New to breeding birds... Questions!

[MicahEspudo]

Hey everyone,

When I get older and gain more knowledge about exotic birds... I am planning on breeding Queen of Bavaria Conures (Golden conures/macaws) . I am still researching bird breeding and hand feeding baby birds. But my question is what is a good species to start with?
I was thinking about breeding budgies to start with ... you know just to gain experience, but I wanted to know what you opinions were!
What do you guys think a good beginner bird is?
Are parrotlets supposed to be good to start?
I can't breed cockatiels because their dander aggravates my asthma.
So yeah... I'm still doing research and it won't be happening maybe till I move out (maybe sooner) but I just wanted to know.

Thanks in advance

[Muchi]

If I were you, I'd PM huntress... Her site, Teacup Parrots has a bit of info on her lovebirds, parrotlets and I THINK even rosey bourkes. All are nice little birds, though personally I love the bourkes. From what I've seen, they have such a calm, even temperament and a pretty little chirp. Also, if you like the idea of lovebirds, check out YouTube - stargazrt4's Channel (True Love Aviarys channel, I think it's called) and it will show you a few vids of the lovebirds that couple breed, as well as give you a great example of the level of noise that many lovies will produce. You may be able to contact them for more advice, they seemed nice enough.

I am glad you're seeking information before diving in. Sorry I can't help more - I've not been interested in breeding birds personally so I don't have much info on it.

[MicahEspudo]

Thanks Muchi,
I have actually seen most of stargazrts4 yutube videos and am familiar with Huntress's website... If only I lived in ohio I would buy a little green female parrotlet from her (not for breeding though)

[Courtzrocks]

Lol, i am going to breed too when i move out, I wanna start with green cheek conures and princess parrots. I used to tame cockatiels when i was younger, they are excellent birds but since you can't then maybe lovies and linnies? Maybe even bourke's?

[birdsnreps]

i dont think you should breed anything that you are not absolutly passionate about. if you really wanna breed queens, then wait until you can afford to buy and breed queens. dont just breed budgies to "gain experience", unless of course you are very much in love with them. If not, then you might just end up selling the pair later on when you do get your queens. Breeders have a tough time adjusting just like pets do when they are rehomed, but they have the added pressure to breed for the new owners in their new environments.

Im sure you dont mean anything like this if you do breed budgies (or something else to gain experience), but to me, when people say this, it kinda sounds like they are more like an "experiment" to learn how to raise baby birds and to see if you have what it takes to be a good, ethical breeder. Every species of bird has different requirements to breed, and then each baby is different when you start handfeeding and socializing them. even if you do start out with budgies, i can guarantee you that breeding queens is very different from breeding the small birds.

[MicahEspudo]

Originally Posted by birdsnreps

i dont think you should breed anything that you are not absolutly passionate about. if you really wanna breed queens, then wait until you can afford to buy and breed queens. dont just breed budgies to "gain experience", unless of course you are very much in love with them. If not, then you might just end up selling the pair later on when you do get your queens. Breeders have a tough time adjusting just like pets do when they are rehomed, but they have the added pressure to breed for the new owners in their new environments.

Im sure you dont mean anything like this if you do breed budgies (or something else to gain experience), but to me, when people say this, it kinda sounds like they are more like an "experiment" to learn how to raise baby birds and to see if you have what it takes to be a good, ethical breeder. Every species of bird has different requirements to breed, and then each baby is different when you start handfeeding and socializing them. even if you do start out with budgies, i can guarantee you that breeding queens is very different from breeding the small birds.

But I have heard you need to be an experienced breeder to breed queens.. So I was wondering how do the experienced breeders gain their experience before the breed queens?
BTW I love all animals and would love to breed any animal!

[birdsnreps]

you can start breeding whatever you want. you can gain experience by actually trying to breed your own pair, reading and doing ALOT of research (also make sure you read about their habits in the wild), and speaking with another breeder who has been successfully raising queens, and possibly a vet that might know about breeding them.

[Ashling]

I bred budgies and quails by my self at around 11 years old! They are pretty simple to cater for when breeding, but I agree with birdsnreps- you shouldn't just get budgies for experience. Get something a little more exotic that you are passionate about. You mentioned conures :D They sound good.
Read and research alot until any one could ask you a question about your particular species, and you could tell them off the top of your head. Also, do you have the knowledge and time to hand feed a baby if its parents reject it, or pluck it? Maybe you should wait until you move out of your parents house, unless they are willing to help out where needed? Good luck on whatever path you choose!

[Lucky Feathers]

Originally Posted by birdsnreps

I dont think you should breed anything that you are not absolutly passionate about. if you really wanna breed queens, then wait until you can afford to buy and breed queens. dont just breed budgies to "gain experience", unless of course you are very much in love with them.

I could not agree with this statement more - it was very well said and completely true. I breed cockatiels and Indian Ringnecks - I will be adding a pair of Green Cheek Conure soon, with that being said I just adore these species and that is the main reason I choose to breed them. I would not breed any species that I presonally was not very fond of, but thats me. When I move to a large place I will be adding a few more pairs and again they would be species of something I just adored.

I wouldn't start with a smaller species just to gain experience unless I truly loved that species. If you don't truly love budgies or lovies and can see yourself living with them until they pass then I wouldn't suggest breeding them, but that is just me.

[birdsnreps]

yea, and you know what also?? even though you think you really like a bird, its completely different when you actually own one, vs. just playing with someone elses every once in a while. its fun to play with any type bird for just a little while, but its different when you own one.