The problems with domestic
parrot breeding
In 1983 the import of wild par-
rots into America was banned. So
parrot breeders stepped up their
production to supply the growing
demand for parrots as pets. What
they created was an inundation
of parrots that are predisposed to
plumage destruction and other
obsessive-compulsive disorders.
The majority of parrots in a
domestic setting will eventually re-
sort to plumage mutilation at some
point in their lives. While this is
commonly referred to as self-muti-
lation, it is easier to understand the
behavior when viewed through its
parallels to trichotillomania, or hair
pulling in humans. In both cases,
obsessive grooming is used as a
way to soothe anxiety. As undo-
mesticated prey, parrots naturally
have a higher level of anxiety than
domesticated predatory animals,
like dogs and cats.
When raised by their parents
in a natural environment, young
parrots are taught important skills
in the first year or two of life be-
fore they fledge. One of these skills
is proper plumage management,
and that skill may dovetail with
anxiety management.
Unfortunately, a common
practice in domestic parrot breed-
ing is removing the new, fertilized
egg from it’s parents care, and
incubating it until it hatches. Then
the chick is hand raised by humans
until it is old enough to sell. Parrot
breeders don’t want to take the
time to let the parents raise the
new chick. They know that if they
take the fertilized egg, the parents
might lay more fertilized eggs
sooner, and that will translate into
higher profits. But because the
offspring don’t have the opportu-
nity to learn from their parents,
they will likely resort to plumage
mutilation and other obsessive/
compulsive behaviors later on in
their lives.
When trying to determine why
domestic parrot breeding pro-
duces so many affected birds, an
examination of common breeding
techniques provides some obvi-
ous answers. Breeding stock are
often kept in small, dark boxes for
months or years at a time. And
they are fed a low cost, high calorie
feed that is usually full of slaughter
industry byproducts. These “parrot
mills” can be large operations, or
inconspicuous “backyard breeders.”
The other source for parrots as
pets or breeding stock is through
illegal poaching and smuggling. In
these horrific journeys where they
are often stuffed into PVC tubes
and crammed into suitcases and
smuggled through customs into a
wealthy countries, over half of the
smuggled birds don’t survive.
In either case, part of Garuda
Aviary’s commitment to educa-
tion is to illustrate to the public
why there is no “cruelty free” or
compassionate route through
which one could obtain a pet par-
rot today. And studies conclude
that a parrot bred in captivity has
a one percent chance of survival if
relocated to its natural habitat.
Meet the flock with Christopher in
the Garuda’s outdoor aviary. Open
Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays in pleasant weather above 65
degrees. 18400 River Road, Poolesville,
MD 20837. You can also read the par-
rots’ stories online at: garudaaviary.org.
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Mallu, DVM, CVA,
MAc, LAc
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