We've spent the good part of our lives in the company of parrots. We always just preferred it that way.
A number of years ago we began sharing the loves of our lives, our feathered children, with others. I never thought I could ...breed, that is. How could I ever give my babies up and sell them?!? But a breeder friend of mine who had a Bird Store that supplied my bird feed suggested I at least raise some little Cockatiels and sell them to off-set the expense of my big birds.
For months and months I said, "No, no, not me. I couldn't bear to!" but he persisted and I finally set-up a breeding pair and became a Mother to some adorable little "dinosaurs." I learned the ropes from the old bird ladies in my area and found a fantastic Avian Vet.
The little guys thrived and turned into beauties.
But the whole point of this experience was to now sell them so that I could buy bird food, toys, a new cage, or even pay the vet bill, but I just couldn't bring myself to do so.
These were my babies, my little feathered, cheeping children.
How quickly I forgot they actually had parents of their own species. I was thoroughly hooked, addicted, enthralled. They were my responsibility now and I loved em' as if they were my own kids.
But we kept having more and more babies and now we had to feed all those mouths besides our pets! The situation had become ridiculous and gotten totally out of hand! Finally my breeder friend, the one with the bird store, convinced me to bring my 'tiels in to him and he would sell them for me since I couldn’t bear to!
I packed them up and delivered them to him in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. It was then that he put his arm around my shoulder and said these words that have remained with us, "Barbara, you're selling your children!"
That's exactly what was occurring, but he meant it in a kind and gentle way. He meant that he knew we cared very much about our birds. They were in fact, our kids, not a product being marketed.
That line became our slogan,"We Sell Our Children" ...and remains to this day.
Oh yeah it's offended a few people too, very few. But I'm proud of it and it's been painted on our truck and printed on our business cards for over 20 years!
We now specialize strictly in multi-generation Hybrid Macaws; Camelot, Capri, Flame, Rubalina, 2nd Gen. Catalina & Shamrock, plus a variety of Pure Species Macaws and many, many more.
To this day each and every one is still raised, for you, with love and care as if it were one of our children...better make that grand children ; )
"Mama & Papa Bird" ~ Barb & Harry Parish