1st Visit to the breeder.....what to ask?

[CRYROLFE]

Going to visit a breeder today to see her 2 baby Eclectus boys. She also has a girl who's younger but I think we're mostly interested in a boy.
It's a toss up between an Eclectus or an Illiger Macaw from a friend of ours. Both are just weaned and ready to go.

Here is a video of them on the 12th.....they were born on 7-20-12
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VteqwjgnRpc&feature=share&list=ULVteqwjgnRpc]Male Eclectus babies hatched 7-2012 - YouTube[/ame]

What do you guys think? They are the Vosmaeri type....not the Solomon so not sure what difference that makes either.

What types of things should I be asking? One of the people handling the babies said that one boy has started to grab her fingers when she would hold him. She said she did the night feedings for him and that he just started doing that to her but not her Mom (the other person doing the morning feedings). She said if she covers her fingers w/ her sleeve he doesn't do it. What could that mean?
I also know that they are on Pretty Bird - Eclectus pellets....along w/ fruits/veggies/ bean cuisine mix/birdie bread.

Thanks for any advice!!!!! Such a decision!

 

[mtdoramike]

It doesn't make any difference, the differences are so minimal. I would get the Eclectus hands down. Eclectus are sooooo laid back especially the males. The few male eclectus that I have been around other than my own were real easy going sweet birds.

I've heard the Illiger macaws tend to be a bit nippyand moody at times. Mac will do the same thing with his beak, he will grab my or my wife's finger in his beak and hold it. He does this especially if he doesn't want to be put down, which sounds like what the baby Eclectus is doing.

Pedro is like an Eclectus expert, hopefully they will see your post and respond, they are a wealth of information.

 

[mtdoramike]

Also, I would be more concerned with visible concerns rather than verbal. Like is the birds nasel passages clear or none visible. If an Eclectus nostrels are visible, it could be a sign of sickness. Also, check out the tail vent and see if it's clean or dirty, if dirty, it might indicate sickness as well. Is the bird respondant and look healthy or lively and playfull. Also, does the breeder offer any kind of warranty in case of the bird getting sick or god forbid dying within a day after you getting him.

Some states require breeders to offer a 48 hour warranty, but you MUST TAKE THE BIRD to a qualified vet for a checkup within that time frame in order for the warranty to be covered. Some breeders may require you to take the bird to a vet of their choosing. You really need to know these things if your dealing with a breeder.

 

[mtdoramike]

I forgot the most important thing, you need to make sure they are eating on their own and ask how long they have been weaned.

 

[maillet]

At (3) Months I would be extreamely cautious of a "Full-Weaned" Eclectus. Average Min is (4) Months, and adopting prior to this can cause bird and you grief for months.

Breed is a non-issue. You can only be certain of the breed in females, and femals are only ones who have the pronounced differences (at least until late adulthood 5 years).

Questions to Ask:
1. How did they feed the baby birds? Were they fed with a Galve or Hand Fed.
2. How much attention do the babies recieve each day? Too much or too little?
3. Referance of those who have adopted a baby from them? How is the bird doing?
4. Referance check: does breeder follow-up during the first week or month for health?
5. Written Health Gaurnetee: has the necessary blood-work been done, any diseases?

If you are looking at either an Eclectus or Macaw I would HIGHLY recommend you do more research. As these breeds are like polar opposites, I highly recommend you do more research and consider what you want out of a companion bird. You would benefit from reading "Eclectus Parrots" (green cover with male) as it is resource from deciding breed, what to ask the breeder, to care and health. Eclectus are more "laid-back", "Quiet", and "Passive" as they often prefer to watch rather than be center of attention while Macaw are "In-Face", "Loud...", and "Active" as they love attention from single person and will do what it takes to win your eyes.

As for the "Nipping" this can be nothing or major. If it is everyone, it could be a socialization and trust issue (question to ask breeder, how much time). If it is only one person, it could be "curious" more than anything else. You have to remember, Eclectus in particular explore everything with their beaks "beaking". Babies also do not realise their strength so sometimes a "bite" could be an "innocent effort to explore the unknown". Key is to watch body language when bird does this stuff.

Do the eyes flash (dilate and extend rapidly to focus)?
Are the feathers near his neck raised to indicate threat?
Is his head upright or lowered (can be challenge or begging)?
Does his beak move in rapidly (to bite) or only slowly (to explore)
There are dozens of warning signs, respect your bird and he will do same...

I can literally do whatever I want to echo and he will not fuss whatsoever, because I also sheild him whenever he is scared. Knows no harm will come.

Hope you can find this helpful, a knowledgeable Eclectus breeder should charge between $1,000 to $1,8000 depending what is included and the age of birdy.

 

[Eloy]

Watch 00,48. "They like to cuddle" LOL! (turn up your speaker and listen)
No this guy don't. And that was a very hard bite.

 

[Pedro]

Plenty to read here from the Land of Vos.

landofvos.com • View topic - PDR - Questions to ask a breeder

 

[CRYROLFE]

Thanks for the help guys!!! This is such a huge decision for us! We have had Macaws and love them, and we have a Congo African Grey who is pretty much a bump onna log. We assume the Eclectus to be a combo of those two.
We've seen TONS AND TONS of videos as well.
I want both, but I have to decide which to get first. I was thinking it'd be awesome to get a parrot completely different too.
The diet scares me a little (making sure it's the right balance etc....) and the feather plucking.

 

[Thingamagigs]

If I were you I would go for the illigers here is my reason...

I put most companion parrots into three categories. Keep in mind this is my own OCD brains categories, not ACTUAL categories widely accepted by humans outside my brain

First... serious, subdued birds who often speak very well and don't enjoy cuddles so much. This is african greys, eclectus & asiatics etc.

The second category is goofballs who are unlikely to talk well and enjoy a cuddle. Cockatoos, conures, lorikeets, caiques etc

The third category is the balanced guys who can be playful or cuddly and who may also have some talking ability. Macaws, senegals, amazons etc

I would choose one from each category. You already have an african grey, so I would get the iligers You will also have to get a cockatoo or caique so you cover all categories.

 

[CRYROLFE]

That is a VERY good thought process there.... I agree that we already have a "bump on a log" type of bird (our CAG....who really is just that) but guess what.....


WE ARE GETTING THE ECLECTUS!!!!

We drove out and met him and his brother. Both were very subdued but we expected as much. They just sat on us and did nothing....lol. They were both stepping up really well.
I will start a new thread since I'll have all sorts of questions.
Later I still want an Illiger and I think I'm going to move all the birds upstairs into my spare room so they will all have their space to hang out w/o dogs or cats to have to put up. Since my CAG is so quiet I'll have to get the Illiger to help keep him and the Eclectus entertained. That will be my excuse anyway.

 

[Thingamagigs]

Congratulations

Three is a good number you were going that way eventually anyway