Aussie Finch Forum

At my local bird club I was surprise major to find out that a fellow specialist finch breeder was selling his entire finch collection. The major reason given was that he was selling the family home and moving into town to be closer to medical facilities. AND that he was unable to justify the time, money and effort required to breed finches with little monetary gain in return. During the conversation he then mentioned that he is placed a order and is now awaiting for a the delivery of small number of rare parrots.

A number of thoughts come to mind:

Here we go again, another parrot dollar driven breeder has converted him (Anakin Skywaker turns to the Dark side),

Some people it's all about the money and there is always people wanting the 'next big thing'.

"Out with the finches and in go the parrots".

wagga wrote:At my local bird club I was surprise major to find out that a fellow specialist finch breeder was selling his entire finch collection. The major reason given was that he was selling the family home and moving into town to be closer to medical facilities. AND that he was unable to justify the time, money and effort required to breed finches with little monetary gain in return. During the conversation he then mentioned that he is placed a order and is now awaiting for a the delivery of small number of rare parrots.

A number of thoughts come to mind:

Here we go again, another parrot dollar driven breeder has converted him (Anakin Skywaker turns to the Dark side),

Some people it's all about the money and there is always people wanting the 'next big thing'.

"Out with the finches and in go the parrots".

I don't really think it is a monetary thing Al, you must remember that he is moving and down sizing. Parrots can be kept in very small cages with little maintenance and usually just breed once a year hence the time factor and energy needed if you are not well. The other factor is that he needs to have birds in his life i suppose.
Having said that, what finches are up for sale and are there any that could go to other breeders who are struggling to get new blood for a certain specie. Cheers Craig

Everyone to their own decissions. If it was me I think I would prefer one avairy, and to concentrate on one finch type. But that is me.
LML

Craig,

what finches are up for sale and are there any that could go to other breeders who are struggling to get new blood for a certain specie

I will ask him for his consent before listing his birds.

It's a decision I and several other older breeders are facing. With big collections the work load doesn't increase greatly but
you find it harder and harder to handle the work.
I am fortunate to have a mate that assists or should I say does most of the work, even so I am now opening up most of my aviaries.
Less small aviaries and just bigger ones still hold the birds but less work.
Must admit I acquired a couple of pair of expensive small parrots, not a good move and only proved my interest is in finch type specie.
By the way I still have a cheap pair of Parrotlettes available if anyone is interested

Agree with you David, with all the ups and downs of my personal life and our health problems i have contemplated whether it's all worth it but i will still push on with my passion until i can't do it anymore.
What makes it worse is the losing of 4 hen breeding crimsons within a month but luckily were replaced with younger hens from the holding cage that were ear marked for sale. All this plays with older minds and as said earlier "is it all worth it" at the moment yes but down the track who knows. Craig

I still have a cheap pair of Parrotlettes available if anyone is interested

What's the asking price on them? I'm just asking mostly out of curiosity, but if my Plum-headed parrots don't breed again this year I may have some space open up soon.

I run a combination of both. I have finches which are my favourites and lineolated parrots and parrolets. I like the hook bills as they are easier to manage and tougher. I wanted linnies and goldfinches since the age if 10. At 33 i have both. Funny thing is i invest more effort in breeding the 10 $ feral that i could easily trap at home than i do the parrots that routinely generate 1000s. They are just easier but i like both the same.

As long as people are into Birds i think its ok but the dollar chasers scare me. I meet lots when selling linnies and you can pick em, they low ball hard then adk how to look after them...

David ill glady take your parrolets if you really want to move them.

I was breeding Birds since i could Jump Off a header cone at a friend’s farm To catch stubble quail i started trapping local finches & parrots at about 5years old
I left home & traveled the world & when I settled down I started breeding parrots had a big collection at one point & was a president of an Avicultural club then i went over seas to work i had a choice parrots or finches
What I find is that finches are the most rewarding & i can have a variety with minimal space & more relaxing & at 60 if I haven’t made a dollar by now parrots wont do it

I have the best of both worlds. I keep and breed finches - my first birdie love. But have a mother who keeps and breeds budgies - her first birdie love.
LML