Do Breeders ever buy back their parrots?

[rkrose]

Long story short. We are looking to rehome the 2 Macaws we got 4 months ago and have reached out to the breeder for both info on their actual age (they are banded) and whether she knows of anyone who might want to buy them.

She responded that she is interested in buying them and is calling tonight.

I have waded thru so many lies from every party involved in this that I have no confidence that she is actually interested in buying them.

Does anyone know if a reputable breeder will ever buy back their parrots? These are 2 Macaws - 1 approximately 8 year old Catalina and 1 approximately 3 year old Greenwing.

Thanks,
Rhonda

 

[SilverSage]

Personally as a breeder I set up my contract in such a way that the bird is REQUIRED to come back to me if the new owner decides they don't want them. I feel responsible for the bird for life if I produced them.

 

[RavensGryf]

I have heard of breeders 'taking back' a bird, as I have had to do once (as a customer, not breeder). But I think it would be rather unusual, and lucky on your end if the breeder gave you money.

 

[itchyfeet]

Yep, I know of two breeders who do that around here, too.
I feel better about working with breeders that have a buyback policy. It means they stand behind the quality of their birds too. Even my rehome was only on the agreement that if anything happened and he couldn't stay with me forever, they got the first chance to have him back!

 

[itchyfeet]

I have heard of breeders 'taking back' a bird, as I have had to do once (as a customer, not breeder). But I think it would be rather unusual, and lucky on your end if the breeder gave you money.

Hmmm, good point.
They may just be take back's here too.

And to be honest, that's kinda fair enough...but maybe you could come to some sort of mid ground agreement.

 

[MangoandKiwi]

But you are afraid and have been told that the breeder might separate the Macaws and will use them for breeding right?
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/58021-separating-2-macaws.html

I would first want to clear this up before I would even consider giving them back to the breeder to be honest.

 

[rkrose]

She did say they would be used in breeding but had lots of reasons why that would be good for them. The previous owner let them have the run of the house and stopped working with them so the breeder says they have "gone to the wild side" and can't be tamed. I finally had a breakthrough last night with the Catalina because I saw a video on this forum that clicked. So, I have no doubt they can be worked with.

I don't trust the breeder anymore so I think we are going to have to try to make this work.

 

[SilverSage]

She sounds like she either doesn't understand birds at all or is deliberately giving false info. I personally believe that breeding should be conducted in a way to ADD to the life and enjoyment of the bird, not detract from it, but most breeders don't share that view. A wild bird CAN be tamed, even if it has never been tame. Some species make it hard, such as IRNs, but macaws that were hand raised? Sounds like she is blowing smoke.

 

[Scott]

I am not a breeder, but know a few. Their actions ore often governed by the free enterprise system despite the trade in flesh, not a soulless commodity. Some are extremely ethical and would dearly want a parrot returned rather than rehomed. The financial angle may be more touchy and be subject to the likelihood of a secondary sale.