An African grey
parrotcosts
~$2k/parrot. For a small breeding
population might be ~150 individuals (fox
domestication
started out “with 30 male foxes and 100 vixens”). Let’s assume cages cost
$1k/parrot,
including perches, feeding- and water-bowls. The estimated price for
an avian vet is $400/parrot-year.
This
page
also says that African greys produce feather dust,
and one therefore needs airfilters (which are advisable
anyway). Let’s say we need one for every
10 parrots, costing $500 each.
Let’s say the whole experiment takes 50 years, which is ~7
generations. I’ll assume that the number of parrots is not fluctuating
due to breeding them at a constant rate.
Let’s say it takes $500/parrot for feed and water (just a guess,
I haven’t looked this up).
We also have to buy a building to house the parrots in. 2m²/parrot
at $100/m² in rural areas, plus $200k for a building housing 50
parrots each (I’ve guessed those numbers). Four staff perhaps (working
8 hours/day), expense at $60/staff-hour, 360 days a year.
The total cost is then
150*$2k+15*$500+150*$1k+150*50*($400+$500)+3*$200k+2*150*$100+50*360*8*4*$60=$3.632 mio.
I assume the number is going to be very similar for
other (potentially more intelligent) birds like
keas.
An African grey parrot costs ~$2k/parrot. For a small breeding population might be ~150 individuals (fox domestication started out “with 30 male foxes and 100 vixens”). Let’s assume cages cost $1k/parrot, including perches, feeding- and water-bowls. The estimated price for an avian vet is $400/parrot-year.
This page also says that African greys produce feather dust, and one therefore needs airfilters (which are advisable anyway). Let’s say we need one for every 10 parrots, costing $500 each.
Let’s say the whole experiment takes 50 years, which is ~7 generations. I’ll assume that the number of parrots is not fluctuating due to breeding them at a constant rate.
Let’s say it takes $500/parrot for feed and water (just a guess, I haven’t looked this up).
We also have to buy a building to house the parrots in. 2m²/parrot at $100/m² in rural areas, plus $200k for a building housing 50 parrots each (I’ve guessed those numbers). Four staff perhaps (working 8 hours/day), expense at $60/staff-hour, 360 days a year.
The total cost is then 150*$2k+15*$500+150*$1k+150*50*($400+$500)+3*$200k+2*150*$100+50*360*8*4*$60=$3.632 mio.
I assume the number is going to be very similar for other (potentially more intelligent) birds like keas.
The legwork is much appreciated