old. I have a second older female ringneck dove. I've had her about 10 years but she was close to being ancient when I got her.

Their lifespan is average 10-15 years, with some exceptions living to 30.