Bublu Bhuyan Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 I've always been a huge enthusiast of pet birds. I did keep a few pet birds previously, but was really ignorant about caring for them. This time, I've educated myself completely on how to care properly for pet birds. I have been fascinated by African Grey parrots for the last few years. Couldn't get one till now because they are really costly. Finally at this point, I've made my decision to get one. They are the best talkers of all parrot species, and are the most intelligent and have the most superior cognitive abilities. I just booked an African Grey baby chick a few days ago. The breeder is essentially a dentist from Kolkata who has an aviary farm and breeds birds mostly because it's a hobby for him. The chick wasn't even 10 days old when I booked it. It hasn't even opened it's eyes. The bird will cost Rs. 31,000, but I'll be paying a total of Rs. 35,000 which will include packing and transport to the Guwahati airport. It'll be separated from it's parents before it opens it's eyes, and then hand fed until completely weaned. For those who are wondering what the term 'hand fed' means, there are two ways a chick is brought up - 'parent fed' and 'hand fed'. When a chick is parent fed, it's basically fed and raised by it's parents until it completely weans (starts taking adult food). It's negatives are that the chick grows up to carry the wild traits or instincts of it's parents and are afraid of human contact. However, when a chick is separated from it's parents before it opens it's eyes, and they see humans upon opening their eyes, it associates itself with humans and no longer fear them as they grow up. They are then hand fed with hand rearing formula until they wean completely and are ready to go to new homes. This process results in a bird that readily associates itself with humans and bond with them. Hand feeding is a very, very laborious method and if not done perfectly could kill the bird in a matter of minutes. It's for this very reason birds that are hand fed cost a lot more than those that are parent fed. I'll also have to order a cage from over the internet. I've selected the one that I want and it'll cost about Rs. 20,000 which includes shipping to my place. Then I'll have to get other essential things like a first aid kit, a training stand, feather and toenail clipping scissors, and a bag of organic pellets to feed it as it's staple diet which will cost about Rs. 10,000 in total. They'll come costly because I'll have to import them from the USA, and the shipping charges are a lot. I'll also have to order a package of non toxic bird toys every month that will cost Rs. 2000/month. Once again they will be imported from the USA. It's very, very important to keep African Greys (one of the most intelligent birds with extraordinary cognitive abilities) stimulated with different toys or they start displaying destructive behaviors like screaming, feather plucking, aggression, etc which are mostly the results of boredom. And most importantly, I'll have to import a 5 lb bag of organic bird food every couple of months. One could feed them mixed seeds and nuts, but feeding them as organic diet ensures they live to their potential age which is around 50 to 70 years in captivity. The bag of food would cost just around Rs. 1200, but customs duty would ensure that I'll have to pay around Rs. 3800 in total. Over all, it's a very costly deal, but I'm ready to accept it. Any of you guys here who are pet bird enthusiasts, and have pet birds?
Bublu Bhuyan Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 Yusuf Pathan is a big enthusiast of parrots, and he too recently got an African Grey baby during his stay in Bangalore. Here's a video of the news - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/sports/cricket/Yusuf-Pathan-spotted-buying-exotic-parrots-in-Bangalore/videoshow/7632737.cms Here's an adult African Grey talking - 3m122FzKTsM
varun Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Was never a fan of caging birds.. Seems cruel as the bird is meant to fly and I'm just jailing it for my viewing pleasure.
Shane Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 My Uncle had got me and my cousin a pair of talking parrots. I dont know its breed and stuffz :P but the guy who sold it said it was a talking pair, He got them from Crawford Market, Mumbai for 2400 a pair back in 1992. At first we were scared as ****, coz it used to bite and those bites really stung but later on was very friendly and with a bit of training and persuasion, it started talking, It used to repeat whatever we said. It was fun as a kid to have a pet, but then over the years we have been kinda deattached. One of them died after 5 years, the other one is still there and after these many years even if we try freeing him he wouldnt leave. Now "Mittu" entertains my 8 year old cousin and his pet cat. Will post a pic, the next time I visit them.
Bublu Bhuyan Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 Was never a fan of caging birds.. Seems cruel as the bird is meant to fly and I'm just jailing it for my viewing pleasure. They are not wild caught birds from the jungles. They are bred domestically for the very purpose of being raised as pets. A bird that has been bred and raised domestically won't survive in the wild for more than 48 hours. Either other predators will kill them or they'll die of thirst and hunger. They have no skills whatsoever to survive on their own, search for food or escape from predators. It isn't cruel to keep them as pets. They require a minimum of 3 hours out of cage with human interaction daily, out of the 12 hours they remain awake during that day. They are well cared for and provided with all the necessities. What's cruel though is bringing a bird and not caring for it, not giving it out of cage time everyday, ignoring it and not giving them the much required attention that they need on a daily basis.
Bublu Bhuyan Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 One of them died after 5 years' date=' the other one is still there and after these many years [b']even if we try freeing him he wouldnt leave. Now "Mittu" entertains my 8 year old cousin and his pet cat. Will post a pic, the next time I visit them. If it's a domestically bred bird (not a wild caught one), it won't survive for more than 48 hours if set free.
Ram Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Personally, I don’t prefer caging animals.. But as Bublu as, its not as black-and-white as terming all domesticated birds as animal abuse.. My roomie’s office colleague had a bird and she had to leave the country for a couple of weeks, so left it in our home for us to caretake. I have to say, the bird was great fun. I couldn’t figure out why, but every time we let it out, it would fly back into the cage.. Maybe it was ‘fraid of us? :dontknow: But after a while, it got used to us. We would be chillaxing on the couch, watching a movie or a game of basketball and it would just rest n our laps for hours on end, literally.. It would cling to our ankles, climb on our backs or perch on the neck.. Worst bit of the story – It was called ‘Rama’, which is among my many nicknames.. :hysterical:
flamy Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 daym, i cudnt wait to click and see the pic :(( i was expecting smth mermaid-like
Bublu Bhuyan Posted March 16, 2011 Author Posted March 16, 2011 daym, i cudnt wait to click and see the pic :(( i was expecting smth mermaid-like They aren't the most colorful, but they are the smartest and clearest talking among all parrot species.
flamy Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 They aren't the most colorful' date=' but they are the smartest and clearest talking among all parrot species.[/quote']
shrisha Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 @Bublu Bhuyan Hello, Sorry to resurrect an old thread :) Would you be so kind and share contact number of the Kolkata dentist / breeder. I'm thinking to get one of this smarties for my daughter for her birthday. Her beloved parrot passed away recently and she is really suffering because of that. Hope he didn't drop his hobby yet :) Hope your bird is healthy and happy. Regards.
BlueBee Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Thought I was the only one from Assam. :woot: On topic : Mind boggling price for an amazing creature.
Temujin Khaghan Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Not funny. why? if you buy a puppy will you not feed it?
CSK Fan Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 why? if you buy a puppy will you not feed it? Apparently you are supposed to eat only thin, starving animals/birds
Clarke Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Really, pets and food are one and the same for some here ?
shrisha Posted March 27, 2015 Posted March 27, 2015 why? if you buy a puppy will you not feed it? Of course I will, but I wouldn't eat him.
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