Well, things certainly have been crazy around here, keeping me way busier than I like to be. Peas and Carrots are doing just fine, although Carrots has started losing her wing and tail feathers because of the moult. I am sure Peas will be following suit shortly.
I am considering getting a Quaker Parrot and have been doing alot of research on them. I have only been able to locate one breeder so far fairly close to me and she is about 2-3 hours south. I sent her a message asking about available babies and if it was possible to come visit.
This is her reply: "yes we have babies now and they are still with their parents, when i pull them in about 21/2 weeks i can then see how many i have. We never know an exact date as to when they will wean because they go at their own pace, we keep the future owners updated. We don't let people visit the avairy for germ reasons and safety. We can't take a chance with any germs coming in that can hurt our babies and their parents, this is why we like to keep the new owners updated with pictures. If you want one let me know what state you live in and if you would like to be put on my waiting list".
Just curious if you think this is a legit enough reason to not see the aviary, and would pics be enough to go by? She has a website: www.countrybirdsaviary.com.

nope never a legit reason...as they can supply those lil surgical booties and smocks to enter the breeding room and avairy or ask folks to bring their own

but it is a good reason if ya got a bunch of lil kids in tow...or your coughing and then would also need a surgical mask

There are so many birds that are in need of a good home and I know that my local rescue gets in a lot of quakers who just need a little love and patience. One rescue I know of in Indiana is For Bird Lovers Only http://www.birdloversonly.org/index.html This is the rescue that has the famous dancing cockatoo Snowball who was given to the rescue for rehoming along with a CD and they were told "he likes this music". Irena who runs the rescue is a wonderful person and she may know of other rescues closer to you. So maybe you would consider adopting a bird that needs a home.

I agree with Cetan, if you can adopt and do a rescue that would be the best.

I understand the breeders concerns with germs and I would not want every Tom, Dick or Harry coming through the nursery, but if you are a buyer you should be able to scrub and take precautions and see the baby room. I would think it would be customary to see the nursery when you come to get your baby. My breeder let me see the babies but I had to scrub up to the elbows and take off my shoes, wear a mask and stuff to go in.

I have never bought a dog or a horse that I didn't see the digs before purchase. Most times though it wasn't after the birth but at the weaning stage when the immune system is stronger.

Southern Indiana is loaded with puppy mills so who knows, maybe bird mills too.

Also alarm bells always go off when on the home page of any breeder's site is info on how you can pay for the animal and they have info on money orders and that pay pal is coming soon.

There's nothing wrong with buying from a breeder, I did and I know others on this forum have too, but you need to do your homework before you buy from anyone. Just my two cents.

i wouldnt be comfy buying any animal from a breeder whom wouldnt let me see the aviary. i understand being wary of germs and such but as everyone else has pointed out there are ways to minimize the threat. i feel that if someone wont let you see that there is a big chance it is due to them hiding something. weather it be conditions of cages and such, conditions of birds. theres just something not right. and who knows everything might be on the up and up but i personally wouldnt want to chance that. most breeders are proud to show their birds and quarters.

Cetan, I will look into the rescue. I had kind of checked on it before, but only saw the bigger birds and had not followed up, but will keep an eye on it. I am not sure about when I want to get another bird, so I'm just taking my time and gathering info.

Pepper, thanks for the heads up on what to look for on the home page.

illusive, tessboss, and ahall: thanks for the advice. I had wondered about the surgical masks, and coverups also. I didnt think it would be that big a deal. I also would think that a breeder would want to show off his/her birds so when I got her email back that said no it made me question why. Like I said earlier I am not in a hurry to get another bird, so I will just continue to gather info and check out some other places.

Thanks again everyone for being so willing to help and answer questions!!

sometimes we just get excited somewhat of another lil feather freind but when you take your time as your doing it seems to end up being the wiser way to go on different levels...that time helps to make the right decision and time sometimes means we find out its best just not yet to get another bird at all...

and nothing is lost becuz its research time too which more should do...what im trying to say is,,it is better than impulsive buying

and your welcome

I know this doesn't apply since you're looking for a breeder near you but be careful about places that say they will ship the bird. There are legitimate places out there but more often than not, it's a scam. I am always weary of out of state sales of anything especially with an animal. My dad was looking to buy an English Bulldog and we found this ad in the local paper for one and contacted the seller. Turns out she wanted us to send $35 to her for some kind of transport fee because she lived in Texas....

I'm assuming she didn't even have a dog for sale and does this to several people and makes a killing. I mean, what kind of person advertises in a local paper hundreds of miles away.

Just be very cautious with out of state purchases. And like the others said, check into local rescues or your local iwanna. And since you're not in a hurry, I'm sure you'll find a great breeder close by.

Glad to hear that Peas and Carrots are doing well.

well i understand a min. fee to cover some ship transport fee heck you shop on line you pay for it all before ever getting anything....

so doesnt always mean its a scam and they are not gonna ship either not knowing if your not some sort of freak on the other end too...so if you send a wee bit that sorta says ok this maybe ligit...

but on that note ..sending a bird via outta state thing there are laws against that too...most states now your not suppose to transport over state lines without the proper papers and just to send a bird without a caretaker they are toooo fragile to do that ...and not that it matters but ...especially babies.