I'm getting an Eclectus parrot.

[jusdeb]

This site discourages pellets as it over doses the Eclectus with vitamins .

Might pay to read up , start with this site http://eclectusparrots.net/diets.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Im reading this one myself just because it is so interesting and easy to read .

[wagga]

Nathan, Eckys require lots of attention to detail in diet, housing, location, physical and psychological needs. They are for advanced husbandry skilled breeders. Even as a pet they are just as demanding. As a Ecelctus breeder I have seen many eckys suffer at the hands of their well intentioned owners. Yes, they are good pets. But when their hormones kick in, 2 plus years of age, most change in personality. Some birds are good while others are nasty, as in Vr1ton case. I know this post might sound aggressive BUT please consider the total needs of the Ecky.

Did I mention how noisy they are.

[jusdeb]

Whats the average lifespan Wagga or VR1 ?

[Nathan Morleyy]

Yes ,
My dad will take good care of her and we know that they can be noisy.

Thanks Nathan

[SamDavis]

Nathan,
I've got two pairs. The original pair were house pets for many years (they're about 12 or 13 year old now). They're brilliant pets, geat talkers and really intelligent, but as VR1Ton and wagga says caring and feeding them is a real comittment (also cleaning up after them). Mine get fresh apple, mandarin, carrot, corn, peas, etc... every day (and some seed), so can be quite expensive/time consuming to keep. As I'm already cutting up all this stuff each mroning I also feed some of the fruit and veg to the finches - took them a while to get the hang of it, but now most finches eat it as well. Eckies require appropriate psychological stimulation, or they'll develop behavioural problems. For a pet bird they need to be out of their cage alot.
We experimented with pellets some years ago. Pretty Bird makes an Eclectus Special pellet but it's not cheap. The birds ate it OK but we still fed fruit and veg. Handy if they'll eat pellets as it simplifies feeding when you're away on holidays for a while. Lifespan can be in excess of 30 years. I've handraised heaps of them over the years - none at the moment though.

[Nathan Morleyy]

Sam,
I will do that and I will tell my dad to do that to I can't wait until I buy her .

Thanks Nathan

[wagga]

They are very long lived. My breeding pair took 5 years before they started breeding. I had a hen that was very late starter at 7 before she started laying. The cock birds can be sexually active at 2 - 3 years of age but not fertile, just practicing. The hen are fertile properly 12 months earlier then cocks. I have seen breeding pairs at 3 years of age. I have friends who's birds are around 20 years old. The problem I noticed is that the hens are always in breeding mode and normally die well before a cock bird. Life expectancy would greatly depend on diet and physical condition.

PS, Unfortunately I had to sell my 3 pair as they would be too noisy for the new home.

[Nathan Morleyy]

Wagga,
So do you think I should get a male or female? And how noisy are they out of 10?.

Thanks Nathan

[natamambo]

snip And how noisy are they out of 10?.

Thanks Nathan

if they don't get the attention they want when they want it about 15/10. Know someone who's council made them move it on coz neighbours kept complaining!

[toothlessjaws]

beyond a joke.