What are peoples thoughts on breeding birds becoming pets?

[Mayden]

Just curious.

An ex, or current (but obviously not currently in a pair) breeder bird being taken as a pet instead of back into a breeding situation. How do you all feel about it and how well do you think it's likely to work out?

I had a current breeder for a couple of months and he was great pet potential but I presume that's not always the case.

Enlighten me with your experiences!

 

[FreddyCheeks]

I'm not 100% but IMO it would be easier if they were socalized while being bred. I know of a breeder(mom and pop) that still handle there pionus pairs regularly. Don't know about getting a bird from a larger breeder that wouldn't socalize with them.

 

[henpecked]

I've had much better luck converting breeders to pets than pets into breeders. Alot depends on the bird's past. Usually if a bird develops a fear or phobia ,ie; hands, after being manhandled as a breeder for what ever reasons, these phobias are very hard to overcome. A x-breeder might be very interested in you but might never allow you to handle him. That being said , what is the goal of the relationship? If having a happy bird who doesn't like being held is OK with you then great. It needs to be as much about the bird as it is about you. It is a relationship that they need, be it bird or man. I do have a couple of pairs of amazons that i can handle. Of course these birds grew up with me and i treat them right and with respect. I don't have to grab them to put them in a travel cage for a trip to the vet. Yeah i've had a few good bites and nips, but what can you expect when you have a pair of breeder zons on your arm, LOL. I have a male OWA who loves me but momma will bite the tar out of me if he gets too chummy. Hens are so jealous.

 

[crimson]

It really comes down to how the bird was handled in the past.
some breeders handle their birds quite roughly, toss them into their cages, while others handle them more gently and respectfully.

I have many birds here that are super tame, but also breed.
A few months ago, I had purchased a female pineapple conure for breeding, but she is so very very tame, I kept her for a pet.
Ninja, my gold cap conure, came from a breeding environment, but did not do well there, as he is also super tame
It really depends on the bird and the relationship of the handler.

 

[U2gal]

Depends on the bird.

Even breeding pairs can be pets