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Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 05 Jun 2014, 14:07
by Painted4
I was just wondering what everyones opinions are about the increase in seed prices, affecting the price of birds? Will it happen? Should it happen?

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 05 Jun 2014, 15:02
by elferoz777
I think supply and demand plus the current economic climate has a bigger role. Seed prices would influence the number of finches people keep I imagine.

I think bird prices are going down for the most part.

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 05 Jun 2014, 20:20
by fishtales
prices are low, and with aussies having less and less cash to spend, well I cant see prices going north. But we don't do it for the money :) most of us anyway.

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 05 Jun 2014, 21:33
by Painted4
Oh, I agree, I breed birds for the joy of seeing a chick fledge, and hopefully one day breeding rarer species. Just the person I buy my seed from today, after having it marked up by $12 said I should increase the price of my birds...I thought this was outrageous, so I just wanted to see what other members thoughts were on the subject.

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 06 Jun 2014, 00:48
by E Orix
In my opinion seed price increases won't drive the bird prices up as the market dictates that.
What will force prices up is if people keep less breeding stock which will most likely create a shortage and
if stock is less available then prices will rise as mentioned earlier.
I haven't noticed any drop in what I get for my birds and I am still selling all.
Maybe demand has lessened with regard the common easy to breed species but the expensive species are still selling.
As for trying to breed and selling as many young birds I can does not worry me at all.
My collection has been self supporting for many many years now, it has been the only way I can justify spending big dollars on birds.
It enables me to travel on bird related trips etc.
Personally I would love to see far far more birds bred and sold, then birds would be less expensive and more could enjoy
different species which may be out of their normal financial reach.
I do not know the answer but is their a real shortage of seed or just a shift upwards.
I know Red Millet is virtually unavailable but Budgie and Finch Mix blends vary greatly,I am about to take up an offer of these blends
at about $1.05 PER kg, White Millet 40kg bag at $36.The quality is fine and have been using it all last season.
To me seed is not that expensive when you compare it to bird costs.

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 06 Jun 2014, 08:52
by Painted4
I hope the prices of 'common' stock don't drop too much, as thats mostly all I can afford to keep at the moment, and currently they're paying for their own seed, thus leaving me with more money to purchase new stock/better equip my breeding set-up. Hopefully one day my collection will become fully self sufficient, or at least very close...i'd love to be able to afford some of the more expensive birds..But oh well, only 20, hopefully got a lot more years to build up my stock :lol:
In regards to seed, does anyone know if the prices will drop eventually? or will they stay this price? Thanks

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 06 Jun 2014, 09:22
by E Orix
Painted4
Just hang in there and keep breeding your birds.
Nearly all successful large collections were formed by years and years of breeding
not by cheque book collecting.
They are there because of the experienced gained.
It has only taken me nearly 60 years to get where I am now and I am still learning.
E Orix

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 06 Jun 2014, 10:31
by finchbreeder
Price of seed is going up here, and some seeds not easy to get. $47-50/25kg bag and sunflower and safflower difficult. But as my finches don;t eat those seeds, not a problem for me.
Spare Gouldian cocks are slower to move.
LML

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 06 Jun 2014, 11:16
by Painted4
E-Orix
Definitely learning a lot, this forums help answer a multitude of questions i've had, but hadn't been able to find the answers myself :lol:



It'd be interesting to know what the average price of a 20kg bag of standard finch mix is in each state, just for curiosity purposes. Where I normally get my seed from its gone up to $50 a bag, but then the local pet shop has bags of finch mix for $38 :wtf:

Re: Seed price affecting bird price?

Posted: 06 Jun 2014, 21:25
by Craig52
I just purchased 3 bags of finch mix at $32.50 for 20kg bags,its a little dusty but sprouts really well so is fresh. Craig :thumbup: