why are baby African Gray parrots dearer than adult African Gray Parrots?

Question

i have been given a quote for a baby african gray parrot at 750 and the retailer told me that adults are cheaper, why is this?

Answer 1

Actually the quote for $750 is very good, we sell our hand fed babies for $950.
The price on birds depends on where youi are getting them from. Babies are what people would rather have because since they are not yet set in their ways it is easier to train them. I have had raised 8 baby grays and it was the best fun I ever had. They have to be taught to eat, and walk when they are very young. They are very clumsy birds, when they first start to walk they step and trip over their own feet.
I have loved every minute raising the babies, and my clients whop bought them will have years of enjoyment.
Adult birds tend to be set in their ways and may even have some bad habits that are hard to break. I am not saying that an adult bird is a bad choice, it just takes longer to get the bird ajusted, tamed and trainned then a younger bird.

Sapphyre
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Answer 2

It doesn't matter what the type of parrot it is.

And personally, I don't think being a baby vs. adult has a ton to do with price. I've never seen a parrot go for much less than maybe 10% due to being an adult. Unless the bird was halfway through it's life or something. If it was going for much less, I'd put up a red flag and really really investigate or move on and find another - there's plenty of options out there.

ESPECIALLY with a gray. They can live freaking forever. Meaning 60+ years! Mine will more than likely outlive me! They're a real commitment - they act like a kid for their entire lives (for the most part)

Even a 10 year old african gray could go for the same price as a baby.

RETAILER: Sheet can the retailer . PLEASE - unless it's a bird only store and they are very close with breeders. You have just the same ability to purchase from a breeder as the pet store does. (usually). No matter where you are in the States, you should be able to find a baby african gray from a breeder for around $750 - $800.

VET CHECKUP: When you purchase the bird, get an agreement from the breeder that says that you have 48 hours or whatnot to get a vet checkup from date of purchase to ensure that the bird is free from any given or apparent problems and that you can have full refund. Some breeders will even pay for the vet checkup.

BABY vs. ADULT:

VOCAB: Most birds learn most of their vocabulary between being a baby and 2 years of age. 5 years.. they've USUALLY learned most everything. Some birds however just keep learning and learning, but this is a small amount.

If you see an adult in the pet store, it's very likely either it's been there forever - not good., or it's been with another home already - also not good. It takes days to weeks to months for a bird to get adjusted to their new environment and for their personalities to come out. - including any problematic issues such as biting, feather plucking due to stress., shreading (your fingers), saying naughty words, etc.

PERSONALITY: Birds will take on the personalities and learn things from their owner. If you have a baby bird from the baby stage, it also bonds with you more quickly.

If you've never had a bird before, I'd get a baby. Be careful with the gray though.. please do LOADS of research. They can be one of the most emotionally complex of birds. They are also one of the smartest.. an interesting combination. But they are really really neat birds. Spend equal amounts of time with him every day - and exercise his mind like crazy. And talk talk talk talk talk lots! with intonations in your voice to keep him listenin. DON'T teach him to whistle.. they pick up things like that and then sometimes dont want to or never talk. Noises are cool., but whistling for some reason almost ruins them or something it seems. not always, but many of times.

Write if you have any questions or want to share stories - would love to hear from ya :)

Yes, they're lots of work.. but what isn't? They're HELLA lot less work than a puppy or a child. And CPS won't be after you if you lock them in a cage for an hour. ;) And what's better than 30-60 years of a relationship vs. starting a new one over every 7-10 years. Birds rock!

Answer 3

Adults are cheaper because they are already mature and set in some of their behaviors.

When a baby is under a year old they wil allow their owner to pet their back and scratch them anywhere. An older bird generally does not like this, and really just enjoys a good head or neck scratch, babies are also way less shy than an adult, but there are exceptions.

Older African Greys tend to be picky eaters, but if given time will accept a new food, a younger greay is more accepting of new food.

Younger birds are also easier to train to talk although not all will. Older african Greys are also more prone to feather picking if not given a good diet, are under too much stress, or not being mentally stimulated enough. A baby less than 9 months old isnt as prone to these behaviors.

If you want more info you can e-mail me at [e-mail]

I wish you the best Of luck

Answer 4

I believe that the babies are sweeter as they are still young, and trusting towards people. AND if you can get one for 750, that is cheaper than here in Ok. They go for at least 950 at a pet store and more!! Is the baby African Grey still getting handfed? My guess is that the baby was handfed or still is? Older birds may have already had owner's at one time, may have been mistreated too, depending on who the source is. I used to work at a pet store, so I know about this to some degree.All the babies through the store went for more than the adults! Guess everyone wants sweet handfed babies. Which I don't blame them as they make better pets. Hope I helped out some?
Lucy

Answer 5

cuz african greys are one-person birds, so if you get one while it's young there's less chance of it biting you. And also, you get more time to live with it. But if you are getting your first bird, start out with a parakeet, conure, or cockatiel (NOT a cockatoo). One of the best rules of thumb for first-time owners is to not get birds that are bigger than about one and a half of your hand from head to tail. but $750 actually is pretty cheap for an african grey, so get it if you are experienced enough. If not, just get what I suggested. you don't have to only keep one bird at a time. I have 3, and they're fine. Just get used to caring for a smaller bird for a couple of years, then get a larger one. That makes both you and the birds happy. they both will be friends with you and they can be friends with each other.

Answer 6

Baby parrots you can train to your ways, and obviously they are going to live longer, also the babies are probably home reared and not captured in the wild.
Best to by a baby as the gray parrot population in the wild is being seriously affected.

Answer 7

If you get a Grey,then you shouldnt worry how much you pay for it , because it is nothing compared to what it cost to have one. Then you have to spend 3 to 4 hours a day with it and dont even think about keeping it caged upmore then the 10 hours it sleeps and over half of the rest of day. They are expensive to have, everyday you have to feed it fresh fruit and veggies then pellets and snacks and everything a bird could want.The main thing is a new supply of toys and perchs monthly and cage accessories, cleaners, liners, you wont believe the vet bill and greys will start plucking their feathers if you dont do all of this, Oh never plan on moving your furniture or leaving them to go on vacation. See I wanted a boxer puppy but I live with a man who thinks he is so smart and of course hes the only one does all the hard stuff plus hes cheap. Well when he said hed have to do all the work and 400.00 was ridiculous, I acted dumb and threw a fit and settled for a bird that would Bark, Geuss What He had to get me a 800.00 pet that he spent another 1100.00 just to bring home that bonded with him and he actually grocery shops for bird, and he has it singing the Jeapody Tune and they are in love, I had to go get a cockatiel which I love, and recommend to any first time bird owners, so now I have to spend about 200.00 a month just on food and basics, so in one year 2 birds 4 cages 9 flight suits toys, toys swings, perchs trapese, ladders, dishes cleaning stuff safe pesticides, ect. training cds, books magazines, cost more then getting me 6 boxersand feeding them for a year, so smarty pants gets his way, we love them, The grey has to have his attn. the second he is home, he will sleep on his back and follow him everywhere, and my tiel flies on his head,and terrorizes him. Go to the Avian website and read all you can about these birds and dont forget adoption, theres so much info on web about companion birds, but Im serious they can be more work then a kid. Im not trying to discourage you, but its cruel to get one if you arnt going to commit the time and money and they live for 30 to 60 years.

Answer 8

for one thing, after they are about a year old, there is no way to visually tell the age of the grey, so someone could tell you they are selling you a 3 year old grey but you would have no way of verifying this, you would have to take their word for it. but if you can find an adult bird with no behavioral problems from a person you trust, go for it, save the $ and give this evidently unwanted bird a good home

Answer 9

Congo is the way to go if you want a talker - if you are just looking for a pretty bird to love and love you get the timneh and spoil it with the cash you save :)

Answer 10

Because you can hand rear babies. If the adult is wild it's very hard to tame them