Best way to find a reputable breeder?

[Dylan6565656565]

I’m located in Northern California and after looking on Craigslist and a couple bird breeding websites there’s only large businesses(a lot of them being very sketchy) and the occasional baby in need of rehoming that gets adopted within 24 hours. Is there something I’m missing? Are there that few macaw breeders in California that in all of California there’s only a couple babies available at a time? Is there a good forum or website or anything for this kind of thing, I’ve been looking for so long and just can’t find them. Any help would be more than appreciated.


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[noodles123]

I know this doesn't answer your question, but have you considered rescueing or re-homing? There are SO MANY birds in need because SO MANY people think they know what they are getting into when adopting but they have no idea how much work and time and money these birds take...and they live forever (so you won't miss out if you don't get a baby). Many of them are coming from situations without trauma in which circumstances prevented a family from keeping the bird---it's not all baggage and abuse cases...I mean, yes, anytime you bring a bird home, there will be a period of trust building etc that will take longer than with a baby, but adults are better in a lot of ways because they already have reached sexual maturity, so you don't have to worry about their personality changing a ton (a baby may be sweet for many years and then totally change preferences at puberty). With an adult , you at least know what you are getting to some extent, and with a life-span so large, you will still have plenty of years with your bird...Even a 10 year old bird is YOUNG for a Macaw...

I am of the opinion that adopting is better than shopping because there is a real problem in this country--- SO MANY unwanted birds...proportionally (in terms of purchase to surrender ratios) they are re-homed more than any other pet and most people are totally ill-equipped to even foster them due to their extensive respiratory sensitivities/cost etc.

 

[Dylan6565656565]

I know this doesn't answer your question, but have you considered rescueing or re-homing? There are SO MANY birds in need because SO MANY people think they know what they are getting into when adopting but they have no idea how much work and time and money these birds take...and they live forever (so you won't miss out if you don't get a baby). Many of them are coming from situations without trauma in which circumstances prevented a family from keeping the bird---it's not all baggage and abuse cases...I mean, yes, anytime you bring a bird home, there will be a period of trust building etc that will take longer than with a baby, but adults are better in a lot of ways because they already have reached sexual maturity, so you don't have to worry about their personality changing a ton (a baby may be sweet for many years and then totally change preferences at puberty). With an adult , you at least know what you are getting to some extent, and with a life-span so large, you will still have plenty of years with your bird...Even a 10 year old bird is YOUNG for a Macaw...

I’ve rehomed and cared for multiple macaws and I feel like I’ve done enough for the community to be able to raise my own and have that experience. I’d be more than willing to adopt a younger macaw <2 years old and I understand the issue with adoption homes but I have wanted to raise a young macaw for years and would be more than willing to adopt/rehome more macaws in the future but right now I’m focusing on this


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[noodles123]

gotcha--
well, you are right about the sketchiness in the world.
It could be seasonal. I would contact NON-SKETCHY parrot stores/specialty shops and see if they know of any upcoming macaw batches. They know ahead of time (months before the babies even hatch)--so you can even get on a list in some cases. They often can put you in touch with specific breeders or ask questions on your behalf..

Do you still have the other birds?

I would not rely on Craigslist for reputable breeders...and I would question (but maybe not discount) any organization that talks about shipping birds ...I would DISMISS 500% any place that talks about parrot eggs.
I would also look for a breeder or store-owner who insists on abundance weaning the bird before you adopt it.
Selling unweaned babies to the general public is super sketchy...not ethical..not safe and force-weaning is not good at all.

 

[tfw]

When I was researching, I came upon this couple in North Carolina from Royal Bird Company. They seem extremely dedicated to proper breeding and have spent decades working with birds and working with researchers on diets and health. There are wait times for acquiring one of their babies and it's first come first serve.

Read up on their site. They are extremely detailed.

Word to the wise though -- don't come at them with misinformation or a know-it-all attitude -- they will tear you apart in no uncertain terms! They can do that because they are passionate about their babies. But it just goes to show their dedication to the practice. They do not sell unweaned babies, and they ship all over the country.

Their facility and equipment to hatch and rear these babies are quite impressive!

Hand Fed Baby Parrots Birds for sale,handfed baby parrots, african grey parrots, baby yellow nape amazons, baby cockatoos, baby yellow naped amazon parrot, yellow nape, baby macaws

Here's their youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/royalbird100

I ended up lucking out on another B&G before I was able to get one from them. But I was on their list for a while. Just be aware too that there are other breeders that are NOT in NC that have set up sites and names similar to RBC. Don't fall for it. The only RBC is in NC and they do not get babies from anyone but from their own breeding stock.