Breeding
As a bird rescue organization, we are painfully aware of the huge overpopulation problem we are currently facing with the smaller birds (Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Finches, etc.) So, we do our best to encourage would-be breeders to reconsider their decision to breed and maybe to become involved in rescue work instead.
If you are getting into breeding to further your involvement with birds, we would highly recommend that you consider working with a rescue group instead. If there is no bird rescue organization near you, you can contact your local Animal Care and Control or Humane Society, you might be surprised to find that they rescue birds as well as cats and dogs. If you do that, you will be helping them (instead of contributing to an already out-of-control overpopulation problem) and it will be much less costly (breeding can be very expensive if it is done responsibly). It will also be much more emotionally rewarding.
When you breed birds, it is important to make sure the parents are healthy and in good condition to breed (i.e., not related or have any genetic defects). You would do that by taking them to an avian vet for a thorough check up and lab work. Also, if you breed them you will have to be prepared to hand feed the chicks in case the parents don't feed them properly. This can be very difficult. We have had birds for more than 13 years and still don't feel comfortable hand feeding (it is best left to the birds and the experts). You must be prepared to keep a close eye on the parents and babies without disturbing them too much during the raising of the babies.
Finally, you must be able to find all of the babies loving, responsible homes. This can be the hardest part. Trust us on this one, there are many more birds out there who need loving homes than there are good homes for them. It is very difficult to hand over a baby who was born in your home to someone you are not completely comfortable with and finding someone you are completely comfortable with is even more difficult. We also ask you to think about all of the little faces on our website. All of those birds are already here and have been abandoned, abused or neglected. Every time a new baby bird is born, that baby is indirectly taking a home away from an already existing bird who has been waiting (in some cases) months to years to go to a permanent home.