semi-idle MBS thoughts... think with me

[bug_n_flock]

Hubbs and I want to expand the flock. That is pretty much always a given as a passive desire(always open to taking on a rescue if need be and we are able, plus a more general desire to expand breeding slowly and responsibly), but sort of considering expansion more actively now. My grandmother passed away last year, and I am right about to recieve a chunk of change as my share of her estate. We are going to do a lot of work on the farm and totally overhaul our living situation as most of what we spend the money on(we will have an oven, and running water indoors finally!), but my aunt has asked us all to do 3 things as a part of honoring my grandparents' memory: go out for a nice meal(we will cook steaks or something at home, thanks covid), have a rum and coke or iced tea(their favorite drinks), and splurge a little on something that makes us happy.



I'm sorta thinking about finding a good breeder and buying a weaned baby African Grey(my grandparents had a Grey for 48 years) or Amazon(I have had and loved dearly 2 very special blue fronts). I have adopted/rescued every single "large" bird I have ever had. I have never gotten myself a baby. I've played with many, many baby "big birds" at the parrot shop, but I have never had one to call my own. Seems like a fitting "splurge" to me... hmm ... I know all the downsides and gambles of raising a weaned baby bird to adulthood and beyond, and I am on the fence about the whole thing. On the fence about adopting an older/adult bird instead, and a few other things. I suppose I have some thinking to do.. think with me, Parrotforums.

 

[Scott]

I'd go for it, would satisfy all three requirements. More than that, you've paid your dues by adopting/rescuing over the years. So have some fun and honor your grandparents!

 

[chris-md]

Agreed! Especially if you plan to breed, having ANY experience raising a young bird into maturity would be preferable, if you’ve only ever adopted.

 

[SailBoat]

With great hope, the estate will distribute the funds in 2020 as the tax ramifications are much easier. Next year every form of government will be looking for cash and there is no assurance that estate distribution will not be targeted and heavily... It is worth pushing (reminding) those handling the funds of that reality.

IMHO. Winter is not the best season to begin a breeding /rescue hobby as some level of construction always seem to be required and some days can be downright cold to the bone... As a start-up, it would be wise to look into paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. With some MAC's, all Amazons and a few others Parrots require CITES Hatch Certificate will become ever more an issue. Your neck of the woods likely do not have the code restrictions that highly populated areas have, but it worth checking prior to any construction work. After all, permits are a source of revenue for cash starved areas.

Remember, that most all States require that you have a Business Identification Number (or like term(s)). Also, because you will want to avoid as much taxation as possible, you should look at 'Not For Profit' Status from the Federal Government. Paperwork and its required money! Having a long talk with your Tax Accountant will be very helpful as there are fine lines between a Hobby and a Business, plus what happens in either formate if you get sued...

Farming is much easier, farm to farm! Its when you start dealing with those city folk that it all goes bad.

 

[Laurasea]

How wonderful that improvements are on the way.
Your Aunts advice is a geat way to honor yiur grandparents, with a splurge!! I once came into a very small amount of extra cash, my dad urged me to get the kayak I wanted, instead of paying off bills early, it changed my life to have that kayak!!! So what ever the splurge is enjoy!

 

[bug_n_flock]

I also inhierited JD's(their grey) old cage, but it wouldn't be up to my standards and besides, we use it as a "snack cage" in the living room. LOL we store chips and crackers and such in there.



I'm leaning towards a grey I think. If we do buy a weaned baby, of course. This wouldn't likely be a future breeder, but a pet. I've never actually *looked* for a responsible breeder of large birds. Where do I start? What are you guys' thoughts on shipping a bird, especially in these covid times in which we live?



A quick google search for baby blue fronted amazon, and baby african grey brought up many I would consider shady or outright scams, and one amazon breeder who looks worth looking closer into. Charges somewhat more than what I would expect for a BFA(prices starting at 2100 their website said), but loudly and proudly proclaims they are responsible aviculturalists and do not sell unweaned babies. They will not have chicks available until spring of 2021 I think it said. All other results seemed shady/scamy/irresponsible to me, and the search for greys was even less fruitful.


Checks have already been mailed out, Mr. Boats. We are just waiting for ours to get here thanks to mail delays. We should have the check this week with any luck, so definitely 2020.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

An AG was my dream bird growing up..I had birds since a young teen. I got Smokey (TAG) in my early thirties from a pet shop,she was about 6 months old.
She was a perpetual 2 y.o. for the 28yrs she lived! I never knew what to expect. Before BB came a long I was actually looking for another grey.
There are quite a few members on the forum Ms. Bug with rescue's that have made a complete turn around from their previous horrific life who have made awesome pets. You have the will,the drive,the intelligence and the HEART to make a sad and lonely grey (or Amazon!) come out of his/her shell and feel loved once again for real.




Jim

 

[wrench13]

Sorry that your grandma passed , but glad she was able to leave her family something. When my own Dad passed away, there were so many doctor and hospital bills from him and my mom, and an unscrupulous relative in Germany decided to surface and put claims on his legacy, that we were left with memories basically.

I would do any construction first, and be careful of your existing flock- fumes and dust from construction are NOT good for birds. I myself have been putting off doing some upgrades here until I figure out a good way to insulate Salty from all of that.

As far as getting a young grey or adopting, only you can make that decision. You've been here long enough to know how babies and adolescent parrots can chance radically going thru and passing puberty. A cuddly sweet baby is not guaranteed to be that way after puberty, But a young adult has already established their personality.

Honestly I would be so scared of shipping a parrot, or even buying one sight unseen, I dont care how legitimate the breeder is. Shipping because of all the delays and upheavals due to Covid. Everything takes longer due to limited flights and I would hate to know my baby parrot was hung up at some airport or holding facility. And nothing replaces a beak to face meet with any potential new flock member.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I get email's and updates from The Royal Bird Co. in N.C, periodically. They have been breeding birds for 35+ years with third and forth generation breeders. Heavy in to research and diet and SOCIALIZATION. They breed Grey's and all sorts of Amazon's,'Too's and Mac's (They had baby Hyacinth Mac's,rather pricey at $22k!) They do ship,but not now due to the virus..you'd have to make an appointment for pick-up and you NEED to pass their approval before being considered.
https://royalbirdcompany.com/

Jim

 

[bug_n_flock]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Really really appreciate it. after thinking, talking, dreaming, and googling, I think we have realized now is not the time. Unless a rescue falls into our laps, we will likely not get an amazon or grey until after covid calms down. Thru a breeder or a rescue involves travel(and staying in hotels) and face to face time that we think would be best done after the risk lowers. Hubbs has a blood pressure issue and asthma so is high risk. Best to just wait, as much as I would love to buy a baby or adopt from a rescue right now this second today. As my boss at the parrot shop used to say, "if it isn't meant to be, it isn't meant to be".



Of course, if a bird presents on craigslist, partotforums, or thru word of mouth, we will adopt it in a heartbeat(provided we are a good fit of course). As my boss at the parrot shop also used to say, "if it is meant to be, it is meant to be".



The one time I was actually considering buying a baby big bird from the parrot shop(a grey), Heshe(my first BFA) came into the store as an owner surrender right before I took the plunge. Sometimes the stars align, and sometimes they don't. We will get another pet big bird some day, but for now Freedom still reigns as the uncontested by a looooooong shot heavyweight parrot champion of the holler.:50:

 

[bug_n_flock]

Well. I say all that and the universe is like, "ha. No. You don't tell ME what to do"


Just a bit ago Hubbs and I were thinking about if we had thought of all our options, and I think I googled "African Grey for sale" or silmilar to show Hubbs just how many scammy results would come up... a website came up ("birdsnow" or similar. Seems like a sort of classifieds site for birds) with a listing for a 12 year old grey in our state(a few hours away, but close enough to not involve a hotel stay. Closer than how far we went to meet Freedom's previous owner) looking for a home after his owner passed away. Listing looks legit to me, so I made an account to be able to reply to the listing. Gave them my email address, we will see what happens. The ad was made only a few days ago.

 

[Laurasea]

ha! It could be the most perfect, fingers crossed!
Its like when I got Orbit, then said no more, and little Blue Boy flew into my life. I'm not saying nothing at loud again!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I recall when looking for another grey after Smokey passed. I looked at local Craigslist and found a 12 y.o. two towns away for an unreasonably low price,with large house,toys,etc.Pictures were provided. I then checked other towns in state and saw the same add..with same pictures but different name of the bird I emailed the guy and he said the bird and his/her belongings could be at my house by the end of the day, I told him I have no problem picking him/her up. I called him (he had a phone number posted) He was in CALIFORNIA and still tried to tell me the bird would be at my house by day's end. When I told him I live in CT and you're in Calli how would that even be possible? Silence on the other end,the CLICK..he hung up :33:
I knew it was a scam from the beginning and was just having a little fun lol.
Still...it made me mad/sad that there are people out there that do this,and people who think it's real.


Jim

 

[bug_n_flock]

This one seems legit to be, but I suppose only time will tell. They messaged me back first thing this AM, but it has been a crazy day. Just about to email them back. They make no mention of toys or cage(I'll have to ask) but are asking 2000$ for him and they seem on the level. Owner passed away a couple weeks ago. A few minor issues with the bird, they don't claim the bird is a genius perfect neutered, vaccinated, litter trained bird or anything like that, lol. Does not seem "too good to be true". Cross your fingers....




A lot of scams around here are suuuuuper obvious to the point where they will claim to have 1 animal, then 3, then a different species, back to original species but different age, gender, name, etc all on the same add... will talk about a guinea pig who had its first shots, but still needs rabies or something like that.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Well good luck Ms Bug...keep us informed!



Jim

 

[bug_n_flock]

I sent a message back to them and have heard nothing since their first message. :/ listing still up. We will wait another day or 2 and send another message. Perhaps the person wants a fewer questions type adoption, maybe they think I am a scammer(I did mention that my grandmother passed away and I would be using some of the money she left me to buy the bird, maybe they got a "Nigerian Prince" type vibe?), or maybe they are just dealing with other things. Their father did pass away only a few weeks ago. Trying not to read too much into the radio silence. I know when my dad died we were dealing with a LOT in the weeks and months after. Emotional stuff and business stuff and etcetera.

 

[SailBoat]

The silence is never a good sign.

With all the scamming, it is possible that they are letting things settle a bit. However, silence is a great tool to check-out of the other side...

Wait a few days and be ready to walk away...
With the exception of driving, this time of year, Winter, the weather is always problematic.

 

[Inger]

I sent a message back to them and have heard nothing since their first message. :/ listing still up. We will wait another day or 2 and send another message. Perhaps the person wants a fewer questions type adoption, maybe they think I am a scammer(I did mention that my grandmother passed away and I would be using some of the money she left me to buy the bird, maybe they got a "Nigerian Prince" type vibe?), or maybe they are just dealing with other things. Their father did pass away only a few weeks ago. Trying not to read too much into the radio silence. I know when my dad died we were dealing with a LOT in the weeks and months after. Emotional stuff and business stuff and etcetera.

Google them. If you have name, phone number, email you should be able to find something. Also run a reverse Google search on any pics they posted. Meanwhile I’ll cross my fingers for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bug_n_flock]

You guys are that suspicious? I know I am a little too trusting sometimes.. here is the ad, what do you think?

https://www.birdsnow.com/bird-ad-580749

From my phone I don't think I can reverse image search. I do think it a bit odd that in my first message I gave them my email address and they completely ignored that to message me back on the bird classified website. Tho to be fair, when I am doing deals on craigslist I don't respond directly to people's emails(tho craigslist comes thru email but just with a scrambling thing to protect personal email addresses) if asked, and I do not call/text until after quite a few messages have been exchanged. Sometimes I only give out my phone number or personal email after the deal has been done, and only if I see a need to maybe be in contact post sale. But then, I have had issues in the past with a stalker, so that probably shapes my behavior on that to some extent.

 

[Laurasea]

Florida is full of CAGs right now, lots of weaned babies on Craigslist, hoobly, ect in North Florida