Does My Bird Need to Breed?

Some believe their bird is unhappy and would be happier if it were allowed to breed.  Some people get a mate for their bird and try this on their own, while others give/sell their parrots to breeders believing the bird will be happier if he had a mate and was allowed to breed.  We get many birds at the rescue as the result of these types of pairings. 

To understand the dynamics of bird breeding;  Birds that are parent raise and kept wild are typically used in breeding as they have the natural instinct, drive and are parent taught the dynamics of breeding.  Where pet birds are usually removed from their parents before their eyes are open and do not have the same natural drives and instincts.  Now this does not mean that some don’t get hormonal urges, but these are usually seasonal and can be controlled somewhat with a few behaviour modifications. 

What we have found is most pet birds, when placed into a breeding program are not very successful breeders.  They don’t understand the dynamics, have a higher rate of killing their mates or being killed or having their beaks ripped off  or other injuries(this is fairly common even with normal breeders but much higher in pet/breeding).

They usually don’t understand the physical aspects and typically don’t produce viable eggs .  They also have a much higher rate of killing their own babies as they don’t understand the parenting aspect as they were not taught if they are able to produce viable eggs.

They have now reverted back to their wild nature to an extent where they don’t want to be handled by people and their homonal instincts are now much higher.  The breeders encourage this by not handling them at all, not talking to them and no toys so they learn that the only thing left for them is to breed.  They leave them strictly with a mate and breeding box for a number of years.  They typically end up plucking themselves bald and/or get plucked by their mate from all the stress.

The majority of breeders once they realize that this particular bird will not successfully breed,  usually try to sell them to someone again as a pet. Usually for a reduced price as they are now damaged goods and typically they sell them to someone without the knowledge or ability to care for it properly think they are getting a deal with the cheaper price.  In some cases they go off to another unsuspecting breeder.   They no longer want the burden or expenses for housing, feeding and space so they can make room for other breeders.  

What is left of the bird?  He no longer wants human interaction as it once did  as it has now become fearful of humans and touch.  It is usually badly plucked with little hope of regaining its feathers and now gets hormonal with more frequency.  It is no longer a pet or breeder.

These birds are now very messed up.  They are much harder to manage and typically end up in rescues.  If they are lucky they will get an experienced behaviourist that may be able to help them to adjust to life with humans again.  Otherwise they end up in a cage somewhere where they live a fearful life not wanting interaction, unloved and very stressed.

Presently we have 6 such birds at the rescue and we are finding our own frustration in trying to reintegrate them into a place that would be best suited to them.  We do work towards behaviour modifications to help them re-adjust back to life with people.  We just hope some peeople will read this and realize the long term results of wanting their parrot to breed.