Questions on certain Eclectus breeders

[Presley]

Hi guys, I’m new to owning an exotic bird and have no other birds at this time. After a lot of research on this forum and other sites, one of the species I’m strongly looking into getting is an eclectus.
Local breeders do not have any eclectuses as of now. (I’m in north Texas and looking for an SI in particular.) So now I’ve been looking online for reputable breeders that ship. I’ve heard good things about Eggs otic in CA, but want to know about other options, too.

I came across Jane and Scott from eclectusparrot . com. I spoke with them earlier today and they sent me links to their website with really helpful info. I’m assuming their birds must be really expensive because it stated in the email to read everything over before calling to ask about prices. Has anyone purchased from them? (I already did a search on this forum, but no recent experiences with them came up.)

Birdfarm . com also comes up in a search but they have not responded to my email, yet. I also looked at the listings on bird breeders . com and was wondering if anyone knew anything about featherheads in FL or big birds aviary in GA. (Couldn’t find much about them on this or other bird forums either)

Thanks for any info and I hope this thread doesn’t get lost amid other new threads!

 

[LordTriggs]

IMO never buy a parrot without visiting first. Even if you have to travel for hours to get there. You need to not just see the baby but everything to decide if they're suitable. Some people breed in appalling conditions. You always want to see/meet the parent birds and see how the breeder works with them. If you walk in and see a pile of birds kept in tiny cages stacked to the ceiling then you don't want a bird from there

Eclectus parrots aren't for the faint of heart, they're on the larger size of parrots and that beak is like a scalpel. They have a special diet too, consisting of about 90% fruit and veg with only a small amount of seeds and nuts. I'm going to hazard a guess you've looked into suitable cages, multiple perches of different size and type, time you need to spend with him, changes you need to make around the home ETC There's A LOT to learn.

IMO to care for any parrot is expensive especially at the start. An Eclectus will easily set you back over $1000 and that will be the cheaper part of the affair. for a little Green Cheek Conure I spent well over £1000 on everything not including the bird itself. You then have to think about vet bills and stuff which are far from cheap as you need to go to a specialist in birds, not some dog and cat vet who'll take a look.

Oh and also if a breeder talks about you hand-feeding the bird, take your money and leave immediately. Don't believe any nonsense about bonding or whatever it is dangerous and the only person to benefit is the breeder's bank account

 

[Laylatoo]

I've been lucky enough to meet Paul and Steve of eggs-Otic parroting at their home twice to get my babies from them. In my opinion, you can't find better breeders who 100% love their babies. My new girl Jazzi came from them. I've had her about 3 weeks. She is so lovely. They put in a lot of work to have her come home fully weaned and hand raised to the point where you couldn't find a sweeter bird. She loves people! Our avian vet knows the breeders and their birds. When she saw Jazzi she commented on what excellent breeders they are. They answer any and all questions you may have thoroughly and send baby photos while you wait the long wait for weaning. Great guys. I had fun chatting with them when I picked up Jazzi. And still email updates to them because they want to know how she's doing in her new home.

 

[LordTriggs]

man I wish I was lucky enough to be able to use the same breeder as other parronts here

 

[Laylatoo]

I couldn't believe I had such a great breeder right up the highway from me in these boring foothills of California. I got very lucky!

 

[Presley]

Hey LordTriggs,

Thanks for replying I've seen your postings before and they have been super helpful. You're reinforcing a lot of good points and I appreciate that. Don’t worry though, I’m not going to jump into buying one blindly! It’s just when I’m ready to buy a bird for sure, I’m getting it from a breeder that other people on here can vouch for.
You’re right though, if it’s feasible to drive down there then I should check it out for myself. But if long-time forum members can or can’t vouch for a breeder it does help to narrow my choices down.

 

[Presley]

I've been lucky enough to meet Paul and Steve of eggs-Otic parroting at their home twice to get my babies from them. In my opinion, you can't find better breeders who 100% love their babies. My new girl Jazzi came from them. I've had her about 3 weeks. She is so lovely. They put in a lot of work to have her come home fully weaned and hand raised to the point where you couldn't find a sweeter bird. She loves people! Our avian vet knows the breeders and their birds. When she saw Jazzi she commented on what excellent breeders they are. They answer any and all questions you may have thoroughly and send baby photos while you wait the long wait for weaning. Great guys. I had fun chatting with them when I picked up Jazzi. And still email updates to them because they want to know how she's doing in her new home.

Thanks Laylatoo, I'm glad to know that you got a friendly and healthy bird from them! it's always good to hear personal recs. Your Jazzi is so beautiful, too.

 

[coopedup]

Jane and Scott have an excellent reputation. Part of the reason their birds are at a premium are because they have been at it for decades and if I remember my conversation with Jane back in early 2016, they dont release their babies until fully weaned at around 6 months (as compared to the standard 16 weeks most others use). At 16 weeks most babies are on solid food but still may require a supplemental formula feeding. Owning one of Jane and Scotts birds is a goal many of us have. They are in the Atlanta area but I dont think their aviary is open to guests. I know a local breeder who has been to visit them and also thinks highly of their birds.

I know Janelle/Big Bird Aviaries and can vouch that she's a hands on breeder who is very caring and involved with her babies. She is a smaller/newer set up and is still building a reputation. She was very good at communicating with me and sending me updates. She also started harness training (as well as perch and poop training) my baby. If you are looking for pure bloodline, I'd go with Jane and Scott. I think Janelle is a good hearted well meaning person but she has no documentation to support at least one of her breeding pairs. She's most likely right, but she is taking someone elses word for it too..you just have to take it at face value.. If you purchase from either of these two breeders, I'd encourage you to invest in a plane ticket and pick your bird up. Delta allows birds on board in the cabin. While both breeders ship, the Atlanta Hartsfield/Jackson temps are less than ideal---I'd hesitate to subject ANY pet to the extreme heat on the tarmac and in the hold prior to flight. Delta will not accept pets as cargo when conditions are poor, but i'd still opt for flying them in the cabin.

 

[Presley]

I had pretty much scratched BBA off my list until your review, glad to hear that both J&S and BBA are legitimate.

I'm not looking to breed, so I'm not concerned with a pure bloodline (provided I'm not being charged for it). As long as the bird is healthy, I'm fine.

Good to know about the temp issues on the tarmac and in holding. I didn't know that any airline allowed on birds on board in the cabin. Thanks coopedup!

 

[coopedup]

you're quite welcome, glad to help. BBA is several hours SE of atlanta, probably not practical to go there but Janelle drives up and you can coordinate with her. Her babies are good quality birds--at least the one I got was. She's also available to chat with you after you get your baby home if you have questions. Social, sweet, harness and poop trained--of course we ARE talking babies, not hormonal 3 year olds! Delta and one other airline (i forget which one) allow birds on board just like dogs/cats. You must of course have a carrier for under the seat and reserve early, they limit the number of pets allowed on any particular flight. I traveled with 2 carriers, partly because I was staying to visit family and needed something larger than a tote, and partly for the birds sanity. The birds stayed in the knock down dog crate all the way through the airport until boarding time then I transferred them to the tote, folded the crate and brought it on board to stow overhead. i lined it with paper so that it was clean...just toss the paper when you knock it down, no poopy cage on the plane makes your fellow travellers happy. I do NOT recommend feeding your bird anything wet/messy while you're waiting --it gets all over the place, in the carpet, etc...more mess. It was a surprisingly easy process. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions I can answer for you
.

 

[Presley]

I was wondering if you flew back with an animal if that meant you had to book an extra seat for the carrier. Thanks for the advice, and I sure will PM you!

 

[chris-md]

I've not travelled with parrots but I imagine just like dogs (which I have done) the bird would travel in cargo unless it fits under the seat in front of you

 

[coopedup]

nope, no extra seat needed, just get a pet carrier for under the seat. You might want to modify it by adding a perch. I had Janelle practice with my baby for a few weeks prior so that it wasnt a strange experience. I bought the carrier on amazon and had it shipped to her. She put a small perch in it and I ended up modifying it before I left but Ive used it ever since. I'd bring a light blanket to throw over the carrier to keep it dark (and keep the bird quiet) and to block drafts from the aircraft AC. I also prefer a window seat, it's a bit smaller under the seat but more protected than middle or aisle. Before you book your ticket you should tell the reservations agent that you are bring a pet to make sure that the flight you have chosen isnt already at the max allowed. Lots more people travel with pets these days. There is a pet fee, but half the time they don't charge it--depends on how amused the check in agent is with your pet. You also have to go to the special needs check in desk. It takes a bit more time, but isnt unduly burdensome. I have flown with Wrangler several times now (i figure the plane fee and peace of mind is equal to the boarding costs) He flies like a champ, not a peep out of him and he loves people watching at the airport. BTW, Wrangler is my rescue, the baby I got from Janelle died post surgery from a broken wing last summer...please dont share that with her, I'd buy from her again, but at this point my husband has me on a bird moratorium and Im more into rescues.

 

[coopedup]

Just wanted to clarify an earlier statement I made about undocumented breeding pairs. As often is the case we rely on the verbal statements about a birds lineage. Dogs and cats are heavily documented, but birds...not so much. Breeders often exchange birds to make sure their breeder stock/gene pool is more diverse and to hedge against inbreeding but a lot of it is done on a casual/informal basis, especially with smaller birds. It is very difficult to correctly identify Male ekkie subspecies especially if you dont have the advantage of having all the subspecies in front of you for comparison, and as a result there has been cross breeding, intentional or not. Even a banded bird is not guaranteed, it's simply a breeder identifier. When someone acquires a bird and are told it's SI/Vos/Grand/etc, you have to go with what you are told unless there is a documentable trail. Same goes for breeders. When and where they acquired their breeding stock can be as imprecise as any bird purchase.

 

[LordTriggs]

Hey LordTriggs,

Thanks for replying I've seen your postings before and they have been super helpful. You're reinforcing a lot of good points and I appreciate that. Don’t worry though, I’m not going to jump into buying one blindly! It’s just when I’m ready to buy a bird for sure, I’m getting it from a breeder that other people on here can vouch for.
You’re right though, if it’s feasible to drive down there then I should check it out for myself. But if long-time forum members can or can’t vouch for a breeder it does help to narrow my choices down.

oh very true. I'm unfortunately not near to any other members here. Plumsmum is the closest I think but even then the opposite end of our tiny little country! So I don't get the luxury of recommended breeders. Means I'm going to have fun in the next few months of driving from London to the middle of wales! Having only passed my driving test in June

 

[Presley]

nope, no extra seat needed, just get a pet carrier for under the seat. You might want to modify it by adding a perch. I had Janelle practice with my baby for a few weeks prior so that it wasnt a strange experience. I bought the carrier on amazon and had it shipped to her. She put a small perch in it and I ended up modifying it before I left but Ive used it ever since. I'd bring a light blanket to throw over the carrier to keep it dark (and keep the bird quiet) and to block drafts from the aircraft AC. I also prefer a window seat, it's a bit smaller under the seat but more protected than middle or aisle. Before you book your ticket you should tell the reservations agent that you are bring a pet to make sure that the flight you have chosen isnt already at the max allowed. Lots more people travel with pets these days. There is a pet fee, but half the time they don't charge it--depends on how amused the check in agent is with your pet. You also have to go to the special needs check in desk. It takes a bit more time, but isnt unduly burdensome. I have flown with Wrangler several times now (i figure the plane fee and peace of mind is equal to the boarding costs) He flies like a champ, not a peep out of him and he loves people watching at the airport. BTW, Wrangler is my rescue, the baby I got from Janelle died post surgery from a broken wing last summer...please dont share that with her, I'd buy from her again, but at this point my husband has me on a bird moratorium and Im more into rescues.

Adding a perch in the carrier is a great idea! I wouldn't have thought to put a blanket on top, since carriers already seem dark and it's going under the seat. These are all good tips.

Sorry to hear about the baby eckie, how long did you have the bird before he or she died? And no worries, I won't mention it to her.