I'm looking into getting a Hyacinth. I am NOT interested in one in the next couple years. 3 -5 years is a better time frame. I need to finish my PhD, get a house, and make enough money to house one.

I would like people's opinions on breeders, socialization, housing, food, etc.

I am leaning towards an Avalon Aviary baby so that I can interact with it throughout its growth and make sure I bring a baby that will see Ariel and Merlin as head birds but I would welcome an older rescue if people thought it would be safe for my present babies. I like the idea of Avalon because I'd like to visit the fellow throughout the course of it's weaning process as I did with Ariel but there is no guarantee they will have one in my time frame.

Any info on Hyacinths and how to get an young one/older rescue would be welcome.

Please understand that I am not soliciting cheaper adults , I will spend the 9-12 k for a baby if need be. I would rather foster an adult but would also rather pay the money to safeguard my current flock. Any advice on this forum or in PMs as it pertains to any aspect of Hyacinth purchase/adoption/companionship would be highly respected.

My wife and I are planning on having no children so other than rescuing another Red Front this would be the final addition to our family.

Gary (Winged Victory), HyacinthLove, BigBlue, etc. Your opinions/comments are highly appreciated. I would consider the ability to give a good life to one of the creatures to be an honor.

Regards,
Jared Workman

well, i can't help out all that much with breeders as i only know a few in florida. but i can tell you that you are most likely going to have to spend $9-12k. it's very difficult to find a hy to foster/adopt. where are you located?

ivy is my only large bird, so i don't know about socialization with other birds. but she is a doll with new people, just a little shy at first. she is generally outgoing, though. her cage is currently a 40x30", but it's only temporary for a few months until i can get a 48x36" stainless steel. i am getting mine from freedom cages; they guarantee their cages against hy beaks!

as for food, hys have a high fat/carb and low protein diet. mac nuts are a must! ivy gets around 8-10 a day. for pellets, she gets harrison's high potency. her favorite fresh foods (ie the only ones i've gotten her to eat so far) are banana, sweet potato, and corn. she also likes brazil nuts in the shell from time to time.

hys are really amazing, you will be very happy with your choice

I am interested in this thread too! My husband and I are planning on getting a hyacinth in the nextcouple years also! I am living in CO now and am interested in Avalon Aviary. I would like to check it out and see some of their birds one of these days! We also have 3 other macaws, but feel confident that adding #4 shouldn't be too tough. Money aside, I want to wait until my 2 yo little girl is in school so I have a little more time to give. All macaws are the best! If you decide on Avalon, keep me updated!

It is hard for me to say enough good about Avalon. They are 100 percent into their birds. My only negative into Avalon insofar as their Hyacinsths is that they have not laid in 4 years.

I don't know Avalon aviaries, as Mikey Blue did not come from them. In my limited fairly long-term experience with hys (2 male babies), I've found that they are extremely playful, strong and intelligent. When they focus on a "project", they can be difficult to distract. They seem to have a naturally friendly personality, although Mikey Blue is not afraid to bully the other birds--except Arthur. For some reason, he is terrified of Arthur. Of course, his cagemate, Ceilidh, takes no guff from Mikey, and will give as good as he gets, so Mikey doesn't tend to bully him.

Every Hy I've ever met seems to be inclined to be a "floor chicken". Probably because, in the wild, they often get their palm nuts on the ground. They are stronger than they realize. Mikey is a very good talker, and his voice is distinctive. When they're young, they seem to be easily stressed, which can lead to problems like yeast, and even a higher mortality rate than the average macaw. A diet high in SATURATED fats and low in protein is necessary. Brazil nuts, coconuts and mac nuts are all high in the saturated fats. Mikey eats an average of 10 mac nuts/day, and a couple of Brazils. Occasionally, he gets coconut chunks, fresh. He doesn't tend to like carbs (fruit, breads, pasta, etc.), but he likes fresh and frozen (thawed) veggies.

Of course you know that they need a LOT to keep them busy, lest they destroy their cage. Mikey is also rather mechanical, and takes pleasure in unscrewing quick links, opening the feeder doors on his supposedly macaw-proof cage, and crawling upside down on a playstand by lifting the tray from underneath.

All in all, they're GREAT companions, and I would have another (female, 'cause I want a snugglier girl) given half a chance :-). Hopefully, Gary and JR will chime in with their advice, as they're the only people I know who have several Hys.

Jared, it is great that you are doing your research prior to considering a Hy. From one who loves this species, it is difficult for me to believe that anyone wouldn't. We have been fortunate to have both rehomed Hys and have one we weaned from 4 months.

The cost of a Hy ranges from $8 -15K normally, with sometimes a difference if they are rehomed. There is a waiting list with most reputable breeders. Space is of concern with an extra large cage necessary, the larger the better. My Hys do not damage their cages, if they have enough toys and wood to chew they will not likely chew the bars, but as Emily says, a company who guarantees that is always good and I haven't experienced hormonal behavior yet. They need lots of "out of cage" play gyms, rings, or orbits to hang and play. If your Hy is flighted, high ceilings are ideal or an aviary is best, although they can fly and bank in pretty small areas and have fun just flying from cage top to my arm or lap on the couch. Food, is high fat, mac nuts a must, with fresh fruit and vegetables (if you can coax them into veggies), and pellets, we feed Harrison's. I don't find Hys any messier than other macaws, maybe even less. Mine do not throw their food, not sure if that is typical. They have huge beaks that scare a lot of people, but they are generally very gentle unless scared, and then you don't want your fingers in the way as with any large bird. I kiss and cuddle my Hys and they love to play together and with us. They do require lots of attention, so time with them is important to keep them happy and to prevent them from being loud. They are loud at dawn and dusk as are our other macaws, birds will be birds.

Socializing them with other birds in the house is important. It has been a process of slowly introducing them to the rest of the flock. Babies not much of a challenge, but rehomes can be. The set up with your existing flock and their jealous tendencies will make a difference. Two is company, three is a crowd can happen. We have paired our birds to play together through their own choices. We have a few macaw buddies in the same room and sometimes they join other pairs to play. It can't be forced, and also needs to be supervised. Our Hys laugh and talk clearly adding much fun to our home.

Jeanne and Majabirds have Hys as well so hopefully they will add additional insight. Wingedvictory (Gary) asked me to let you know we share the same flock and same opinions!

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to say that I am in Boulder, Colorado.

ivy is a big bar chewer, even with tons of toys. she prefers chewing on metal, and will go for the quick links before she plays with the toy itself. i am trying to get her more metal toys. and thank god i have a titanium wedding band lol her favorite chew toy.

but yes, not all will stay away from the cage bars even with distractions.

It could be she likes the shine of the metal. She will love her new stainless steel cage!

My greenwing loves metal as well. She demolishes the metal links and drops the toys to the ground. She seems to get a particular thrill out of unscrewing the links then bending them in half.

My hope is that Avalon has a baby born in 2 years and then I'll do the same thing I did with Ariel which was to visit 3-4 times a month and learn how to handle and interact with the baby as it grows. If that happens I'll set up another chronological history of the new bird. They seem like big sweethearts and the thought of having one is exciting.

My ultimate goal is to be able to create a room for the birds and let them all go cage free. I know Ariel and Merlin can co-exist so hopefully I'll be able to get them used to/ safe with a big blue.