I am going to post some answers to FAQ here:
How do you keep your birds?
I have most of my birds in a bird room that is located right next to our family bedrooms in our private residence or in a large aviary in my living room - my aviaries are 5 ft long and furnished with natural branches, swings and many toys. During breeding season my pairs nest in 30 inch long " breeder" cages that allow them more privacy - they only stay in those while they are on eggs or feed chicks - I like my birds to have space and exercise and don't keep them in small cages full time. I use natural/bird lighting. In addition to this my birds also get free flight time and daily interaction with the entire family.
I value the health of my flock and never over breed my hens - they are allowed one clutch a year starting at 1.5-2 years of age when they are fully mature- and maybe 5-6 clutches over a lifetime usually less!
I keep most of my retired breeders or they find home as pets ( with their partners of course)- they are dearly loved!
All my birds receive vet care should they need it. I am also medically trained and can perform some emergency care but I always work closely with my vet!
What do you feed?
I feed a mixed diet of Excello fortified cockatiel seed and a large veggie plate every day. All my birds eat greens, fruit and veggies every day. I also occasionally give my birds oat groats, and supplement with wheat germ oil, iodine and probiotics, herbs and such.
Why adopt a bird from you?
I love all my birds and genuinely care about them. I don't over breed my hens and allow only 1-2 clutches a year with at least 10 months of rest in between. The wellbeing and health of my birds comes first! Bird keeping and breeding is a hobby to me and not a business and every chick raised in my aviary is part of my family and treated accordingly. My brooders and weaning cages sit in my living room and kitchen and all my babies and adults get interaction from the entire family. I breed show line cockatiels and have bought my birds from the best lines in the country ( Phil Feret, Kathy Short, Maple , Avila Aviary and others). My birds are bigger than your average petstore cockatiel and are bred not only for looks but also personality traits. I only choose laid back, gentle and healthy birds for breeding and this results in chicks that are not only true to standard but also make good pets. I do not breed with mass produced cockatiels similar to what you would find in pet stores. I thrive to work with healthy breeding stock and I can provide references through the National Cockatiel Society and the Mountain States Avian society on request. You may also contact my local vet or customers that have bought birds from me in the past. I can provide pedigrees for my birds. We have several pointed birds from Grand Champion lines in our aviary and you can look up show records at the National Cockatiel Society website or NAPS- my band number is 33N .
All my babies are well socialized with children and adults, have been handled a lot, step up and will sit on shoulders and hands, give kisses and are used to plenty of love. I don't breed high volume which results in longer waiting lists but this allows me to spend more time with my babies
What kind of cages do you recommend:
I always recommend the largest cage you can afford and fit into your home. In my opinion the smallest cage size for cockatiels and Bourkes is 30 inches in width ( the height of a cage is not as important as the width!) - cockatiels, parakeets and bourkes can't fly straight up and won't use vertical airspace too much - I will - under no circumstances adopt out a cockatiel, or Bourke to a home with a cage that is less than 24 inches in width ( and then only if they get daily free flight time ) - my cockatiels are 12 inches from crown to tip of the tail and between 100g and 160g in weight - they are bigger than a petstore bird and have a larger wing span .
For budgies I recommend at least 20-24 inches in width but better a bit larger- Budgies are super active and will be much happier in larger cages.
All three species will do best in cages with 1/2 inch bar spacing.
Cages can be found for very reasonable prices online - I do not post links as I don't like to advertise for specific sellers or endorse brands.
You can search " flight cage" on the internet and will find a lot of different models.
I like cages with large front doors that make it easier to get birds in and out, removable drawers and grates for easy cleanup and a flat top ( so I can put a play gym or some branches on the top and put their food and water there when they are outside their cage)- I am always looking for cages that are as wide as possible rather than just tall. Ornate cages are often harder to clean and you have to consider the weight of a cage. I like to hose off my cages outside a few times a year and need cages that I can carry outside without heavy equipment
A good cage should have several different branches ( natural branches, sand perches, swings, ropes...) in different diameters so the birds can exercise their feet and plenty of toys to keep their minds and beaks active. Do not use dowel rods in their cages! Toys can be home made and don't have to be expensive - ask me for suggestions...
My birds can all drink out of water bottles and get their seeds in dishwasher safe glass or ceramic dishes .
do you recommend a single bird or a pair:
I ALWAYS recommend adopting two birds - not only will it make the birds happier but two birds are often easier maintenance than just one. I see on the internet and in books that it is recommended to get a single bird first, get it tame and then add a second one. I never understood why. All my babies are already tame - they are raised in a clutch and wean in an aviary with other birds - all of them tame. They will not become " un-tame" because they go into their new home with a sibling or clutch mate. Birds that have been raised together always get along for life - they will have a special bond that two stranger birds might or might not develop. Birds get tame when you spend time with them - any bird will get wild if you neglect spending time with them no matter if they have a partner or not.
Birds are always happier with a friend that speaks their language and keeps them company. I have adopted out many birds over the years and never - not even once - had a complaint from people adopting two birds but I have seen my fair share of behavior problems with single birds. Birds are flock animals and want to be with their flock 24/7, night and day- they eat, sleep and play together and never feel the need to have " alone time". Single birds tend to " call" for their family when they are left alone in a room or their family leaves the house - this screaming can be annoying. I have seen plucking, low weight, depression, and even biting as results of a frustrated bird. An only bird can often be more insecure and scared. Single birds often start seeing their owners as a mate and not as a friend which can result in frustration, aggression and depression ( on both sides) - I much rather have my birds see me as a friend and flock mate. My birds are tame and sweet and play with me when I get them out of their cage but are not lonely or bored when I am not around.
With cockatiels the gender combination doesn't matter much - two boys, a boy and girl or two hens - they will get along - cockatiels are not aggressive birds
Two Bourkes almost always get along - they are very social and docile birds .
And with Parakeets and Budgies I would say that for the most part any gender combination get along - it is the easiest when they have been raised together.
I have a pair - will they have babies ?:
Do NOT under any circumstances give a pair or single cockatiel ( or Bourke or Budgie) a nest box or playhut, tent or such if you don't want babies. Generally birds breed in closed spaces, huts, tunnels and caves - don't offer these and you will in all likelihood not have eggs. Occasionally there is a pair that gets in the " mood" to have babies regardless ( it is very rare ) - however there is many things you can do to discourage chicks.
You can take out the eggs or exchange them for plastic eggs
you can reduce daylight time by covering them early
reduce or stop soft food and only feed green leafy veggies along with their regular diet
you can cause artificial positive stress by re-arranging the cage, put it at a different space, add more toys ...
you can separate boy from girl for a few weeks but this is already a very extreme measure
I have several pairs that I don;t breed as they are just cherished pets and I never see eggs from these pairs
Why do I have to wait so long for my chick:
I do not breed for profit and do not have a huge breeding facility. I am a small hobby breeder and I sell less than 20 chicks a year out of my private home - often much less. I cherish my birds and don't want to over breed my hens. I like to spend time with my chicks and play with each and everyone of them. I like to keep my aviary small and not raise birds high volume- I also don't adopt out birds to " the highest bidder" but try to match every bird with a good and permanent home- I will not adopt out a shy bird to a busy boisterous family or a social " Velcro" bird to a single bird home where he would be home alone for most of the day. I strongly prefer to adopt out by birds into multi bird homes or with people that have at least one other bird or like to adopt 2.
Do birds make good pets for children:
This is a hard question and depends on so many factors - in GENERAL- birds do not make the best pets for small children I have two small children that are as gentle as they come and have been raised in a bird breeders home :-) . Small children need constant supervision with birds - they sometimes do not understand how fragile birds are and that birds do not like to be hugged, chased, or grabbed. Birds require patience and gentle handling. With proper supervision they can be a lot of fun for the entire family - my kids love the birds and spend a lot of time playing with them. However Birds are flight animals and their instinct will tell them to fly away when they get startled- small children are unable to move slow all of the time and I have noticed that most birds will prefer adults - which can frustrate a child quite a bit ( " mommy why does Polly like Daddy better than me " - the answer is most likely because Daddy is calm, sits in his chair quietly and birds like a tall, safe and calm place to sit ;-) ).
You also have to take into consideration the life expectancy - cockatiels can live into their 30s with the average life span being around 17-20 years - they are a long term commitment.
Birds are messy and loud and they can bite ( when grabbed, cornered or in the case of budgies when they are babies and in their " I have to try our hand for edibility before I get on it" stage), they have scratchy claws and need daily handling to remain sweet and tame.
Some kids think birds are " cool" because they talk and perform tricks and because Pirates carry them around - they need to be aware that not all birds are gifted talkers and that it takes a LOT of time to train a bird. Most smaller birds never learn to talk clearly.
Parents need to know that the birds are going to be part of their family and that their child might loose interest in the future - a child's life changes rapidly - ultimately the birds will become responsibility of the adults. Most kids can't take their birds to college and are often left with the parents. Parents have to have a " Plan B" - in case the Children move away or loose interest - cockatiels can live well into their 20s...
Which bird is the best for me:
This is a very individual decision- birds are all individuals - just like people - some are shy, some outgoing, some natural born leaders -of course you will be looking for a bird with a personality that matches your family. There are breeders that will adopt out barely weaned babies - however I do not! I keep my babies a bit longer than most - at least 7-10 days after they are weaned and often until they are 10-13 weeks old. I spend a lot of time handling the babies. Just as with children their temperament will develop and change as they grow. I can tell by about 8-12 weeks what direction they are going ( if they will be more shy or more outgoing, independent or velcro birds) but there will be still a lot of hidden talents or character traits that you will discover over the years. Young babies are only interested in food, then they are more or less only interested in flying and then - around 7-8 weeks of age they start getting interested in people- I will not let people pick out their babies when they are younger simply because you won't be able to tell much about their personality at all...
Here some considerations as far as species go:
Cockatiels are gentle, very sensitive, some are very cuddly and they are decent sized. They generally prefer adults or teenagers over smaller children and they startle easily- they make very good pets but need larger cages, gentle handling, a good diet and ideally another cockatiel or a LOT of interaction. they are not the best talkers ( and only the boys will attempt to talk) but excel at imitating sound and music. Cockatiels do not do well on their own and tend to be needy when kept by themselves- they are social and have a sensitive nature. They can be noisy - especially the boys.
Budgies are resilient, clownish, and the natural born entertainers. They go through a nippy stage but are not easy to scare and very curious. They are very popular with children due to size and my budgies seem to do very well with even my youngest child ( under supervision of course)- they can learn to talk clearly and are super acrobatic and VERY active. They are social and do best in pairs or groups. They are not cuddly pets and chatter constantly ( even when kept alone) but will entertain your family like no other ...
Bourkes are tranquil and gentle - they never bite and they will NOT learn to talk. They are quiet but have spurts of energy and soft song ( comparable to songbirds maybe) at dusk and dawn. They like to be in groups and make ideal pets for someone working during the day as they like to be active in the morning and evening. They do not generally like to have their head rubbed but love to give kisses and follow their owners around - great starter birds and the most gentle and quiet specie I can think of but not ideal for younger children due to their gentle and sensitive nature. They like toys but are not as active or acrobatic as Budgies or parakeets. Bourkes are sensitive and intuitive and bond strongly to their owners and require less handling than other species to remain tame and sweet.
Rock Pebblers:
Slightly larger than cockatiels and very gentle. They make wonderful pets that can learn to talk - they are playful, don't tend to bite, and love watching and interacting with their families. Their personality is wonderful and sweet and they have soft voices and are among the most quiet birds I have owned. I am in love with these gentle birds for their even temperament and curiosity. They are generally not cuddlers but love to give kisses, ride on shoulders and interact with the entire family. They are not prone to be one person birds and will do best when kept with other Rock Pebblers as they can entertain themselves when their family is busy. They are not needy and can learn to talk clearly. They are rare and hard to find as handfed pets. They require very large cages due to their size and need to fly. a Rock Pebbler cage needs to be at least 30-40 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 48 inches tall ( and this is still the absolute minimum) - if they do not get daily flight time they will need a large aviary! Their life expectancy is 20-30 years so they are a long term commitment.
Will you adopt out birds into homes with small children, dogs or cats:
I will -IF I have the feeling that there are responsible adults in the household that will ensure my birds safety. I have children myself and 3 dogs that would love a little bird to snack on . I know about the danger and I do everything in my power to keep the birds safe - there are clear rules in my house about open doors, windows and playtime with the dogs secured in another part of the house - it can work beautifully but there has to be an awareness that most dogs WILL chase small flapping birds and that small children cannot be left alone with fragile birds. When my son was 4 he managed to put one of my cockatiel babies in his backpack while I had turned around for a second to feed the rest of them - when I asked him what he was thinking he responded proudly that he was an animal rescuer and had " rescued" the bird from the floor- just like his idol Diego ... He is as gentle as a child can be but nobody had ever told him that birds can't go in backpacks ( the bird was fine- but it has taught me to be even more careful)
Do your birds come with pedigrees:
I can provide pedigrees for all my cockatiel babies if desired.
Some of my budgies have pedigrees but I have only recently added budgies to my aviary and I can't provide multi generation pedigrees except from a few birds that came with pedigrees when I bought them.
None of my Bourkes are pedigreed - they are not very common and few people show them
What is your " breeder ethics"
I value honesty above everything - I will never sell a bird without giving out all relevant information about this animal. I will tell you if the bird has behavioral quirks. There are many breeders that will claim that their birds are tame and easy going and easy to handle when they are really wild and un-socialized. IF I have a "not so tame" bird for adoption I will advertise it as such - and if I have a bird that likes to nip I will let you know.
My birds and their happiness are my primary concern! I sometimes deny an adoption because it is not a good match and some people might take this very personal - however these babies and adults are part of my family and not just a "sales item" . I have stayed up long nights to feed them, nursed them through their infant weeks and I love them dearly. I want them to be happy and well cared for. I am not breeding to sell birds - I breed because I love birds! I re-invest the money I get from bird sales into the aviary, buy larger cages, better brooders, pay for petsitters when we are gone on vacation, vet visits, good quality food, supplements and fresh veggies, toys and such. I only sell between 10-20 birds a year - that includes adults.
I would love to get my birds back if you can no longer care for them - they will always have a home here with me or I can try to find them a pet home!
I also don't over- breed my birds - my hens get at least 10 months of rest between clutches - usually they are only allowed one clutch a year - much less if they are getting older and they are all allowed to retire here. My birds are family to me - they are loved and well cared for.
Please always call me if you have questions- before or after adoption and even years along the line - I like to hear from you and I love to " talk birds".
Are birds messy and loud? - is there a specie that is cleaner/quiet?:
All birds are messy- they throw around seed, pellets and food and poop every 15 minutes or so- I have seen people potty train their birds but it requires a lot of devotion and patience - I have never managed with the smaller species! Birds generally don't smell but you need to keep their living environment clean and sanitary. A vacuum cleaner is a bird's owners best friend :-)
All birds vocalize - all birds start making noise at sunrise. Cockatiels males are a LOT more noisy than females. Cockatiels are loud some of the time but have periods where they are quiet too
Parakeets vocalize and chatter constantly - both males and females alike
Bourkes are relatively quiet but the boys will sing a cute melody ( comparable to songbirds outside) at dusk and dawn.
Rock pebbler have a low volume chatter/talk and a loud warning call but are very quiet compared to Budgies and Cockatiels.
If you live in an apartment make sure you talk to your neighbors and landlord before you get a bird - none of my species reach the volume of a cockatoo,parrot or conure but if you are noise sensitive or if you think that bird seed on the floor might drive you crazy a bird might not be the best choice...
Are there any Vets you can recommend:
Yes - I recommend Katie Philips from Yorkshire vet clinic on Dublin - she is available 3 days a week and my first choice.
Another option is Dublin animal hospital - Dr Roeder and team - good avian vets-
How do you keep your birds?
I have most of my birds in a bird room that is located right next to our family bedrooms in our private residence or in a large aviary in my living room - my aviaries are 5 ft long and furnished with natural branches, swings and many toys. During breeding season my pairs nest in 30 inch long " breeder" cages that allow them more privacy - they only stay in those while they are on eggs or feed chicks - I like my birds to have space and exercise and don't keep them in small cages full time. I use natural/bird lighting. In addition to this my birds also get free flight time and daily interaction with the entire family.
I value the health of my flock and never over breed my hens - they are allowed one clutch a year starting at 1.5-2 years of age when they are fully mature- and maybe 5-6 clutches over a lifetime usually less!
I keep most of my retired breeders or they find home as pets ( with their partners of course)- they are dearly loved!
All my birds receive vet care should they need it. I am also medically trained and can perform some emergency care but I always work closely with my vet!
What do you feed?
I feed a mixed diet of Excello fortified cockatiel seed and a large veggie plate every day. All my birds eat greens, fruit and veggies every day. I also occasionally give my birds oat groats, and supplement with wheat germ oil, iodine and probiotics, herbs and such.
Why adopt a bird from you?
I love all my birds and genuinely care about them. I don't over breed my hens and allow only 1-2 clutches a year with at least 10 months of rest in between. The wellbeing and health of my birds comes first! Bird keeping and breeding is a hobby to me and not a business and every chick raised in my aviary is part of my family and treated accordingly. My brooders and weaning cages sit in my living room and kitchen and all my babies and adults get interaction from the entire family. I breed show line cockatiels and have bought my birds from the best lines in the country ( Phil Feret, Kathy Short, Maple , Avila Aviary and others). My birds are bigger than your average petstore cockatiel and are bred not only for looks but also personality traits. I only choose laid back, gentle and healthy birds for breeding and this results in chicks that are not only true to standard but also make good pets. I do not breed with mass produced cockatiels similar to what you would find in pet stores. I thrive to work with healthy breeding stock and I can provide references through the National Cockatiel Society and the Mountain States Avian society on request. You may also contact my local vet or customers that have bought birds from me in the past. I can provide pedigrees for my birds. We have several pointed birds from Grand Champion lines in our aviary and you can look up show records at the National Cockatiel Society website or NAPS- my band number is 33N .
All my babies are well socialized with children and adults, have been handled a lot, step up and will sit on shoulders and hands, give kisses and are used to plenty of love. I don't breed high volume which results in longer waiting lists but this allows me to spend more time with my babies
What kind of cages do you recommend:
I always recommend the largest cage you can afford and fit into your home. In my opinion the smallest cage size for cockatiels and Bourkes is 30 inches in width ( the height of a cage is not as important as the width!) - cockatiels, parakeets and bourkes can't fly straight up and won't use vertical airspace too much - I will - under no circumstances adopt out a cockatiel, or Bourke to a home with a cage that is less than 24 inches in width ( and then only if they get daily free flight time ) - my cockatiels are 12 inches from crown to tip of the tail and between 100g and 160g in weight - they are bigger than a petstore bird and have a larger wing span .
For budgies I recommend at least 20-24 inches in width but better a bit larger- Budgies are super active and will be much happier in larger cages.
All three species will do best in cages with 1/2 inch bar spacing.
Cages can be found for very reasonable prices online - I do not post links as I don't like to advertise for specific sellers or endorse brands.
You can search " flight cage" on the internet and will find a lot of different models.
I like cages with large front doors that make it easier to get birds in and out, removable drawers and grates for easy cleanup and a flat top ( so I can put a play gym or some branches on the top and put their food and water there when they are outside their cage)- I am always looking for cages that are as wide as possible rather than just tall. Ornate cages are often harder to clean and you have to consider the weight of a cage. I like to hose off my cages outside a few times a year and need cages that I can carry outside without heavy equipment
A good cage should have several different branches ( natural branches, sand perches, swings, ropes...) in different diameters so the birds can exercise their feet and plenty of toys to keep their minds and beaks active. Do not use dowel rods in their cages! Toys can be home made and don't have to be expensive - ask me for suggestions...
My birds can all drink out of water bottles and get their seeds in dishwasher safe glass or ceramic dishes .
do you recommend a single bird or a pair:
I ALWAYS recommend adopting two birds - not only will it make the birds happier but two birds are often easier maintenance than just one. I see on the internet and in books that it is recommended to get a single bird first, get it tame and then add a second one. I never understood why. All my babies are already tame - they are raised in a clutch and wean in an aviary with other birds - all of them tame. They will not become " un-tame" because they go into their new home with a sibling or clutch mate. Birds that have been raised together always get along for life - they will have a special bond that two stranger birds might or might not develop. Birds get tame when you spend time with them - any bird will get wild if you neglect spending time with them no matter if they have a partner or not.
Birds are always happier with a friend that speaks their language and keeps them company. I have adopted out many birds over the years and never - not even once - had a complaint from people adopting two birds but I have seen my fair share of behavior problems with single birds. Birds are flock animals and want to be with their flock 24/7, night and day- they eat, sleep and play together and never feel the need to have " alone time". Single birds tend to " call" for their family when they are left alone in a room or their family leaves the house - this screaming can be annoying. I have seen plucking, low weight, depression, and even biting as results of a frustrated bird. An only bird can often be more insecure and scared. Single birds often start seeing their owners as a mate and not as a friend which can result in frustration, aggression and depression ( on both sides) - I much rather have my birds see me as a friend and flock mate. My birds are tame and sweet and play with me when I get them out of their cage but are not lonely or bored when I am not around.
With cockatiels the gender combination doesn't matter much - two boys, a boy and girl or two hens - they will get along - cockatiels are not aggressive birds
Two Bourkes almost always get along - they are very social and docile birds .
And with Parakeets and Budgies I would say that for the most part any gender combination get along - it is the easiest when they have been raised together.
I have a pair - will they have babies ?:
Do NOT under any circumstances give a pair or single cockatiel ( or Bourke or Budgie) a nest box or playhut, tent or such if you don't want babies. Generally birds breed in closed spaces, huts, tunnels and caves - don't offer these and you will in all likelihood not have eggs. Occasionally there is a pair that gets in the " mood" to have babies regardless ( it is very rare ) - however there is many things you can do to discourage chicks.
You can take out the eggs or exchange them for plastic eggs
you can reduce daylight time by covering them early
reduce or stop soft food and only feed green leafy veggies along with their regular diet
you can cause artificial positive stress by re-arranging the cage, put it at a different space, add more toys ...
you can separate boy from girl for a few weeks but this is already a very extreme measure
I have several pairs that I don;t breed as they are just cherished pets and I never see eggs from these pairs
Why do I have to wait so long for my chick:
I do not breed for profit and do not have a huge breeding facility. I am a small hobby breeder and I sell less than 20 chicks a year out of my private home - often much less. I cherish my birds and don't want to over breed my hens. I like to spend time with my chicks and play with each and everyone of them. I like to keep my aviary small and not raise birds high volume- I also don't adopt out birds to " the highest bidder" but try to match every bird with a good and permanent home- I will not adopt out a shy bird to a busy boisterous family or a social " Velcro" bird to a single bird home where he would be home alone for most of the day. I strongly prefer to adopt out by birds into multi bird homes or with people that have at least one other bird or like to adopt 2.
Do birds make good pets for children:
This is a hard question and depends on so many factors - in GENERAL- birds do not make the best pets for small children I have two small children that are as gentle as they come and have been raised in a bird breeders home :-) . Small children need constant supervision with birds - they sometimes do not understand how fragile birds are and that birds do not like to be hugged, chased, or grabbed. Birds require patience and gentle handling. With proper supervision they can be a lot of fun for the entire family - my kids love the birds and spend a lot of time playing with them. However Birds are flight animals and their instinct will tell them to fly away when they get startled- small children are unable to move slow all of the time and I have noticed that most birds will prefer adults - which can frustrate a child quite a bit ( " mommy why does Polly like Daddy better than me " - the answer is most likely because Daddy is calm, sits in his chair quietly and birds like a tall, safe and calm place to sit ;-) ).
You also have to take into consideration the life expectancy - cockatiels can live into their 30s with the average life span being around 17-20 years - they are a long term commitment.
Birds are messy and loud and they can bite ( when grabbed, cornered or in the case of budgies when they are babies and in their " I have to try our hand for edibility before I get on it" stage), they have scratchy claws and need daily handling to remain sweet and tame.
Some kids think birds are " cool" because they talk and perform tricks and because Pirates carry them around - they need to be aware that not all birds are gifted talkers and that it takes a LOT of time to train a bird. Most smaller birds never learn to talk clearly.
Parents need to know that the birds are going to be part of their family and that their child might loose interest in the future - a child's life changes rapidly - ultimately the birds will become responsibility of the adults. Most kids can't take their birds to college and are often left with the parents. Parents have to have a " Plan B" - in case the Children move away or loose interest - cockatiels can live well into their 20s...
Which bird is the best for me:
This is a very individual decision- birds are all individuals - just like people - some are shy, some outgoing, some natural born leaders -of course you will be looking for a bird with a personality that matches your family. There are breeders that will adopt out barely weaned babies - however I do not! I keep my babies a bit longer than most - at least 7-10 days after they are weaned and often until they are 10-13 weeks old. I spend a lot of time handling the babies. Just as with children their temperament will develop and change as they grow. I can tell by about 8-12 weeks what direction they are going ( if they will be more shy or more outgoing, independent or velcro birds) but there will be still a lot of hidden talents or character traits that you will discover over the years. Young babies are only interested in food, then they are more or less only interested in flying and then - around 7-8 weeks of age they start getting interested in people- I will not let people pick out their babies when they are younger simply because you won't be able to tell much about their personality at all...
Here some considerations as far as species go:
Cockatiels are gentle, very sensitive, some are very cuddly and they are decent sized. They generally prefer adults or teenagers over smaller children and they startle easily- they make very good pets but need larger cages, gentle handling, a good diet and ideally another cockatiel or a LOT of interaction. they are not the best talkers ( and only the boys will attempt to talk) but excel at imitating sound and music. Cockatiels do not do well on their own and tend to be needy when kept by themselves- they are social and have a sensitive nature. They can be noisy - especially the boys.
Budgies are resilient, clownish, and the natural born entertainers. They go through a nippy stage but are not easy to scare and very curious. They are very popular with children due to size and my budgies seem to do very well with even my youngest child ( under supervision of course)- they can learn to talk clearly and are super acrobatic and VERY active. They are social and do best in pairs or groups. They are not cuddly pets and chatter constantly ( even when kept alone) but will entertain your family like no other ...
Bourkes are tranquil and gentle - they never bite and they will NOT learn to talk. They are quiet but have spurts of energy and soft song ( comparable to songbirds maybe) at dusk and dawn. They like to be in groups and make ideal pets for someone working during the day as they like to be active in the morning and evening. They do not generally like to have their head rubbed but love to give kisses and follow their owners around - great starter birds and the most gentle and quiet specie I can think of but not ideal for younger children due to their gentle and sensitive nature. They like toys but are not as active or acrobatic as Budgies or parakeets. Bourkes are sensitive and intuitive and bond strongly to their owners and require less handling than other species to remain tame and sweet.
Rock Pebblers:
Slightly larger than cockatiels and very gentle. They make wonderful pets that can learn to talk - they are playful, don't tend to bite, and love watching and interacting with their families. Their personality is wonderful and sweet and they have soft voices and are among the most quiet birds I have owned. I am in love with these gentle birds for their even temperament and curiosity. They are generally not cuddlers but love to give kisses, ride on shoulders and interact with the entire family. They are not prone to be one person birds and will do best when kept with other Rock Pebblers as they can entertain themselves when their family is busy. They are not needy and can learn to talk clearly. They are rare and hard to find as handfed pets. They require very large cages due to their size and need to fly. a Rock Pebbler cage needs to be at least 30-40 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 48 inches tall ( and this is still the absolute minimum) - if they do not get daily flight time they will need a large aviary! Their life expectancy is 20-30 years so they are a long term commitment.
Will you adopt out birds into homes with small children, dogs or cats:
I will -IF I have the feeling that there are responsible adults in the household that will ensure my birds safety. I have children myself and 3 dogs that would love a little bird to snack on . I know about the danger and I do everything in my power to keep the birds safe - there are clear rules in my house about open doors, windows and playtime with the dogs secured in another part of the house - it can work beautifully but there has to be an awareness that most dogs WILL chase small flapping birds and that small children cannot be left alone with fragile birds. When my son was 4 he managed to put one of my cockatiel babies in his backpack while I had turned around for a second to feed the rest of them - when I asked him what he was thinking he responded proudly that he was an animal rescuer and had " rescued" the bird from the floor- just like his idol Diego ... He is as gentle as a child can be but nobody had ever told him that birds can't go in backpacks ( the bird was fine- but it has taught me to be even more careful)
Do your birds come with pedigrees:
I can provide pedigrees for all my cockatiel babies if desired.
Some of my budgies have pedigrees but I have only recently added budgies to my aviary and I can't provide multi generation pedigrees except from a few birds that came with pedigrees when I bought them.
None of my Bourkes are pedigreed - they are not very common and few people show them
What is your " breeder ethics"
I value honesty above everything - I will never sell a bird without giving out all relevant information about this animal. I will tell you if the bird has behavioral quirks. There are many breeders that will claim that their birds are tame and easy going and easy to handle when they are really wild and un-socialized. IF I have a "not so tame" bird for adoption I will advertise it as such - and if I have a bird that likes to nip I will let you know.
My birds and their happiness are my primary concern! I sometimes deny an adoption because it is not a good match and some people might take this very personal - however these babies and adults are part of my family and not just a "sales item" . I have stayed up long nights to feed them, nursed them through their infant weeks and I love them dearly. I want them to be happy and well cared for. I am not breeding to sell birds - I breed because I love birds! I re-invest the money I get from bird sales into the aviary, buy larger cages, better brooders, pay for petsitters when we are gone on vacation, vet visits, good quality food, supplements and fresh veggies, toys and such. I only sell between 10-20 birds a year - that includes adults.
I would love to get my birds back if you can no longer care for them - they will always have a home here with me or I can try to find them a pet home!
I also don't over- breed my birds - my hens get at least 10 months of rest between clutches - usually they are only allowed one clutch a year - much less if they are getting older and they are all allowed to retire here. My birds are family to me - they are loved and well cared for.
Please always call me if you have questions- before or after adoption and even years along the line - I like to hear from you and I love to " talk birds".
Are birds messy and loud? - is there a specie that is cleaner/quiet?:
All birds are messy- they throw around seed, pellets and food and poop every 15 minutes or so- I have seen people potty train their birds but it requires a lot of devotion and patience - I have never managed with the smaller species! Birds generally don't smell but you need to keep their living environment clean and sanitary. A vacuum cleaner is a bird's owners best friend :-)
All birds vocalize - all birds start making noise at sunrise. Cockatiels males are a LOT more noisy than females. Cockatiels are loud some of the time but have periods where they are quiet too
Parakeets vocalize and chatter constantly - both males and females alike
Bourkes are relatively quiet but the boys will sing a cute melody ( comparable to songbirds outside) at dusk and dawn.
Rock pebbler have a low volume chatter/talk and a loud warning call but are very quiet compared to Budgies and Cockatiels.
If you live in an apartment make sure you talk to your neighbors and landlord before you get a bird - none of my species reach the volume of a cockatoo,parrot or conure but if you are noise sensitive or if you think that bird seed on the floor might drive you crazy a bird might not be the best choice...
Are there any Vets you can recommend:
Yes - I recommend Katie Philips from Yorkshire vet clinic on Dublin - she is available 3 days a week and my first choice.
Another option is Dublin animal hospital - Dr Roeder and team - good avian vets-
