Job Title:
Bird breeder
One Sentence To Describe Work Role:
Running a bird breeding program.
Number Of Years Dedicated To This Field Of Work or Lifestyle:
4 years as a hobby.
Category Of Work:
Hobby – Paid
Country / Area of Work:
South Africa
Industry:
Other Industry Sector – Avicultural
Type:
Hobby
Key Skills For The Job:
Building bird cages and nest boxes, supply the birds with daily balanced diets and hand rear the chicks for the local pet market.
Vital Key Skill:
An absolute love for birds.
Your Personal Experience Of Entering This Role:
Learnt On The Job and from other members in my local bird club.
Tips For Undertaking This Work:
You need to have a passion for birds. Keep what you think is pretty. Begin with birds that breed easily and for which there is a market. Don’t try to go too big too soon.
Expand the species you keep. Join the nearest bird club and take part of their meetings and auctions.
Future Progression Or Developments:
Begin small with birds you like. Expand with time.
Breed the birds you like. It is supposed to be a hobby and not a business. Don’t keep a big variety of birds. Select a few types and concentrate on them only. This makes feeding and management a lot easier. Birds flourish on attention – the more they see you, the more they will give back to you.
What Are The ‘tools of the trade’ Used Daily:
Your love for the birds and knowledge which you get by joining your local club.
A Typical Day’s Duties:
Prepare a balanced diet for the birds. Do aviary inspections.
Is Travelling A Regularly Part Of This Work:
No
Weekly Working Hours:
Full Time
Type Of Hours Arrangement:
Other Seven days a week…… the whole year.
The Best Thing About The Work You Do:
To see a little cute parrot chick develop into an adorable house pet.
Your Least Favorite Thing About The Work You Do:
Getting up early everyday of the week to prepare the daily food.
Any Duties You Hadn’t Anticipated Prior To Undertaking The Work:
The fact that you always need somebody to babysit the birds when you want to go on holiday.
The Top Perks Of The Work:
To see the birds flourish on your attention.
Other Work In The Same Sector:
None that I’m aware of.
What Professional Organisations Are Associated With Your Work:
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and our PVSA (Parrot Breeders Association of Southern Africa)
Additional Info You Wish To Share:
Do a lot of reading and gather additional information that can assist you in taking care of your birds the best way.
