Re: How many pairs of Aberdeen's to an Aviary
Posted: 02 Aug 2024, 17:37
It boggles my mind that Aberdeens are now listed for around $800 a pair.
I've been out of the hobby for a very long time. When I was most active, in the later 80s and early 90s, Aberdeens were a mid level bird, around the $35 mark in my neck of the woods. They were never anywhere as common as cutthroats, but there would usually be one or two birds available anytime you went to a dealer.
Their reputation was, 'easy to breed, as easy as a cutthroat, but not in fashion, not in high availability and not in high demand'.
Personally, I always liked the look of them. I think they look great. I will say though that the wild African birds I see on Youtube seem much more brightly feathered than our captive birds. Some of the wild African ones seem to have really vibrant red heads.
My question is this; given they've been a high value bird for a while now, and back in fashion in serious breeder circles, why hasn't their reputed ease of care and breeding resulted in a Silverbill-style resurrection? Are they no longer easy to breed due to genetic degradation and inbreeding? Or are they now on their way back to more reasonable prices and better availability?
I've been out of the hobby for a very long time. When I was most active, in the later 80s and early 90s, Aberdeens were a mid level bird, around the $35 mark in my neck of the woods. They were never anywhere as common as cutthroats, but there would usually be one or two birds available anytime you went to a dealer.
Their reputation was, 'easy to breed, as easy as a cutthroat, but not in fashion, not in high availability and not in high demand'.
Personally, I always liked the look of them. I think they look great. I will say though that the wild African birds I see on Youtube seem much more brightly feathered than our captive birds. Some of the wild African ones seem to have really vibrant red heads.
My question is this; given they've been a high value bird for a while now, and back in fashion in serious breeder circles, why hasn't their reputed ease of care and breeding resulted in a Silverbill-style resurrection? Are they no longer easy to breed due to genetic degradation and inbreeding? Or are they now on their way back to more reasonable prices and better availability?