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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

870.0. "Selecting a Mate?" by SUBSYS::GUBBER () Mon Jun 20 1994 13:10

    	Question???

    		Knowing bird behavior as I do, I'm wondering what
    	is the best way to go about finding a mate for a bird. As
    	is known, birds are very picky in their selection process
    	as far as who they want to be with. There's all kinds of
    	rituals and in some way is species/sub-species specific. Just
    	throwing two birds of the same species/sub-species into a cage
    	together is more times than not going to result in two birds
    	in a cage.

    		Trial and error is one that comes to mind, but this
    	could be costly and very time consuming. "STUD" services would
    	more than likely render the same problems unless one or the
    	party had a somewhat large selection to choose from.

    		Too is the problem of environment.... That is, some
    	pairs will mate if the nesting box is a hollow log, some will
    	use a regular nesting box, some if the box is on the left, some
    	if it's on the right, ETC.

    		I'm not looking a quick answer because I'm sure there
    	isn't one, but any directives or advice would be appreciated.

    		Dan Gubber

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870.1What kind of bird are you pairing off?MRKTNG::COMPTONMon Jun 20 1994 14:496
    Hi,
    
    Some species are fussier than others and are hard to pair, but 
    others are actually fairly easy.  What kind of bird do you have?
    
    Linda
870.2Conure & CockatoosSUBSYS::GUBBERMon Jun 20 1994 16:1424
    
    	Presently, I have a Red-masked Conure and an Unbrella Cockatoo.
    
    		I haven't decided which I want to try first. I know that
    	when discussing birds such as finches and budgies, there isn't as
    	much of a problem. Once you get into the larger species, such as
    	Conures, Cockatoos and Mackaws the difficulty increases.
    
    		I guess what I'm looking for is success stories along
    	the lines that might give me a better than average chance of
    	creating a mating pair with either of the two that I presently
    	have, or for that matter, any others I might get in the future.
    
    		It seems to me the easiest method would be to buy, say
    	for instance, 6-8 Conures to create one mated pair, than sell
    	off those that didn't mate. The main problem here though, should
    	be obvious.... 8 Conures at anywhere between 3-600 a bird!!!
    	And if you were to do the same with the Cockatoos - Well, I'm
    	sure my point is taken.......
    
    		Dan G.
    
    
    	
870.3Conures-yes Cockatoos-perhaps with time and $MRKTNG::COMPTONMon Jun 20 1994 17:1627
    If you know the sex of your bird and the sex of a bird you want to 
    acquire, you don't need to to the 'flock-pick your own partner' 
    approach with the conure.  See if you can find the opposite sex
    to your red-masked consure(also called cherry-head conure here in the
    eastern part of the U.S.).  I have successfully bred many species of
    conure.  Let me know if I can answer any other questions, here or
    directly.  Your price looks high for a cherry-head.  Around here a
    wild-caught can usually be purchased as a breeder for about $100.
    They cost more if they are tame and talking, and perhaps three times
    that or more if they are domestically bred, closed-banded birds.
    
    Your cockatoo is a different story.  I have never tried to breed them
    but hear awful stories about the males killing or maiming the hens if
    the situation isn't just right for the pair.  This species is usually
    attempted by more experienced breeders for that reason alone.  The 
    cost of the birds and the need to have older birds for breeding are
    a couple of other reasons that often it is the more experienced 
    breeder who attempts this species.  (Takes a strong stomach to cope 
    with what you can find after a male has not been pleased with his hen.)
      
    But _somewhere_ out there lots of folks are breeding them successfully, 
    at least to produce fertile eggs that are incubated, give the availability 
    of umbrellas for the pet trade. Wingsong Aviary, here in Merrimack, NH, 
    has bred umbrellas for years. Maybe they could give you some advice: 
    Call 603/880-6383.  They were extremely helpful to me when I firsted
    started out breeding birds.  They publish an educational newsletter
    as well if you want to ask to be on their mailing list (its free).