#102018 - 10/03/03 05:49 PM
Re: Hybrid Birds
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 310
GeriDoc
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Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 310
New York City
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I understand the arguments against hybrid production, but health isn't really one of them. In genetics there is a phenomenon known as "hybrid vigor", in which hybrid organisms may be healthier because they have complimentary damaging recessive genes - which means, in english, that if one member of the pair has a deleterious gene, it is likely that the other member does not, so the offspring will be healthier. If the offsring are fertile, then there is no argument at all, since this means that they were members of different races of the same species. For example, a bird store near us has a hybrid B&G/military. If the bird, (who is as sweet as a bird can be, BTW), can reproduce, then all that tells us is that militaries and B&G's are the same species, just with different coloration. I agree wholeheartedly that advertising such an animal as something "special" or rare, while technically correct, is not fair to the new owners nor to the bird. If the offspring are infertile, then the practice is, in my view as a biologist, just a commercialization of a horrible practice.
Jay
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#102024 - 10/04/03 04:49 AM
Re: Hybrid Birds
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10
House of Birds2
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New Member

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10
IL
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The only problem in the hybreds that I have heard is that sometimes the hybred ends up looking like one of the parents and not looking like the intended hybred. In other words, a Harlequin could end up looking like a Blue and Gold or a Greenwing Macaw thus "tainting" the genes in that bird, which if bred as a B&G would be a BAD SITUATION. If it looks like a B&G, the owner must always let whoever/whatever the future holds for that bird be known that it is a hybred. I own a Harlequin and know of other hybred owners too, and all of us know the negitive sides of these birds and they should NEVER be in a breeding situation. I have never heard of this bad gene/good gene thing.
One day when the rainforests are gone and birds intending on breeding cannot find a mate of the same species, I feel(unfortunatly), will end up with another and thus create a hybred. This statement is how I feel about Macaws ONLY! We all know how easy our birds bond with anything around that will be with them, plus Mother Nature has inprinted animals to bred to survive. That is NUMBER one on ALL things living. One of the Macaw hybreds I have read is actually in the wild now. (I don't remember which one, I'll have to research to find out which one and where I read it)
Does it make it right??? NO!
Am I for the hybreds??? I don't know because I love mine.. So I am VERY VERY torn!!
Are they only there for money? Which birds were not created or stolen out of the wild for money.
UNFORTUNATELY Hybreds are not the only problem in the bird world. Every bird is a potental problem down the road if steps are not put into place so that the bird is taken care of properly.
God must look down on us with alot of shame because we have "jacked" with mother nature in so many ways. Want a dog or cat with no hair? WAM! Dogs and cats ARE bred for looks, size, temperment, and just about every other thing imaginable. Hey........ what sex of child do you want?? Male or female? WAM! You got your wish. Corn just doesn't grow in a field anymore either. Oranges are "formulated" so they taste better. Cows are messed with so that they produce more milk. I guess I could go on and on......
$$$$$$$$'s in this day is #1 period! That is why our planet is slowing being killed.
Like I said.... Are Hybreds right? I don't know! I just look at mine and love it forever.
Rob
I'm depressed now......... so please don't flame too bad on me.
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#102027 - 10/04/03 06:32 AM
Re: Hybrid Birds
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 231
Eva
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Member

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 231
Australia
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Have to add my 2 cents to this thread. Hybrids are one of my biggest peeves with the breeders in Australia at the moment. I have seen RB2's & BE2's crossed, even GSC2 & BE2's. I have also seen MM2's that were crossed with ? (who knows) being sold. The RB2 & BE2 hybrid birds I have interacted with are very nippy among other things and do not display the generalized behaviour traits of either parent. I believe that it not only pollutes each species gene pool but also that hybrid birds could themselves also be affected mentally as well. This is just my observation. The hybrids that are here should be loved & cherished just like all others should, they did not ask to be here, some selfish person allowed them to be. And as others have said, they should not be advertised as rare to lure in unsuspecting people. A hybrid RB2/BE2 was promoted at one bird store here as a beautiful apricot baby. Very rare & very desirable. The bird was lovely in it's own right BUT the beak was very strange looking, to big for it's overall size & very strange looking in general. The scarey part is that these birds are becoming much more common now & if it is true that they are fertile, then god forbid what the future holds. Also please remember that if Macaws or any other species are producing hybrids in the wild, it is because we have upset the balance. Nature intended these species to be pure & if it was otherwise, these new hybrids would have been discovered decades ago. Dave - we have had discussions here before about hybrids & I am with you 100 percent! Rob - love your bird for who it is but please do condemn the breeders that are churning out these birds to the unsuspecting public. Eva..... 
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#102031 - 10/08/03 01:19 PM
Re: Hybrid Birds
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 46
TroyRonda
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Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 46
Bridgeton, NJ
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IMO it's flat out WRONG for Breeders to do this. While it does occasionally happen in the Wild (especially with Macaws)it is wrong. It's important for GOOD breeders to keep the gene pool as pure as possible. This brings me to another issue that I have seen. it is also important to let Parrots select their mate & not just be forced into a cage for breeding. I have heard many horror storys when this was attempted. Amazons are especially picky when choosing a mate. Just adding my 2 pennys! 
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#102033 - 10/10/03 09:53 AM
Re: Hybrid Birds
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 231
Eva
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Member

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 231
Australia
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Hi Emu! Welcome to the board from another Aussie! As you are probably aware, here in Australia at the moment it is becoming more common to see hybrid birds for sale. Are they the same price as a pure - no way! Are they advertised as rare or uncommon - you bet! Please read my post above for my personal opinion on hybrids. Love your Charlie for who he is but please don't kid yourself that it was an accident, accidents can happen (sexual bonding & egg laying)but any eggs can be removed or destroyed (blown),so the decision to let them hatch was a choice. They do cross in nature, I have seen hybrids here also between RB2s & BE2s BUT it is NOT common at all. I have never seen a MM2 hybrid in the wild BUT I have been seeing them more & more at bird stores. Eva....... 
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#102034 - 10/10/03 05:56 PM
Re: Hybrid Birds
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**DONOTDELETE**
Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Is crossing a blue budgie with a green budgie cross breeding? This happens all the time and thats where there are so many color patterns. SO would this type of breeding make hybirds? Is that type of breeding bad? More of a questions but about same topic..
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