Adoption or Breeder?

[Oedipussrex]

Pickle was $800 for me (though im not sure how prices compare over there),
Here the average baby is between $800-1000 and buying an older one can be the same price or drop to $500 depending on the bird - I have never seen any genuine rescues here that purely want a good home for the ekkie and price is negotiable.

I know the situation and availability will probably be completely different where you are, compared to South Australia. But i have rarely found any re-home eclectus here for adoption, and most of them are un-tame, ex-breeders that someone just wants to get rid of because they arent as productive as they used to be. It is sad that they are in this position, and i dont mean that they dont deserve someone good taking them in - just be careful. If you do go for adopting i am glad you said you would meet it first of course, but be sure what you are getting, and get as much of the birds history as you can.

that said even breeders can be unreliable, it seems the one you have in mind is known by other people here and i cant speak for them. But where i got pickle was obviously the wrong choice for me...

I think it is simply a personal choice, and a matter of the amount of time you have if a rescue needed some extra attention to address some things. If your concern is price and you would rather save it to spend on the bird i see no reason why you shouldnt adopt as long as you are prepared to take the time (which you obviously are because even babies need a truckload of time )

 

[katie_fleming]

You're lucky! The breeder in Ottawa (Canada) charges $1700 for an Eclectus

 

[KatherineI]

First of all Katherine, I don't appreciate your condescending manner of talking to me.

Secondly, I clearly stated : "LEARN TO HAND-FEED/CROP-FEED FIRST". That does not mean attempt to learn but it means to learn properly how to do both, whatever time it may take a particular individual.

I too would never recommend an inexperienced person to purchase an unweaned baby, that is why I simply suggested that the O.P. learn first and now I say learn well from a very experienced person, which I thought was understood but maybe not.

Just one option Katherine for a person that may want to possibly wait to acquire a baby that way (& for much less money), that's all.

A good person and/or a good breeder would not sell a unweaned baby to someone who could not prove they were qualified to hand-feed/crop-feed.

Um, no. It is NEVER recommended to purchase an unweaned baby, but even more so for an unexperienced person. Do a search, no one with an ounce of experience would ever recommend this. I have handfed unweaned babies and honestly, I'd never do it again if I didn't have to. It's way too dangerous, too many things can go wrong.

I'm sorry, but no. It should never be an option, even if the person can demonstrate that they have the ability to learn and acquire knowledge. To suggest it to someone who does not have the experience is, in all honesty, reckless. I will not apologize for that opinion. If you dislike that, then block me, as I won't care.

 

[Jollyjess80]

You are very smart to not get an unweaned baby....def don't do that :/ birds are kind of like the dog and cat world, there are so many that are bred and go to terrible homes so adoption can be a great thing, buuuuut if you do adopt like with any animal you may face some emotional challenges so just make sure you can accept and are willing to do that, I think adoption would be the best thing because so many of these parrots are in need of loving homes! But I can't b a hypocrite because I got mine from a breeder as a baby and we are also dealing with our own challenges. Look for a bird and go with what your heart tells you they will be with you for life! Good luck

 

[JKF8]

I'm sorry, but no. It should never be an option, even if the person can demonstrate that they have the ability to learn and acquire knowledge. To suggest it to someone who does not have the experience is, in all honesty, reckless. I will not apologize for that opinion. If you dislike that, then block me, as I won't care.

I have no problem with you giving your opinion, as that is all your statement is to me = an opinion and everybody has one. Just maybe try and word your responses in a more polite manner, if you are capable of that.

I don't block people, as I am not an overly sensitive person like some. Always open to discussion and debate.

Yes, it CAN and should be an option = as long as the buyer knows what he or she is doing in a safe, well experienced knowledgeable manner (not by words but by on-site actions). It is up to the breeder to determine the qualifications of the buyer. I repeat, a good breeder who cares about the birds and who does not put the money over a bird's welfare will NOT sell to anyone who cannot thoroughly demonstrate their hand-feeding and crop-feeding abilities.

 

[MarciaLove]

i breed lovebirds and handfeed my baby lovebirds ONLY when i have to its a huge responsibility no matter how much you research and it can be very stressful at times! I would say craigslist is a very iffy place to get a bird from, I got my Blue Crown conure form crigslist and hes the sweetest most perfect boy ever! but he wasnt like that at first he was very aggressive and there is always the chance the bird has a disease so you would have to be prepared for some work if you get one off craigslist. I love handfed baby birds they are great pets but you can get a just as sweet and playful bird from a rescue as well even if its an older bird and of course cheaper and already really needs a home. Not saying you shouldnt buy from a breeder though just saying rescue can be just as good although you may have to keep your eyes open as i rarely see Eclectus birds here in GA (i live in GA too) really like and trust this rescue Home they have had an Eclectus before, they dont have any now but you can keep checking they update the site very often so you will know right when they get another bird in! good luck finding the perfect bird!

 

[njgray21]

I'm sorry, but no. It should never be an option, even if the person can demonstrate that they have the ability to learn and acquire knowledge. To suggest it to someone who does not have the experience is, in all honesty, reckless. I will not apologize for that opinion. If you dislike that, then block me, as I won't care.

I have no problem with you giving your opinion, as that is all your statement is to me = an opinion and everybody has one. Just maybe try and word your responses in a more polite manner, if you are capable of that.

I don't block people, as I am not an overly sensitive person like some. Always open to discussion and debate.

Yes, it CAN and should be an option = as long as the buyer knows what he or she is doing in a safe, well experienced knowledgeable manner (not by words but by on-site actions). It is up to the breeder to determine the qualifications of the buyer. I repeat, a good breeder who cares about the birds and who does not put the money over a bird's welfare will NOT sell to anyone who cannot thoroughly demonstrate their hand-feeding and crop-feeding abilities.

Politely stated or not you will be hard pressed to find anyone that will agree with you that the advice you have given is good, sound advice.

 

[JKF8]

Politely stated or not you will be hard pressed to find anyone that will agree with you that the advice you have given is good, sound advice.

I'm not looking for anyone to agree with me.

I have been in the field of proper parrot keeping for almost 25 years and probably have more experience keeping fully flighted parrots and probably more experience crop-feeding than any other regular on this board? Not sure though, as I have only been here a short time.

If there is anyone else here with more experience in years and number of babies raised/crop-fed, I guess I will find that out in time and then if they feel opposite to what I am saying, then I'd like to discuss/debate it out with them - politely and intelligently of course.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I am friends with a breeder in LA (Louisiana), and her prices are nowhere NEAR what you said.

 

[HappyHummingbird]

I wanted to add two things.
One, If I could do it differently, I wouldn't buy a bird unweaned. I have had my bird a month and am still doing 4 handfeeding sessions a day and the breeder said I would be done by now. Just a little perspective.
Two, I would spend an extra few hundred dollars to make sure you got the very best bird possible. It might seem like a lot of money now but long term what matters is that you get the right bird for you from a good breeder.

 

[Pugtato]

Politely stated or not you will be hard pressed to find anyone that will agree with you that the advice you have given is good, sound advice.

I'm not looking for anyone to agree with me.

I have been in the field of proper parrot keeping for almost 25 years and probably have more experience keeping fully flighted parrots and probably more experience crop-feeding than any other regular on this board? Not sure though, as I have only been here a short time.

If there is anyone else here with more experience in years and number of babies raised/crop-fed, I guess I will find that out in time and then if they feel opposite to what I am saying, then I'd like to discuss/debate it out with them - politely and intelligently of course.

Just because you do something for many years, does not mean that you are doing it the right or best way. From my limited experience on this forum it thrives on community, intelligently veiled open mindedness, civil, structured, and good nature'd debate, and true knowledge.

OP: If you would like, I can keep an eye out for an Eclectus up here in KY-TN area. I see them on craigslist all the time! The last I saw was a young female for $400, she looked sweet, just stuck in a bad home. I was sorely tempted to go look at her, but my fiance chained me to my computer chair. :09:

 

[Boysmom]

WOW what a spark your question received Probablyharrison. You should meet the possible bird first and go from there. Never count out a rehome until you have met them. I have several rehomed/rescue birds and they are loving pets. Meet the bird first and make your judgement from there. Not all birds are rehomed for problems, but maybe the humans lifestyle or job changes. Buddy my Alex is a 3 time rehome and he is the most loving, kissable boy ever.

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

I went to see the rehome eclectus last night, actually. He was sweet and curious and not at all a bad bird. On the bad side, he was smelly, his cage was a bit too small, and he was very nippy, and he clearly had some feather issues. I think he would be a good companion, but for someone who has experience with owning parrots, including rehomes. I enjoyed playing with him but I was not entirely comfortable with the experience, and that's what I was looking for. I think (and my family agree) that starting with a baby from a breeder might just be the best option for my very first bird.

 

[MarciaLove]

I went to see the rehome eclectus last night, actually. He was sweet and curious and not at all a bad bird. On the bad side, he was smelly, his cage was a bit too small, and he was very nippy, and he clearly had some feather issues. I think he would be a good companion, but for someone who has experience with owning parrots, including rehomes. I enjoyed playing with him but I was not entirely comfortable with the experience, and that's what I was looking for. I think (and my family agree) that starting with a baby from a breeder might just be the best option for my very first bird.

hope all goes well! good luck with your baby i'm sure you made the right decision for you and your family!