Parrot Breeder's Answer Book, The (Paperback)

by Gayle A. Soucek (Author) "The practice of keeping parrots for pets has been traced back to at least the early Romans..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Resource Guide, Congo African

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This unusual book is a detailed guide for the parrot owner who wants to breed the birds but has no prior experience. The author, an experienced breeder, covers all of the basics in layman's terminology, and points out both the rewards and pitfalls connected with parrot breeding. Topics covered include who should (and who should not) breed parrots, obtaining breeding stock, providing housing and supplies for a parrot flock, maintaining flock health, avian reproduction, incubation, rearing chicks, working with an avian veterinarian, and selling chicks. The author concludes with a helpful list of information sources for parrot breeders. More than 60 full-color photos plus line art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764116959
• ISBN-13: 978-0764116957
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,771 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Parrot Breeding Guide, February 16, 2002

By A Customer

This is an excellent book for those who are looking into breeding parrots. It gives good information on the pros and cons for breeding, and comes with excellent pictures and illustrations. This is such a wonderful guide to breeding parrots RESPONSIBLY. It is incredibly honest and straight forward on the benefits and pitfalls of breeding. Very easy reading and informative. Also comes with a reference guide in the back. Highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will never leave home again...almost, July 10, 2005

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

THE PARROT BREEDER'S ANSWER BOOK was written by Gayle Soucek, who has been breeding and training parrots for a number of years and maintains a flock of 70-80 birds at her Chicago home. The fact that she has been able to raise baby parrots in such a cold hostile environment is amazing, especially when she informs the reader that at times she must transport the babies to work because they require "round-the-clock"feedings, just like human babies. Of course she is hand raising the birds she feeds herself. Parent raised babies are cared for all day by mom and dad, but hand raising birds is the key to training them to be friendly animal companions. Reading this book one wonders where Ms Soucek finds the time to care for birds as she works full time for a bird supply business, is involved with a number of bird organizations and writes articles and books. Soucek says "you will never travel again" if you get into this business, and she has a point, although she undoubtedly travels to various locations to speak and lecture.

Soucek covers all the important aspects of baby-bird raising including parent nutrition and avian reproduction; preventive health care, including when to call your vet and when to "do it yourself"; baby nutrition including diets and hand feeding; housing, including cage requirements (do you know the difference between an incubator and a brooder?), air, water and light requirements; characteristics of birds reproductive systems including the difference between DNA sexing and the more invasive laproscopic sexing.

As a full-fledged bird breeder, I found this book highly informative, and recommend it to anyone who thinks bird-breeding is a "hobby."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Parrot Breeder's Answer Book, July 28, 2005

By	Dawn Adley - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very informative, I've been a breeder for 11 years and learned a few things I didn't know!