Buying parrot eggs online has become increasingly popular in recent years. The internet provides easy access to parrot breeders worldwide who can ship eggs directly to your door. While purchasing eggs online provides more options and convenience, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.
Should You Buy Parrot Eggs Online?
There are pros and cons to buying parrot eggs online. Some of the potential benefits include:
- Access to rare parrot species – Buying online allows you to purchase eggs from breeders around the world, giving you access to more unique, rare species.
- Convenience – Eggs can be shipped directly to your home, saving you the time and hassle of traveling to pick up eggs.
- Competitive pricing – Online breeders may offer lower prices compared to local pet stores.
- Wider selection – You can browse hundreds of listings to find exactly the species you want.
However, there are also some risks involved:
- Shipping hazards – Eggs can be damaged, delayed, or lost during shipping.
- Scams – Dishonest sellers may try to scam buyers out of money without providing viable eggs.
- Lack of customer support – It may be harder to resolve issues long distance with an online seller.
- No health/quality guarantees – You can’t inspect the eggs in person before purchasing online.
How to Safely Purchase Parrot Eggs Online
If you decide to proceed with buying parrot eggs online, here are some tips to reduce your risks:
- Research sellers carefully – Read reviews, join forums to check seller reputations, ensure they are licensed.
- Understand shipping protocols – Ask details about packaging, shipping methods, insurance, etc.
- Check health guarantees – Reputable sellers will guarantee fertility and replace eggs if issues arise.
- Learn legalities – Check permit/import requirements for the species you’re purchasing.
- Use trusted payment services – Avoid wire transfers with new sellers, use protected payment options.
- Consider local pickup – See if the seller can deliver locally or to a pickup facility.
- Inspect eggs upon arrival – Carefully examine eggs for any cracks or issues before incubating.
Taking these precautions will help ensure a smooth, successful transaction when buying parrot eggs online.
How to Identify Healthy Parrot Eggs
When you receive parrot eggs from an online purchase, inspecting them right away is crucial. Here’s what to look for to identify healthy parrot eggs:
- Color – The egg should be bright white with no discoloration or yellow/brown tint which could indicate bacterial infection.
- Shape – Look for a smooth, oval shape with no irregular lumps, flat sides, or pointy ends which are abnormal.
- Size – Egg size varies by species but should be proportional without being unusually large or small.
- Shell texture – The shell should feel slightly coarse but not excessively bumpy or flaky which could mean calcification issues.
- Candling – Shine a bright light through the egg to check for a network of veins without dark spots or odd formations.
- Air sac – Turn the egg and make sure the air sac is not displaced, leaking liquid, or excessively large.
Healthy parrot eggs have bright, blemish-free shells and a network of veins radiating from the yolk when candled. Any eggs that are abnormal in appearance, shape, or texture should be discarded right away.
Incubating Parrot Eggs Purchased Online
Successfully hatching parrot eggs bought online starts with proper incubation. Here are some tips:
- Set up incubator properly – Adjust temperature and humidity levels to match species requirements.
- Maintain stable conditions – Keep levels constant; monitor and record temperature/humidity daily.
- Rotate eggs – Turn 180 degrees minimum of 3 times per day for even development.
- Sanitize equipment – Disinfect incubator interior between hatches to prevent bacteria growth.
- Do not disturb – Avoid excessively opening the incubator to maintain stable conditions inside.
- Transfer pipped eggs carefully – Gently move eggs to a hatcher once signs of pipping occur.
Mimicking the precise conditions parrots create naturally is crucial for the incubating eggs. Frequent monitoring and adjustments are needed to account for variables like room temperature and weather. With proper care, the eggs have the best chance at hatching healthy chicks.
Why Parrot Eggs Fail to Hatch
Despite your best efforts incubating them, sometimes parrot eggs purchased online may fail to hatch. Here are some common reasons why:
- Fertility issues – Unfertilized eggs, poor breeding, or improper egg storage can result in no embryo development.
- Temperature problems – Excess heat or cold can kill the embryo inside the egg.
- Incorrect humidity – Too much or too little moisture impacts the egg and embryo.
- Shipping damage – Vibrations, shocks, or drops during shipping can kill the viable embryo.
- Incorrect positioning – Not properly turning the egg prevents embryo attachment.
- Bacterial infection – Bacteria introduced through cracks or unsanitary conditions overtake the embryo.
- Genetic defects – Embryos affected by physical deformities or weaknesses may not develop fully.
It can be disappointing when eggs fail to hatch after putting in time and effort incubating them. However, some amount of failure is normal even for experienced breeders. Try to determine the cause and make adjustments to improve the chances of success next time.
Signs of Healthy Parrot Chicks Hatching from Eggs
When parrot eggs start piping and hatching, look for these signs to ensure the emerging chicks are healthy:
- Cracking in a circle – The chick should pip a hole in a complete circle around the top of the egg.
- Vocalizations – Faint cheeping from inside the egg is a positive sign of a strong chick.
- Smooth respiration – Watch for steady, unlabored breathing without fluid in the air sac.
- Active movement – The hatchling should be rotating inside the egg and have enough strength to hatch.
- Normal hatch time – Refer to expected incubation period; delayed hatching can indicate weakness.
- Remaining yolk absorbed – Ideally the yolk should be fully absorbed into the chick’s abdomen after hatching.
- Fluffy down – A covering of downy feathers indicates the chick developed properly.
While hatching, refrain from assisting the chick unless absolutely necessary. Allow the process to occur naturally as the chick gains strength to break out of the shell.
Caring for Newly Hatched Parrots from Online Eggs
Caring for parrot chicks after they’ve hatched requires some special considerations. Here are tips for keeping hatchlings healthy:
- Remove shell fragments – Carefully pick off any pieces of egg shell stuck to the chick.
- Return chicks to nest – Place hatchlings back in the nest so parents can raise them.
- Provide supplemental heat – Use a brooder lamp if the mother is not keeping chicks warm enough.
- Check weight daily – Ensure chicks are gaining weight steadily each day.
- Feed formula/crop milk – Handfeed new hatchlings every few hours with species-appropriate diet.
- Monitor crop – Make sure crop is emptying appropriately between feedings.
- Stimulate to defecate – Gently massage the vent area to encourage urination and bowel movements after eating.
The first weeks after hatching are the most vulnerable time for a chick. Monitor them closely and contact an avian vet at the first sign of illness to improve the chances of survival.
Risks of Purchasing Imported Exotic Parrot Eggs
Many buyers are enticed by ads for exotic parrot species not found locally. However, importing eggs from another country involves additional risks including:
- Stressful transport – Long flights/layovers can jeopardize embryo viability.
- Legal issues – Eggs may get confiscated at customs if proper import procedures not followed.
- Disease transmission – Foreign eggs have higher risk of carrying pathogens like avian influenza.
- Higher temperatures – Eggs produced in tropical regions can be more prone to temperature fluctuations when shipped.
- Greater financial loss – Losing an expensive, rare imported egg is costlier than losing a common species.
- No recourse – You have little power getting compensation from overseas sellers if issues arise.
While exotic parrot eggs can be alluring, the additional obstacles make success less likely. It’s safest to look for reputable breeders within your own country when buying online.
Examples of Reputable Parrot Egg Sellers Online
If you decide to procure parrot eggs online, purchasing from well-established, ethical sellers is advised. Here are a few examples of reputable vendors:
- The Parrot Egg Company – Family-owned business specializing in companion parrot eggs. Active online community with lots of buyer reviews. Strong customer service.
- AAV Exotic Birds – Sells popular parrot varieties like macaws, Amazons, conures. Guarantees live delivery. Accepts returns if issues arise post-hatch.
- Carolina Parrot Breeders – Small hobby breeder focusing on high-quality green cheek conure eggs. Attends bird fairs to allow in-person meetings with potential buyers.
- Paradise Parrots – Specializes in rare Australian parakeets. Provides detailed information on incubation and breeding genetics. Just a small operation so limited quantities.
- The Finch Farm – Primarily sells finch eggs but also offers small parrot species like parrotlets. Has a specialty rare breeder division.
Conduct extensive research before selecting any online seller. Join forums to connect with members who have experience with specific vendors. This helps verify seller practices and credibility.
Avoiding Parrot Egg Scams Online
Unfortunately, where there is money to be made there are also scammers trying to take advantage of buyers. Be wary of the following red flags when shopping for parrot eggs online:
- Prices that seem too good to be true
- Requests for payment via wire transfer or gift cards
- Sellers using fake names or accounts
- Photographs stolen from other sites
- Eggs of extremely rare species offered
- No customer reviews available
- Won’t provide proof of legal import status
- Won’t discuss or guarantee shipping procedures
- No refunds or ability to return unhatched eggs
- Immediately reposts ads under new names if issues arise
Scammers bank on taking payment upfront then disappearing once they ship eggs that are unlikely to hatch or never ship anything at all. Protect yourself by thoroughly vetting any seller before sending money or sensitive information.
Reporting Scams Involving Parrot Eggs
If you fall victim to a scam when trying to purchase parrot eggs online, take action by reporting it through the following channels:
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
- Report it to the website or marketplace where the ad was listed
- Notify moderators of the forums where the seller may be active
- Leave detailed negative reviews describing the scam
- Warn local bird breeder groups and associations if applicable
- Report the seller’s website, accounts, or online profiles if able
- Contact your bank or payment provider used
- File a mail fraud report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if eggs were shipped
- Submit details to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
The more people who report, the better chance there is to get fraudulent sellers shut down and prevent future victims. Stand up for yourself and the parrot community by making your story known.
Conclusion
Purchasing parrot eggs online lets you access breeders worldwide, but also comes with inherent risks. Do your research, take precautions when buying, and properly incubate and care for any eggs you acquire. Focus on reputable sellers with positive community reviews. Reporting dishonest sellers helps protect the parrot trade. With due diligence, buying eggs online can be done safely, expanding your breeding horizons.
