Breeding Questions??

[hollyhawkz]

Hi everyone!

Need more research/information...... Ok it is down to this for a new flock member, either a turquoise green cheek or another black capped for breeding.

As beautiful and sweet as those aratinga babies are, we decided they are a little too large and possibly loud for us (we live in a strata) and are going to stick with a pyrrhura. We would never make a decision that could lead to re-homing!

So here are my concerns that will help me decide:

I need to know if you can still have your lovable pet breeding, or do you loose that bond. I can't imagine Wawa forgeting about us because we get a mate for him. This is why I need your expert advise.

I would like to know everything that breeding entails as well.

Thanks for your help.

[xafsmom]

I don't know that I'm really qualified to give advice here as I haven't been breeding for decades and decades, but here's my input nonetheless.

You can definitely keep a bond with your mating birds if both are hand-tamed and socialised with you, but it's not guaranteed. One of my sun pairs is only stand-offish during actual breeding time, but invite pets and cuddles when eggs are laid and babies hatched. In fact, the hen will poke her head out of her box during feeding time and chirp at me, then rush down and tap the inside peek door until I open it (I tap the outside before inspecting, so they're used to the tap lol), then she'll show off her eggs to me, happily saying "good girl! good girl!" lol. She's a good momma.

One of my gcc pairs is also very friendly after the actual breeding takes place and eggs hit the box. Keep in mind though that once you get a second bird - especially one of the same type and opposite gender that IF they get along (some don't!), your bond might lessen as they attach to each other. In fact, it's pretty uncommon for a pair to remain as tight with their owner as singly owned birds are. But, they're all individuals.

But, all of my other pairs of both aratinga and pyrrhura accept my presence, but want nothing to do with me - and a lot of them started as hand-fed, socialised birds. So, you take your chances!

Yah, aratingas can get verrrry loud when worked up. Though, my breeding aviary is outside and they're far quieter out there than the inside pets are. Go figure. Maybe it's because they hear the small sounds of the birds around them, so they don't really have to call for the 'flock'.

As for everything that breeding entails... wow, that's a difficult question that can go in a million different directions. Are you curious how to set up a pair for breeding, incubating, hand-feeding, ect? Getting general advice on a forum is good and talking to other breeders is great, but if you could find a mentor for some hands-on experience, then you're best off.

[hollyhawkz]

Thanks Tina.... all good to know.