My Pionus search continues

[Colorguarder08]

I am planning on getting a Pionus in a few YEARS and so have been wanting to research them and stuff and finally found two breeders I hope to get a responce from near by so I can possibly learn more about them and get there "insiders" view on these birds.

 

[parrotqueen]

That sounds great! Getting advice from an experienced breeder is an excellent choice.

I hope you get a response, keep us updated!

 

[antoinette]

FANTASTIC that you are doing research, getting advise from an experienced breeder, best route to take.
Browse around the forum, many interesting topics.

 

[scott4687]

I had a blue headed Pionus about 15 years ago. Very nice birds. He was very well adjusted (if you can say that about a bird). I worked long hours back then and he was ok with that. Gave him some morning time, he spent 10 hours in his cage and the rest of the night out with me and he was happy with that. I don't think some other parrots would handle that. They are playful and he loved to push around a golf ball on the coffee table. Loved his morning shower. They are really nice birds, I think you will be happy with them.

Scott

 

[Colorguarder08]

Well I just got an email back from one of the breeders and they no longer have there birds so that was unhelpful and they were unwilling to talk to me

 

[birdcrazy]

just keep trying there are lots of bad breeders or unhelpful ones out there, but there are a few gems and they are the amazing ones to hook up with.

 

[Colorguarder08]

Does anyone have any ideas on where I might be able to find a pionus breeder?

 

[birdcrazy]

where do live? maybe we could look up some for ya?

 

[Colorguarder08]

I live in washington state more specifically 2 hours north of seattle and like 20 minutes from the BC border

 

[Colorguarder08]

Ok I have a possibly stupid question. Does anyone know if the Pionus's need a cuttle bone or a mineral block

 

[birdcrazy]

no there are no stupid questions, and i am interested about this as well. I don't always provide my guys with one, and don't know if i should be.

 

[Colorguarder08]

Believe me there ARE stupid questions. Weather or not that was one is a matter of opinion. Also I have included a link of a picture of the cage I am thinking about getting and was wondering if it would be a good cage to get for a pionus or not.

PetsUnited

 

[Riley's mom]

I have several birds, small to large and I personally don't use a cuttle bone or mineral block for any of them. I feel between their food, fruits, veggies and treats, they are getting everything they need. Good luck in your search.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I always have a cuttle bone around, if Auggie ever needs more calcium he knows where it is. It has not been touched in over a year.

I like providing a bird with all the options so they can decide what they want/need - but I'd agree with Riley's Mom: if they're on a decent diet a cuttle bone isn't that important.

 

[Colorguarder08]

Well I went into petsmart after work today just cause I was right by it and love to go in and see how different pet stores are set up and to see the different pets in them (the ones that people bring in). And this lady that works there and I started talking and she told me that she used to do bird rescue and stuff and so I asked her and she told me it is always a good idea to keep a cuttle bone and mineral block in the cage just in case

 

[parrotqueen]

Yes, keeping a cuttlebone isn't really necessary when your bird has a good diet, but it keeps their bill in good shape. The just in case idea is good too.

I really like the cage that you chose, it looks really nice. May I ask what the measurements are? That will determine whether or not you should get this cage.

 

[Colorguarder08]

Playtop: 42" x 30" x 48"
Total height: 73"
Bar Spacing: 1"
Wire Gauge: 1/4"

I copied and pasted the cage messurments right from the page so thats all I know other than it looks really big. Also I since I do plan to feed the bird a mix between a few different types of pellets as well as fresh foods I will be keeping a cuttle bone and a mineral block in the cage just int case

 

[birdcrazy]

The cage looks very nice!!!!

 

[Colorguarder08]

yeah I like that it looks and probably is nice and spacious.

 

[Colorguarder08]

So I have been looking for breeders in and around my area with NO luck what so ever and the only Pionus I have found is not for sale and will be going back to the original owner as her owner has passed away and therefore the bird store will be closed by the end of the month and was told to check out a bird store in the next county well I did and was told that the only place they can think of where to get a Pionus would be to go online and will probably need to have one shipped to me. However now I can't decide if I want a blue headed Pionus or a Dusky Pionus. I have only been able to find one breeder and they are in South Dakota so I would have to have the babies shipped to me so I will probably do that I have checked out the breeders website and she seems really knowledgeable of the breeds and she breeds both Blue heads and Dusky's so we will have to see how that goes however money will be saved up before I feel comfortable enough to had a bird or two to my home. Also does anyone have any reasons for NOT having a bird in a ferret nation 142 cage It its a huge cage and I seen at the bird store in the next county over that they had one bird in one but only gave him access to one level. Personally if I had a bird in one of those cages Id let them roam both levels it has a built in ladder in the cage. Any opinions on that?