Can You Believe This!!!

[crystaljoe2003]

OK so here is my story!! My husband and I have always wanted a Greenwing Macaw and waited until the right time to do so. It bacame that time in June of this year. We went to a local Pet Shop to search for the right one. All the macaws we found were not tame at all. So we decided to find a Baby macaw that we can raise ourselves. That way it can grow up with our kids and other family pets. while at this local pet shop a man approched us quietly to ask us if we were looking to buy a macaw. We said yes and he gave us a number of a Breeder in our area. keep in mind we had been looking all over and were willing to have one shipped. So, Finding one in our area WAS GREAT! We called him that day to see if he had any macaws available, we went over to his home which happened to be about 2 minutes from our house. We walk in to find two different rooms with nothing in it but, Birds Birds, and more Birds. While he was smoking!! He asked what we were interested in and he had Greenwings. Downstairs where he keeps all of his breeding pairs, He dad Two Greenwings, Two B&G's,Two Cockatiels, and many others. He took us down there to see the Greenwings, and they were absolutly HUGE. He called them Bolivian Greenwings. So we talked prices and he said $800 unweaned and $1200 weaned. $1200 was not in our budget though. We could manage $800.I was concerned about buying an unweaned macaw! He assured us everything would be just fine and that he would help us threw thr entire process. so we gave him a $200 deposit (nonrefundable) The eggs (2) were to hatch July 5th. The 1st one ended up hatching July 4thand the other 2 days later so July 6th. He took the birds away from the parents the first day they were hatched. Place them in a brooder in the living room. We came over about 3 times a week to see the baby and it's progress. We notice that there was a HUGE size difference between the 2 macaw babies. Almost double size. I wondered why that was and he stated that was the difference between male and female. He urged us to take the Female cause they were better with children. So we decided on the smaller of the two. We picked up the baby to bring home on July 20th. We were feeding every 4 hours if the crop was almost empty. I felt confident in my feeding as I have done a lot of research int his whole process. At about 4 wekks old, they babies eyes have not opened. I became very concerned, something was very wrong! I called him and the other baby was having that same problem. So he took the one he had to the vet and said it was due to humidity issues. Not enough humidity. So we were wetting down a wash cloth, padding the eyes with Hot water and they were actually starting open. I gave the bird back to the breeder to help out with eyes. to find out the baby died that next day. He never told me until 2 days later. I was devistated to say the least. I wondered WHY? He said it his fault cause the Temerature and the Humidity was NOT right, when the babies were in his care. He said, I can have the other one that is still living. I said that I was concerned cause they were raised in the same Brooder, what would make me believe that the same WOULDN"T happen. So I chose not to. He said he did not like to give cash refunds but that the parents were already sitting on MORE eggs. That I could have one of them. I wasn't sure. He was not gonna give me a cash refund so I guess I had no choice. He assured me that this wouldn't happen again. That he was gonna leave the babies in with the parrents for a couple weeks, so he wouldnt have that problem again with temp./humid. etc. So three babies were hatched on August 22nd. I asked him if he would be willing to feed the baby for 3 months and I will continue after that. He said absolutly NOT and that's it. It would cost a lot more if we wanted him to feed the baby. We ended up in a yelling match. I just thought that any reputable breeder would care about the bird and not just the money. I felt that, that was the least he could do. considering the circumstaces. My husband called him lastnite and the breeder offered to feed the bird up to 3 months for $50 a week. So, now I feel like I don't have a choice again. I don't want to harm the baby at all, because of my lack of knowledge in the feeding. I guess I'm stuck on having the breeder feed the baby for $50 a week. That's not even until fully weaned. I know it's better to have a fully weaned macaw. He just refuses to sell a fully weaned macaw. He refuses to educate people on the entire process. It's like having a baby without a baby doctor who knows what ther're doing. I feel taken for and I am pissed off at him and myself. So what do you all think, I could use some feed back. Thank you

[Bonesy]

Unless you are experienced you should have waited until you had the extra money to buy the weaned baby, they are SO very fragile and unless you know exactly what you're doing it can end in tears, just like this.

Save up the extra cash and pay for the weaned baby. And read ALOT more in the meantime to help you through afterwards.

[featherfanatics]

It doesn't sound like this guy is very experienced at handfeeding either! Is he the type to handfeed a baby with one hand while smoking with the other?
What about trying to find someone else to handfeed the baby for you? I'm sure there has to be someone in your area that has experience handfeeding birds even if they don't raise greenwings.

[RMSacha]

First, I don't let anyone who smokes touch my birds—plain and simple! Tobacco is one of the nastiest poisons around...and I am a former 2 pack a day smoker!

As for this breeder, he is a moron!!!!! Do you have a receipt? I would seriously consider small claims court! These are the types of people that give other breeders bad reputations and it's very unfortunate! The standard price for a GW from a reputable breeder starts at $1400 and that is weaned... I would threaten and fulfill the threat to this idiot about small claims court, and then find a reputable breeder with references. This is one of those times when trying to save a few bucks costs you more in the long run... I am sorry for your mishap, it is really sad and in poor taste that this idiot is allowed to own and sell babies!

Best of luck!

[crystaljoe2003]

I did threaten small claims court! The day we gave him cash, he gave us a reciept saying "No guarentee on unweaned birds" He totally covered his ass! He said he made up for it, by saying we can have another one. So I really dont know what to do. I will try to find someome in my area with hand feeding EXPERIENCE. I hope I have some luck as I would really not like to have to deal with this guy anymore than I have to. This breeder (if you want to call him that) doesn't care about birds at all. I wish I could stop him from breeding. Do you all think, by calling a bird shop I could find someone to feed the baby? Or even a pet shop that handled birds? What are the laws about letting people in our area know what a BAD breeder he is. I wouldn't want to get into some trouble. I know he goes to the flea markets around here to sell bird, can I put up flyers? Thanks to all who responded!!!!! Much appreciated

[stepht25]

Where are you located? Maybe someone here knows someone in your area that could be of help to you.

[Monica]

There is a good breeder in Miami, although I don't think he does macaws, he may help you find a macaw breeder perhaps? He goes on this forum by the name of Joel.

As far as the breeder you are talking about... well, I gotta say I've heard from someone else about the ill-practices in Florida on handraising chicks... Your best bet is to call around to some vets, bird shops, and maybe even the ASPCA or Animal Control to get this guy checked out. Explain the situation, explain if anything doesn't look right (i.e. it's dirty, birds have no toys, dirty water, etc) and also explain that he's smoking around the birds which is damaging the birds lungs. You need to get this guy shut down.

[RMSacha]

Originally Posted by crystaljoe2003

I did threaten small claims court! The day we gave him cash, he gave us a reciept saying "No guarentee on unweaned birds" He totally covered his ass! He said he made up for it, by saying we can have another one. So I really dont know what to do. I will try to find someome in my area with hand feeding EXPERIENCE. I hope I have some luck as I would really not like to have to deal with this guy anymore than I have to. This breeder (if you want to call him that) doesn't care about birds at all. I wish I could stop him from breeding. Do you all think, by calling a bird shop I could find someone to feed the baby? Or even a pet shop that handled birds? What are the laws about letting people in our area know what a BAD breeder he is. I wouldn't want to get into some trouble. I know he goes to the flea markets around here to sell bird, can I put up flyers? Thanks to all who responded!!!!! Much appreciated

You can put your story out there but, you have to be 100% factual! Like I believe I mentioned earlier—this is not uncommon and it's extremely unfortunate.

Where are you located?

[crystaljoe2003]

So the Breeder called my husband last night trying to redeem him self. He said he doesn't want any Bad publicity and said that we will work something out. My husband told him that we refuse to take and unweaned bird, even if we have to pay more. The breeder made it sound like he was going to do the feeding until it was weaned. Now I'm worried if he will try to wean it too soon. My understanding is that if a Macaw if weaned too soon it can cause behavioral problems down the road. So I have made a couple calls to find soemone in our area to do the feeding and so far I have found 2. should I get this bird out of the breeders hands to someone who realy knows what they are doing. Or, should I leave the bird with him? So he is responsible if something were to happen. Your feedback will strongly concidered!!! Thanks again to all who responded.

[featherfanatics]

If I was you I get that baby as soon as you can! Improper handfeeding can cause not only physical problems but mental problems as well. I've seen to much damage done to innocent babys by careless people. IMHO My first stop would be to take the baby to an avain vet. Make the so called "breeder" give you health guarantee also!