What You Should Ask Parrot Breeders To Ensure You Don’t Get Ripped Off?
If you are considering buying a parrot, you must decide where to buy him from. You have three choices - parrot breeders, pet stores, and parrot rescue centres. My recommendation is to always buy from a parrot breeder. My reasoning is simple:
- They aren't a 'jack of all trades' like the typical pet store owner, so they are usually very knowledgeable about parrots.
- I always prefer to buy a young bird, rather than an old bird. This is because you can never really know the history of an older bird, and if it has had a very traumatic past, it might never get over it.
Buying from a breeder with a solid reputation provides the best possibility of getting a healthy, and well-balanced parrot. However, some parrot breeders are only in it for the money, so you need to know how to weed out these cowboys from 'proper' breeders, who literally live for their parrots. The following will help you to do just that.
The early part of a parrot’s life has a major impact on his personality when he is an adult, so it is vitally important that he is treated correctly from the start. This responsibility normally rests with the parrot breeder, because he will care for your bird during this stage of its development. Therefore, it is essential that you learn how to choose a parrot breeder who properly cares for young parrots.
It is very important to know what a breeder has fed his young parrots. The correct parrot diet is absolutely essential to raise a healthy, well-balanced bird. You need to be certain he has fed his young parrots safe, nutritious food, and that they are fully weaned. Never buy a young parrot that isn’t eating ‘proper’ parrot food, like seeds, vegetables and fruit.
The breeder should have taught a young parrot to fly before selling it. He must have made sure that it can fly properly, and land safely, avoiding obstacles like furniture and light fittings.
Your parrot needs to have been properly socialised before you bring him home, so you must ask the breeder what he has done to make sure this is the case. Ask questions such as:
- How much interaction with humans has the parrot had?
- How regularly has the parrot been allowed to leave his cage?
- Has the bird been handled a lot?
- Howmany times has the parrot been groomed?
The only way to pick a reputable breeder is to pay him a visit, view his aviaries, and ask lots of questions like the ones above. It may seem a bit of a pain visiting a breeder, when you could simply order a parrot by phone or via the net, but it is definitely worthwhile. You will have your pet parrot for many years, so you want to do your best to make sure you buy a healthy, well-balanced bird. Don't get a parrot from a breeder who won't answer your questions, or who won't let you view their aviaries. Reputable parrot breeders love talking about parrots, because they are proud of their extensive knowledge, and they are always happy to show off their avaries!
Tags: parrot breeders
Leave a Reply