Good Breeder??

[eubankclare]

Hi

Went to a breeders today, they showed me their breeding room, could not go in as some bird were sitting on eggs. Also he leaves the babies with the parents for the first 3 weeks then removes them and hand rears them.

They are socialised with all the family and he said i can go and see them as often as i like from 4 weeks onwards, take pics and any major develops he will keep me updated with.

He will have babies ready in 13weeks or near christmas he thinks, but I can go as often as i like and see the birds until I feel that im ready to buy one. (may not get one I see as he already has deposits taken but he is happy for me to be around the birds and get used to them)

 

Does this sound like a good breeder?

 

He said he would show me what he feeds them on and how they feed when he has some babies in a couple of weeks and said he would give me a rough schedule on how and when he usually feeds (routine).

 

Im going to another breeders on friday to have a look there too, though i can only view these babies when they are ready to go to new homes.

 

Clare

[Dave007]

He's an extremely good breeder. I 've been doing the same things for years.

""""""near christmas he thinks"""""

That sounds like a person who's not making guarantees as to when the birds will be actually weaned. You may have to wait until the chick is actually ready to be given over to a customer. I also give a customer approx 1 mt of the present food so that they have time to change the diet. Personally, I would stick with him or at least remember him after seeing others.

Edited June 2, 2010 by Dave007

[eubankclare]

Thanks for your reply Dave.

The near christmas he thinks part was because he knows his birds very well and knows a pair should lay eggs for then but he says there is never any guarantees

I am visiting the breeder on friday but he is much closer to me and i just got a good feeling from him so think he will be where my baby comes from.

Im sure he will send us away with the mix the bird is on and he was very happy for me to go and see them whenever.

[judygram]

Well Clare that sounds like a good breeder and if Dave agrees then you better stick with this one for Dave is very particular about his babies and how he raises them and even though you may not be getting one out of the present clutch he is allowing you to come and visit with them, I would go with this breeder and get one as soon as he has any available for you, great find Clare.

[Dave007]

PS---Just so you understand what I'm saying here """""have to wait until the chick is actually ready to be given over to a customer"""""""

 

What I'm saying is that the chick/chicks may not be fully weaned at any particular time. A breeder knowing his birds has nothing to do with how long weaning will take place with a chick.

[danmcq]

Dave and Judy have given great advice.

 

Unless the other breeder is of the same caliber as the first, I would wait.

 

I had an excellent breeder here when I started looking for a Grey and visited my Grey from 6 weeks old onward. Not only did we gain a well reared Grey, but new close friends for life. When you go visit for 2 hours 2 or three times a week. You become very close with your Grey and the breeders. That relationship is invaluable after you take your baby Grey home. Many breeders of this caliber are available anytime day, night or weekend if you need them.

 

I know Dave is that caliber of breeder. So he is the resident expert here to listen to.

[eubankclare]

Thank you all for your advice, Im sure the breeder will not let the birds leave until fully weened, he was very particular and asked me many questions to make sure how much i knew.

It was buy chance I found him and im sooooo glad i have.

[Onyx's mum]

hi were is the breeder ive been looking for a good breeder in uk im in lincolnshire

thanks denise

[eubankclare]

Hi

He is in wigan Lancashire, im going to see a breeder in Northumberland on Friday http://www.parrotcare.com - This breeder was recemended to me by afew people on here but you can only see the birds once they are ready and I wanted to visit my bird every week till it can come home.

Ill let everyone know how it goes tomorrow but i think ill be sticking with the one in Wigan now as he seems to be everything i wanted in a breeder.

Here is a list of breeders that I found - The breeder from Wigan is not on here though, but you may find someone near you - http://www.robharvey.com/directory.html

[eubankclare]

Hi Denise

Ive done a little more research for you, these breeders are in Lincolnshire

 

Mairi Johnson, sometimes available senegals, african greys, and grenwing macaws. All handreared, close rung, B/H caigue and Blue/Gold Macaw babies sometimes available

e-mail mairi@mairijohnson1.wanadoo.co.uk South Lincs.

 

Small Breeder of African Greys and Hahn's Macaws. Based in South Lincolnshire. All Babies Hand Reared, Hand Tame, Parrot Society Rung and come with a Hatch Certificate and Information sheet. For information e-mail chef765@btinternet.co.uk or phone 07956664905.

 

I would also sug going to any pet shops that you know of that sell Greys, they may give you their breeders details (if your sneeky ) and you may find one that breeds their own greys.

Hope this helps

Clare

[JillyBeanz]

I need to stick up for the second breeder!!! It's where I got Harvey from and Lyn got Alfie from!!! He is an excellent breeder, his father before him too - they have over 35 years of experience breeding and they live three miles from me! The reason that you can't visit them early on is that he breeds from his family home - and he keeps his home address private due to the threat of thefts etc (which is rife around here as parrots aren't the most common of pets). I could still telephone him now, or visit his showroom now and he would still be happy to give advice or help - day or night, as Dan describes.

 

So, as I have just shifted Harvey out of his "baby" position in the crook of my arm to type this - I don't think our relationship has suffered just because I didn't visit him every week! If it's the visitation you want weekly though - I wouldn't waste the petrol coming over here if you have it on your doorstep

[eubankclare]

HI Jill

It is because of your recomendation that i am visiting the breeder today, I know how you rate him and i know your very happy with Harvey (Even though he is a stinker sometimes LOL)

I am keeping my options open as even though the showroom is a long way from me and i could not visit alot i know i will be getting a well rounded well looked after bird.

This other breeder has said all the right things but i have no proof that he is a good breeder yet and have not seen any of his hand reared babies, or know of anyone who has one.

Ill keep you posted how things go today

Thanks

Clare

[eubankclare]

Hi Everyone

Me and my partner went to visit the 2nd breeder yesterday (Jill got Harvey from him)

He was a nice guy and his birds seemed to be very well looked after but I have decided to stick to the breeder near me (posted about him above)

I have choosen the breeder nearer to me bacause, he is lots closer and less of a journey for the bird, he has a clutch i can look at and spend time with before i choose my grey and he has said i can visit as often as i like from 4 weeks old onwards so my grey can get used to my family and me and i can make a grey baby book up. He has also said that i can take the grey back to visit them as often as i like so that if we ever go on holiday or have to go away the grey can go back to them for its holiday home.

[judygram]

Thats your decision Clare and being closer to you means you can visit as often as you like but you have met both of them and you go with the one you feel is the right choice, the first breeder sounds like a winner.