Big time breeders

[iaos]

E Orix, you have a cage or two. Do you keep tabs on how many birds you breed a year?

Cheers Ian

[BluJay]

Most, if not all pet shops are only willing to pay 15.00 for a canary. Or it least ones that have talked with me. I say that is laughable, because I could advertise "whistling canary" and a "cage" a 100.00 and still be under cutting them by 50.00 - 80.00.
E.orix breeds birds that I've seen sell for %$#&@.00 a pair. So numbers aren't that important. I think a lot depends on the spieces of bird you raise and/or mutatations thereof.

[casehulsebosch]

I happen to know one such Oz breeder who puts this kind of numbers on the perch.

Think about the capital outlay for the set up. We are talking Tens of thousands of dollars here!

The dedication, time and effort going into this day in, day out, year in year out. What do you think these breeders do when you are laying on the beach in Kuta?

As for overseas prices. Top budgies in the UK are selling for 10.000 pounds not the bargain bin price of 1000 quoted here.
And how about Hook beaks? Now that is another story

cheers, case, tauranga, new zealand.

[finchbreeder]

Top show budgies here in Oz can go for a couple of thousand each too.
LML

[gomer]

If you want to make money stick to a real job. After expenses, capital outlay and a reasonable hourly rate Its only worth it as a hobby. If you want your hobby to pay for itself and nothing else then its quite achievable.

[BluJay]

Gomer, question, if you get ABN, and run as a business, isn't there writes offs you can take on taxes? Like in the states, if you incorporate, you can elect sub-s status, which permits you to take your out of pocket expenses on taxes. Just wonder if it's simular here. Regards.

PS: This allows for larger refund, and then re invest the refund into the business, further reducing your tax liability.

All while keeping the day job!

[gomer]

I personally would not like to bring to much attention to what I do in my backyard. A business would need to be suitable to my zoning I would think.Also much of the capital outlay is to late to claim.

[matcho]

As I said before, a hobby, with some benefits, sometimes. Some good years, some bad, I don't really care. Just like having them, like the challenge for new birds. Retired now (and single) gives me an interest. Just like going fishing (which I do) Not adverse to spending 4 or 5 hundred for a rod and reel combo, no return on that. There is a down side though, who would you trust your birds to if you wanted to travel? People that have those setups either have to have employees or be totally committed. Good luck to them , not for me. I am lucky, have a good friend who knows the drill, a finch keeper to boot. My other down side is I have 2 dogs, one is diabetic (insulin injection morning and late afternoon plus walk) and the other suffers from Cushings disease. (Medication each morning). My ex has them but they are dropped off every morning and retrieved late afternoon,but when she has to travel for work I have them, like now. We would not trust them with anyone bar a vet stay, totally expensive.

Sorry for the rant, just happy with what I have.


Ken.

[Craig52]

Well said Ken,i agree totally Craig

[E Orix]

It may surprise members that it is quite easy for some to keep a big collection.
It depends on how many aviaries and cages you have and how well organised they are.
Also bigger collections don't get the smaller extra bits, well at least mine don't.
My ratio of chicks per pair would be far lower than a person with just a few pairs
especially the middle level birds.
As for looking after the collection when I am away, no worries luckily as my mate takes over
in fact he does more these day with regard the every day things than I do.
Good deal I think.