African Grey Parrot Breeders

African Grey Parrot breeders have a very special business - and it is a business. If you are going to become a breeder, you should think of it as such. You need to prepare for it before running out and buying 2 birds.

An African Grey Parrot breeder must have start-up capital, funds to meet ongoing daily expenses, and love for African Grey Parrots. The love is often the motive for becoming an African Grey Parrot breeder, but without the financial backing, you will never be able to continue.

What African Grey Parrot Breeders Need

There are a few things you will minimally need to become an African Grey Parrot breeder.

1. Two or more pairs of African Grey Parrots: The best African Grey Parrot breeders let their birds choose their own mates. This ensures they will be good, caring parents for any chicks produced. Although you can become an African Grey Parrot breeder with only one pair of parrots, you will be more successful with more.

These birds are on the protected list, so the new African Grey Parrot breeder will need to ensure the parrots he or she purchases are bred in captivity, not in the wild. It is illegal to purchase or sell African Grey parrots that are not bred in captivity.

2. Cages: African Grey Parrots are large birds, and require large cages. Since you will want to have more than one bird living together, you will probably need a large aviary rather than a steel cage. The cage may need to be hand-built, so calculate this in start-up costs.

3. Accessories: African Grey Parrot breeders must figure into their initial costs a number of accessories for the birds. These include, but are certainly not limited to, a variety of perches, swings, exercise equipment, toys, food and water containers, grooming tools. In addition, an African Grey Parrot breeder will need an array of safe cleaning supplies and cages for taking the parrots to the veterinarian when necessary. The list goes on.

4. Food: African Grey Parrots do not eat chicken feed, and you can not feed them for “chicken feed” either. An African Grey Parrot breeder must be able to supply multiple parrots with food, supplements, and medications.

5. Time: Every African Grey Parrot breeder must have, and be willing to give, lots of time. These parrots want to be with you as much as possible. They demand attention. You will need to make this a full time job, or you will likely have no chicks.

That is only the beginning of what is needed to become an African Grey Parrot breeder. The most important thing you need is commitment. These are not disposable pets. They are not short-lived. Each African Grey Parrot you add to your breeding program is likely to live upwards of 50 years. You must be committed to their care for years to come.

Profits

If you become a successful African Grey Parrot breeder, you will be able to sell each bird for $600 to $1000. Although that may seem like a good profit, it will be reduced by the costs of caging, feeding, and caring for the parrots.