Hey everyone,
I'm going to look at 3 1/2 month old baby IRN's Sat. What kinds of ? do I ask the breeder to see how they should be?? I know how to buy a puppy but no clue on baby birds. Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Jen
What sorts of ? do I ask the breeder??
Moderator: Mods
-
Mikaela
- Posts: 3752
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:12 am
- Location: Islamorada Key, Florida U.S.A.
- Contact:
Make sure the place is CLEAN.
Watch how the breeder handles the baby, then you try it.
Ask when they were born and a little history on the parents.
Ask what formula the baby is on.
Ask anything that comes to mind. No question is a stupid guestion, only stupid people lack the courage to ask.
Ask the feeding schedule.
Ask her favorite, and why.
Pay special attention to the birds feathers, beak and feet. Remember how Byndi's looks. When you hold the bird, make sure its feet feel warm unless it is really cold at the time.
Watch how the breeder handles the baby, then you try it.
Ask when they were born and a little history on the parents.
Ask what formula the baby is on.
Ask anything that comes to mind. No question is a stupid guestion, only stupid people lack the courage to ask.
Ask the feeding schedule.
Ask her favorite, and why.
Pay special attention to the birds feathers, beak and feet. Remember how Byndi's looks. When you hold the bird, make sure its feet feel warm unless it is really cold at the time.
~ Mikaela Sky
I agree with Mikaela. definately make sure you handle the baby yourself and that you are happy with it, dont feel pressured to buy if you arent confident that it is what you want.
At 3 1/2 months, I would be looking out for how relaxed it is. it is ok for it to be a little wary of you (IRNs can be wary of strangers so it might not want to 'cuddle') but if it has been handraised you should still be able to get it to step up and to get it to step from hand to hand.
I would be asking how long its been weaned and find out how often it is handled since it stopped being hand fed (although the bird's behaviour is probably the best indication).
When I bought Sari last year the breeder let me hold 2 different baby girls and answered all my questions about them to help me pick which one was best for me. Sari was just under 3 months old and had just weaned.
Good luck! new babies are so exciting!
At 3 1/2 months, I would be looking out for how relaxed it is. it is ok for it to be a little wary of you (IRNs can be wary of strangers so it might not want to 'cuddle') but if it has been handraised you should still be able to get it to step up and to get it to step from hand to hand.
I would be asking how long its been weaned and find out how often it is handled since it stopped being hand fed (although the bird's behaviour is probably the best indication).
When I bought Sari last year the breeder let me hold 2 different baby girls and answered all my questions about them to help me pick which one was best for me. Sari was just under 3 months old and had just weaned.
Good luck! new babies are so exciting!
In addition:
If you're worried about disease in your area, ask if it is a closed aviary (that means no birds come in, so theoretically no desease comes in). Closed aviaries are best anyway.
When you visit, take note of the clenliness as pertains to you. Do they make you wash your hands, step your shoes in cleanser- or do they just let you into the nursery and let you hold babies?
Ask if the chicks are abundance weaned (it's a good thing). And what they are currently eating. (since you're looking at a 3 1/2 month old it's weaned by now, lol) Regular veggies are very good.
That's all I can think of at the moment... I'm probably missing something obvious here, lol.
If you're worried about disease in your area, ask if it is a closed aviary (that means no birds come in, so theoretically no desease comes in). Closed aviaries are best anyway.
When you visit, take note of the clenliness as pertains to you. Do they make you wash your hands, step your shoes in cleanser- or do they just let you into the nursery and let you hold babies?
Ask if the chicks are abundance weaned (it's a good thing). And what they are currently eating. (since you're looking at a 3 1/2 month old it's weaned by now, lol) Regular veggies are very good.
That's all I can think of at the moment... I'm probably missing something obvious here, lol.
I've been called 'birdbrained' before, but somehow I don't think this is what they meant. say:hah-nay
-
Mikaela
- Posts: 3752
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:12 am
- Location: Islamorada Key, Florida U.S.A.
- Contact:
Jen:
You are SO lucky to have this foundation. I hope you print this post and take it with you to the breeder. Hi-light importants.
Take your time, she is there to help you. Without you, she would have no business.
Do EXACTLY what Carly said:
Make sure it will step up FOR YOU and then step up from finger to finger a few times. Also, anyone training a ringneck should do this for a few minutes a day. It shows them YOU are boss. Thay simply step from hand to hand.
Dont buy a baby you cant do that to or you'll have another Byndi.
You are SO lucky to have this foundation. I hope you print this post and take it with you to the breeder. Hi-light importants.
Take your time, she is there to help you. Without you, she would have no business.
Do EXACTLY what Carly said:
Make sure it will step up FOR YOU and then step up from finger to finger a few times. Also, anyone training a ringneck should do this for a few minutes a day. It shows them YOU are boss. Thay simply step from hand to hand.
Dont buy a baby you cant do that to or you'll have another Byndi.
~ Mikaela Sky
-
Neokireina
- Posts: 864
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 2:42 am
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
1> Was it incubator hatched if not when was it pulled.
2> What was the hatch date
3> Where is it being kept (ask to see the nursery)
4> How was it fed (crop needle, spoon, syringe, parents)
5> How was it weaned and when
6> What were the parents (ask to see them if possible)
7> Was it handled much
8> How tame is it now
9> What formula did you use
10> Is the breeder part of a club
11> Would breeder be willing to give contact info for future questions
12> Where does the breeder buy the food from
13> What do the parents eat
14> How long have you bred birds
15> What other kinds of birds have you raised
Just really take an interest in the surroundings and use common sense. You should know if it feels dodgy. Listen to how the breeder answers the questions, watch the baby for a while and make sure it's not scared and looks healthy. See if the breeder is genuinely willing to help out and not just after a quick sale.
2> What was the hatch date
3> Where is it being kept (ask to see the nursery)
4> How was it fed (crop needle, spoon, syringe, parents)
5> How was it weaned and when
6> What were the parents (ask to see them if possible)
7> Was it handled much
8> How tame is it now
9> What formula did you use
10> Is the breeder part of a club
11> Would breeder be willing to give contact info for future questions
12> Where does the breeder buy the food from
13> What do the parents eat
14> How long have you bred birds
15> What other kinds of birds have you raised
Just really take an interest in the surroundings and use common sense. You should know if it feels dodgy. Listen to how the breeder answers the questions, watch the baby for a while and make sure it's not scared and looks healthy. See if the breeder is genuinely willing to help out and not just after a quick sale.
Thanks everyone for all the great input. I will use it wisely. I don't think I'm going to have anything to worry about tho' cuz DarinA got his IRN from the same place I'm going and he has told me he's had no problems at all with his baby! So I'm feeling pretty good about it. I'll keep you posted. IF Sat. EVER gets here! Jeepers this is a long week.
Jen
Jen
