90k budget retirement hobby/business

[Takoarm]

Cages are 2 big kahuna stainless cages. I am also in the process of reaching out to animal environments for a custom cage but have been told that will take at least a year. Outdoor aviary will be built once I get the birds most likely and get a handle on where I want to go with that.

 

[Takoarm]

Thanks for the info on licensing. Haven’t gotten close to that part yet but now that I know It could be a complicated matter I’ll get right on that.

Thank you.

 

[Kiwibird]

Northwestern cages custom makes stainless cages and probably has under a year waiting list. I vetted this company myself, but ultimately couldn't afford the price quoted. Very high end and hand made "will last for life" cages.

 

[Cas27]

Tako,people on this forum are not trying too be nasty...I told you they got on my case a tad too and that was over my amazon biting me and I finally listened and he don’t bite me anymore. I was going too get rid of a 2,000 dollar bird till I finally listened do you get it?
Man your talking about breeding a freaking blue giant that is a very rare bird. I’m not sure of the amount of clientele is out there for a bird that cost so much money, also it takes years for parrots too adjust too their new home’s....are you going too have the patience too wait years for them too breed?
I think you should buy one like someone else posted and learn about the parrot before diving in and blowing all your money.
Tako you should know from your time with reef tanks it takes more than just reading a book sometimes it’s trial and error experience man. Buy a baby Mac and hand feed it raise it too be your bird then you will understand this forum.
How much time do you have with any parrot if you had any you would understand what the people here are saying.

 

[Flboy]

We used to have a supporting vendor on here, over a year ago, that made walk in SS cages. Have tried several times to find his posts, but failed! They are built using large panels, so there are many configurations!

 

[Takoarm]

I’m all about getting the info. The part I have a problem with is the assumption of what I am and not capable of doing.

Picking up another life is a huge responsibility and I am well aware of tHat. I have kids and my kids believe it or not by the assumptions made about me, are loved, spoiled, happy, healthy, disciplined, respectful, great students and human beings. Lol. Maybe I am nieve that I take that for granted because I can’t imagine raising a dog child or any other life I’m responsible for any other way.

I have started multiple companies that I have sold that have flourished during and after my ownership.

I have accomplished the goals I set out to financially after college 12 years ahead of schedule.

I’m not trying to brag but, people have asked why I feel so arrogant about success in this venture. My answer is I haven’t failed anything or quit anything or anyone yet, so why would I anticipate doing so with Hyacinths?

Maybe I just have a different personality than most here. I am very aggressive. I’m not going to apologize for that. Why would I?

Thank you so much to all of the people that seem to get that. I am Going forward with this plan to succeed. The success that I have enjoyed in other areas of my life will hopefully benefit this species. Take that however you want to.

Everything is fluid and I am not puting anything in pen other thAn my goal.

 

[DiscoDuck]

If I were in your shoes I would take Sonja's advice a step further. I would find a Macaw now before you get deep into pairings.

As you know parrot owners here are very passionate about parrots in general.

Since you know business. Apply this thought.

What you put in is what you will get back.

Nothing more for me to add.

My sincere best wishes.

PS Send me plane fare, I would love to help!

 

[Takoarm]

If I were in your shoes I would take Sonja's advice a step further. I would find a Macaw now before you get deep into pairings.

It’s a good suggestion but, I would never take an animal I had no intention of keeping. I’ll get my hands on experience this year through a local outlet. I have time. I’m sure picking up the first pair is going to take a while. I like the idea of possible picking up a couple hatchlings and raising them. In the long run I would be awesome to have different lines of genetics. If things worked out great that could equate to a stronger gene pool.

 

[DiscoDuck]

If I were in your shoes I would take Sonja's advice a step further. I would find a Macaw now before you get deep into pairings.

It’s a good suggestion but, I would never take an animal I had no intention of keeping. I’ll get my hands on experience this year through a local outlet. I have time. I’m sure picking up the first pair is going to take a while. I like the idea of possible picking up a couple hatchlings and raising them. In the long run I would be awesome to have different lines of genetics. If things worked out great that could equate to a stronger gene pool.

I think we are both in agreement. Getting your pair now and raising them at the same time while you are building (if I remember right) I remember my first year with my bird. While he has changed ever so slightly, the interaction, I believe is indelible. This is my boy at 5 months old.

 

[Takoarm]

Beautiful animal.

Yeah I’m not going to buy any birds for at least a year. Lots of prep, research, and things to experience first.

Hahahahaha
I will let you know if my wife decides not to use our airline miles (not likely.)

 

[DiscoDuck]

oh wow.. hmmm I wanted to see this thread go a bit further. I see your first post was deleted. OK...

uhh. Now is time to focus on the habitat. You can get the security measures in place , then the bird area itself. I really like what those Animal crib guys did. IMO the area for the birds should be built in a manner where it makes it easy to maintain and at the same time allowing the freedom to be a bird.

This where I digress. I cant offer any advice on what the enclosure conditions should be like when it comes to breeding. ive seen areas that are essentially a converted barn area. Its not a comfortable area for me to view in that I have a bird who has his own sun room. Albeit he is an Octogon - 6 foot high and he is free flighted in the house.. anyways... Its an interesting subject. Ok ill shut up now..

 

[wrench13]

I like the 'success' attitude, it's much like my own, tho my idea of success is not really $$ related.
Stainless steel is def the way to go, for both cage and aviary. BEWAREof anything thats zinc plated or galvanized for your outdoor set up - zinc is toxic to parrots. Also think about small mammal control for the aviary, best ones are built on concrete pads, to make cleaning easier and no way for mice, shrews, weasels etc to dig thru and cause problems. You really need to talk to a Hy breeder to get details on how they like to nest ( different nest box designs can make the difference), whether to separate the male once the eggs are laid or chicks hatch, lots n lots of details like that. As you are finding out, breeding the big macs is a complex project, breeding one of the rarest macs is going to be even more so. SOme things you can pick up from rreading, but some things , like feeding hatchlings, is best learned from an experienced breeder - you can actually kill a chick if they are fed incorrectly. Maybe your AV vet friend will take you under his wing ( ha ha ) to learn the right way to do that. Like I said good luck, and do let us know how your project is coming along - who knows, you might have a customer or 2 from this forum! .

 

[DiscoDuck]

Cages are 2 big kahuna stainless cages. I am also in the process of reaching out to animal environments for a custom cage but have been told that will take at least a year. Outdoor aviary will be built once I get the birds most likely and get a handle on where I want to go with that.

A reputable welding shop will have the stainless wiring and panels you need or want. Especially if you are parrot proofing a large area. It shouldn't be hard to hinge panels over windows. Simple lengths x Height and gauge is all you will need for sq ft estimates.

Here again, I would look into various forms of shot-crete for indoor applications.

A guttered washable floor to drainage will be a necessity. ..From a time management standpoint.

The outdoor aviary should be relatively simply. at least IMO the materials are simple. There are numerous outdoor examples at zoos. I suspect the more tedious part are the poles and cabling.

 

[Takoarm]

Yeah the outdoor aviary I think will be the most fun.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I’m all about getting the info. The part I have a problem with is the assumption of what I am and not capable of doing.

Picking up another life is a huge responsibility and I am well aware of tHat. I have kids and my kids believe it or not by the assumptions made about me, are loved, spoiled, happy, healthy, disciplined, respectful, great students and human beings. Lol. Maybe I am nieve that I take that for granted because I can’t imagine raising a dog child or any other life I’m responsible for any other way.

I have started multiple companies that I have sold that have flourished during and after my ownership.

I have accomplished the goals I set out to financially after college 12 years ahead of schedule.

I’m not trying to brag but, people have asked why I feel so arrogant about success in this venture. My answer is I haven’t failed anything or quit anything or anyone yet, so why would I anticipate doing so with Hyacinths?

Maybe I just have a different personality than most here. I am very aggressive. I’m not going to apologize for that. Why would I?

Thank you so much to all of the people that seem to get that. I am Going forward with this plan to succeed. The success that I have enjoyed in other areas of my life will hopefully benefit this species. Take that however you want to.

Everything is fluid and I am not puting anything in pen other thAn my goal.

Interesting trait to mix with parrot keeping

 

[LordTriggs]

I’m all about getting the info. The part I have a problem with is the assumption of what I am and not capable of doing.

Picking up another life is a huge responsibility and I am well aware of tHat. I have kids and my kids believe it or not by the assumptions made about me, are loved, spoiled, happy, healthy, disciplined, respectful, great students and human beings. Lol. Maybe I am nieve that I take that for granted because I can’t imagine raising a dog child or any other life I’m responsible for any other way.

I have started multiple companies that I have sold that have flourished during and after my ownership.

I have accomplished the goals I set out to financially after college 12 years ahead of schedule.

I’m not trying to brag but, people have asked why I feel so arrogant about success in this venture. My answer is I haven’t failed anything or quit anything or anyone yet, so why would I anticipate doing so with Hyacinths?

Maybe I just have a different personality than most here. I am very aggressive. I’m not going to apologize for that. Why would I?

Thank you so much to all of the people that seem to get that. I am Going forward with this plan to succeed. The success that I have enjoyed in other areas of my life will hopefully benefit this species. Take that however you want to.

Everything is fluid and I am not puting anything in pen other thAn my goal.

I hope I'm not seen as attacking you, I apologize if I have appeared that way but all I have to go off is what's written in front of me. I know nothing else about you. At the same time you know nothing of me and we are only communicating with the written word which does not carry the same nuances and extra info that face to face conversation has. Once again I apologize if I appear to be attacking you but I am trying to approach this as politely as possible (taken over an hour to write this already lol)

Raising a bird is different to every other animal. Just because you succeeded with fish and dogs means nothing. I succeeded at raising kittens at age 10, I've raised dogs my entire life. I do not know how to raise a bird. I think this is where you are faltering, you are believing that because you've raised other animals it's largely the same but it really isn't. there are stickied threads, you have a vet who has experience raising macaws, you have a lot more resources than most. Use them as much as you can.

Ask questions here but be prepared you'll get opinions from others and when they're not what yo want to hear you're not going to get anything by getting aggressive, there are many people out there who dislike breeders in general, it's fairly moderate here but the way in which you presented yourself was in a singular word, arrogant. Picture how many people we get asking about breeding here who are the kind of people who shouldn't be allowed pets at all.

I think possibly a fresh start may be in order, attitudes have flared up and taken the thread in a different course. Try looking it as instead of assuming you will be good, aspire to be good, then make it a reality. Like others have said it would be good to get hands on experience with birds before you start breeding, I'd personally in your shoes take a look at volunteering at a rescue where you can see the day to daycare of birds, the effort you need to put in and the temperament you need to approach them with. Also you get to see what happens when people decide they no longer want a parrot, it is an eye opener to many of what these animals go through and it may well make you question if you truly do want to bring more parrots into the human world.

I do hope you look past what you feel to be attacks and look at the key points to be extrapolated from each reply that has something constructed (some replies serve nothing but like I say tempers were flared so just ignore those) Personally in your situation I would research some key points and ask here for clarification, make lists of stuff you need and questions you have and ask those because when presented with "How do I breed birds?" people don't think of the little things and something small but important gets missed, it's just the nature of the human brain.

Once again I hope this comes across as constructive to you and do implore don't take offense to what I say if it does appear in a confrontational manner. All anyone wants is what's best for any potential birds you do get

 

[Dopey]

My answer is I haven’t failed anything or quit anything or anyone yet, so why would I anticipate doing so with Hyacinths?

I'm glad that you haven't failed or quit anything.
Does it sound arrogant? To some probably, as a mother I'm glad that you feel that way. I never raised my kids to fail. Reality is that somewhere in life they might but I raised them to succeed. I hope you succeed. If I were younger (and had more money) I would ask to be put on a waiting list for one of your chicks.

At the bird store where I volunteer we have a hyacinth coming in mid April. At one point we had a waiting list for such a macaw. I'm hoping it is sold before it gets here. I'm a sucker for a macaw.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Man, I get sick for a few days and come back to find the place on fire. Entertaining.

Hyacinth macaws are endangered, and their monetary value isn’t helping. It just encourages poaching. What they need is habitat protection in the wild, which is very expensive and altruist - because the reward is in the knowledge, not the pleasure of having the birds in person.

If you have in fact created several successful businesses, you likely understand the value of planning ahead - not just to figure out your strengths, but also the threats and risks.

1. You created and sold multiple businesses, as opposed to creating a single business that you grew to hugosity. Red flag. I made a good life for myself working in things that interested me. I liked to figure out something complex, but once the thing was running smoothly I lost interest. Couldn’t wait to hand it over to someone who wanted a sure thing and go find a new interesting challenge. Great personality trait for technical stuff. For parrots? Not so much. Parrots are like children who never grow up. They get to that stage where they interact, destroy the furniture, make huge messes, scream and have tantrums, need constant attention and supervision - and never get past that. What’s going to happen in ten years? When you are ready for something new? You won’t be able to sell your established aviary for an order of magnitude profit. You will likely lose money overall. If you haven’t ever stuck with something for 20 years, you know you aren’t likely to stick with this either. That’s ok when you are dealing with software, or lawn care, or fish that don’t bond to you, or dogs that easily bond to new packs, or kids that grow up.

2. It’s a lot harder to find a “sitter” for large parrots than for kids. You can’t just go off for the weekend and leave them home alone. Can’t say how many nightmares I’ve read on this site alone, of parrots who got a toe caught in a cage or a rope and either died or lost a toe or foot. You almost need someone who will come stay onsite and care for them. Are you comfortable with that? How will you arrange a two week trip to Hawaii, or a longer trip? How will you find and train these sitters? They must know parrots well enough to notice the subtle early signs of illness, be able to provide emergency care, and be aware of the myriad hazards to parrots that are not hazards to most living beings.

3. Parrots don’t do well around high energy people. They prefer people who move slowly, speak quietly, act calmly. They don’t obey. You can ask a parrot to step up, and teach them to step up reliably, but only if YOU adapt to their style. Parrots aren’t domesticated and have no innate desire to please you. They are more likely to bite if they feel threatened - and a hyacinth has the biggest, baddest bite of any animal. Google this. You can’t punish them for biting the way you can discipline a dog. If a hy takes your finger off, can you deal with that calmly? Put the bird back in the cage, locate the detached digit, ice it and get to the emergency room? What if the finger belongs to one of your kids? Yes, we call them “gentle giants” but they can and do bite. They can get bossy and decide they are in charge.

4. Lastly, really think of your goal here. If it is to make money raising beautiful animals, think hard. Hopefully you will grow to love them, and exercise diligence in finding good homes for the babies. You should know that even an expensive bird like this can be too much for some, and the birds will wind up in a rescue in the BEST case. In the worst case the expensive bird gets relocated to a basement or back room where it can’t be heard screaming in loneliness. Macaws live a long time, and by the time someone can afford to buy one the macaw will likely outlive the human and wind up at the mercy of strangers. Either you will care deeply about the birds in your care, and work diligently to ensure they have good lives, or you are mostly in it for the money and sell to anyone who can pay regardless of the quality of life for the parrot.

5. What if your family starts to hate the birds? Get tired of the screaming, afraid of the biting, fed up with not being able to travel? So many threads on this site of ultimatums from spouses and families.

My personal view is that breeding parrots in captivity is wrong. It does nothing to improve the genetic stock. It does nothing to preserve habitat. It only makes parrots seem like desirable pets which leads to more poaching and habitat destruction. It makes a living thing into a status symbol. It causes parrots to suffer. Even the best life for a captive parrot is a poor substitute for life in a natural flock. Humans are going to destroy parrots in the wild the way we are destroying elephants and rhinos in the wild.

Since you are in the research phase, pick up a copy of “Of Parrots And People” by Tweety. Amazing stories about parrots - their intellectual feats, acts of genius, and also the ways they suffer at human hands. The last part is macaws in the wild - Spix’s and Lear’s - and the effort to protect and restore their native habitats to allow them to continue to live in the world they evolved in.

 

[DiscoDuck]

Kentuckienne points are solid.

I want badly to take the counterpoint. grrrr... OK why not... This may go the direction similar to debating climate change.

And on that subject.. Kentucky points out Parrots should be in the wild. Guess What? It is well proven that the climate will continue to change. Now when or how will affect our lives or the Parrots Lives.

Ok the flip side. Our population continues to grow. Information is available in the twitch of a finger. I feel strongly by own un-self imposed experience with Parrots, that these Birds will continue to grow and expand in much better healthier environments.

My GWM Rudy, Comes from parents 100 miles south on the Delmarva Peninsula. Rudy has over 50 brothers and sisters alone from this one geographically locked area. I alone in one years time have interacted with thousands of people in a roundabout way, educate them on the basic and often in deep detail.

With that said. On my bucket list is to contact the VA Companion Pet program and take educating those who are interested more about my personal on hands experience.

To me, my parrot in a lot of similarities is like raising a child. The fun part is tell pople that my Bird is a lot smarter than my kids at this age, barely cost anything, sleeps for 12, up for 12, takes baths, is very clean, his poop don't stink, and he talks! Oh wait! h only weighs 3+ lbs, he doesnt eat much.

What a fantastic companion who is funny, empathetic, loves attention, on and on..

If only all parrots could leave the forests and replace humans. The world would be a better place!

 

[DiscoDuck]

I need to add. That if I was in your shoes. I would have staff and a back up plan. Sort of like an insurance of types along with a buffer of sorts from the general public. Vetting potential new owners and a no return policy .. uh well lets put it this way...

Hmmm. yep.. I wouldn't do it with out some type of association with another breeder. You mentioned your Vet, so yeah maybe you're covered.

Ok I'm shutting up