Strawblady2000
04-26-2006, 03:47 PM
While this is common knowledge to many, it may not be to all. As we know prices are steadily rising for exotic birds...few will be as drastic as the strawberry finch here in the U.S. As a breeder, I am always in contact with other breeders and wholesalers. Every one I've sopken with has indicated that the berry prices will be rising very sharply. Currently, pricing is reasonable...but it will not remain this way for long, as the gene pool continues to dwindle withiin each localized area, due to the cessation of new imports.
As pricing is and has been about $40 each, look for drastically increased prices to start appearing. This post is not to incite mania among those looking for berries...but is a realy of information from direct wholesalers. So, as we love this species, they will be harder and harder to add stock and new blood.
This increase will definately have an impact on us, as they are not easy to find to begin with. So...I'd like to stress even more than before, if you see a pair, snap them up!
Moreso....until a national registry is completed for these birds, please outreach to other breeders to incorporate exchange programs, whether it be with breeder birds or with offspring. It is so important for the integrity of the species to maintain a wide gene pool. As sources dwindle, this will be more and more difficult.
As I said, this is common knowledge to many people...but the situation is really becoming dire. So...for those of you who breed...please take care in cranking out young just to make a buck...please help us concentrate on the strength of the species.
Sorry to post this...I;ve been on the phone with many different contacts today...and everyone has said the same thing.
As pricing is and has been about $40 each, look for drastically increased prices to start appearing. This post is not to incite mania among those looking for berries...but is a realy of information from direct wholesalers. So, as we love this species, they will be harder and harder to add stock and new blood.
This increase will definately have an impact on us, as they are not easy to find to begin with. So...I'd like to stress even more than before, if you see a pair, snap them up!
Moreso....until a national registry is completed for these birds, please outreach to other breeders to incorporate exchange programs, whether it be with breeder birds or with offspring. It is so important for the integrity of the species to maintain a wide gene pool. As sources dwindle, this will be more and more difficult.
As I said, this is common knowledge to many people...but the situation is really becoming dire. So...for those of you who breed...please take care in cranking out young just to make a buck...please help us concentrate on the strength of the species.
Sorry to post this...I;ve been on the phone with many different contacts today...and everyone has said the same thing.