Buying an African Grey: breeders set "ready dates" between 2 & 4 months after hatching. What is healthiest?

Question

After a lot of painstaking research I've decided I'd like to buy an African Grey. Now, I'm in the process of selecting a breeder. I'm one of those consumers that likes to research every detail before making a major purchase. I've noticed a great variation in the amount of time some breeders will release their African Greys (2 to 4 months). Is it a major risk buy an African Grey that has spent an abbreviated amount of the time with the breeder? Also, should I avoid buying from a breeder who sells parrots BEFORE being weaned?

Answer 1

By all means, older is better. You don't want to have to learn to handfeed in an emergency because your baby has regressed and is not eating on it's own. If you purchase older, they will be well established on eating by themselves and more "ready" to leave the "nest".

Buying a baby that is not weaned and eating well on it's own is a recipe for disaster. ONE time of handfeeding incorrectly will kill your chick. It is NOT something that even expierenced handfeeders willingly take on.

Also, pick a breeder that you can go see the chicks, pick yours out before it is weaned, put a deposit down when you are ready and make sure that the birds are well taken care of. You want to make sure that the eyes are open and clear, that they are of good weight and feather, nares (nostrils) are clear, and that they are not afraid. Make sure the breeders birds, ALL of them are well fed, watered, and the cages are clean, no evidence of poop on the grates that has been there a long time. Make sure that the chicks are being weaned onto a good pelleted diet, not just seeds. Get refrences if you can.

The only reason I say these things is that on a board I frequent a very nice lady purchased a blue and gold macaw with little knowledge. The chick was SERIOUSLY ill. The crop was not emptying, the eyes were still closed at several weeks of age, and the chick had SEVERAL different infections going on. It was the size of a six day old bird at 5 1/2 weeks. The only reason this bird is still alive is through very expensive vet care and numerous medications.

Please make sure you do your homework on baby sizes and weights.

Here are some websites that might help you:
http://www.wingscc.com/aps/ag1.htm - YOU AND YOUR AFRICAN GREY By Jane Hallander

http://www.wingscc.com/aps/ag4.htm - Isabel Never Told Me
When Isabel Sold Me An African Grey That...

http://www.wingscc.com/aps/ag3.htm - Keeping African Greys

http://www.wingscc.com/aps/linkto.htm - Misc. links you may find useful.

http://chats.upatsix.com/chats/viewforum.php?f=14 - Chat forum, Up At Six, Grey Chatter Very knowledgeable owners. I highly reccomend going here and chatting to learn more. You will get better info there than here.

Answer 2

Release dates are just that breeder's personal opinion. There is no right or wrong answer. (although, it's a hotly debated subject among breeders)

It also depends on the individual baby. Some take longer than others a good breeder knows that, and won't rush the process.

You can buy before weaning.
BUT!!!
Hand feeding is not for a beginner. One mistake and the baby dies. If you want to hand feed the little guy, ask the breeder to mentor you. (Mentoring is more than training, they will be available for all questions, day or night, and step in if you have problems.) Ask the breeder if they offer this service.
If not, re-consider buying from them. Even if you buy a weaned bird, you want the breeder to be a life-long resourse you can count on. People un-willing to help you are probably just in it for the money and don't have the bird's best interest at heart.

I'd recommend waiting for weaning. You will be more relaxed for your new friend's first days with you.

As to choosing one:
Look at the baby.
Clear eyes, clean feathers/fuzz (look at the butthole), and good "meat" on the baby's bones are all good indicators of health.

Look at ALL the animals the breeders own. Dogs and cats (lizards, horses, whatever is on the premesis) and all breeding stock should be well kept and friendly. Unless there is a Vet diagnosed health issue (they should have no problems showing you vet records) skip any breeders who have sick animals. Skip any breeders who won't let you see their ENTIRE facility. What's behind closed doors is most important in deciding on a breeder.

Good luck to you.
I "baby sat" an African Grey and was surprised at how much like little kids they really are!

Answer 3

A reputable breeder will NOT sell unweaned baby Greys at 2 months old! They are just out to make a buck, and if you are not an experienced handfeeder, there is a high death rate. They can aspirate the formula, get infections, get burns when it's too hot. A good breeder is going to be more concerned about WHO gets their birds, rather than making a sale. The baby should be completely weaned and gaining weight, well socialized, before going to a new home. Other good web sites:
www.parrottalk.com (get the book For the Love of Greys--best there is!)
www.itsagreysworld.com
www.africangreys.com

Answer 4

The reason for that is that some take a little longer to wean than others.
As soon as you hear that hatchlings have arrived, you must go and pick one out. From then on, you must go back and spend time with it everyday if possible, for an hour or so, the more the bertter, that will help it to know you and bond with you. Ask the breeder if you can feed and bathe the little guy too.

Answer 5

You got a lot of great advice already. I recommend you subscribe to BirdTalk magazine and continue to learn more about parrots. You are getting the BEST, IMHO, parrot there is. I have 2.

Answer 6

The definition of happiness is "being content fabric with one's self." It doesn't count how far up the ladder-of-existence we've climbed, quite its how we dealt with others as we make the confusing climb to the suitable.