I just might be getting two macaws!!

[Degrees55basebal]

So as the title says, I might be getting two Macaws within the next two weeks! I am so excited. But I had some questions. The male is a Blue and Gold and the female is a Miligold. They are a breeding pair and the owner dosnt want them to be kept as pets but as birds that just want to be birds. I am completely fine with this as the seller told me they are laying up to six eggs a year. They can not raise their young because they do not have a box and are just dropping the eggs on the floor. My question was, what are the odds that I bring them to my outdoor aviary that they would continue yielding eggs and further more fertilize them? I was planning on keeping these two new birds outside just to be birds, then as they have babies, let them raise them and I could train them as they get a little more mature. ( I was thinking around two or three months old.)

Also, should I be worried about surprise vet fees?

[Monica]

They lay up to six eggs a year... how many clutches is that? Or how many eggs per clutch? If it's 3 clutches I'd say that's at least one too many.

Being that the female is a miligold, she has a possibility of being infertile... has she reproduced before?

If they are laying eggs in their current situation, they'll probably stop in your home, because it'll be an unfamiliar place... unless you set them up to breed.

If you plan on breeding, please be sure you are fully aware that you are creating more hybrids (oh great, not this subject again! !!!) and you may get a LOT of flack for that... not only that but you will need to know how to handraise in case the need arises or you have a desire to.... and be financially prepaired for emergencies....

You ought to take both to an avian vet when you get them just to ensure that they are in fact healthy.

[Courtzrocks]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH GEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Rub it in why don't ya....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Bloody Australia!!!!

[ROYJOY]

yes, do it!! you can learn to hand rear those babies. its not hard at all. and if they dont breed, then you've got your "just birds". dont tell courtzrocks, they are just birds. they sell for tens of thousands down under. if ya can find one.

[MicahEspudo]

I also think a good portion of hybrids are infertile... of not all.
I would get them, if you have the money for a vet bills... just in case they are not well!

[kellywess]

I love my Miligold! He ROCKS!

[Degrees55basebal]

Is there a good chance that the miligold is infertal?

[Irish]

Originally Posted by MicahEspudo

I also think a good portion of hybrids are infertile... of not all.

I guarantee you that not all hybrids are infertile. If they were, there wouldn't be any second and third generation hybrids. I happen to have one of each.

Degrees, I would think long and hard about allowing your pair to reproduce. It is not easy nor inexpensive to raise baby macaws. Many domestically-raised birds who were originally hand-raised pets seem to be rather clueless about how to raise a family, even if they later revert to their wild ways. You sound a bit clueless, too (no insult intended!). Until you have thoroughly researched macaws (I suggest "The Large Macaws" published by Raintree Publications) and have an experienced mentor to train you, you're almost certainly going to be disheartened by the whole experience.

I won't even begin to get into the whole philosophical hybrid argument. That's a whole 'nother can of worms.

[mymacaw]

My miligold sid is awesome

[Macaaaw]

Looking on Amazon, it may no longer be available in some stores. They have one used copy for a ridiculous amount.

Your local library may have a copy you could check out.

Raising macaws is not easy or everyone would be doing it.