Not having much luck..

[Joshuwaaa]

So I still haven't found a nice breeder that I completely trust to adopt my eclectus from. Which is slowly killing me as I'm awfully inpatient and am desperate to see my baby!

Some breeders I've met are keeping the birds in awful conditions, one of the breeders got them out and they flew frantically around and wouldn't come to us, the other told us the grip their leg because they didn't fully like hands (which to me means their not ready) and another fed them on sunflower seeds only which is an awful diet for an eclectus.


The UK isn't really full of breeders, gutted.

 

[sodakat]

Hi. Are you determined to obtain a very "tame" bird or are you willing to consider a bird that may need some time to become comfortable with you?

Hand fed babies "need" people so they are generally pretty easy going, especially if they are still getting forumula. Parent raised babies must learn to trust people and come to them because they want to.

Imagine you want to touch a squirrel in your yard. How would you behave? I recommend you keep that in mind when visiting new Eclectus that you might buy.

My suggestion would be to go back to the breeders you've already visited and spend some time just sitting quietly in the flight. Take an apple with you and eat it very slowly. You may be surprised.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll find just the right Eclectus!

 

[weco]

Your encounters don't speak well for breeders, but there really are good breeders out there.....you're just going have to keep holding your patience until you find one you like.

You know, your new feathered friend may be looking for you right now.....it could be that your destiny bird is not really a just weaned fledgling, but one a little older, that's waiting for you to come get him/her right now. When you're talking 50-60 years, you will never miss a few months or a year or two & I know a happy bird will not.

 

[moni.k]

I agree with weco, I obtained Nalani from a family "breeder" although she was the only bird being hand fed, I could clearly see they were over taking care of her and wanted to just sell her as quick as possible. Thus, I took her home when she wasn't fully weaned. This wasn't my ideal situation and was only looking to take in a fully weaned bird. However, with that said... there was a lot of patience and time put into her. It wasn't easy adjusting my lifestyle to hers and vice versa.

As time goes by, you will run into all sorts of situation, breeders that just want a quick turn around, poor diet, stressed or extremely expensively priced birds. Just note that if you put the time, effort and energy you can help change that birds life.

There are many parrot owners that have adopted older birds in terrible situations. Birds that have plucked all their feathers or was being fed a poor diet. However, they love their fid and their bird loves them back. Just because the bird started off with a poor conditioned life does not mean that you will continue that for them. Give them what they deserve and you will see that their past is just a story but their present and future is bright with you.

It can be a very frustrating situation for you as you wouldn't want to jump into a situation that wasn't "planned" but just note that plans can always change. So don't toss the idea of bringing home a bird from a not so ideal situation. Since it seems as though there aren't a lot of reputable breeders in your area. If you put the time, energy and care into an animal whether they started off their life great or not, they can become amazing companions to you and your family.

Sorry if I rambled a bit there, but just giving some of my 2 cents. I really wish you luck on your search and please keep us updated.

 

[c3honey84]

If I were going to buy a baby I would purchase from this breeder in Texas:

Home

They raise the babies with their family. And they ship. Don't be afraid of shipping. I have heard that it works out pretty well.

 

[weco]

C3honey, that might be a bit expensive for an ekkie...Josh lives in the UK.....

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I think maybe I have been a bit blinded and too focused on finding some hand reared wonderful all round bird. When in reality it's what I put in to her that I will get out.

I did get cricket when he was around 6/7 months old and he was a terror, for the past 6 months we have been working hard and he's getting there. So I'm not sure why that hasn't pushed me to find a slightly older bird.

I think if I'm honest, it's because I once bought a cockatiel who was in a bad situation, Izzy, an I loved her more then anything, jack must have felt so left out lol. After a month of me solidly being stuck to her side she passed away. We travelled hours to a night vet who told us we had given her a fantastic life, as I was balling, but just that we were a little too late.

Don't think I've ever been in tears quite so much. An it's left me a little worried about seeing something as delicate as a bird in such poor conditions. I couldn't have that happen again.

With that all being said, I have spoken all the time about going to get birds because I don't like their conditions. Maybe she needs me, an I can't deny a bird a good home <3

 

[EclectusRoratus]

I recently just got my eclectus and I got him off of craigslist! Don't be afraid to look at all your options. He is five and though a little older than I would have liked, HE IS AWESOME. I had my heart set on a younger bird that I could train and it would love me forever. But I found this guy on CL, the price was right and I took a chance. I only met him once. When he got here, he was a little skiddish but within a week hes all about hanging out with me. Getting to the point.. lol.. Search your options. An older bird may suit you better, you just may not know it. Good luck and I hope you find your bird soon!!!!! I am very impatient also, So I know what you're going through.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

I can comfortably house one of these birds and give one a fantastic life. I think I'm going to go for the darker male. He's been up for adoption the longest which makes me think he won't find a home because he's not typically bright green yet.

He was healthy and happy, think I should give him a nice home. Il post a "Meet ..." Thread when I can think of a name and he's home

Thank you to everyoneeee