How to best select a breeder?

[TessC]

Good afternoon, everyone!

 

I have been searching for breeders in the New Orleans area and am faced with a couple of differences in method; I'd like to get the expert's opinons if I could.

 

What criteria do you use in selecting a breeder? I've been talking to two people in particular in my area, and here's where things stand:

 

Breeder 1: Has (literally) written the book on weaning birds and says she will work with me as long and as often as I need to feel confident in the process and will start releasing the babies around 7 weeks- or keep longer if I'm not comfortable.

Concerns: horror stories about hand feeding. Also, I've read that there's a great risk of the babies 'rejecting' you as their person if you've hand fed them- they want to 'leave the nest,' so to speak.

Pros: Has really taken time to answer my questions. I like the idea of seeing the entire clutch to see who bonds to me. And I just like her! She seems to really really care about her birds and the people who take them.

 

Breeder 2: Recommended by our exotics vet. Associated with the nationwide "Parrot Place" organization (not that I know if that's a good thing or a bad thing), so the bird is somewhat insured and has been worked with before going home.

Pros: fully weaned, likely to know 'step up' upon homecoming. Since she's part of a larger group can get a baby immediately to start working with.

Concerns: Since she will "order" a bird, there's no personal selection or bonding involved- the bird that arrives will be my bird. And maybe that's not a big deal- the bond that develops is the more important issue. Also...I know this sounds weird, but I get a not-great feeling from her. Like I'm bothering her. I've called her twice and she's not so much as taken my name or number down.

 

Okay, so am I being silly? Should I ignore my feelings about this woman and go with the vet recommendation? Should I go with my gut and my instant liking of the first breeder and trust to her expertise?

 

Any thoughts would be so appreciated.

 

Whew. Sorry that got so long, everyone!

 

Thanks in advance-

Tess

[lovemyGreys]

Your not being silly at all,i spoke to a few breeders before i found the right one for me,i liked everything about her methods,etc..& she always had time to answer questions & update me on my 2 babies progress.I would say go with your gut feeling, this lady appears to know her stuff, you will be able to pick / bond with your baby, she will answer your concerns as you have said.The only thing i would say if you are not experienced with hand-feeding then please do not take your baby at 7 weeks, let the breeder wean the baby.Ask this breeder how she socializes her babies ? will she be able to start the step up process for you ?

 

breeder two would not be an option for me, i say go with that gut feeling

 

We have many topics here in the nursery which will stand you in good stead with your baby, please keep us posted on your decsion.

[Tycos_mom]

I would sort of agree if the first breeder is willing to wean your baby hand feeding is not a good idea for a novice it takes time to learn and do you really want to learn on your baby and take the chance that something bad might happen. if it just a matter of paying the breeder a bit more to wean the baby for you then pay the extra and go with her.

 

[Sevi]

I would suggest breeder one, primarily because it seems like you feel more comfortable with her. After all, she is someone you will need to deal with fairly frequently.

I hand-fed my grey with my breeder until I was comfortable, however, I also had experience weaning my mother's Quaker. That she will keep the bird longer if you don't feel comfortable seems to be a big plus.

 

But good luck with whomever you choose! I'm sure you will love your grey no matter what.

[TessC]

Thanks guys for your replies, much appreciated!

 

In the end...I didn't go with either, but only because of happenstance. As much as I trust and admire our vet, I just couldn't go with his recommendation.

 

The first breeder (who I really liked) wasn't going to have any available babies until October, and when I was introduced to another breeder who had an up and coming baby, I went to talk with her...and totally fell in love. With the bird- though she was very nice as well!

 

So here's the new baby, as yet unsexed/unnamed. Hatched April 10th, we'll bring him home when weaned, which can't come soon enough.

 

Here's one of the pics we took while at her lovely home, and YouTube links to him cuddling on my daughter(

) and getting sleepy after eating. (

)

[lovemyGreys]

Well congrats Tess, he/she is gorgeous but we would say that being as we love our greys ! please keep us updated on your new baby

[judygram]

What a beautiful baby, so adorable looking in that shot, I am in love and its not even mine LOL, thanks for sharing that with us and congrats on finding your true love.