Major Mitchell as a pet??

[vankarhi]

Can anybody tell me what a Major Mitchell would be like as a family pet? I am considering getting a handraised baby from the same breeder as my eclectus. The vet I took Skye to told me he has very healthy birds and really puts a lot of time and effort into raising his babies, so I feel confident of a lovely healthy chick (Skye was and still is just beautiful). I want to be able to clicker train the baby bird also, the same as I am doing with Skye. Plus I want to be able to take it places with a harness on (again just like Skye). So basically it will be a family pet. I would like to have a bird that enjoys being patted (unlike SKYE).

[dail]

Majors are great pets, I prefer females as they are not as noisy, our hen is a doll, she adores my husband, I find she is a REAL chewer, our Cindy cannot leave anything unchewed! she is a real pest but that is not to say all Majors will be like this. I have two non screatching sulphurs, and they are not chewers either. I believe it is all in the upbringing.

[vankarhi]

Thanks Dails

[boxa]

I also love these birds. Just out of interest, what is a hand reared Major Mitchell's worth?

Cheers

-=boxa=-

[zooyouthben]

about $400-600

Majors do beter in a pair, maybe get 2 hand raised ones would work better,
But if it has the other birds for company maybe it would be ok

[vankarhi]

I did some research and a lot of people said they can be aggressive..............so decided not to get one. The breeder I got skye and shrekie from also breeds MM (he breeds so many different birds) and he charged when I asked him over a year ago ............. $500 then.

[zooyouthben]

If you are looking for a new bird, vankarhi. Maybe a Conure would be a good addition, or Exotic Lory Chatterings make great talkers and there is a surplus or Females at the moment.

Maybe if you have enough $$$ to spare a Hahns Macaw would be nice also

[vankarhi]

Ben...................if I had the money I would probably get a macaw. lol i am actually picking up a rainbow lorikeet today. It is being given to me as it was taken to a vet and given to another vet to look after and she doesn't want it. she has advertised it last 2 weekends and the owners have not claimed it. I was not even looking for another bird at the moment.............but she reckons this one is obviously someones pet.......very tame, talking and a real character. i am very excited about it too. Pics probably later today. Now for the thinking of names...............

[vankarhi]

oh and this thread was started by me last year sometime .............. 6/9/05 when I was thinking of getting a MM..........but decided on another alex ............... who I have now ....... Takoda

[Jane]

Wow it is catching We're all attracting birds looking for new homes! We look forward to the pics Tracey

[robert]

This might be of help,sypher. from Robert and Precious

[avinet]

I have had quite a few customers who have, or have had, Majors, and I estimate that only around 10% of them have Majors over 2 years old who can still keep them as reliable tame birds that do not bite. Unfortunately the majority seem to become feral from 12 months onwards and in the end can only be kept in aviaries.

We have a 30 year old one that comes and boards with us at times - very unpredictable, can be sweet and head down for a scratch and then trying to bite the next minute when you are sucked in. The owners tell me that they will be looking for a home for it towards the end of the year as they are both long retired and in declining health and want to find a good home for the bird.

cheers,

Mike

[vankarhi]

mmmmmm sounds like my female ekkie. she attacked me again today quite viciously this time too. it really really hurt and I am feeling so upset over it this time.